Episode Details

Welcome back to Experience in Clubhouse Design, the podcast where we explore the evolving world of private club architecture, design trends, and the business forces shaping the industry. Today we're diving deep into a seismic shift happening right now in the architecture world—one that's particularly relevant to those of us in the club and hospitality space.

In August 2025, Kuo Diedrich Chi Architects, better known as KDC, announced they were joining ClubWorks as a partner firm. For those unfamiliar, KDC is an absolute powerhouse in our industry. They've been the creative force behind multiple winners in Golf Inc.'s Amenity of the Year, Golden Fork, and Clubhouse of the Year competitions. They aren't just award-winners; they're the firms shaping how members experience luxury, community, and hospitality.

But here's what makes this announcement significant: it's not just another merger. It's part of a much larger trend—private equity and private capital rolling up professional services firms, including architecture practices. And this trend is accelerating fast.

Today, we're going to unpack what this means for the industry, for design quality, for innovation, and ultimately, for the clubs and resorts that we all care about.

Let's start with the basics. What exactly happened here?

Kuo Diedrich Chi Architects was formed in 2017 through a merger of two established firms, Kuo Diedrich and Chi Design Group. They've built a stellar reputation in the club and hospitality space. Now, they've joined ClubWorks, which describes itself as a network of wholly owned firms providing professional services in the private club, real estate, and hospitality industries.

Here's what's interesting about ClubWorks. it's not just buying up architecture firms randomly. They've created what you might call a one-stop-shop for private clubs. Their portfolio now includes:

• Peacock + Lewis Architects and Planners
• JBD JGA Design and Architecture
• Visionary Spectacle Studios (architectural visualization)
• GGA Partners (consulting)
• Private Club Films (video production)
• ClubWorks Engineering
• Buffalo Groupe (marketing)
• And now, KDC

Do you see the pattern? They're assembling an integrated service platform. If you're a club looking to do a major renovation or build a new facility, ClubWorks can theoretically handle everything from initial consulting to architecture, interior design, engineering, marketing videos, and even helping you communicate with your membership.

Michael Leemhuis, Chairman and CEO of ClubWorks, said something telling in the announcement: "Their influence is respected globally across the club industry, and we're proud to welcome them into ClubWorks as we continue shaping the future of experiential environments."

Notice that phrase "shaping the future." That's the language of consolidation and transformation.

Now, let's zoom out. What KDC and ClubWorks represent is just one data point in a much larger phenomenon. Private equity has discovered professional services firms, and th