Case Study

Pate Design Group

Pate Design Group is a boutique architecture firm based in Atlanta specializing in design-build projects across a wide range of project types — from tenant fit-outs and convenience stores to multifamily, hospitality, historic preservation, and faith-based facilities across the Southeast and beyond.

Overview

100% Daily Utilization. More Projects. More Yes.

A small but fast-moving architecture firm needed production capacity that could keep up with their pipeline without the overhead of domestic hires. BizForce placed dedicated architects who now drive production full time — freeing the principal to focus on business development, client relationships, and saying yes to more work.

Industry

Architecture & Engineering

Company Size

Small boutique firm

Challenge

Production bottlenecks limited how many projects the firm could take on at once, and domestic hiring costs made scaling difficult

Solution

Dedicated BizForce architects integrated directly into the firm's workflows, tools, and client relationships

Results

Production running at 100% from 8:30am to 5pm every single day
Firm went from turning projects down to saying yes with confidence
Team participates in projects earlier in the process due to cost efficiency
BizForce architects communicate directly with clients and consultants independently
Grew from 1 placement to 3 dedicated architects in under a year
The Challenge

A Pipeline That Was Outgrowing
the Team

Kirby Pate built Pate Design Group on relationships, speed, and a willingness to take on projects that larger firms won't touch. But with only so many hours in the day, production kept hitting a ceiling. Domestic hires at market rates made scaling the team economically difficult — particularly on smaller, high-volume project types where margin is everything. Kirby needed dedicated production capacity that could run while he was in meetings, on the road, or chasing the next opportunity.

The Solution

Dedicated Architects. Running Every Day.

BizForce placed dedicated architects — Alex, Dana, and Vick — who work exclusively for Pate Design Group on their schedule, in their software, and as true members of the team. They communicate directly with clients and engineering consultants, solve design problems independently, and keep production moving whether Kirby is in the office or not. The cost structure unlocked projects and project types that simply wouldn't have been viable before — and the team's proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, and rendering software means high-quality deliverables move fast.

Roles Placed

Dedicated Project Architects (AutoCAD / Revit)
3D Rendering Support
Construction Document Production
Client & Consultant Coordination

How They Integrated

  • Work exclusively on Pate Design Group projects, 8:30am–5pm daily
  • Communicate directly with clients and engineering consultants independently
  • Embedded in the firm's folder systems, workflows, and project schedules
  • Principal interviews and selects every candidate personally
  • Proactively flag next steps and design decisions when the principal is unavailable

The Results

Daily Production

100% Utilization
8:30am to 5pm, every single day

Project Capacity

Saying Yes Again
Firm confidently takes on work it previously had to turn down

Team Growth

1 → 3 Architects
In Under One Year

Client Stories

Here's the impact we've made on businesses.

"The efficiency of the cost structure enables us to do things we couldn't do otherwise. We can participate in projects earlier than we might have previously. We can say yes with almost a straight face now — and we're getting things out the door."
Kirby Pate
Principal, Pate Design Group
BizForce A&E Client

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