Consolidation among architectural firms across the country marches forward, as Eppstein Uhen Architects, a 110-year-old firm based in Milwaukee, expanded its national reach with its acquisition of Denver-based Burkettdesign.
As a result of this transaction, whose terms were not disclosed, Burkettdesign, which was founded in 1990, will change its name to BurkettEUA. The combined firm now has licensed architects in 35 states, up from 25. Burkettdesign’s 27-person staff increases EUA’s employee count to more than 200.
Burkett’s leadership team—including owner Rick Burkett, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP; and principals Catherine Quintero, NCIDQ, ASID, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C; Michele Ponicsan, AIA, LEED AP; Gillian Hallock Johnson, Associate IIDA, LEED AP ID+C; and Kitty Yuen, AIA, NCIDQ, CDT, LEED AP—will become shareholders in Eppstein Uhen. Associate Principal Ben Niamthet, Associate AIA, also joins the other principals as a member of the core leadership team of BurkettEUA, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
“The fact that five principals are investing and becoming shareholders in EUA demonstrates our mutual long-term commitment to our clients and each other,” says Rich Tennessen, EUA’s president.
EUA specializes in designing schools, offices, health care facilities, senior living facilities and science and technology facilities. Its clients include a range of private and public organizations, such as GE Healthcare, Ascension, Baird, Northwestern Mutual and Johnson Controls.
BurkettEUA’s practices encompass healthcare, offices, financial institutions, education, hospitality, and culture. Its services include interior design and urban master planning.
Greg Uhen, AIA, NCARB, EUA’s chief executive, says his firm decided to expand into Denver based on that region’s growth projections. One of the plusses of merging with Burkett, he explains, is that the geographic overlap between the two firms is limited.
Related Stories
| Aug 19, 2011
Enhanced acoustical design
Ambient noise levels in some facility types are trending up and becoming a barrier to clear communication between building occupants.
| Jul 22, 2011
The Right Platform for IPD
Workstations for successful integrated project delivery, a white paper by Dell and BD+C.
| Jul 22, 2011
High-performance windows and doors
Learning objectives After reading this article, you should be able to: Understand issues of thermal performance and energy efficiency in relation to window and door systems; describe optimal detailing of the window-wall interface and how it contributes to building performance, sustainability, and occupant well-being; understand how durability contributes to sustainable windows/doors; and list sustainable O&M requirements for window and door systems.
| Jul 21, 2011
Falling Architecture Billings Index reflects decrease in design demands
This months Architecture Billings Index (ABI), provided by the American Institute of Architects, is almost a full point lower than last month’s reported score. June’s reading of 47.2 was short of the required 50 to achieve billings increases, making July’s reading of 46.3 an unwelcome sign of market tidings.
| Jun 29, 2011
New leadership role for architects in net-zero design
BD+C Editorial Director Rob Cassidy talks with RNL Design's Tom Hootman, AIA, about the changing role of architects in net-zero designs.