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
| Mar 23, 2011
AIA adds 13 new contract documents to Documents-on-Demand service
Web-based solution adds 13 popular Architect’s Scope of Services Documents to AIA Documents-on-Demand, providing easy access to documents anytime, anywhere.
| Mar 23, 2011
After 60 years of student lobbying, new activity center opens at University of Texas
The new Student Activity Center at the University of Texas campus, Austin, is the result of almost 60 years of students lobbying for another dedicated social and cultural center on campus. The 149,000-sf facility is designed to serve as the "campus living room," and should earn a LEED Gold certification, a first for the campus.
| Mar 23, 2011
Architecture Billings Index shows nominal increase
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the February Architecture Billings Index score was 50.6, up slightly from a reading of 50.0 the previous month. This score reflects a modest increase in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry index was 56.4, compared to a mark of 56.5 in December.
| Mar 22, 2011
The American National Standards Institute accredits Stantec for greenhouse gas verification
Stantec Consulting Ltd.’s Atmospheric Environment Group has been awarded accreditation by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for verification of assertions related to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The Scope of Accreditation is for verification of emissions and removals at the organizational level for Group 1 – General.
| Mar 22, 2011
Mayor Bloomberg unveils plans for New York City’s largest new affordable housing complex since the ’70s
Plans for Hunter’s Point South, the largest new affordable housing complex to be built in New York City since the 1970s, include new residences for 5,000 families, with more than 900 in this first phase. A development team consisting of Phipps Houses, Related Companies, and Monadnock Construction has been selected to build the residential portion of the first phase of the Queens waterfront complex, which includes two mixed-use buildings comprising more than 900 housing units and roughly 20,000 square feet of new retail space.
| Mar 21, 2011
RATIO Architects announces merger with Cherry Huffman Architects
RATIO Architects, Inc. with studios in Indianapolis and Champaign, Ill., recently announced it has merged with prominent Raleigh, N.C., firm Cherry Huffman Architects.
| Mar 18, 2011
Universities will compete to build a campus on New York City land
New York City announced that it had received 18 expressions of interest in establishing a research center from universities and corporations around the world. Struggling to compete with Silicon Valley, Boston, and other high-tech hubs, officials charged with developing the city’s economy have identified several city-owned sites that might serve as a home for the research center for applied science and engineering that they hope to establish.
| Mar 17, 2011
Perkins Eastman launches The Green House prototype design package
Design and architecture firm Perkins Eastman is pleased to join The Green House project and NCB Capital Impact in announcing the launch of The Green House Prototype Design Package. The Prototype will help providers develop small home senior living communities with greater efficiency and cost savings—all to the standards of care developed by The Green House project.
| Mar 17, 2011
Hospitality industry turns to HTS Texas for ‘do not disturb’ air conditioned comfort
Large resort hotels and hospitality properties throughout the Southwest have been working with local contractors, engineers and HTS Texas for the latest innovations in quiet heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment. The company has completed 12+ projects throughout Texas and the Southwestern U.S. over the past 18 to 24 months, and is currently working on six more hotel projects throughout the region.
