Seattle, WA and Cambridge, MA, March 15, 2010 - NBBJ, a global architecture and design firm, and Chan Krieger Sieniewicz, internationally-known for urban design and architecture excellence, announced today a merger of the two firms that will create an integrated team of over 700 architects, urban designers, planners and interior designers. The Chan Krieger Sieniewicz team, including its five principals, will continue in their current roles. As part of the transition to the NBBJ name, the Cambridge office will operate as Chan Krieger NBBJ.
More than three years of collaboration as the design team behind the new 530,000 square-foot Building for the Third Century at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) led to a growing interest by principals in both firms to establish a more formal and far-reaching alliance. "We were initially brought together with NBBJ when MGH suggested we team up and combine what the client saw as complementary abilities," said Alex Krieger, Founding Principal of Chan Krieger Sieniewicz and Professor at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. "As we worked with our colleagues at NBBJ, we realized we shared the same values and studio culture, only on a different scale."
Scott Wyatt, Managing Partner of NBBJ, said "Since that introduction three years ago, we learned a lot about each other and came to realize the value we could provide to clients by combining the strengths of both organizations. NBBJ is known for our deep market experience in healthcare, education, corporate and commercial design. Chan Krieger Sieniewicz is known in Boston and internationally for its world-class depth in architecture and urban design. Integrating this experience advances what we can together offer clients, particularly on complex urban projects in the U.S. and overseas."
The merger gives NBBJ, which already operates a project office in Boston, a larger presence in New England. The Seattle-based firm has offices in several U.S. cities, including Columbus, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and Seattle. Overseas offices include London, Beijing, Shanghai and Dubai.
Recognition of both firms' work includes numerous AIA design awards, awards in national and international design competitions, Progressive Architecture awards and top sustainable, real estate and business awards.
"We are excited about merging our practice with NBBJ, and see it as simply an ideal match of corresponding skills and personalities," said Larry Chan, Founding Principal of Chan Krieger Sieniewicz and president of the Boston Society of Architects. "The expertise clients are seeking today requires a deep reserve of problem-solving experience. This collaboration allows us to deliver on that need, and to work going forward with the best talent in the industry to advance the strong personal relationships we've built."
About Chan Krieger Sieniewicz - Founded in 1984, Chan Krieger Sieniewicz is built on its ability to cross the disciplines of architecture, urban design, and public space planning. It is widely regarded for its distinctive combination of pragmatic methodology, scholarship, and civic vision. CKS's work is primarily for the public, educational, and institutional sectors, particularly on projects that engage complex settings. For more information, visit www.chankrieger.com
About NBBJ - Founded in 1943, NBBJ is a global architecture, planning and design firm that helps companies and organizations create innovative places. NBBJ's client roster includes Fortune 500 companies, leading public and civic organizations worldwide and US News & World Report top hospitals. Together, NBBJ's design teams and clients have designed communities, buildings, and environments that enhance people's lives, improve businesses' bottom lines and contribute to a more sustainable and livable world. The firm consistently ranks among the country's top ten and the world's top 20 largest architectural firms. For more information, visit www.nbbj.com.
Related Stories
| Sep 13, 2010
Richmond living/learning complex targets LEED Silver
The 162,000-sf living/learning complex includes a residence hall with 122 units for 459 students with a study center on the ground level and communal and study spaces on each of the residential levels. The project is targeting LEED Silver.
| Sep 13, 2010
World's busiest land port also to be its greenest
A larger, more efficient, and supergreen border crossing facility is planned for the San Ysidro (Calif.) Port of Entry to better handle the more than 100,000 people who cross the U.S.-Mexico border there each day.
| Sep 13, 2010
Triple-LEED for Engineering Firm's HQ
With more than 250 LEED projects in the works, Enermodal Engineering is Canada's most prolific green building consulting firm. In 2007, with the firm outgrowing its home office in Kitchener, Ont., the decision was made go all out with a new green building. The goal: triple Platinum for New Construction, Commercial Interiors, and Existing Buildings: O&M.
| Sep 13, 2010
Stadium Scores Big with Cowboys' Fans
Jerry Jones, controversial billionaire owner of the Dallas Cowboys, wanted the team's new stadium in Arlington, Texas, to really amp up the fan experience. The organization spent $1.2 billion building a massive three-million-sf arena that seats 80,000 (with room for another 20,000) and has more than 300 private suites, some at field level-a first for an NFL stadium.
| Sep 13, 2010
'A Model for the Entire Industry'
How a university and its Building Team forged a relationship with 'the toughest building authority in the country' to bring a replacement hospital in early and under budget.
| Sep 13, 2010
Committed to the Core
How a forward-looking city government, a growth-minded university, a developer with vision, and a determined Building Team are breathing life into downtown Phoenix.
| Sep 13, 2010
Conquering a Mountain of Construction Challenges
Brutal winter weather, shortages of materials, escalating costs, occasional visits from the local bear population-all these were joys this Building Team experienced working a new resort high up in the Sierra Nevada.
| Sep 13, 2010
Data Centers Keeping Energy, Security in Check
Power consumption for data centers doubled from 2000 and 2006, and it is anticipated to double again by 2011, making these mission-critical facilities the nation's largest commercial user of electric power. With major technology companies investing heavily in new data centers, it's no wonder Building Teams see these mission-critical facilities as a golden opportunity, and why they are working hard to keep energy costs at data centers in check.
| Sep 13, 2010
3D Prototyping Goes Low-cost
Today’s less costly 3D color printers are attracting the attention of AEC firms looking to rapidly prototype designs and communicate design intent to clients.
| Aug 11, 2010
Cubellis principals reorganize as CI design
Former principals of Cubellis Inc. have formed ci design "with a stellar group of projects in the United States and internationally," states John Larsen who, with Richard Rankin and Christopher Ladd, is leading the architecture and planning firm.