Perkins+Will has merged with The Environments Group, a Chicago-based firm with deep expertise in designing corporate and commercial interiors. With 65 professionals, The Environments Group represents the largest stand-alone interiors practice in Chicago.
“The Environments Group merger supports our strategy to grow by targeted acquisition,” said Phil Harrison, CEO of Perkins+Will. “It not only significantly strengthens our Interiors practice, but also enhances our offerings in the Planning & Strategies and Branded Environments disciplines. In addition, The Environments Group has a marquee name in Chicago, and expanding our footprint in the Chicago market, among other key cities, is critical to the firm’s continued growth and success. We’re thrilled to welcome our new colleagues into the Perkins+Will family.”
The Environments Group was founded in 1991 and has since grown into an interior design powerhouse, with a client portfolio including USG Corporation, Schiff Hardin, UBS and many of the top international consulting firms. The combined firm creates a best-in-class Interiors practice with the expertise and resources to address the most complex issues that face the global corporate sector.
“Merging with Perkins+Will is a win for our clients and staff,” said Fred Schmidt, Managing Principal of The Environments Group. “The merger will not only allow us to better serve our clients with a broader national range of service offerings, it provides our staff with enhanced career development and growth opportunities.”
Both firms stress that the strong cultural fit between the two organizations will help to quickly integrate the practice.
“We are very compatible from both a business and cultural perspective,” said Ray Clark, Managing Director of Perkins+Will’s Chicago office and member of the firm’s Board of Directors. “The Environments Group shares our values, including our team-based philosophy and commitment to sustainability. In fact, the synergy between the two firms has already been endorsed by the marketplace. We share several clients, including Crate and Barrel.”
