Cannon Design and Peter Ellis New Cities are joining together in the hopes of expanding their reach in the fields of urban planning and city design practice. Now as one team, the two firms will continue to work in growing urban areas both in the U.S. and abroad.

Cannon Design does planning and design for several industries including healthcare, education, and sports. Calling itself an ideas-based practice, the firm says it is committed to prioritizing the project over the end-product or object. With the help of Peter Ellis and his staff, Cannon Design CEO Gary Miller says he looks forward to growing the reformed company’s portfolio in city design.

Ellis, who will now partner with the Cannon Design executive team, worked as a design partner for Skidmore Owings and Merrill for 30 years before branching off to start his firm New Cities. An ex-pat living and working in India, Ellis developed Sports City, a 5,000-acre city with commercial and residential districts. He will continue working overseas and will help to expand the firm’s presence in India.