The following is a press release announcing the merger of global architecture and design firm Perkins Eastman with New York– and Los Angeles–based Pfeiffer Partners Architects, a successor of the firm Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates. The 37-member staff of Pfeiffer will join Perkins Eastman and become Pfeiffer—a Perkins Eastman studio. Perkins Eastman will retain its name.
Uniting the creative energies of two legacy firms, Perkins Eastman and Pfeiffer Partners Architects are excited to announce their pending merger, which will combine the formidable talents, culture, and design processes of both. Perkins Eastman, a global architecture and design firm with more than 1,000 employees, has worked on projects on five continents in 60 countries. Its portfolio reflects expertise in multiple practice areas with globally-renowned strengths in healthcare, senior living, large scale mixed use, higher education, K-12, hospitality, and workplace design as well as planning, urban design, and strategic consulting. Pfeiffer, a successor firm of Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates, based in Los Angeles and New York City, is known for its depth of experience in the arts, libraries, historic preservation, renovations, adaptive reuse, and interior design as well as creative design solutions. This mutually-beneficial merger provides a platform for collaboration across disciplines and offices, combining the opportunity to draw on the considerable market credibility, resources, and geographic reach that Perkins Eastman provides with the design expertise in programming, planning, architecture, and interior design that Pfeiffer offers. The two firms share a strong commitment to client service, mentoring, research, and design innovation.
“This merger is an important milestone in our long-term plans to build a firm that can offer the breath of design and thought leadership our clients are seeking,” says Bradford Perkins, FAIA, Chairman of Perkins Eastman. “Pfeiffer brings internationally-recognized experience and skills in key areas—all of which complement Perkins Eastman’s established capabilities. We believe this new union will open up exciting new opportunities for all of us.”
“Joining forces with Perkins Eastman will allow Pfeiffer to continue to focus on our core areas while expanding our geographic and typological reach,” says Bill Murray, FAIA, a Founding Principal of Pfeiffer. “For some time, our principals have discussed how best to grow our practice on both coasts as well as internationally, while retaining our identity and commitment to design excellence. When Brad approached us about a potential merger, the idea very much aligned with our long-term goals. Perkins Eastman, like Pfeiffer, offers a broad range of architectural solutions; not choosing to practice a particular architectural style but instead creating dynamic new environments that respond to the physical, cultural, and social context in which they’re located. The firm is also committed to a process of collaboration, client service, and professional growth of its staff. They are the perfect fit for us.”
The principals of Pfeiffer, now known as “Pfeiffer—a Perkins Eastman studio”, will lead key practice areas in the combined firm, including in the arts, libraries, and renovation/preservation/adaptable reuse, joining Perkins Eastman leaders in HEST (higher education / science & technology), healthcare, senior living, large scale mixed use, K-12, hospitality, and workplace design. While the firms’ New York studios will co-locate, their respective studios in Los Angeles, which are close to one another, will physically remain where they are, while being technologically connected. The teams look forward to working collaboratively on joint projects.
