An acquisition extends Eppstein Uhen Architects’ national footprint

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.