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
Healthcare Facilities | Apr 13, 2023
Urgent care facilities: Intentional design for mental and behavioral healthcare
The emergency department (ED) is the de-facto front door for behavior health crises, and yet these departments are understaffed, overwhelmed, and ill-equipped to navigate the layered complexities of highly demanding physical and behavioral health needs.
Office Buildings | Apr 13, 2023
L.A. headquarters for startup Califia Farms incorporates post-pandemic hybrid workplace design concepts
The new Los Angeles headquarters for fast-growing Califia Farms, a brand of dairy alternative products, was designed by SLAM with the post-Covid hybrid work environment in mind. Located in Maxwell Coffee House, a historic production facility built in 1924 that has become a vibrant mixed-use complex, the office features a café bordered by generous meeting rooms.
Urban Planning | Apr 12, 2023
Watch: Trends in urban design for 2023, with James Corner Field Operations
Isabel Castilla, a Principal Designer with the landscape architecture firm James Corner Field Operations, discusses recent changes in clients' priorities about urban design, with a focus on her firm's recent projects.
3D Printing | Apr 11, 2023
University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory unveils Shell Wall—a concrete wall that’s lightweight and freeform 3D printed
The University of Michigan’s DART Laboratory has unveiled a new product called Shell Wall—which the organization describes as the first lightweight, freeform 3D printed and structurally reinforced concrete wall. The innovative product leverages DART Laboratory’s research and development on the use of 3D-printing technology to build structures that require less concrete.
Market Data | Apr 11, 2023
Construction crane count reaches all-time high in Q1 2023
Toronto, Seattle, Los Angeles, and Denver top the list of U.S/Canadian cities with the greatest number of fixed cranes on construction sites, according to Rider Levett Bucknall's RLB Crane Index for North America for Q1 2023.
University Buildings | Apr 11, 2023
Supersizing higher education: Tracking the rise of mega buildings on university campuses
Mega buildings on higher education campuses aren’t unusual. But what has been different lately is the sheer number of supersized projects that have been in the works over the last 12–15 months.
Architects | Apr 10, 2023
Bill Hellmuth, FAIA, Chairman and CEO of HOK, dies at 69
William (Bill) Hellmuth, FAIA, the Chairman and CEO of HOK, passed away on April 6, 2023, after a long illness. Hellmuth designed dozens of award-winning buildings across the globe, including the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Headquarters and the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi.
Contractors | Apr 10, 2023
What makes prefabrication work? Factors every construction project should consider
There are many factors requiring careful consideration when determining whether a project is a good fit for prefabrication. JE Dunn’s Brian Burkett breaks down the most important considerations.
Mixed-Use | Apr 7, 2023
New Nashville mixed-use high-rise features curved, stepped massing and wellness focus
Construction recently started on 5 City Blvd, a new 15-story office and mixed-use building in Nashville, Tenn. Located on a uniquely shaped site, the 730,000-sf structure features curved, stepped massing and amenities with a focus on wellness.
Smart Buildings | Apr 7, 2023
Carnegie Mellon University's research on advanced building sensors provokes heated controversy
A research project to test next-generation building sensors at Carnegie Mellon University provoked intense debate over the privacy implications of widespread deployment of the devices in a new 90,000-sf building. The light-switch-size devices, capable of measuring 12 types of data including motion and sound, were mounted in more than 300 locations throughout the building.
