INDIANAPOLIS — March 2011 — RATIO Architects, Inc. with studios in Indianapolis and Champaign, Ill., recently announced it has merged with prominent Raleigh, N.C., firm Cherry Huffman Architects. Principals of both firms are calling the business transaction a merger of equals given the firms’ expertise and their similar design philosophies. Louis Cherry, FAIA, LEED AP, principal of Cherry Huffman, has been named the sixth RATIO principal.
“We know the time is right for this merger and our continued national expansion,” says RATIO’s Founding
Principal and President Bill Browne, FAIA, LEED AP. “As the economy shows signs of rebounding, we are anticipating increased client needs at the national level. Providing geographic reach and breadth of talented work teams is a win for our clients as we eye larger and more complex projects.”
RATIO principals became aware of Cherry Huffman about two years ago. “We’ve worked in the North Carolina market and completed various projects for Duke University, observing many of the architectural teams in the area along the way. Simply stated, we are impressed with Louis Cherry’s leadership and his creative and innovative team. Our design philosophies, work cultures and styles are very similar,” says Browne.
RATIO and Cherry Huffman are privately held firms, and terms of the transaction will not be publicly disclosed.
About RATIO’s Growth Strategy
The merger with Cherry Huffman is the next step in RATIO’s strategy to grow to national design firm status. In 2004, RATIO completed a merger with a Champaign, IL-based architecture firm, bolstering the firm’s life sciences and higher education work. The expansion to the southeast with a fully functional studio allows RATIO’s leadership to offer regional businesses its strong experience and expertise in the landscape architecture, urban design and planning disciplines. RATIO will integrate work teams regardless of geographic and studio boundaries, a model that provides complementary skill sets that benefit the client and project.
Similar Firm Cultures and Design Approach
RATIO and Cherry Huffman have similar contextual design philosophies, which means team members bring their collective intellect together to design projects that reflect their environment and blend into the existing fabric of the community. Employees at both firms embrace the concept of sustainability.
RATIO and Cherry Huffman also are committed to the communities where they work and live, giving time, treasure and talent to various community projects. The Cherry Huffman team will continue to support various nonprofit organizations and needs in the Raleigh community.
About RATIO Architects, Inc.
RATIO is an award-winning design and planning firm currently with studios in Indianapolis, Ind., and Champaign, Ill., offering services in architecture, preservation, interior design, landscape architecture, urban design and planning, and graphic design. Founded in 1982, its collaborative studios combine professionals from all architectural disciplines to work on higher education, community, life science, workplace, lifestyle and cultural projects.
To date RATIO has completed work in more than 20 U.S. states. The design firm has managed and completed a variety of projects with Duke University as well as several high-profile projects: Engineering II Building, Colorado State University / Fort Collins, CO; The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis Welcome Center, Dinosphere, Dale Chihuly Fireworks of GlassExhibit and Parking Garage / Indianapolis, IN; NCAA Hall of Champions and Headquarters Expansion / Indianapolis, IN; Simon Property Group Corporate Headquarters / Indianapolis, IN.
About Cherry Huffman Architects
Cherry Huffman Architects is one of the most respected firms in North Carolina. In 2009 the firm received the American Institute of Architects North Carolina Chapter Firm of the Year Award, presented to a team that has established presence in the state and consistently produced quality architecture with a verifiable level of client satisfaction for a period of 10 years.
The firm has completed architectural and interior design projects for various municipal clients at city, county and state levels; public and private K-12 schools; university; public libraries; select residential projects; and various private sector projects that build long-term relationships and improve the community. Cherry Huffman’s leadership has helped shape a more sustainable region in North Carolina. Key projects completed include: Broughton High School / Raleigh; Burning Coal Theatre Company / Raleigh; Cameron Village Library / Raleigh; Kraft Family YMCA / Apex; McSwain Education Center at the Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University / Raleigh; Unitarian Universalist Fellowship / Raleigh; and Wake County Human Services Center / Raleigh.
Related Stories
| Jan 16, 2015
Artsy lifeguard stations will brighten Toronto’s snowy beach
Five winning designs have been unveiled for lifeguard stands that will double as public space art installations on Toronto's beach.
| Jan 16, 2015
New York City construction costs continue to climb
A study released by the New York Building Congress shows that construction costs in Manhattan have risen 5% in each of the last two years.
| Jan 15, 2015
A reconstructed Taliesin West is the largest Frank Lloyd Wright LEGO Model [slideshow]
Artist Adam Reed Tucker used 180,000 LEGO pieces and 420 hours of work to recreate Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West campus.
| Jan 15, 2015
Construction materials prices fall in November
Construction input prices dipped 1.4% during the final month of 2014 and are down nearly 1% on a year-over-year basis, according to the Jan. 15 producer price index release from the U.S. Department of Labor.
| Jan 15, 2015
Libeskind unveils 'zig zag' plan for recreational center near Vilnius ski area
Perched on the highest peak between Vilnius' historic quarter and downtown, the Vilnius Beacon will be a hub for visiting skiers and outdoor enthusiasts.
| Jan 15, 2015
Illustrations capture essence of Aalto, Ando, Hadid, Foster, and other famous architects [slideshow]
The illustrations are Federico Babina's abstract interpretations of the styles of famous architects, from Frank Lloyd Wright to Bjarke Ingels.
| Jan 14, 2015
10 change management practices that can ease workplace moves
No matter the level of complexity, workplace change can be a challenge for your client's employees. VOA's Angie Lee breaks down the process of moving offices as efficiently as possible, from creating a "change team" to hosting hard-hat tours.
| Jan 13, 2015
Steven Holl unveils design for $450 million redevelopment of Houston's Museum of Fine Arts
Holl designed the campus’ north side to be a pedestrian-centered cultural hub on a lively landscape with ample underground parking.
| Jan 12, 2015
23 projects win AIA's highest architecture award
Bjarke Ingels' Danish Maritime Museum and William Rawn's Cambridge Public Library are among the winning projects.
| Jan 9, 2015
Santiago Calatrava talks with BBC about St. Nicholas Church on Ground Zero
Calatrava reveals that he wanted to retain the “tiny home” feel of the original church building that was destroyed with the twin towers on 9/11.