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
Government Buildings | Jul 13, 2023
The recently opened U.S. Embassy in Ankara reflects U.S. values while honoring Turkish architecture
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) has recently opened the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. The design by Ennead Architects aims to balance transparency and openness with security, according to a press statement. The design also seeks both to honor Turkey’s architectural traditions and to meet OBO’s goals of sustainability, resiliency, and stewardship.
Affordable Housing | Jul 12, 2023
Navigating homelessness with modular building solutions
San Francisco-based architect Chuck Bloszies, FAIA, SE, LEED AP, discusses his firm's designs for Navigation Centers, temporary housing for the homeless in northern California.
Sponsored | Fire and Life Safety | Jul 12, 2023
Fire safety considerations for cantilevered buildings [AIA course]
Bold cantilevered designs are prevalent today, as developers and architects strive to maximize space, views, and natural light in buildings. Cantilevered structures, however, present a host of challenges for building teams, according to José R. Rivera, PE, Associate Principal and Director of Plumbing and Fire Protection with Lilker.
Building Owners | Jul 12, 2023
Building movement: When is it a problem?
As buildings age, their structural conditions can deteriorate, causing damage and safety concerns. In order to mitigate this, it’s important to engage in the regular inspection and condition assessment of buildings for diagnosis.
Mass Timber | Jul 11, 2023
5 solutions to acoustic issues in mass timber buildings
For all its advantages, mass timber also has a less-heralded quality: its acoustic challenges. Exposed wood ceilings and floors have led to issues with excessive noise. Mass timber experts offer practical solutions to the top five acoustic issues in mass timber buildings.
Multifamily Housing | Jul 11, 2023
Converting downtown office into multifamily residential: Let’s stop and think about this
Is the office-to-residential conversion really what’s best for our downtowns from a cultural, urban, economic perspective? Or is this silver bullet really a poison pill?
Adaptive Reuse | Jul 10, 2023
California updates building code for adaptive reuse of office, retail structures for housing
The California Building Standards Commission recently voted to make it easier to convert commercial properties to residential use. The commission adopted provisions of the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) that allow developers more flexibility for adaptive reuse of retail and office structures.
Laboratories | Jul 10, 2023
U.S. Department of Agriculture opens nation’s first biosafety level 4 containment facility for animal disease research
Replacing a seven-decade-old animal disease center, the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility includes the nation’s first facility with biosafety containment capable of housing large livestock.
Adaptive Reuse | Jul 6, 2023
The responsibility of adapting historic university buildings
Shepley Bulfinch's David Whitehill, AIA, believes the adaptive reuse of historic university buildings is not a matter of sentimentality but of practicality, progress, and preservation.
Market Data | Jul 5, 2023
Nonresidential construction spending decreased in May, its first drop in nearly a year
National nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.2% in May, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data published today by the U.S. Census Bureau. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.06 trillion.
