RTKL’s parent company Arcadis has announced its intention to acquire Callison, a 1,000+-employee architectural and interior design consultancy with offices in the United States, China, Europe, Middle East and Mexico.
The acquisition of Callison, known predominantly for its leadership in retail and mixed-use design, builds on Arcadis’ strong global design and architecture position, currently provided by RTKL. With the addition of Callison, ARCADIS plans to strengthen its global design leadership in retail and mixed-use, and gain the leading position among international architecture firms in China.
"With the addition of Callison, Arcadis has created a true leadership position in high-end design and architecture,” said Neil McArthur, CEO of ARCADIS. "We will have a clear leading position in retail globally, a strong leadership position in mixed use/commercial globally and will have a leading international design and architecture position in China."
RTKL, which provides architectural and design services across the commercial, healthcare and workplace sectors, was acquired by ARCADIS in 2007. A single global network of RTKL, Arcadis, Callison, and other Arcadis operating companies like EC Harris and Langdon & Seah, further expands the offer for RTKL’s clients through greater scale, a wider range of skills and broader market reach.
Lance Josal, FAIA, President and CEO of RTKL, said: "Callison is a well-respected industry peer, and home to great professionals, including several thought leaders in our industry. Callison has a long history in the profession, a strong culture of client service and share the entrepreneurial drive that took our companies to the global stage. Having two industry leaders within Arcadis provides a great opportunity to create something quite unique."
Arcadis will acquire Callison from its primary owner, Blue Point Capital, and from company management and principals. The closing of the transaction is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the receipt of approval from the Beijing Municipal Commission of Commerce and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2014.
"We are excited to be a member of the Arcadis team which has created value for the many other companies that have joined its ranks," said Callison Chairman and CEO John Jastrem. "Our combined global capability will benefit all our employees and clients. We are known for our high quality design and excellent service and with the support of Arcadis we will be able to deliver that quality on an even larger scale."
Related Stories
| Jun 17, 2013
DOE launches database on energy performance of 60,000 buildings
The Energy Department today launched a new Buildings Performance Database, the largest free, publicly available database of residential and commercial building energy performance information.
| Jun 14, 2013
First look: Callebaut's eye-popping Möbius building for Taichung arts center
French design firm Vincent Callebaut Architectures has released renderings of "Swallow's Nest," an entry in a design competition for a new cultural center, fine arts museum, and public library in Taichung City, Taiwan. The building, based on a Möbius ring, swirls around a central "Endless Patio."
| Jun 14, 2013
Purdue, industry partners test light steel framing for seismic safety
A partnership of leading earthquake engineering researchers from top U.S. and Canadian universities and design professionals from the steel industry have begun the final phase of a three-year project to increase the seismic safety of buildings that use lightweight cold-formed steel for their primary beams and columns.
| Jun 13, 2013
7 great places that represent excellence in environmental design
An adaptive reuse to create LEED Platinum offices, a park that honors veterans, and a grand national plaza are among the seven projects named winners of the 2013 Great Places Awards. The Environmental Design and Research Association recognize professional and scholarly excellence in environmental design, with special attention paid to the relationship between physical form and human activity or experience.
| Jun 13, 2013
Richard Smith joins Cannon Design Science + Technology practice
Cannon Design, an internationally ranked architectural, engineering and planning firm, is pleased to announce Richard Smith has joined the firm as a Principal. Smith joins the leadership team for Cannon Design’s Science + Technology (S&T) practice and will focus on developing strategies for immediate and long-term growth.
| Jun 13, 2013
Winfrey hired as Health and S&T studio head for SmithGroupJJR Dallas
SmithGroupJJR, one of the nation’s largest architecture, engineering and planning firms, has hired David Winfrey, AIA, LEED AP BD+C, as leader of its Health and Science & Technology Studio at its Dallas, Texas office.
| Jun 13, 2013
WorkingBuildings acquires Specialty Operations Solutions
The WorkingBuildings Companies, a leading provider of comprehensive Owner-based solutions for the built environment, announces the acquisition of Specialty Operations Solutions (SOS), a national provider of research and laboratory services.
| Jun 13, 2013
Health Product Declaration Collaborative names Knott as Executive Director
John L. Knott Jr. has been named as the Health Product Declaration Collaborative’s (www.hpdcollaborative.org) first Executive Director following a national search. The Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPDC) is a customer-led standards-setting organization committed to the continuous improvement of the building industry’s environmental and health performance, through transparency and innovation in the building product supply chain.
| Jun 13, 2013
AIA partners with industry groups to launch $30,000 'Designing Recovery' design competition
The program will award a total of $30,000 to three winning designs, divided equally between three locations: Joplin, Mo., New Orleans, and New York.
| Jun 12, 2013
More than 90% of New York City schools have code violations
More than 90% of New York City schools have at least one outstanding building code violation. Loose wires, stuck doors and inadequate ventilation are just some of the problems.