NAC|ArchitectureFor Immediate Release
January 17, 2011
Contact: Sarah Wortman
(206) 441-4522 or (312) 953-8807
swortman@nacarchitecture.com
NAC Architecture and AR7 Architects Merge
Bruce Blackmer, FAIA, CEO of NAC|Architecture, announced today that AR7 of Denver, Colorado, has merged with NAC significantly expanding the firm`s presence in the Rocky Mountain Region and adding complementary expertise to the architectural practice. AR7 President, Gary Desmond will continue to lead the Denver office as Managing Principal along with AR7 Principals Stuart Crawford, AIA, Ben de Rubertis, AIA, Ranko Ruzic, AIA, and Steven Schonberger, AIA, now all owners of NAC. NAC Principal, Natalie Dohrn, AIA, who brought NAC`s PK-12 expertise to Denver in 2008, joins the leadership of the Denver office at 1645 Grant Street.
"We`ve recognized that AR7`s values, experience and commitment to design quality made this partnership the ideal way to realize our goal of providing clients with nationally recognized expertise in design using talented architects who live in and understand the Rocky Mountain region," said Blackmer, " We look forward to bringing AR7`s national expertise and reputation in higher education work to our clients in Washington, California, and throughout the western United States."
Blackmer has worked closely with Desmond for the past two years, exploring cultural alignment and refining all operational aspects that are now resulting in a seamless merger. "Everyone in the firm is excited about the merger and the great two-way fit of the two firms," said Desmond. "We look forward to enhancing the breadth and depth of our 30+ year practice in the Rocky Mountain Region, which is recognized for balancing exceptional design with personalized high quality service." Founded in 1978, AR7 provides programming, planning, and design services for a variety of building types including education, housing, mixed-use, commercial, governmental, and transit-oriented development. Current major projects include three new residence halls at the University of Arizona in Tucson, several master plans and projects for Colorado Community Colleges and the new Mixed-Use and Post Office building for the Denver Justice Center.
