HDR Architecture joins forces with G + G Partnership Architects

As mergers continue in the Canadian design industry, Omaha-headquartered HDR Architecture, Inc. and Ontario’s G + G Partnership Architects have joined forces.

The alliance, to operate as HDR | G + G, will strengthen both firms’ leadership in healthcare design and enhance their presence in science and technology building types throughout the eastern Canadian marketplace, HDR said.

“HDR’s merger with G + G solidifies the leadership position for the delivery of healthcare design throughout Canada that was formed with HDR’s alliance in 2007 with (Ontario’s) Mill & Ross Architects,” said Merle Bachman, president of HDR Architecture, Inc.

The deal is considered a sign of the times.

Gerrie Doyle, president of the Ontario Association of Architects, said mergers have been taking place in the architectural community for some time.

“Most Canadian architectural firms are relatively small in comparison to large firms in the United States and international practices,” said Doyle, a principal of aipm architects inc. of Toronto.

“To compete on a global scale, to seek work in many markets and to provide a wide scope of services, architectural firms are considering mergers to fulfill their business plans for growth and prosperity.” Doyle said the healthcare sector, in particular, is a competitive market.

Use of alternative financing and procurement (AFP) models or public-private partnerships on public infrastructure, including hospitals likely has resulted in mergers of architects that design healthcare facilities “to handle the size of the jobs,” Doyle said.

Founded in 1991, G + G Partnership Architects is one of Ontario’s largest architectural practices specializing in the design of healthcare facilities and technology-oriented buildings such as laboratory, biotechnology and pharmaceutical facilities.

The firm’s founding principals, Girish Ghatalia and John Greenan, have been practising for 30 years. G + G employs more than 75 personnel.

The new alliance will provide healthcare design services from offices in Toronto, London, Kingston and Ottawa. HDR Architecture, Inc. operates more than 40 architecture offices worldwide.