NBBJ (Seattle WA), a global architecture and design firm, has announced that it has acquired experience-design studio ESI Design (New York NY). According to the companies, by joining forces, their multidisciplinary team will be able to integrate digital experiences early in the design process, providing clients with more impactful and streamlined services. Advancements in technology—from miniaturization to contemporary light-projection technology—will make it possible for NBBJ and ESI Design to bring the type of immersive experiences that are increasingly desired as digital centerpieces in museums, stadiums and transportation hubs to a wider range of industries. Those include healthcare, education, civics, commercial real estate and science.
The two firms, which have previously collaborated on commercial real-estate and corporate-workplace projects in Boston MA and New York, will now provide unified solutions as one of the largest experience-design platforms in the country.
“By integrating the design of architecture and dynamic digital experiences, we will create boundless opportunities to energize the places we live, work and play to stimulate our senses and inspire discovery, learning and impact,” Steve McConnell, FAIA, Managing Partner of NBBJ, said. “The acquisition of ESI Design brings this vision to life and increases NBBJ’s ability to serve our clients as they activate their brands, create community, inspire well-being and thrive.”
Under the agreement, ESI Design becomes NBBJ’s 18th studio. As part of the acquisition, Edwin Schlossberg, Founder and Principal Designer of ESI Design, becomes a partner at NBBJ. He will lead the ESI Design studio at NBBJ. Six ESI Design leaders will become Principals at NBBJ: Alexandra Alfaro, Angela Greene, Cara Buckley, Emily Webster, Layne Braunstein and Susan Okon. NBBJ will retain two office locations in New York. That will create a presence of 160 NBBJ employees, bringing the firm’s total employees to more than 800 worldwide.