Michael Graves Architecture & Design acquires Maryland firm

Building on its long-term strategic growth plan, Princeton’s Michael Graves Architecture & Design announced the acquisition of Waldon Studio Architects on March 8.

Based in Maryland, Waldon Studio is a planning, architecture and interior design firm. According to MG, the addition strengthens its health care, education and worship sectors.

Both firms are also committed to sustainable design and historic preservation.

“When approaching this acquisition, we set out looking for a company with a deeply rooted set of core values that we share, and we knew right away we had found this in Waldon Studio Architects,” MG President and CEO Joe Furey said in a statement. “Our teams not only complement each other in our design approach and deep market sector knowledge, but also through our shared values, particularly in our devotion to innovation, commitment to quality, and unwavering client service.”

Ravi Waldon, founder and principal at Waldon Studio, will serve as principal at MG and head the firm’s faith-based sector — an area for which Waldon Studio is nationally recognized, having completed more than 200 church projects across the U.S. According to Michael Graves Architecture, additional Waldon Studio principals and directors will also be incorporated into the company’s organizational structure as principals for various practice sectors.

“I want to ensure a bright future for my talented team, much in the way that Michael Graves paved the way for the continued success of his firm,” Waldon said. “At Waldon Studio Architects, our calling has always been to create and serve. When we met with Joe and his team, we felt an immediate sense of mutual respect and were impressed by MG’s culture of thoughtfulness. We’re excited to work together to broaden our horizons and present new and existing clients with excellent service and innovative design solutions.”

Furey will oversee the integration of Waldon Studio, and MG’s continued acquisition strategy. That plan, according to Furey, shuns “corporate bureaucracy,” in favor of keeping the firm’s boutique roots in tact. “We will grow the company in scale, and in doing so, maintain the boutique feel to our clients as we integrate the firms so we continue to deliver creative solutions and extraordinary customer service,” Furey said.

Michael Graves Studio said it aims to expand its physical presence in major U.S. cities, develop its depth and diversity of expertise, and ensure its founder’s legacy.

In business for more than 50 years, MG was founded by architect Michael Graves, who passed away in 2015. The firm’s recent projects include The St. Regis Hotel in Cairo, Egypt; a headquarters for a Fortune 100 company at Midtown Center in Washington, D.C.; and 1776 by David Burke featuring Topgolf Swing Suites in Morristown.