Deal with Perkins & Will would see London office focus on sectors such as higher education and laboratories

Jack Pringle

London-based architect Pringle Brandon is set to become part of leading US design firm Perkins + Will.

The 90-strong office-specialist practice today announced that it is in advanced discussions with the American company, which employs 1,500 architects, on a merger which would see its London offices become 鈥楶ringle Brandon Perkins +Will鈥.

Subject to the deal going through, this firm will shortly absorb the eight Perkins + Will staff based in London and will be led by the existing partners of Pringle Brandon with plans for it to focus on corporate and commercial work in the UK and Europe but also new sectors, particularly higher education and laboratory work.

Recently launched sister practice Pringle Brandon Drew, led by former Rafael Vinoly architect John Drew would also operate as Pringle Brandon Perkins + Will. 

Pringle Brandon designed the Siemens sustainability centre's interiors

Pringle Brandon designed the Siemens sustainability centre鈥檚 interiors

Jack Pringle, who is poised to become managing director overseeing London, Europe and the Middle East, told 黑洞社区 that he hoped to see the firm double in size in the next few years.

鈥淭hey want to use us a platform into Europe and we want to use them to get into corporate America,鈥 he said.

Pringle added that the values of Perkins + Will including its sustainability credentials and sense of 鈥渟ocial purpose鈥 made the two firms a good match.

He declined to comment on the financial deal on the table.

Phil Harrison, president and chief executive officer of Perkins + Will said the deal would 鈥渆nhance our ability to provide local resources to clients throughout  Europe.鈥

鈥淧ringle Brandon has been a vanguard for transforming sustainable architectural practices in the UK. This kind of enterprising leadership exemplifies our shared commitment to sustainable design, research and innovation and is the kind of talent that we鈥檝e had great success integrating and supporting as we grow strategically,鈥 he added.

Recent projects for Pringle Brandon include the interior of the new Siemens sustainability centre in London鈥檚 Docklands.