HAMILTON, N.J.—Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc., an employee-owned, award-winning full-service architectural, interior design, landscape architecture, and planning firm, is pleased to announce the company has been awarded the 2023 Firm of the Year by the American Institute of Architects-New Jersey Chapter (AIA-NJ). The annual award is given to a design firm that has produced notable architecture and made an impact on the architectural profession.

Celebrating 70 years in business, Spiezle prioritizes innovation, industry involvement, and sustainability. The firm is an employee-owned company whose work across multiple industries and market sectors is recognized in this award of distinction by the AIA.

“This is a remarkable honor for all of us at Spiezle. We thank AIA NJ for awarding us this recognition,” said Thomas S. Perrino, President and CEO at Spiezle Architectural Group. “We’re exceptionally proud of our history here in New Jersey. This award is a testament to our dynamic and talented team members and meaningful partnerships within the state. We’re focused on continuing to build an incredible team of employee-owners who will keep driving innovation and creativity in our industry.”

Spiezle’s nomination touts the firm’s inclusivity initiatives, which include the Women’s Leadership Committee, Design Committee, and a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging advancement. This year, Spiezle has been recognized as one of NJBIZ’s inaugural 2023 Empowering Women Honorees for being committed to supporting and elevating women in New Jersey. Spiezle is also dedicated to developing the next generation of architects. The firm supports its Emerging Professionals Group in its pursuit of licensure and is an active participant in summer internship programs with area universities.

Spiezle will receive the formal award as AIA’s NJ Firm of the Year for 2023 at a ceremony taking place at Clarks Landing Yacht Club on January 13th, 2024. The event will be attended by AIA members from across New Jersey.

“We celebrate our 70th anniversary in 2024 and this award is another example of seven decades of our continued success. Congratulations to everyone at Spiezle for this very special achievement,” said Perrino.

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HOUSTON—SmithGroup, one of the nation’s leading integrated design firms, has opened an office in Houston, its 17th location worldwide. This new office strengthens the company’s network of talent and expertise in Texas, deepening the firm’s long-standing commitment to the state. The Houston location also expands upon SmithGroup’s successful relationships with colleges and universities across Texas and more recent growth in the region’s healthcare industry.

SmithGroup’s Houston office will be led by Jay Rambo, who also serves as director of the firm’s Dallas location. “While SmithGroup has been working on projects in Houston for 15 years and Texas for over 60 years, we could not be more thrilled to be officially expanding our presence in one of the largest and most diverse cities in the country,” said Rambo. “As an integrated design firm, we bring a unique blend of higher education, science and technology and healthcare expertise ideally matched to Houston’s market opportunities.”

Clint Menefee, SmithGroup’s Higher Education studio leader in Texas, will also serve as a key member of the Houston leadership team.

“In recent years, we have been honored to collaborate on several of Houston’s most impactful projects in Higher Education and look forward to fostering deeper connections with the educational needs of the region,” said Menefee. “Our team in Texas is excited to continue our expansion and further our mission to design inspiring learning environments at all scales, from campus to classroom, with a particular emphasis on environments for the health sciences, STEM and recreation and wellness.”

SmithGroup has extensive experience creating innovative design solutions for higher education institutions throughout Texas, including the Gulf Coast region. The firm recently designed and completed the University of Houston-Clear Lake Recreation and Wellness Center; the University of Houston-Victoria (UHV) STEM Building; and the master plan and first academic building for the new University of Houston at Katy campus. In addition to built work, higher education projects currently underway include the UHV Health & Wellness Center; University of Houston-Downtown Student Wellness and Success Center; and Texas A&M University South Campus Recreation Center.

SmithGroup’s Houston office is located at 1801 Main Street, Suite 13.

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