On April 14, the architecture and engineering firm Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED) announced it would merge with the Dallas-based firm VAI Architects Incorporated (VAI). According to a press release from HED, this merger will combine the HED Dallas office with staff members from VAI. This merger will expand the team in Dallas, allow the company to develop community relationships, and create opportunities in multiple market sectors.
The team at VAI has been working in the Dallas-Fort Worth region for more than 35 years. They have built trust with clients from the government, education, transportation, community, and civic sectors during that time. The press release attributes the success of those relationships to the company’s commitment to excellent client service and collaborative design processes.
Peter Devereaux, FAIA, Chairman, and CEO of HED, said the merger with VAI came about because both firms shared goals and commitments.
“Our strategic merger with VAI is a great fit because of our shared commitment to create positive impact for clients and the greater community while providing growth opportunities for our talented staff,” Devereaux said in the press release. “We are pleased to welcome the VAI team into the HED family and look forward to using our combined strength to explore new opportunities and fulfill our common commitment to ensuring long-term success for our clients.”
HED has received national recognition for its architecture work and engineering services that cover a broad range of industries. The firm has created sustainable and innovative designs for clients from the housing, manufacturing, education, healthcare, and science sectors. According to HED, the additional staff will allow the company to expand through the Dallas area better.
Due to its workplace atmosphere, the Dallas HED office was recently recognized as a Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. The company emphasizes continued growth and education and has implemented innovative work strategies. According to VAI, both firms share a similar workplace culture.
“At VAI, we promote an atmosphere of learning and collaboration,” the company website states. “Education has been a strong influence throughout our firm’s history, originating from founding partner Guillermo Vidaud’s tenures as an architectural professor at notable universities. Accordingly, our design staff is generally comprised 50% of talented interns and 50% seasoned architecture professionals.”
In the HED press release, VAI Co-Founder William Vidaud de la Vega said those shared values had a lot to do with their decision to merge.
“VAI has always been dedicated to client service and committed to the Dallas community, and since our founding, we’ve emphasized learning and collaboration in our company culture — values we share with HED,” he said. “Those shared values and commitments are strengthened by joining forces through the merger, and we look forward to working as part of the HED team to continue creating positive impact for clients in Dallas and the surrounding area.”
VAI was founded in 1985 and since then has established a massive portfolio of design work. Many projects VAI worked on were the first of their kind. The merger with HED will expand both firms’ reach in the Dallas region.
