AE Works Ltd., an award-winning building design and consulting firm, with an office in State College, is excited to announce that WTW Architects, a national leader in higher education, has joined the firm. WTW is responsible for the design of several notable Penn State projects including the Pugh Center, Pattee Library Collaboration Commons, and ME Knowledge Lab. This move brings together over 100 talented professionals, making it one of the largest architectural firms in the region. The acquisition is effective as of March 15, 2024.
AE Works is a top-ranked firm on the Architectural Record Top 300 that has delivered a diverse range of projects for leading commercial clients, research institutions, hospitals, and public agencies throughout the region and country. The addition of WTW Architects expands AE Works’ design leadership and presence in Pennsylvania and nationally.
Founded in Pittsburgh in 1959, WTW Architects has earned a reputation as a design leader in higher education, commercial, and healthcare projects. WTW Architects has worked on over 140 different college and university campuses to enhance student living and learning. This work includes campuses as far as the University of North Dakota and Texas A&M.
AE Works’ Founder, President & CEO, Michael Cherock, PE, shares, “We are excited to have WTW Architects join AE Works. WTW’s design leadership in delivering notable projects at Penn State and throughout the country, especially higher education facilities, is now combined with our track record of work nationwide for large agencies like the Department of Veterans Affairs, National Institutes of Health, CDC, as well as state and local government agencies like PA Turnpike Commission, ALCOSAN, and commercial clients. This move is a key part of our strategic firm vision to diversify our experience in the region and nationwide.”
In its 16 plus years of being in business, AE Works has been on the Inc. 5000’s fastest growing companies list 7 times – which puts the firm in the top 0.1% of all companies in the country. AE Works has grown consistently beyond its startup years and has proven to be resilient throughout the recent pandemic and other industry challenges like the Great Recession. This move furthers the firm’s resilience and commitment to deliver excellence to clients with national reach, diverse market expertise, and wide range of building design and consulting services.
“We are excited to join a local leading firm with a State College office. AE Works is focused on making building projects a better value for clients,” adds Larry Payne, AIA, President & CEO of WTW Architects. “Together, we will be able to do that better than ever. This is about providing clients and partners with the best value possible from an architecture firm and providing our staff more opportunities. United by tradition and innovation, I know we’ll continue to impact the architectural landscape in Pennsylvania and beyond.”
This strategic move isn’t just about combining resources; it’s about values, a strong vision for the future, and providing a great place to work for staff. Larry Payne has been appointed as Managing Principal and will serve on AE Works’ firm management council. In collaboration with Michael Cherock and the leadership team, he will play a pivotal role in driving the growth and impact of the firm, both locally and on a broader scale. AE Works and WTW Architects are jointly developing an integration strategy, aiming to synergize their strengths and further cement AE Works’ position as an industry leader.
