As everyone knows, businesses come and go. An exciting new start-up will enter the marketplace, only to be gone a few short years later. A majority of businesses don’t last more than 5 years, so when you see a business that has lasted decades, it stands out.
These two architecture firms have both been around for more than 30 years and are still thriving as designers of residential and commercial spaces.
Sullivan Bruck Architects in Columbus, Ohio has been in business for more than 35 years. Founders Joe Sullivan and Gary Bruck started out in 1983 as a small residential architecture firm, designing for suburban homeowners in the Columbus area. While there is still a residential component to their company, the firm has since moved into downtown Columbus and completed many impressive multi-family buildings and student housing projects. They also specialize in urban infill and commercial design.
Being in business since the early ‘80s means the firm has withstood multiple economic downturns. Despite that, they have come through strong, and now have a staff made up of multiple architects and other industry professionals. As the founders prepare to retire, new partners have been named who will help lead the firm into the future.
The firm has long been known for its collaborative approach. They would probably say they are more relational than transactional, and really seek to meet their clients’ needs through creative solutions and innovative design.
Another architecture firm that has stood the test of time is Rex Nichols Architects. The firm is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but also has an office in Palm Springs, California, and have designed buildings in places as far away as Dubai, New York, Cape Cod, and Malibu. Their architects specialize in contemporary design that is sophisticated and sculptural, as well as sustainable and energy-efficient. Their stated mission is to “…express a new vision for contemporary design with its sculptural geometric forms and playful layouts that continually provoke, challenge, and inspire.”
The firm focuses primarily on designing luxury waterfront homes, but they have also branched out into designing multi-family residences, restaurants, hotels, and retail spaces.
One of their recent projects, the RNA Glass House in Palm Springs, is a stunning example of Mid-Century-inspired design. This dramatic, yet playful, luxury home is an oasis in the desert, offering tons of natural light, while also meeting strict LEED standards for energy efficiency. The outdoor space is as amazing as the indoors, with a modern, infinity-edge pool and plenty of shaded areas for relaxing outside, even on the hottest Palm Springs day.
In their more than 30 years in business, Rex Nichols Architects has received multiple awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and has been named one of the top 50 Coastal Architects in the United States by Oceans Home Magazine for the past five years.
