Michael Graves Architecture Acquires Studio Four Design

On Mar 19, 2024

Michael Graves Architecture (MG), an award-winning global leader in planning, architecture, and interior design based in Princeton, has acquired Studio Four Design, a Knoxville, Tennessee-based architecture and design firm. This news follows MG’s recent acquisitions, including Maryland-based Waldon Studio Architects (WSA), New Jersey-based Jose Carballo Architectural Group (JCAG), North Carolina-based Walter Robbs Callahan & Pierce Architects, PA (Walter Robbs), Washington, D.C.-based PGN Architects (PGN), and Texas-based practice technology consultancy Parallax Team.

The addition of Studio Four Design further solidifies MG’s commitment to providing quality and innovation to clients nationwide. In tandem, this partnership bolsters Studio Four Design’s influence and capabilities, positioning it as a leader in the Knoxville region. As the vision of the team develops alongside its expansion, MG continues to honor the legacy of its founder, Michael Graves, by applying his design ethos, specifically imaginative placemaking and experiential design, to create forward-looking solutions. The firm’s acquisition approach reinforces this mission, embracing MG’s established heritage to inform and guide leadership moving forward.

“Welcoming Studio Four Design to MG signifies the latest development in our firm’s drive to set a new standard for design excellence,” said Joe Furey, president and CEO of MG. “This partnership expands upon the offerings of the firm, identifying a gap in the market and introducing services and capabilities that were previously unavailable to meet that need. Our organization is built on the foundation of human-centric design, one of the many values we share with Studio Four Design. The addition of their team will encourage us to embrace new perspectives and experiences, furthering our mission to create impactful design nationally.”

Studio Four Design was founded in 2002 on the principle of “design matters,” a sentiment that they apply to each of their projects. Their team works across various sectors, including worship, higher education, athletics, workplace, retail, and restaurant. Recent projects in their portfolio include partnerships with the University of Tennessee. Notably, Studio Four Design excels in the industrial market, offering opportunities to expand their unique insight to other studios across the country. This represents the very essence of MG’s strategy for expansion: inviting a variety of minds and skill sets to the table to advance their mission, vision, and values.

“This merger leverages the skillsets and experiences at Studio Four Design, allowing us to take our capabilities and offerings to a new level,” explained Stacy Cox, Principal at Studio Four Design. “We’re eager to immerse our team in cross-collaboration and mentorship opportunities through MG’s vast network. This is a chance to continue developing our presence and impact––supporting our existing clients while expanding our horizons across new industries and practices.”

Under the new company structure, Stacy Cox will continue to lead the 17-person team to further strengthen the firm’s presence in Knoxville. Guided by Joe Furey, Studio Four Design will be purposefully integrated into the larger organization of MG, providing key insight and experience in the East Tennessee region as the firm widens its project scope and influence. Leveraging MG’s extensive resources and knowledge, Studio Four Design will uphold its steadfast commitment to its clientele while bolstering its current offerings through collaborative efforts. The studio will maintain the hands-on, intimate client relationships they’re known for, now equipped with a variety of new tools and knowledge, propelling them into a new era of design.

“The ongoing evolution of MG has a wider positive impact on studios operating nationally,” said Jeff Goines, Partner at Michael Graves (PGN DC Studio). “Since our merger with MG last year, our studio has been presented with an abundance of opportunities to work alongside others within our organization, fostering the expansion of our reach and developing the skills and knowledge of employees internally. By bringing in new voices from different regions, our teams can expand our scope, getting a firsthand look at the markets in these areas.”

For over 50 years, MG has provided clients across the globe with pioneering, humanistic solutions in architecture, product design, interior design, master planning, graphic design, and branding across many market sectors, including hospitality, civic, education, workplace, and residential. Recent projects include The St. Regis Hotel in Cairo, Egypt; a Fortune 100 company headquarters at Midtown Center in Washington, D.C.; The Loutrel Hotel in Charleston, SC, and 1776 by David Burke featuring Topgolf Swing Suites in Morristown.

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