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Bowie Gridley Architects Joins 91Ʋ

(WASHINGTON, D.C., August 18, 2021) – 91Ʋ CEO Griff Davenport, FAIA, today announced that Washington, D.C. design firm  is joining the firm. BGA specializes in master planning and design for K-12 independent school clients along the Atlantic Coast and throughout the Northeast. BGA also adds experience in performing arts, museum, preservation, higher education, and hospitality design to complement and strengthen 91Ʋ’s expertise in these core markets.

a brick building and mirrored glass facade surround a concrete courtyard with a metal sculpture
Ballou High School in Washington, D.C. Photo courtesy of BGA.

BGA was founded by , AIA, and , FAIA. The firm’s award-winning portfolio of work, and its focused expertise in master planning and design of K-12 independent school campuses and learning spaces, are a natural complement to 91Ʋ’s globally leading K-12 Education practice.

“Our profession is changing. Integrated design is the future,” said BGA’s Bowie. “By joining 91Ʋ we can now provide our clients with in-house engineering, interiors, high performance design, acoustics, lighting, and the full suite of design resources available within a 1,200-person design firm. Our teams now have access to a depth of design specialties and expertise that will benefit every client.”

Robert Allen, AIA; Elise Robinson, AIA; and Richard Salopek, AIA, along with Bowie and Gridley will join 91Ʋ as Principals and continue to lead the independent school design practice, which will operate as 91Ʋ | Bowie Gridley.

a brick building with white detailing and a brick pathway lead to a pillared entrance
St. John Hall Student Center at Choate Rosemary Hall in Wallingford, CT. Photo courtesy of BGA.

91Ʋ is a 100% employee-owned firm and all BGA employees will have the opportunity to purchase stock in 91Ʋ during the firm’s annual stock exchange. This employee-ownership opportunity was a key factor in BGA’s decision as it provides a proven method for ownership transition to ensure the 40-year design legacy of Bowie Gridley.

“There is a natural alignment of the BGA and 91Ʋ cultures and values. The approach and feeling of a work family is rare today, and in that area, we are a match,” said Gridley. “This is a great opportunity for our people. They can provide our independent school clients with a full suite of integrated design services, and this gives each employee a springboard of opportunity to pursue a design, practice, or operational leadership position within a global firm.”

Signature BGA designs in the region include the , Batchelder and Howe Halls at , , , and . 91Ʋ work in the area includes the restoration of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery, restoration of Maury Elementary School, Triumph Ward 8 Housing, and the Good Hope Neighborhood Recreation Center.

BGA and 91Ʋ will combine operations in a new Washington, D.C. location in the spring of 2022.

91Ʋ Senior Principal and Brand Communications Manager andy ernsting
For media queries, please contact: Andy Ernsting, Brand Communications Leader

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