SSOE Group acquires Columbia architecture firm Stevens & Wilkinson

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Stevens & Wilkinson, a 100-year-old design firm with offices in Columbia and Atlanta, has been acquired by SSOE Group, a global project delivery firm for architecture, engineering, and construction management.

The acquisition, finalized on Dec. 31, includes Stevens & Wilkinson’s sister design studio IDEA | SPAN.

SSOE has more than 40 years of experience delivering projects in the semiconductor, automotive, chemical and food market sectors in the Southeast U.S. from its current offices in Atlanta, Birmingham, Huntsville, and Nashville.

Stevens & Wilkinson’s notable state projects include Richland Library’s main branch on Assembly Street, the S.C State Museum and restoration of the S.C. Statehouse, along with the Medical University of South Carolina’s James E. Clyburn Research Facility in Charleston and Clemson University’s Core Campus Precinct.

Robby Aull, Stevens & Wilkinson principal and senior vice president in the Columbia office, will remain in that position.

“We are excited to enhance our combined offerings to clients and grow the general building brand to the same national prominence SSOE’s industrial sectors enjoy,” Ron Stang, Stevens & Wilkinson chairman, said in a news release. “We also believe there is an opportunity to augment SSOE’s services to industrial clients to provide design for their corporate, research, and workplace projects as well as tap into their involvement in the growing investment taking place in the Southeast, including hot markets like manufacturing facilities for electric vehicles.”   

The acquisition adds nearly 100 employees to SSOE.

“We are excited to welcome Stevens & Wilkinson to our SSOE family,” Catherine Myers, SSOE board chair and COO, said. “With their demonstrated performance of architectural design excellence and their continuous emphasis on client success, they are the best in their field and a great addition to our global team. We are committed to the general building market and thankful that S&W’s entire leadership team will remain actively involved in the operations of the integrated business unit.”