September 2014--Two of the region's leading architecture firms, JacobsWyper and SaylorGregg, announced their merger this month.  Both firms have an extensive portfolio of award-winning projects that are recognizable throughout Center City and the mid-Atlantic region from complex manufacturing, pharmaceutical, corporate and university facilities to cultural and performing arts centers. The merger of the two firms complements and broadens the scope of design expertise that they can offer to the corporate, academic and museum sectors. 

“Our firms share a common approach to design and bringing together the two firms greatly augments the work we can provide for our existing clients," said Jamie Wyper, AIA, LEED AP, Principal and Co-founder, JacobsWyper Architects.  "This added level of expertise enables us to compete for larger projects across a broader spectrum for our university and global clients in many sectors of industry.”

“The collective methodology we use for our projects complements the design expertise of JacobsWyper Architects,” added Peter Saylor, FAIA.  “Our firms have both been designing buildings in this region for decades.  Now we can offer a broader range of architectural and interior design as a streamlined service to our clients.”

JacobsWyper Architects was founded in 1981 by Terry Jacobs and Jamie Wyper.  Headquartered in an historic building in downtown Philadelphia, the firm designs award-winning facilities for global pharmaceutical and biotechnical companies including Novartis, Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca, as well as for Amtrak, Wawa and for university clients including Princeton, Penn, Swarthmore among others. The firm has a long history with sustainable building practices and has designed many LEED certified buildings including the first LEED Gold project for the City of Philadelphia. Among its core competencies are the design of life science and manufacturing facilities, mission critical facilities, corporate interior design and historic preservation.

SaylorGregg's award-winning performing arts centers, student commons and residences are at many universities including Cornell University, University of Pennsylvania, Swarthmore and University of Virginia.  The recently completed Karabots Pavillon at The Franklin Institute is an excellent example of the firm's expertise in museum design.   Other museum projects include The Chemical Heritage Foundation Museum and The Pennsylvania Historical Society. Founded in 1970 as DagitSaylor, the firm became SaylorGregg in 2007. 

The combined staff of both firms is 32 and the office is located at 1232 Chancellor Street in Center City Philadelphia.  www.jacobswyper.com   www.saylorgregg.com