Merger Provides Award-Winning Architecture Firms a Platform for Continued Growth in Complementary Practice Sectors and Markets

LOS ANGELES & SAN DIEGO, Calif. (February 6, 2018) — International architecture and design firm Steinberg Hart and San Diego-based RJC Architects, a recognized leader in civic architecture, announced a merger between the two award-winning firms. Already working seamlessly as one firm, the merger combines Steinberg Hart’s 65-year legacy and diverse portfolio of impactful education, residential, urban mixed-use, hospitality, civic, and commercial office space projects with RJC Architects’ unmatched public-sector pedigree.

Under the leadership of co-founder James Robbins, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP, RJC Architects has built an impressive portfolio of significant civic, national defense, education, commercial, and industrial projects with a total value of more than $2.5 billion including the new $1 billion-campus for the Navy SEALS, the San Diego County Operations Center, and Coronado Civic Center. Robbins will continue to play a key leadership role in the united firms, serving as Managing Partner for the San Diego office. RJC Founding Partner Janene Christopher, AIA, and Partner Daniel Stewart, AIA, join Steinberg Hart as Partners and strategic leaders.

“As we continue to evolve, this merger with RJC Architects is representative of our commitment to deepening our expertise in key and complementary markets while also expanding our geographic reach,” said Steinberg Hart President and CEO, David Hart, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP. “RJC Architects is an attractive firm to partner with because of their exemplary leadership in the public-sector market, strong foothold in the San Diego community, and involvement in some of Southern California’s most important large-scale projects. Together, we will make an even larger impact on the communities we serve by sculpting space to shape the way people live.”

RJC Architects co-founder and Managing Partner James Robbins adds: “We have been approached by other firms in the past because of our project portfolio, our ability to maintain long-term client relationships and our track record of creating thoughtful design solutions that enhance human potential and enrich human experience. What made the opportunity to merge with Steinberg Hart unique was the prospect of reconnecting with people whom we’ve worked with before and have known for over two decades—enormously talented people whose values we share. David Hart was RJC’s first hire and Steinberg Hart Partner Jason Briscoe was also an early team member.”

Hart agrees: “This merger is also special to me because of my personal relationship with James and Janene. In the early 90s, I got my professional start working at RJC Architects where I learned a great deal about design, project execution, and the business of architecture in a period of significant growth for the firm. We’re excited to bring our experience in mixed-use, hospitality, and higher education design to the San Diego market while growing RJC’s civic work in the other regions we serve.”

“Looking to the next phase of RJC Architects, this merger allows us to deepen our talent and expertise while expanding our geographical reach as we continue to serve local, regional, state and federal agencies, and national defense clients at the highest level,” Robbins says. “The merger adds A-list talent and stellar operational and technical expertise that will allow us to better serve our clients. At the same time, it allows us to reaffirm the commitments we have made to our staff. RJC Architects’ legacy will continue on as our next generation of emerging leaders grows within the firm.” 

Both design firms share a deep commitment to sustainability. As recognized leaders in sustainable design, Steinberg Hart’s and RJC Architects’ projects include the first student housing and the first military housing in California to achieve LEED Platinum certification, the largest LEED Gold-certified project in the San Diego region, Los Angeles Community College District’s first LEED Gold-certified project, the first LEED-certified office space in Los Angeles, and over $1 billion in public works designed at the LEED Gold level.

ABOUT STEINBERG HART

With a focus in education, residential, urban mixed-use, hospitality, civic, and commercial office projects, the full-service architecture firm creates environments that sculpt space to shape lives in subtle and empowering ways. From the foundation established in 1953 by Silicon Valley architecture pioneer Goodwin Steinberg, FAIA, and through the years of leadership under Rob Steinberg, FAIA, Steinberg Hart has built a progressive portfolio of award-winning projects spanning multiple continents and diverse sectors.

Follow Steinberg Hart on Facebook at facebook.com/SteinbergHart and on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram at @SteinbergHart.

ABOUT RJC ARCHITECTS

Founded in 1991, San Diego-based RJC Architects offers expertise in architecture, landscape architecture, and interior space planning services throughout the Southwest. Driven by a commitment to creating places that enhance human potential and enrich human experiences, the full-service architecture firm crafts environments that respond to client’s functional and economic needs while bolstering the well-being of users. RJC Architects has completed designs affecting over 1,000 new and renovated public buildings in Southern California. This body of work includes some of the largest public works projects in the history of the region, the $531 million-San Diego County Operations Center, the region’s only waterfront civic center, the Coronado Civic Center on Glorietta Bay, the Western Headquarters for the United States Marine Corps Special Operations, the Intelligence Operations Center at Camp Pendleton, and a new $1 billion-campus for the Navy SEALS.