Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC), a subsidiary of constructor Clayco, will combine with Clayco-owned architecture firm BatesForum, creating one firm of more than 240 professionals in five offices with capabilities in integrated design and delivery that that the organization says promises to transform the industry.
“The inefficiency that remains in the traditional design-bid-build construction model needs to change,” said CEO Lamar Johnson. “We believe we can leverage our combined firm’s proven capabilities in integrated execution to bring a similar approach to a broader range of projects and clients.
“We will be able to use the deep bench of resources and industry-leading technology of Clayco to deliver the best solution for the project client, whether we are the designer, executive architect, or providing integrated delivery and full turnkey solutions.”
“The future of design is integrated,” said Clayco CEO and founder Bob Clark. “Our integrated delivery model will set a new standard by completely disrupting the inefficiency of the traditional paradigm of design-bid-build.”
The expanded firm has expertise in commercial, residential, multi-use, interiors, healthcare, retail, planning, landscape, education, and industrial architecture, as well as a strategy team which uses economic and ethnographic data to consult with clients on workplace trends and asset optimization.
Among the firm’s capabilities are the Technical Assurance Group (TAG), which consults with project teams to apply lessons from the built environment to projects still on the drawing board, and the Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) team, which provides BIM support for the use of integrated models and provides collaboration space for real-time decision-making by owners.
“LJC will continue to collaborate with Clayco to deliver institutional, industrial, commercial, residential and hospitality projects nationally,” said Johnson. “At the same time, LJC remains committed to delivering design to its existing clients. We build relationships before we build projects.”
The larger LJC will continue the tradition of civic and community engagement practiced by both Lamar Johnson Collaborative and Clayco.
“We firmly believe that we have an obligation and responsibility to build healthy communities through active involvement,” said Lamar Johnson. “We will continue to provide leadership and financial support to organizations like United Way, Michael J. Fox Foundation, Greater Chicago Food Depository, and Cristo Rey High School.”
The combined firm now exceeds 200 active architecture and design projects in 24 states, while together with parent company Clayco, the overall construction value of active integrated delivery projects exceeds $4 billion.
Clients include Farpoint Development, Pfizer, Mercy, Brookfield Properties, Blackstone Realty, Levy Restaurants, Lennar Multifamily Communities, LLC, and Sterling Bay and The John Buck Company.
