DLR Group Expands with Collins Cooper Carusi Architects Merger
The global integrated design firm DLR Group announced today that Atlanta-based Collins Cooper Carusi Architects (CCCA) has officially joined the firm. This strategic move represents not just a merger of two respected architectural practices, but a deliberate expansion of DLR Group’s reach and influence in the Southeast. With this integration, DLR Group secures a permanent and highly visible presence in Atlanta, Georgia, adding to its established offices in Charlotte, Durham, Nashville, and Orlando.
For DLR Group, the addition of CCCA is far more than geographical growth—it is about strengthening a shared mission to provide communities, institutions, and organizations with innovative design solutions that are both functional and inspirational.
A Legacy of Educational and Community Design
Founded in 1987, Collins Cooper Carusi Architects has spent nearly four decades shaping environments that foster learning, collaboration, and community engagement. The firm is widely recognized for its expertise in early learning and K-12 education, higher education facilities, on-campus student housing, recreation centers, and design for both public and private sector clients.
CCCA’s reputation has been cemented through a long list of award-winning projects and a distinctive design philosophy rooted in active listening and creative visioning. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, the firm has consistently demonstrated its ability to craft spaces that respond directly to client needs, institutional values, and community goals. This commitment has earned CCCA recognition from leading industry organizations such as the AIA, IIDA, and ALA, culminating in the prestigious honor of being named Georgia AIA Firm of the Year in 2020.
Some of the firm’s most notable recent projects include:
- Emory University’s Convocation Hall – a cornerstone project blending tradition and innovation for one of Georgia’s leading academic institutions.
- The Summit First Year Student Housing at Kennesaw State University – a state-of-the-art residential facility designed to enhance student life and academic success.
- Joseph W. Jones Ecological Research Center at Ichauway in Baker County, Georgia – a sustainable research environment supporting ecological studies.
- Wormsloe State Park Visitor Center in Savannah for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources – an inviting gateway that blends natural beauty with educational storytelling.
- Numerous projects for elite public and private schools across the Southeast, highlighting the firm’s deep connections with educational clients.
Through these projects, CCCA has become a trusted partner for institutions seeking designs that balance functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability.
Cultural Alignment and Strategic Fit
The decision to join forces was shaped by a strong cultural and strategic alignment between the two firms. DLR Group CEO Steven McKay, AIA, RIBA, emphasized this point in announcing the partnership:
“Collins Cooper Carusi’s passion for thoughtful, responsive design and its strong connections in education and civic work in the region make it an ideal cultural and strategic fit. CCCA immediately strengthens our expertise in on-campus student housing and our entire higher education portfolio. An established office in Atlanta also gives us a base to meet the design needs of our civic, cultural, federal, healthcare, sports, and private market clients throughout the Southeast.”
By combining forces, DLR Group not only deepens its educational portfolio but also broadens its reach into civic, cultural, federal, healthcare, and sports markets. The Atlanta office will serve as a critical hub for serving these diverse clients throughout the Southeast, ensuring that DLR Group is well-positioned to respond to regional opportunities and challenges.
A Seamless Transition with Continuity of Leadership
A key strength of this integration is the continuity of leadership. CCCA’s 40 design professionals will continue operating from their current office at 3391 Peachtree Road NE in Atlanta, but under the new identity of DLR Group|Collins Cooper Carusi.
To ensure stability and preserve trusted client relationships, CCCA’s leadership team will transition into principal roles at DLR Group. These leaders include:
- Eric Richardson, AIA
- Sandy Cooper, AIA
- Fiona Grandowski, AIA, IIDA
- Jeff Juliano, AIA
- Clayton Daspit, AIA, LEED AP
Their continued presence will reassure clients that the firm’s core values, project continuity, and design quality will remain intact while gaining the added strength of DLR Group’s global platform.
Benefits for Clients and Employees
For CCCA, joining DLR Group represents a powerful opportunity to enhance service offerings and deliver even greater value to clients. Eric Richardson, AIA, president of CCCA, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership:
“Joining DLR Group will bring significant advantages to our clients. We gain access to more design resources and expertise to keep us at the forefront of design and allow us to compete as true peers with the largest firms. Just as exciting, our team members can become employee owners and tap into the strength of DLR Group’s multidisciplinary, global platform—an opportunity that will be truly career-defining.”
Richardson’s remarks highlight two important aspects of the merger:
- Expanded design capabilities – With DLR Group’s broad portfolio and global resources, the Atlanta-based team can now deliver more specialized services across disciplines.
- Employee ownership and growth – As part of DLR Group, employees gain access to an ownership model that empowers them to shape the firm’s future while building long-term careers within a global organization.
This structure not only benefits employees but also enhances client relationships, as clients can expect a design team deeply invested in delivering exceptional results.
A Shared Vision for the Future
The integration of CCCA into DLR Group represents a blending of local expertise with global reach. While CCCA brings deep relationships and cultural knowledge of the Southeast, DLR Group provides access to multidisciplinary services, advanced design technologies, and an international portfolio of projects across education, civic, workplace, healthcare, and sports markets.
Together, the firms will be able to pursue ambitious projects that require both regional insight and global expertise. For educational institutions, civic organizations, and private clients across the Southeast, this means access to a broader range of design services, deeper technical knowledge, and enhanced innovation.
