Clark Nexsen Earns a Spot on the ARCHITECT 50 for the Sixth Time

For the past 11 years, ARCHITECT magazine has surveyed design firms across the country and evaluated them in three core categories to determine which firms reflect the best in architectural excellence. This year, ARCHITECT magazine analyzed data from 182 firms, compiling scores based on business, sustainability, and design to create an overall ranking. We are proud to announce Clark Nexsen came in at #35, marking the sixth time the firm has been included in the prestigious list of leading U.S. design firms

“This honor represents the shared effort of our people, our partners, and our clients to achieve excellence in design and sustainability,” comments Dennis Stallings, FAIA, Clark Nexsen’s Design Director. “We celebrate this recognition with the many individuals who have collaborated with us, challenged us, and inspired us.”

Business

Ranked at #8, Clark Nexsen received high marks in the Business category, which looks at architectural net revenue per person, business practices, and employee benefits. Our revenue was up by 3% from 2017 and our architectural staff grew by 4%. Technology has allowed us to offer a workplace flexibility program, giving our team more choice on where and when they work. Additionally, we responded to employee feedback requesting one pool of hours to cover vacation, sick and personal time off by changing to our current PTO benefit in 2018. This maximizes employees’ ability to use earned PTO how and when they want to.

Diversity and Mentoring

Our architects partner with universities that report diversity in their student population. These partnerships allow Clark Nexsen to build relationships with diverse students and provide support as they embark on a career in architecture. We work with many underprivileged K-12 schools and organizations hosting office visits so students/participants learn about the architecture practice and licensure with Clark Nexsen professionals. In addition, the Clark Nexsen Foundation provides financial support to multiple STEAM programs.

Sustainability

Making the Top 50 in the Sustainability category at #45, one project we are proud of is Bonnycastle Hall at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. Part of a larger residential complex built in the 1950s without insulation or modern systems, the building’s energy usage was high. This project presented a complex choice between renovation and new construction. By renovating, rather than tearing down, 90% of the existing structure and envelope was maintained. Our comprehensive renovation transformed the building into a modern and welcoming environment with substantially improved energy efficiency.

Design Culture

We are honored to be recognized as a leading design firm. In 2018, Clark Nexsen received more than a dozen design awards for architecture and interiors. These projects included work in our education student life, and commercial markets:

Blue Ridge Orthodontics in Asheville, NC

University of Miami First Year Village (Unbuilt) in Miami, FL

Parking Deck 2 at Wake Tech Community College in Raleigh, NC

Orchard Residence Hall at Penn State University in Media, PA

Asheville Middle School in Asheville, NC

Check out the ARCHITECT 50 rankings online or in the November issue of ARCHITECT magazine.