ARCHITECT magazine ranks US firms
HOUSTON, TEXAS -- Kirksey Architecture — the only Houston-headquartered firm within the top 10 — was named the No. 10 architectural firm in the nation by ARCHITECT magazine for 2017. Every year, the ARCHITECT 50 program goes beyond revenues and holistically ranks firms using three categories: business, design, and sustainability. Kirksey’s position within each of these categories contributed to the overall top 10 ranking. The program had 149 firms participate and every year, only the top 50 make the final list.“Being named the #10 architecture firm in the nation is an incredible honor, and is a testament to our commitment as a firm to great design, sustainable practices, and company culture,” said Wes Good, managing principal. “We are so proud to be recognized at this level. We are also thankful that the ARCHITECT 50 does a deep dive into what makes architecture firms truly special. ”
Kirksey’s strong design portfolio, success in business, and commitment to sustainable design practices helped increase the firm’s ranking, breaking into the top 10 for 2017, due in large part to several successful areas of the firm:
- Our leadership is now our ownership
- Kirksey expanded the firm’s ownership in 2015 to include the managing principal and 26 vice presidents, with John Kirksey continuing in his role as president
- This ownership expansion was an investment in the future of the firm, and the next generation of leadership at Kirksey – this business approach differs greatly from the widespread corporate mergers and acquisitions taking place within the architecture industry
- Focus on sustainability and building performance
- Kirksey has over 100 LEED certified projects in our portfolio, totaling more than 33 million square feet
- We have multiple in-house specialists using advanced software to predict building performance to inform smart building decisions about energy, daylight, air flow, and other green building strategies
- Kirksey is the only Houston-based firm named a LEED Proven Provider by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
- Kirksey’s EcoServices Team Leader was named a 2016 LEED Fellow by the Green Business Certification, Inc. (GBCI) for her achievements and contributions to the green building community
- Kirksey has one of the nation's first WELL Accredited Professionals by the GBCI
- Kirksey is working toward a FITWEL certification for our corporate campus
- Knowledge-based experts in diverse market sectors
- Kirksey is comprised of 10 different "teams" that specialize in various market sectors. These teams are led by knowledge-based experts that understand the intricacies of the different project types
- Market sector diversity has helped the firm maintain success over the years, despite downturns in certain sectors
- Advanced design technology and awareness:
- Kirksey incorporates the latest innovative design technology such as virtual reality (VR), 3-D printing, drones, BIM, energy and daylight modeling, etc. to better inform design decisions and is continuously investing in the latest technology to better enhance our design capabilities
- The Kirksey Design Awareness Committee hosts events to inspire, promote, and reinforce design awareness. Events include the following: "Design + Art" Exhibits, lunch seminars / "Design Talks," "Design + Technology" Happy Hours, and "The Show," which showcases current projects
- Launched new Brand Integration Team in 2017 to expand services
- New Kirksey Brand Integration Team supports our clients' signage, graphic, and brand service needs
- Bringing these services in-house further elevates Kirksey's design capabilities
- Local leadership and nurturing of young talent
- Kirksey is proud to have four employees who have served as American Institute of Architects (AIA) Houston presidents, including the current 2017 president, Catherine Callaway
- Janis Brackett, Vice President and Kirksey's Community Team Leader, currently serves on the AIA National Strategic Council, and was president of AIA Houston in 2014
- Kirksey also boasts four winners of the AIA Houston Ben Brewer Young Architect Award. Our firm encourages and supports community and organizational involvement and allows employees to passionately explore new ideas
- Community Involvement
- Annual tree planting; In over 30 years, the firm has planted 10,000+ trees
- Quarterly blood drives held at Kirksey
- Adopt-an-Angel through the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston
- IIDA Product Runway competition benefitting the Houston Furniture Bank
- CANstruction contest benefitting the Houston Food Bank