Combining experience, resources, and infrastructure to create one of the largest PreK-12 practices in Northern California
In a “stronger together” strategy that will elevate service, design, and positive impact to clients and communities throughout California, HMC Architects is pleased to announce it has acquired Sacramento-based architecture firm Rainforth Grau Architects (RGA). An architecture firm with a 37-year history of educational design leadership in Northern California, RGA brings a seasoned team of experienced architects and designers to HMC.
Both HMC and RGA’s strong ties in the region have been forged over many decades. The acquisition of RGA will bring expanded expertise in the PreK-12 market and add additional institutional knowledge of the Sacramento community to the critical planning and entitlement phases of HMC’s design process. Together the firm’s expanded capabilities will strengthen relationships within the local and regional community and provide greater depth and breadth of services.
“Having RGA join the HMC family gives us more opportunities to fulfill our mission to serve our communities and create designs that have a positive impact,” said HMC President and CEO Brian Staton. “This union provides greater resources and expertise to broaden our services to our existing clients and expand our abilities to service new clients.”
HMC and RGA have long-held prominent positions as industry leaders in the education market, especially in California. RGA works with large school districts such as Chico Unified, Elk Grove Unified, Folsom Cordova Unified, and Manteca Unified, as well as community colleges Butte College, Los Rios Community College District, and San Joaquin Delta College. HMC designed its first K-12 project in 1950 and works with Irvine Unified, Long Beach Unified, Los Angeles Unified, Ontario-Montclair School District, Riverside Unified, San Bernardino City Unified, Santa Ana Unified, and Santa Clara Unified. Both firms service several clients in the Sacramento market including Davis Joint Unified, Sacramento City Unified, and Western Placer Unified. A real positive in the acquisition is bringing HMC’s long history and expertise of higher education work to the RGA team.
While operating and competing in the Sacramento area market, healthy respect and professional friendship developed. The firms recently collaborated to create a COVID-19 response for one of the largest school districts in the Northern California region. The combined talent and education portfolio of the two firms represents a highly synergetic mentality that will create new and exciting opportunities for employees and the combined expertise and experience will be of tangible benefit to clients.
“We know that continuous improvement and expansion of our capabilities is critical to long-term success and to delivering our mission; to create a positive impact for our clients and their communities through our design,” said RGA Principal Jeffrey Grau. “We have a shared set of values that drive our work, which allows us to make a greater impact in the Sacramento region and beyond.”
For HMC clients, the move indicates considerable support towards the firm’s PreK-12 practice by combining a group of people who share a deep passion for education and continuing to provide solutions for school districts that have experienced unprecedented challenges in the last year due to the pandemic.
“We are excited and optimistic about the difference we can make together to reinforce our momentum towards safe, resilient learning environments that enhance student success, wellness, and community,” said Staton.
Founded in 1940 with a mission to serve the greater good, HMC works exclusively on education, health, and civic projects that serve its communities. Nationally, HMC is ranked in the top ten design firms providing educational design services, and works globally to create forward-looking, sustainable building projects.
