When HMC Architects decided to acquire Pacific Northwest firm Bassetti Architects, our mindset wasn’t rooted in conventional metrics. We weren’t chasing a revenue bump or simply expanding our geographic footprint. We sought something more profound—an alignment of culture, values, and purpose. Because acquiring a company is easy in today’s world. Acquiring a culture—and honoring it—is where authentic leadership begins.
A Shared Blueprint for Purpose
At HMC, we believe that architecture must serve the greater good. For more than 85 years, that belief has guided our work in education, healthcare, and civic spaces—sectors that directly impact lives. As we celebrate our 85th anniversary this fall, we reflect not only on our legacy but also on how we are evolving to meet future challenges. Bassetti Architects, with its rich legacy in PreK–12 and civic design, shares this same commitment. From the moment our conversations began, it was clear: we were united in purpose before we were united in business.
This wasn’t a partnership born out of market necessity. It was born from a shared understanding that design is not just about buildings—it’s about people. It’s about creating spaces that inspire, connect, heal, and empower. That alignment gave us the confidence to move forward with an acquisition that felt less like assimilation and more like amplification.
The Human Side of M&A
Too often, mergers and acquisitions create fear of change, dilution, and being lost in the shuffle. We approached this differently. As a 100-percent employee-owned firm, HMC has always believed that people are our greatest asset. We knew that if this acquisition was going to be successful, it had to be human-centered. That meant ensuring continuity for clients, creating new growth pathways for employees, and treating Bassetti’s culture not as something to “integrate” but as something to learn from and celebrate. Their expertise in sustainable design and mass timber adds new strength to our own, and their voice is now a vital part of our collective story.
Bassetti is widely recognized as a leader in sustainable design, particularly for their innovative use of mass timber in educational and civic projects. Mass timber is a renewable, low-carbon material that enhances buildings’ aesthetic and structural integrity. It aligns perfectly with our Design for Good ethos and deepens our commitment to sustainability and climate action. By integrating Bassetti’s expertise in this space, HMC is poised to further its sustainability goals while supporting California Governor Gavin Newsom’s broader plan to accelerate green construction and reduce the state’s carbon footprint.
The Power of Shared Purpose: Why the Next Generation Demands More
We’re also acutely aware that the next generation of architects is looking for more than a job—they’re looking for meaning. They want to design with purpose, grow in inclusive environments, and be part of something bigger than themselves. At HMC, that’s not just a trend we’re reacting to. It’s a truth we’ve built into our DNA.
We’ve made equity a priority, achieving pay equity across gender and race. We invest nearly $1 million annually in employee training and leadership development. We foster mentorship through intentional programs that connect emerging professionals with seasoned leaders. By acquiring Bassetti, we’re offering our employee-owners even more: more expertise to learn from, more purpose-driven projects to impact, and more opportunities to make a difference. For today’s talent, culture can be the dealbreaker—and we’re committed to being the kind of firm that inspires loyalty not just through compensation but through connection.
Designing a Stronger Future Together
This acquisition is part of our long-term vision to lead the industry in creating transformative spaces that generate measurable community impact. But our strategy goes far beyond growth for growth’s sake. We’re expanding into the Pacific Northwest because the market makes sense, and our shared values with Bassetti make it right. Together, we can serve more communities, embrace innovations, and deepen our commitment to climate-conscious design. We’re combining leadership in sustainable healthcare and higher education with a legacy of excellence in PreK–12 and civic design—creating a firm uniquely positioned to shape resilient, equitable futures.
What True Leadership Looks Like
Ultimately, success in M&A isn’t about assimilation but integration without compromise. It’s about making space for new ideas, new perspectives, and new energy. It’s about honoring legacy while building something new. In acquiring Bassetti, we didn’t just grow. We grew better. We strengthened our purpose, diversified our voice, and renewed our commitment to people-first design. This is what the future of architecture looks like: collaborative, inclusive, and deeply human.
And this is what I believe the future of leadership must look like, too.
