Leading architecture firms announce new strategic partnership in Florida 

ST. PETERSBURG, FL, May 22, 2023 – Harvard Jolly Architecture, a Florida-based, full-service architectural firm specializing in educational, municipal, and healthcare facilities, announced today a new partnership with PBK, a nationally-acclaimed architectural planning and design firm. 

The joint capabilities of PBK and Harvard Jolly will allow the firm to meet the needs of a growing client base in the region by leveraging both the national exposure, experience, and evidence-based design practices of PBK and the regionally-concentrated programming, design and construction administration services of Harvard Jolly.  

“Harvard Jolly is an amazingly impressive firm that has been a leader in the Florida architecture space for decades,” said Dan Boggio, Executive Chairman of PBK. “We share an unwavering dedication to exceptional client service and a commitment to creating designs that prioritize end-user performance. The combined experience and expertise of Harvard Jolly and PBK will benefit both practices while enhancing our architectural planning and design services nationally.”  

The newly formed partnership has seven Florida offices in St. Petersburg, West Palm Beach, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers, and Jacksonville. Ward Friszolowski, Rene Tercilla, Steve Johnson, Phil Trezza and the entire Harvard Jolly leadership team will continue to lead the firm’s regional operation. 

“Our partnership is built on a unified mission of using our shared capabilities to provide the best facilities across all practice disciplines, including K-12, higher education, sports and recreation, civic and healthcare projects.” said Ward Friszolowski, President of Harvard Jolly. “The unparalleled team of professionals at Harvard Jolly and PBK will help us realize that mission while going above and beyond for our clients.” 

PBK and Harvard Jolly’s combined team of experts will meet architectural design needs in the K-12 and higher education sector as Florida’s population continues to grow, as the state has rapidly become a leading destination for families. Moreover, with the southeastern U.S. serving as a hub for numerous sports teams and facilities, the PBK and Harvard Jolly team will also meet needs in the sports/events sector. 

“Florida is no longer a retirement state. Hundreds of thousands of people at every stage of life are moving to the Sunshine State each year,” said Roy Montalbano, President of PBK. “As PBK continues to expand into new regions and markets, we are committed to using our expertise and knowledge to enrich the lives of countless people by improving the spaces they occupy.” 

The partnership represents a significant development for PBK’s continued growth nationally. PBK’s national strategy of targeted partnerships – including in the southeastern U.S. – has expanded the firm’s presence into new regions and markets as a leader in architectural planning and design.  

About Harvard Jolly Architecture 

For more than 85 years, Harvard Jolly has been consistently ranked among the top design firms in the Southeast and is one of the largest architecture firms in Florida. Harvard Jolly is a client relationship- driven business well-versed in local building requirements and regulations. As the firm enters its ninth decade, Harvard Jolly remains true to its founding tenets: “Be completely devoted to the client. Give them what they are supposed to get: attention, unique design and quality of construction.” For more information: harvardjolly.com. 

About PBK Architects 

For over four decades, PBK has served as an award-winning pioneer for architectural and engineering design solutions for clients in education, sports, and corporate business. With more than 800 professionals across 27 offices, the firm embraces a unique business culture that prioritizes customer service and approaches each project without preconceived notions to deliver custom solutions that effectively address the unique needs of each client. For more information: pbk.com. 

Leading architecture and design firm opens new office in Bakersfield, CA, to serve architectural needs of Central Valley communities

BAKERSFIELD, CA., May 19, 2023 – PBK Architects, a leading architectural planning and design firm, announced today the opening of a new office in Bakersfield, CA, as part of a rapidly expanding business presence in the state of California and to better meet the needs of local communities and partners.

The new regional office enables PBK to directly serve communities and clients on the ground, support local causes and initiatives, and employ local talent. Rafael Ferreira, Principal in Charge and 10-year veteran of PBK, will lead the Bakersfield office’s day-to-day operations.

“The best way to understand Central Valley needs is to live and work within the Central Valley – and Bakersfield is the gateway,” said Bob Lavey, Managing Partner of California. “PBK is committed to being a community advocate, and we have to be responsible members of the communities we serve. Our local Bakersfield team members collaborate with multiple clients in the region, and we look forward to announcing additional project partnerships in the coming months.”

As part of PBK’s focus on institutional projects in the region, the Bakersfield team will lead local planning and design of PreK-12 schools, community college and University buildings, and municipal facilities, such as courthouses and public parks. PBK’s latest Student Housing complex at Bakersfield College is already underway and expected to open in 2025.

“PBK is committed to an innovative and research-based approach that prioritizes local communities and their unique needs, from education to commercial enterprise,” said Roy Montalbano, President of PBK. “Our clients in California will have access to both local PBK professionals and a nationwide network of resources, ensuring that best practices from around the nation will be brought home to the High Desert and Central Valley.”

With the addition of the Bakersfield office, the PBK team in California grew to 362 professionals across disciplines ranging from architectural design and planning to engineering, building envelope, landscape design, and community outreach. As part of PBK’s operations in California, the firm plans to open two new regional offices in Los Angeles and San Jose this year. Moreover, PBK’s growth in the state is projected to create many new jobs, including openings for architects, engineers, and estimators in Bakersfield.

About PBK Architects

For over four decades, PBK has served as an award-winning pioneer for architectural and engineering design solutions for clients in education, sports, and corporate business. With more than 800 professionals across 27 offices, the firm embraces a unique business culture that prioritizes customer service and approaches each project without preconceived notions to deliver custom solutions that effectively address the unique needs of each client. For more information: pbk.com.

GRIFFIN, GA – Manley Spangler Smith Architects (MSSA), a Georgia-based, full-service architectural firm specializing in educational and municipal facilities, announced today a significant development aimed at increasing its capabilities, expertise, and suite of services. MSSA has merged with PBK, a nationally renowned architecture firm known for its comprehensive services and leadership in the field of educational facilities design. In 2022, PBK was ranked as the #1 Education Design Firm by Building Design+Construction widely regarded as the engineering and design industry’s premiere publication.

The combined firm is known as MSSA-PBK and has two Georgia offices located in Griffin and Sugar Hill.

Dan Boggio, Executive Chairman of PBK said, “What the MSSA Principals have accomplished to this point is extremely impressive. MSSA is a recognized leader in education and municipal design in Georgia and is extremely well regarded by its customers. Combining their long track record of exceptional local service and design excellence with PBK, results in Georgia’s most impressive full-service educational facilities design firm.”

Roy Montalbano, PBK President, further added, “The MSSA-PBK professionals are innovative and are on the leading edge of education architecture and design, ensuring that clients can accomplish their goals and perhaps most importantly, they are enriching peoples’ lives by improving the educational experience for the learners of today and those of the future.” 

“This merger of PBK and MSSA is a significant opportunity, not only for our firms but more importantly, for the clients we serve,” said V. Smith, MSSA-PBK Partner. “MSSA-PBK will have the resources and capabilities to provide our clients the expertise of a large firm, delivered with the intimacy of a smaller, local firm.”

About PBK Architects  

For over four decades, PBK has served as an award-winning pioneer for architectural and engineering design solutions for clients in education, healthcare, sports and corporate business. With more than 600 professionals across 17 offices, the firm embraces a unique business culture that prioritizes customer service and approaches each project without preconceived notions in order to deliver custom solutions that effectively address the unique needs of each client. The industry-leading talent of PBK's teammates, coupled with the firm's signature service mentality, enables the firm to provide best-in-class programmers, planners, architects, engineers and consultants that always put the client's wishes first. For more information visit: www.pbk.com.

About MSSA

Established in 1949, Manley Spangler Smith Architects has grown into a leading firm providing services in the state of Georgia with a purposeful focus on providing each client with attentive service and exceptional expertise in educational facilities. Their passionate team members go above and beyond for each of their clients, making sure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and far beyond expectations. For more information visit: https://mssarchitects.com