DLR Group Tuesday announced the acquisition of Minneapolis-based interior design firm Studio Hive. Founded in 2003 by Janice Carleen Linster, FASID; Shari Bjork, LEED AP; and Shawn Gaither, AIA, Studio Hive is consistently ranked as one of the leading interior design firms in the Twin Cities. Studio Hive is a recognized leader in the design of workplace, sports, and higher education environments, for clients including Gray Plant Mooty, Fox Rothschild, the University of Minnesota, UCare, as well as interior design at many of the collegiate and professional sports stadiums in the Twin Cities.
Studio Hive’s 14 design professionals will relocate to DLR Group’s Renaissance Square location at 520 Nicollet Mall by early April. With the addition of Studio Hive, DLR Group will have 80 employee-owners in Minneapolis.
“A common culture is instrumental when bringing two firms together. Studio Hive and DLR Group share a commitment to design excellence and our collective client base will be well served,” said DLR Group CEO Griff Davenport, AIA. “Studio Hive is recognized locally and nationally as an innovator in the practice of workplace interiors and this elevates the depth and expertise of our Workplace Studio both in Minneapolis and nationally.
Linster will head the Minneapolis Workplace Studio. She will collaborate with DLR Group Workplace Leader Cassandra Griep, CID, IIDA, and with Bjork and Gaither, to meet the needs of clients in the Twin Cities. Linster also will join the DLR Group Global Workplace Studio, led by Angela Castleton.
Our clients have operations and interests on the ground in markets across the country,” said Castleton. “The addition of Janice, Shari, and Shawn adds depth to our local and global practices, and enhances the strategic thinking and design expertise we can deploy to meet the needs of our clients anywhere at any time.”
“The opportunities available to our staff for personal and professional growth at DLR Group are virtually limitless,” said Linster. “Cassandra and her team have built an innovative Workplace Studio. We are excited to join forces and collaborate to grow an award-winning Workplace Studio in the Twin Cities and across the country with DLR Group.”
Gaither will join the firm’s Higher Education Studio, bringing more than 15 years of experience working on college campuses, including design at the University of Minnesota.
“Janice, Shari, Shawn and the entire Studio Hive team add proven and experienced design talent in Minneapolis. This will positively impact the mentoring and professional growth of the entire office,” said Davenport. “I am also very excited to offer ownership and a wide range of new design and career opportunities – new market types, services, and geographies – for Studio Hive design professionals to explore at DLR Group.”
DLR Group is a 100 percent employee-owned firm and all Studio Hive design professionals will have the opportunity to purchase stock and invest in the future of DLR Group.