COLE Architects merges with Bend-based firm

Boise-based firm COLE Architects has announced a merger with DKA Architecture and Design, a move that will bring the total number of employees to nearly 20 and increase combined business capabilities.

Both locations will retain their existing personnel and will operate as COLE Architects under one ownership team. They share a similar portfolio, industry experience and culture.

Matt Huffield, president and managing partner for COLE Architects, explained that, based on his decades of experience in industry, a merger is much more economical — bringing in cash flow faster — and most often is more successful, helping keep the business functioning in a positive direction. Comparatively, building organic growth in the market is a two- to four-year process.

“We are just excited,” Huffield said. “We are having fun. We have the luxury of being in a good economy, so we’re trying to grow and take advantage of that while we can.”

Huffield’s background

Huffield has had diverse experience at firms throughout the Northwest, and he is no stranger to Bend, Oregon; he describes it as a place where he feels at home, as family lives there. Huffield also describes the area as a growing market, similar to Boise.

“DKA’s principals share a personal commitment to creating architecture that embodies the unique qualities of a given urban and regional context,” DKA Co-founder and Principal John Kvapil said in the announcement. “And because COLE Architects is nearly identical to DKA in qualifications, design horsepower and aesthetic approach to architecture, we see this as a positive development in that it affords us greater flexibility to focus on what we do best.”

Huffield recalls most conversations with Kvapil and Phil Doza prior to the merger being about company culture, like how employees are treated, and found both companies to be “very much on the same page.”

“That second city market (like Boise, rather than a coastal or larger city) made more sense,” Huffield said. “The intermountain (area) fits our demographic and the lifestyle we are interested in as a firm, and the people we draw to the company.”

“Part of that is growth,” Huffield added, “and you have to provide opportunities for employees and partners; that’s what helps them feel excited about what they’re doing. The other part is working on great projects.”

COLE Architects grew from just a few employees in 1995 to around 12 prior to the merger, and has been touted as a top 10 place to work in recent years. As the employee base blends, DKA partners — both approaching retirement age — will likely shift to more of a consulting role; Huffield said there is opportunity for both of them to remain involved in their projects going forward.

COLE’s future in Idaho

When asked if market demand could mean adding employees in the near future, Huffield responded that it could.

“We are definitely busy,” Huffield said. “In conversations related to industry, everybody’s busy, which makes me feel good because I feel we will continue to be busy, (and can be) somewhat selective of projects we take on; in ‘08, ‘09, ‘10 you took (a project) because there was not anything else available.”

The company’s portfolio includes an athletic club, fire stations, a religious building, townhomes and more. The firm has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects chapters in Idaho and Washington.

“Boise is still small enough that it’s hard to specialize,” Huffield said. “Our specialty is finding good clients we enjoy working with; they are people we trust; there’s mutual respect; that’s our priority.”

DKA has a lot of experience in high-end residential, Huffield described, and it has also completed a number of cultural or religious facilities.

“These guys help bring us into a market at another level,” Huffield said. “And the same is true on our end…(we will) put Bend in a different market with office buildings, for example.”

Huffield also anticipates adding a couple of staff over the next couple months due to the workload base. Those employees will be intentionally selected, according to Huffield, and fitting into the company culture will be a top priority. Potential candidates meet everyone in the firm.

COLE Architects has made efforts to provide salaries and benefits as best it can in industry, according to Huffield. Unlimited PTO and optional remote work are two benefits.

“To me our industry is a service industry,” Huffield said. “Our goal is to get away from the job jumping. When I grew up in my career, the only way to get a raise was to jump jobs (or entertain competing offers)…my goal is to have people who are architects and have us take care of them so we never have that conversation.”