Los Angeles-based Abramson Architects has officially merged with global design firm Perkins&Will, combining their Los Angeles and San Diego studios to form a single, comprehensive Southern California practice. The merger was completed on August 29, establishing a new leadership structure that positions Trevor Abramson, founder of Abramson Architects, as managing director of the combined operation.
"This is not just about getting bigger," said Marco Marraccini, who now serves as design director of the merged practice. "It's about elevating our potential, expanding our reach, and deepening the impact we have on the people and places we serve."
Abramson Architects first opened its doors in Los Angeles in 1987 as a small practice specializing in custom residential projects. Over the decades, the firm expanded its expertise into commercial, cultural, healthcare, and institutional work. The company strengthened its regional presence by opening a San Diego office in 2023, which helped enhance its technical capabilities and broaden its geographical reach.
Throughout its 37-year history, Abramson's impressive portfolio has included notable projects such as Platform and Synapse in Culver City, the Aaron Milken Center early education campus in Los Angeles, and the Lucy Curci Cancer Center in Rancho Mirage. The firm has earned significant recognition within the industry, receiving multiple awards from the Los Angeles chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), including a prestigious national AIA honor award for its innovative design of the First Presbyterian Church of Encino.
Perkins&Will brings substantial experience to the partnership, having operated in Los Angeles since 1996 and launching its San Diego studio in 2021. The firm's Los Angeles office has built a strong reputation for multidisciplinary work spanning healthcare, higher education, civic, cultural, and housing design. Key projects include Destination Crenshaw and the Kaiser Permanente Watts Counseling and Learning Pavilion. Meanwhile, the San Diego office has focused on major university and science projects, including Franklin Antonio Hall and the Pepper Canyon West Living Learning Neighborhood at UC San Diego.
The merger places particular emphasis on affordable housing, an increasingly critical need in Southern California's expensive real estate market. Perkins&Will contributes significant expertise in this sector, having designed projects like the new Toyon Gardens, an affordable permanent supportive housing complex in Gardena, California. Both firms bring valuable experience in designing affordable and supportive housing developments at a time when housing costs continue to rise throughout the region.
"This is a coming-together of two deeply like-minded firms with complementary skills and experiences, both of whom are committed to making a positive impact on communities through great design," said Lindsey Peckinpaugh, president of Perkins&Will.
The combined practice aims to leverage the strengths of both organizations to serve clients across an expanded range of sectors, from healthcare and cultural institutions to housing and adaptive reuse projects. Abramson brings particularly deep expertise in adaptive reuse, which complements Perkins&Will's established strengths in regenerative design practices.
"Our combined strengths and complementary skills empower us to pursue more complex, ambitious projects and positively impact community on both the urban and human scale," explained Trevor Abramson. "Together, we create a rare synthesis of design excellence, research rigor, and cross-sector experience."
The new leadership structure includes Trevor Abramson as managing director, Marco Marraccini as design director, and Michael Williams from Perkins&Will serving as operations director. The practice will continue operating under the Perkins&Will name and will employ more than 100 staff members across its San Diego and Los Angeles offices. It's worth noting that while Perkins&Will maintains offices globally, including one in San Francisco, the northern California location is not part of this merger.
The merger represents a strategic consolidation in Southern California's architectural landscape, positioning the combined firm to tackle larger, more complex projects while maintaining the personalized approach and design excellence that both practices have been known for throughout their respective histories.
