MVE & Partners Launches MVE Institutional Under the Direction Of 20 Year Veteran Architect Robert M. Simons

Recognizing an immense opportunity to capitalize on its institutional design experience, McLarand, Vasquez, Emsiek & Partners (MVE & Partners) has announced the formation of a new entity, MVE-Institutional. A significant step for the 29-year-old architecture and design firm, the creation of MVE-Institutional marks the first time the partners have launched a new entity to focus on a specific market area.

The partners have also announced the addition of Robert M. Simons as Principal / Director of Education Facilities for MVE-Institutional to direct educational related business development and new institutional related projects. Before joining MVE-Institutional, Simons was a principal with WLC Architects, Inc. where he was in charge of his own studio team. His work experience includes both new higher educational facilities and modernizations programs throughout California as well as civic, recreational, public safety and commercial assignments. Some of the more significant projects represented in Simon’s portfolio include Los Angeles Unified School District, King/Drew Magnet School of Medicine and Science for the Los Angeles Unified School District; Southeast Learning Center; and Technology Magnet School for Ventura Unified School District, among many others. His work has been honored on a local, regional and national level.

“Simons is an excellent addition to the firm. He brings a depth of experience in design for education facilities further broadening our firm’s extensive institutional experience,” said Ernesto Vasquez, President of MVE-Institutional. “MVE-Institutional will be an opportunity to develop a focused studio that specializes in government, education and cultural projects, unifying all the best of our design experience and understanding of processes and procedures.”

According to Vasquez, MVE –Institutional will provide a high level of experience in handling complex institutional projects as well as a principal centered focus on project management, a hallmark of MVE & Partners.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to be part of this tremendous legacy of design as well as bring some new ideas to the firm’s institutional base of work. It is also a great pleasure to gain from the diversity of project and principal experience that is part of MVE & Partners including residential, multifamily, retail, commercial, mixed use, and more,” noted Simons.

MVE-Institutional will be staffed by approximately 12 new and existing employees, who will handle projects throughout California. While MVE-Institutional will operate as a separate entity, it will share space with MVE & Partners’ existing Irvine and Oakland offices.

MVE & Partners is well regarded for its institutional work. The firm has received numerous regional and national awards including National League of Cities, AIA, and PCBC Gold Nuggets for its institutional projects that include the MTA Headquarters Tower in Los Angeles; South Coast Repertory Theatre in Costa Mesa; Saint Joseph Ballet in Santa Ana; Family Law Court in Riverside; Development Services Center in Santa Ana; Department of Public Social Services in Los Angeles, Fruitvale Transit Village in Oakland; Tenth Street Place in Modesto, Ada County Courthouse Mixed-Use, Antelope Valley Community College, Santa Ana Unified School District’s Valley High School Expansion, among many others.

MVE-Institutional is located at www.mve-institutional.com on the web.

About MVE & Partners

McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners is one of the country’s most influential and active design organizations, encompassing a diverse team of facility programmers, planners, architects, computer specialists and interior designers. The Irvine and Oakland-based firm is recognized for its award-winning designs of large-scale urban office buildings, mixed-use developments, public/private projects, entertainment complexes, specialized hotels, international resorts and urban residential developments. The firm’s expertise lies in its demonstrated ability to design highly attractive and functional architecture, creating unique environments where people aspire to live and work. Visit McLarand Vasquez Emsiek & Partners online at www.mve-architects.com.