Spiezle Merges With McGarity Gilmore Forrester Architects and Terry Wilson Joins Firm

Spartanburg, SC – April 1, 2011 –Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the merger of Spiezle with McGarity Gilmore Forrester Architects (MGFA).  The merger is the culmination of months of communication between the firms that provides Spiezle a desired presence in South Carolina and MGFA a wealth of sustainable design expertise.  The combined firm maintains 50 professionals with extensive architectural experience in K-12, sustainable design consulting, higher education, healthcare, senior care, commercial, hospitality, and government markets. 

The firm will retain the brand equity of its reputation and be known as
McGarity Gilmore Forester | Spiezle.

MGFA, a 66 year old company, is a full-service design firm offering planning, architecture and interior design whose experience spans both new and retrofit design includes single, multifamily and community care residential; commercial; industrial; religious; medical; military; public; transportation; recreational and educational projects.  The firm is holistic in its approach to projects where they perform as not just planners or designers, but as “problem solvers” with innovative solutions that anticipate future needs.

In addition, Terry Wilson, AIA, IIDA, LEEDap, joins Spiezle Architectural Group as Principal and head of the newly established Healthcare design studio and will help lead the efforts of the Spartanburg office with T. John Gilmore, President of MGFA.

Terry Wilson has over 18 years of architectural design experience.  His passion and focus lies within the health care industry.  His experience spans numerous highly complex healthcare projects involving programming, design, sustainability, master planning, and 3D modeling and graphics.  He was previously with FreemanWhite, a recognized leader in the healthcare market.  Wilson received his Master of Architecture in Health Care Facility Planning and Design and his Bachelor of Architecture from Clemson University.

“We are extremely excited about MGFA and Terry Wilson joining Spiezle.  McGarity Gilmore Forrester has an outstanding reputation with their clients, and we anticipate that through John Gilmore’s relationships, as well as those we will build together, the South Carolina office will thrive.  The addition of Terry Wilson gives the firm presence in the healthcare marketplace, which has been a target for our expansion and diversification.  His leadership, in concert with John Gilmore, will guide the future of our South Carolina office”, stated Scott Spiezle, Chairman and CEO of Spiezle Architectural Group.

“McGarity Gilmore Forrester Architects is excited about future opportunities teamed with the professionals at Spiezle.  Truly, this is a team built on quality and customer satisfaction.  The synergies between the firms provide a platform on which we will all grow”, stated T. John Gilmore, President of McGarity Gilmore Forrester Architects.

“It is invigorating to join such a dynamic team of professionals from both Spiezle and MGFA.  Together this diverse group of talents will surely provide a unique perspective and expertise that will flourish promoting sustainable architecture throughout the region.  Adding healthcare to the equation aligns perfectly with our firms’ vision to promote healthy sustainable environments to the clients and communities we serve. Utilizing this experience our intent is to strategically develop new markets, innovations, and effective results”, stated Terry Wilson, Principal of Spiezle Architectural Group. 

About Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc.
Founded in 1954, Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. is an award-winning, full-service architecture, planning, and design firm with offices in Spartanburg, SC; Trenton, NJ; Media, PA; and Columbia, MD. Known for its international sustainable design, renewable energy expertise, highly effective design documentation, and project management, Spiezle Architectural Group, Inc. is an acknowledged leader in sustainable design of public and private facilities. To learn more about the firm, please visit our web site at http://www.spiezle.com. 

About McGarity Gilmore Forrester Architects
McGarity Gilmore Forrester Architects was founded in 1945 as Harold Woodward, Architect which evolved into Westmoreland McGarity Pitts Architects, Inc.  McGarity Gilmore Forrester Architects, Inc. is the product of a merger of Westmoreland McGarity Pitts Architects, Inc. and O’Cain Gilmore Forrester. We attribute our history of successful practice to providing quality service; responsive, innovative design; accurate documents that minimize construction change orders; and attention to budgets and schedules.