Sep 20 2010
International architecture firm Callison and HAYA Architects, one of the leading architecture and design firms in Beijing, have entered into a joint venture to form Callison (China).
The new joint venture enables the firm to offer full architectural and retail design services supporting the demands of the fastest growing economy in the world.
Callison, one of the world’s leading retail design firms, is furthering a 20-year commitment to the China market. Signature projects include Grand Gateway, Yueda 889, Greenland Riverfront CBD in Shanghai and The MixC centers in Hangzhou and Chengdu.
“Callison is a global firm bringing international experience and perspective to our work in China, and we also value the insight and unique expertise of domestic companies like HAYA,” said Bill Karst, Callison (China) chairman. “Our focus is in line with the rapid urbanization of the country and will help to create intelligent growth. We feel it is critical to offer our clients the value of both companies’ capabilities as we navigate this dynamic China market.”
HAYA Architects, a privately-owned design firm, has provided commercial architecture and store design for many Beijing-area residential and mixed-use projects including R&D facilities for IBM, as well as retailers like Wangfujing and Nike on which they have teamed with Callison. Its sister company, HAYA Retail provides construction and fixture design turnkey services.
“The next stage of HAYA’s development is to grow into an international firm,” said Michael Yang, chairman of HAYA Retail. “Callison’s global design expertise and experience complements HAYA’s strengths of local insight and strong delivery systems. We also see a great synergy for offering one-stop solutions to retailers – either domestic companies enhancing their brands, or international brands just entering the China market.”
Founded in 1999, HAYA Architects has grown to a staff of more than 200. Callison’s well-established office in Shanghai includes 80 designers who have been based in China since 2004. The nearly 300 staff of Callison (China) will be supported by lead designers in the U.S.-based headquarters of Callison, who work exclusively on China projects.
“The joint venture is consistent with our strategy of responding to the unique and changing demands of the Chinese market,” said Yan Yang who has headed Callison’s practice in Shanghai and is now CEO of Callison (China). “This merger offers the best of international and domestic expertise and truly embodies the goal of both innovation and execution.”
Source: http://www.callison.com/