How Architecture Firms Are Rethinking Succession Planning for Long-Term Stability
After the passing of Rafael Viñoly in 2023, his architectural firm, Rafael Viñoly Architects, underwent a reorganization into a partnership involving Jim Herr, Bassam Komati, and Stephanie Tsang, as there was no succession plan in place. While the firm will continue to operate under the name "Viñoly," a rebranding is in the works. According to the 2024 AIA Firm Survey, 84% of U.S. architecture firms with over 50 employees have established ownership transition strategies. In 2024, Robert A. M. Stern Architects was in the midst of a 15-year transition when its founder passed away. Kohn Pedersen Fox has experienced several succession cycles, and Dimitra Tsachrelia Holl was elevated at Steven Holl Architects. KieranTimberlake transitioned to an ESOP in 2025, while BNIM did so in 2023. Additionally, Perkins&Will acquired HYL in 2024, and CannonDesign took over Ennead Architects in April 2025.
Key facts
- Rafael Viñoly died suddenly in 2023 with no concrete succession plan.
- Román Viñoly, a non-architect, led a reorganization into a partnership with Jim Herr, Bassam Komati, and Stephanie Tsang.
- 84% of U.S. architecture firms with 50+ employees have an ownership transition plan (2024 AIA Firm Survey).
- RAMSA was in a 15-year leadership transition when Robert A. M. Stern died in 2024.
- KPF has seen multiple succession cycles over its 50-year history.
- Steven Holl Architects promoted Dimitra Tsachrelia Holl to principal; all partners have 20+ years at the firm.
- KieranTimberlake transitioned to an ESOP in 2025; BNIM did so in 2023.
- Perkins&Will acquired HYL in 2024 as part of HYL's succession plan.
- CannonDesign acquired Ennead Architects in April 2025; Ennead partners became owners.
- Machado Silvetti transitioned to Stephanie Randazzo Dwyer and Jeffry Burchard after founders retired.
Entities
Artists
- Rafael Viñoly
- Román Viñoly
- Jim Herr
- Bassam Komati
- Stephanie Tsang
- Robert A. M. Stern
- Daniel Lobitz
- Lisa Matkovic
- James von Klemperer
- Dimitra Tsachrelia Holl
- Steven Holl
- Roberto Bannura
- Noah Yaffe
- Olaf Schmidt
- Stephen Kieran
- James Timberlake
- Jon McCandlish
- Marilia Rodrigues
- Beena Ramaswami
- Katie Nichols
- Carleigh Pope
- James Pfeiffer
- Catherine Heath
- Phil Harrison
- Brad Lukanic
- Stephanie Randazzo Dwyer
- Jeffry Burchard
- Rodolfo Machado
- Jorge Silvetti
- Jerry Elengical
Institutions
- Rafael Viñoly Architects
- AIA
- Robert A. M. Stern Architects (RAMSA)
- Kohn Pedersen Fox (KPF)
- Steven Holl Architects
- KieranTimberlake
- BNIM
- Apostrophe Consulting
- Perkins&Will
- HYL
- CannonDesign
- Ennead Architects
- SRG Partnership
- FKP Architects
- gkkworks
- Machado Silvetti
- The Architect's Newspaper
- The New York Times
- STIRworld
- The Intercept
- City Limits
Locations
- Philadelphia
- Kansas City
- Washington, D.C.
- Boston
- United States