Both practices already belong to French multinational architecture and engineering giant Egis’s 10N collection of architectural studios, but the merger, announced today (13 January), means that 12 global offices will now come under the WW+P brand.
Other 10N practices include London, Hong Kong, and San Francisco-based 10 Design, Fenwick Iribarren Architects based in Madrid and Omrania, and U+A in the Middle East
WW+P’s staff numbers have more than doubled following the merger –up to 410 from 168 a year ago.
WW+P and SvN both specialise in transport infrastructure and transit-oriented development, making the pairing a ‘natural fit from the outset’, according to WW+P chief executive Ali Mowahed.
He added: ‘This merger represents the coming together of two brands to create a global practice that builds better cities, smarter infrastructure and more inclusive communities.
‘Partners want confidence. Cities need leadership. We offer both: with a brand that stands for quality, innovation, and bold ideas.’
SvN managing principal Drew Sinclair added: ‘The DNA of both practices is remarkably similar.
‘Both practices place a unique value on listening, meaningful consultation, and a deep understanding of history and context; both practices share a capacity for design innovation; and both practices have a total commitment to a regenerative, deeply sustainable approach to planning and architecture.’
Following the merger, Sinclair will join the global executive leadership team as executive director.
Colin Hutchison, chief executive officer at 10N, said: ‘SvN and WW+P coming together as one compelling brand creates a powerful vehicle through which 10N can offer cohesive placemaking and planning strategy, architecture, civic infrastructure and design expertise.’
The creation of the Egis architecture line in March 2023, based in a London office opposite WW+P, aimed ‘to facilitate creative synergy and collaboration across sectors to provide a holistic approach to urban design, architecture and engineering’, Egis said at the time. It was rebranded as 10n last year.
Q&A with WW+P chief executive officer Ali Mowahed
How does this merger reflect the confidence WW+P and Egis have in the North American market?
This merger is a global strengthening of our capabilities. Latin America, the USA and Canada comprise a strong market. We want to do much more work there. It’s encouraging to work in a mega-region that is still investing in mass transit at scale, unlike the UK. Their ambition is significant: they have well-funded, urban renewal programmes that transition away from private vehicles to sustainable developments. It’s a very good fit for our combined expertise with SvN.
Could this merger increase your capabilities at home?
Absolutely. Bringing SvN’s expertise into the mix means we can incorporate planning into what we offer as a practice. The thinking around transit-oriented development (TOD) that SvN has done that’s central to Canada is very applicable to the UK and Europe – particularly those TOD programmes that enable private developers to engage in transit delivery.
This is something the UK – and [government-owned housing delivery arm] Platform4 especially – should take note of. Our collective experience between WW+P and SvN as TOD advisers to the Ontario government is directly applicable to challenges around viability and cost effectiveness in the UK.
Why are you bucking the trend and going on an expansion drive at a time of economic uncertainty?
Our global footprint means we’ve been able to weather instability in the UK better than our peers. The typologies that we are experts in – transit-led regeneration, urban renewal, regenerative design – are still very much in demand globally. We load share between studios; wherever we have the right skillset, we deliver. Whether it’s delivering an airport in Toronto or a landscape scheme in Guangzhou, our teams around the world with the right skills will support the project.
How will these change the day-to-day operations from London, and does London remain the centre of Egis’s architecture output?
Drew Sinclair, managing principal of SvN, joins as an executive director of WW+P, while the leadership for Latin America, the USA and Canada is being staffed by former SvN principals Ana Espinosa, Shonda Wang and Laura Sellors, respectively.
Most of our global leadership remains in London. Egis’s architecture collective 10N is still headquartered in London, and is very aligned with the growth and expansion strategy that WW+P is adopting. This merger with SvN really broadens the portfolio and skillset that we have as a practice, bringing a significant increase in landscape architecture, policy planning and client advisory services, mixed-use residential and commercial developments, alongside our transit portfolio. We can then bring these skills home to the UK. SvN’s experience of delivering affordable housing and community-led regeneration projects are very applicable to the economic and development challenges that the UK needs to address.