As we celebrate Multistudio’s 50th anniversary, our entire firm comes together to reflect on our past and chart our exciting future. This milestone isn’t about longevity—it’s a testament to the power of our collective vision and shared ownership.

Fifty years ago, Bob Gould and Dave Evans planted the seeds of Multistudio in a small Lawrence, Kansas office. Today, we stand at the forefront of a design transformation, changing from a traditional architecture firm into a multidisciplinary collective embracing multiple creative voices to discover the possibilities of any project with our clients. We are bringing an entrepreneurial approach to a historically entrepreneurial firm.

Our journey mirrors the evolution of the design industry itself. We’ve weathered economic storms, technological revolutions, and a global pandemic, emerging stronger and more innovative. Our transition to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in 2012 set the stage for long-term stability and shared success—a unique attribute that not only drives our entrepreneurial spirit but attracts top talent at all levels.

As we reflect on our collective achievements, three core principles have emerged:

1. A deep-rooted conscience, with every team member committed to the greater good of our communities.
2. Unwavering dedication to design excellence, where beauty marries innovation and efficiency.
3. A people-first approach, making human experiences central to our process.

Our strength lies in our diversity in the voices that lead us, the client and community partnerships we’ve embraced and willingness to pivot in our rapidly changing world. We’re not guided by a single figurehead but by a symphony of perspectives that create a tapestry of ideas. This diversity of thought, coupled with our ESOP structure, empowers even our most junior members to contribute meaningfully. We firmly believe that we’re only as strong as our youngest designers and team members.

Looking ahead, we’re energized by possibilities. We’re not just designing buildings; we’re crafting experiences, influencing lives, and leaving a legacy. Our collective expertise, collaborative culture, and shared commitment to excellence position us to tackle our clients’ most challenging projects and shape the future of our communities.

To our clients, partners, and every member of our Multistudio team, past and present: thank you for being part of our collective journey. As employee-owners, we’re all invested in our shared success. The best is yet to come, and we’ll achieve it together.

Tony Rohr, National Managing Principal, on behalf of the Multistudio collective