50 Years of Design
The Evolutions of Gould Evans to Multistudio
Founded a half-century ago by Bob Gould and Dave Evans, Multistudio has transformed itself into an employee-owned, nationally recognized design practice. Our five firm offices span the US, each driven by a mission to enrich communities and the human experience through the built environment.
Midwest Beginnings
In 1974, Bob Gould and Dave Evans opened the architecture and planning practice DesignBuild in Lawrence, Kansas. The two University of Kansas professors established the forward-thinking design studio on an academic foundation of discovery, learning, and championing community.
Through the history of the firm the name has evolved to reflect the studio partners and outlook: from DesignBuild, to Gould Evans Architects, to Gould Evans Goodman Associates, to Gould Evans PA, and today, Multistudio.
Expansion to Five Cultural Centers
After establishing the firm’s midwestern roots in Kansas City and Lawrence, the studio expanded to the coastal cities of San Francisco and New Orleans, as well as the vibrant Sonoran Desert city of Phoenix. The diversity of thought, people, and disciplines continues to inform the studio’s exploration of place and sparks possibilities of economic, social, and environmental change.
Employee‑Owned Design Firm
In 2012, the firm transitioned to full employee ownership, thereby investing in the collective success of its staff and reinforcing a shared vision of long-term sustainability.
Reintroduction as Multistudio
The 150+ employee-owned firm rebranded to Multistudio in 2022, a move that underscores the studio’s commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration and a socially and environmentally responsible design approach, centered on impact.
