Lerch Bates Launches Studio|LB

Englewood, CO — [Date] — Lerch Bates, a global leader in technical consulting for the Built Environment, today announced the launch of Studio|LB, a new designforward group within Lerch Bates that combines the awardwinning façade and structural engineering expertise of Studio NYL with Lerch Bates’s multidisciplinary Total Building Performance™ capabilities.  

The Studio|LB brand builds on Lerch Bates’s December 2025 acquisition of Studio NYL, a Denverheadquartered firm internationally recognized for its inventive approach to structural engineering and façade design. The launch of Studio|LB advances Lerch Bates’s vision to deliver integrated, highperformance design solutions to architects, developers, and design partners across the globe—positioning the combined team as an industry leader in structures, skins, and Total Building Performance™ with three commitments: Enable. Engineer. Elevate. 

• ENABLE. Studio|LB empowers architects to drive ambitious design intent with technically grounded clarity—whether evaluating novel façade systems, modeling thermal or structural performance, or examining constructability from the earliest phases. With Studio NYL’s internationally recognized façade and structural engineering strengths now part of the LB ecosystem, architects gain a partner that translates complex concepts into informed, actionable pathways. 

• ENGINEER. The combined firm delivers rigorous, innovative engineering across façade design, structural systems, vertical transportation, building logistics consulting, building science, and more. The acquisition has expanded Lerch Bates’s suite of 20+ multidisciplinary consulting capabilities, enabling a unified, technically robust approach from concept through construction. Studio|LB’s engineering teams leverage advanced modeling, materials research and performance analytics to create solutions that are resilient, sustainable, and buildable — aligned with the evolving demands of the Built Environment. 

• ELEVATE. By integrating Studio NYL into its global consultancy, Lerch Bates elevates the client experience through smoother collaboration, deeper interdisciplinary alignment, and the ability to deliver complex façades and structures at an unmatched level of performance and craft. This partnership strengthens innovation for sustainable and resilient building design, reflecting a growing industry shift toward integrated models of architectural consulting. 

A Strategic Expansion for the Built Environment 
Studio NYL, founded in 2004 by Chris O’Hara and Julian Lineham, brings a portfolio of globally recognized, awardwinning work and a reputation for technical excellence and creative problemsolving.  

“This acquisition builds on Lerch Bates’s commitment to deliver holistic building solutions that go beyond standards and specs,” said Eric Rupe, CEO of Lerch Bates. “Studio NYL’s expertise in structures and skins perfectly complements our legacy as a global leader in building performance.”  

“The Built Environment is evolving rapidly,” added Jeff Marsh, EVP of Architectural Design at Lerch Bates. “With Studio|LB, we offer architects and developers a seamless, multidisciplinary team capable of pushing the boundaries of façade and structural innovation—while supporting projects through their entire lifecycle.”  

Studio NYL cofounder Chris O’Hara said, “Joining Lerch Bates allows us to take our passion for aspirational architecture to new heights. As part of Studio|LB, we can expand our capabilities alongside a diverse and exceptional team.”  

A New Standard for PerformanceDriven Design 
With Studio|LB, Lerch Bates reinforces its leadership in integrated consulting—combining specialist expertise in: 

• Total Building Performance™ modeling and analysis  

• Building Science 

• Structural engineering 

• Façade design and advanced enclosure systems 

• Façade access 

• Building Flow 

• Vertical transportation (elevators, escalators, lifts) 

• Pedestrian Circulation 

• Parking Design 

• Building Logistics 

This unified platform gives architects a single partner capable of addressing the full complexity of modern buildings—from ambitious aesthetics to rigorous technical performance. Studio|LB is already contributing to notable architecture projects, including the recently highlighted façade work on the Ragon Institute in Cambridge, MA—recognized as one of the top façades covered in 2025 by The Architect’s Newspaper.  

To learn more, visit LerchBates.com or contact [email protected]. 

Media Contact 

Amanda McConnell 
Director of Marketing and Communications, Lerch Bates 
[email protected]