Richmond, VA – January 23, 2024 – Glavé & Holmes Architecture, a nationally recognized architecture, interior design, historic preservation, and planning firm, announces that it has launched a new Higher Education Studio helmed by Kevin Svensen, AIA. This studio is the firm’s second to focus on the education sector and will support both higher education and private, K-12 school clients. The firm’s existing Higher Education Studio continues to be led by Robert Parise, AIA.
The launch of the second Higher Education Studio highlights the firm’s extensive experience in the education space and its recent growth. The new studio will provide additional capacity and support for existing and new clients.
“As our firm grows, we’re excited to establish a second Higher Education Studio to support our clients,” said Lori Garrett, FAIA, LEED Green Associate, President of Glavé & Holmes. “Our firm has a sterling reputation for delivering enduring designs for colleges and universities. Increasingly we are asked to provide services for independent schools, many of whom have multiple buildings spread across a campus and are more similar to universities than public K-12 schools. I’m confident that the new studio, led by Kevin, will allow us to serve even more educational institutions as we continue to offer high quality and contextual design.”
Svensen was selected to manage the new Higher Education Studio because he has established himself as a leader at the firm. He is an award-winning architect who joined Glavé & Holmes shortly after earning his Master of Architecture in Traditional Architecture and Urbanism at Judson University. A 14-year veteran of the firm, Svensen has worked on many of the firm’s noteworthy education projects for clients throughout the southeast.
“I’m honored to lead Glavé & Holmes’ new Higher Education Studio,” Svensen said. “Our firm is known nationally for exceptional design work for our higher education and independent school clients and I look forward to building on this proud legacy. The new studio will continue to fulfill the firm’s vision that great design can elevate the human spirit.”
Among Kevin’s most notable projects for education clients include Christopher Newport Hall at Christopher Newport University (Newport News, VA), Thomas School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (Pembroke, NC), and Pannill-Smith Hall at Virginia Episcopal School (Lynchburg, VA). Current education projects include McIntire School of Commerce New Academic Facility at the University of Virginia (Charlottesville, VA), Brown Hall Expansion at William and Mary (Williamsburg, VA), Science and Engineering Research Center at Christopher Newport University (Newport News, VA), and Heritage Classical Academy Master Plan (Pepper Pike, OH).
Since its founding in 1965, Glavé & Holmes has served educational institutions in Virginia and throughout the country. The addition of a new studio highlights Glavé & Holmes’s recent growth and continuing success. The firm’s net revenue was up 13 percent year-over-year in 2023 and further growth is expected in 2024.