Ellerbe Becket

Ellerbe Becket was a prominent American architecture firm that played a significant role in shaping the built environment of the United States and beyond, with notable collaborations with Frank Lloyd Wright, Eero Saarinen, and I.M. Pei. The firm's work spanned various sectors, including healthcare, sports, education, and commercial development, with projects such as the Target Center in Minneapolis, the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, and the TD Garden in Boston. Ellerbe Becket's expertise in stadium design was particularly renowned, with commissions from the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), and the National Basketball Association (NBA), including work on Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Wrigley Field in Chicago, and Madison Square Garden in New York City. The firm's contributions to the field of architecture were recognized through numerous awards and accolades, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Firm Award and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) Prize.

● History

Ellerbe Becket was founded in 1909 by Frank Ellerbe in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with early projects including the Minneapolis Auditorium and the University of Minnesota's Memorial Stadium. The firm's growth and success were marked by significant collaborations with other notable architects, such as Pierre Koenig and Richard Neutra, and engineers like Fazlur Rahman Khan and William Le Baron Jenney. Ellerbe Becket's work was also influenced by the Bauhaus movement and the International Style, as seen in their designs for the De La Salle High School in Minneapolis and the Northwestern National Bank building in Minneapolis. The firm's expertise in hospital design was particularly notable, with projects such as the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota and the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center.

● Architecture

Ellerbe Becket's architectural style was characterized by a commitment to modernism and functionalism, with an emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency. The firm's designs often incorporated innovative materials and technologies, such as the use of glass and steel in the IDS Center in Minneapolis and the Aon Center in Chicago. Ellerbe Becket's work was also influenced by the Brutalist movement, as seen in their designs for the University of Illinois at Chicago's University Hall and the Boston City Hall. The firm's expertise in urban planning was demonstrated through projects such as the Minneapolis Downtown East development and the Chicago Riverwalk.

● Notable Projects

Ellerbe Becket's notable projects include the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, the United States Air Force Academy's Cadet Chapel in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the Baltimore Orioles' Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. The firm also designed the Dallas Cowboys' AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the New York Yankees' Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York, and the Los Angeles Lakers' Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Other notable projects include the University of Michigan's Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the Ohio State University's Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, and the University of Southern California's (USC) Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

● Merger and Legacy

In 2009, Ellerbe Becket merged with AECOM, a global infrastructure consulting firm, to form one of the largest architecture and engineering practices in the world. The merger brought together Ellerbe Becket's expertise in architecture and interior design with AECOM's capabilities in engineering and project management. The combined firm has continued to work on high-profile projects, including the London 2012 Olympics and the Dubai Expo 2020. Ellerbe Becket's legacy can be seen in the many buildings and structures that the firm designed over its 100-year history, including the Walker Art Center in Minneapolis and the Milwaukee Art Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

● Company Leadership

Ellerbe Becket was led by a number of notable architects and executives throughout its history, including Frank Ellerbe, Thomas Ellerbe, and Derek Kirkpatrick. The firm's leadership was marked by a commitment to innovation and excellence, with a focus on delivering high-quality designs and services to clients. Ellerbe Becket's leaders were also active in professional organizations, such as the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB), and were recognized for their contributions to the field of architecture through awards and honors, including the AIA Gold Medal and the NCARB Prize. The firm's leadership also included notable architects like César Pelli and Norman Foster, who worked on projects such as the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany.