FUSION, a new multidisciplinary architecture practice, combines four firms: ID Studio 4, Sperides Reiners Architects, ACi Architects, and Reztark Design Studio. From the merger, the practices gain a national footprint and the capabilities and specializations of one another’s expertise—and with that, the power to compete with larger firms offering expanded architecture and engineering services.
FUSION got its start in 2025 when ID Studio 4 and Sperides Reiners Architects merged to form FUSION AE, a 100-person integrated architecture and engineering practice. Today, with the addition of ACi Architects and Reztark Design Studio, FUSION AE has also dropped the AE from their name. Beyond architecture and engineering services, FUSION is positioning itself in the industry to also offer interiors, graphic design, and brand development work in the restaurant, healthcare, housing, mixed-use, and retail sectors.
Prior to the merger, ID Studio 4 was an independent firm based out of Dallas and Sperides Reiners Architects offered architectural and interior services from Minnesota. ACi Architects—a practice out of Winter Park, Florida—performs architecture, planning, and interior design work. Reztark Design Studio, a firm with offices in Ohio and Florida, takes architecture and planning a step further with in-house branding and graphic design services.
Per a press release on the merger, each of the four practices “retains its team, project leads, and studio culture.” FUSION said what changes is the “range of disciplines and depth of expertise” clients can expect to receive. Offices previously maintained and operated by the four practices will stay put, leveraging a national footprint for FUSION, which will have a presence in Cincinnati; Cleveland; Dallas; Minneapolis; and Orlando and Tampa, Florida.
Firm leaders from the practices have taken on new titles under FUSION and will lead in each of the firm’s offices. Eric Reiners of Sperides Reiners Architects is president, Brett Kratzer of Reztark Design Studio will serve as Chief Strategy Officer, and Brian Chandler from ID Studio 4 is Chief Operating Officer.
“People don’t experience architecture, brand development, engineering, and interiors separately. They experience one environment,” Reiners said in a statement. “The industry has traditionally delivered those disciplines in pieces. FUSION was built around the belief that the best outcomes happen when those perspectives are integrated from the start.”
FUSION’s concept—to combine smaller and specialized firms under the same roof—responds to a wider industry trend that has seen larger firms swallow up other big practices doing specialized work. Last year, Populous merged with Fentress, whose transportation and aviation portfolio made it a natural fit for Populous, which had been exploring expansion in the sector. And earlier this month, Populous also announced its acquisition of OJB, a move that it said will expand its landscape and urban design offerings. Meanwhile, CannonDesign’s recent acquisition of Ennead and strategy and innovation firm Cityfi demonstrates a larger firm further bolstering its design portfolio and services.
Recent data from the AIA exhibits the economic challenges faced by smaller and midsize firms. Between 2015 and 2023, billings generated by smaller firms (less than 10 staff) fell by half. At midsize firms (under 50 employees) billings generated fell by 40 percent, while large firms (more than 50 employees) saw a 40 percent increase. The AIA reports that about 75 percent firms in the U.S. have fewer than 10 employees.
“Small firms dominate the architecture, design, and engineering industries, which can make it hard for clients to get the depth of services and continuity they need,” said Chandler. “By uniting four firms, we’re able to build the shared infrastructure that individual practices struggle to fund.”