Lerch Bates Launches studio|LB Following Acquisition of Studio NYL, Expanding Integrated Design & Engineering Capabilities for Architects

Englewood, CO — [May 27, 2026] — Lerch Bates, a global leader in technical consulting for the Built Environment, today announced the launch of studio|LB, a new design‑forward group within Lerch Bates that combines the award‑winning façade and structural engineering expertise of Studio NYL with Lerch Bates’s 80-year legacy as a trusted multidisciplinary technical consulting firm.

The studio|LB brand builds on Lerch Bates’s December 2025 acquisition of Studio NYL, a Denver‑headquartered 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, high‑performance design solutions to architects, developers and design partners around the globe—positioning the combined team as an industry leader in structures, enclosures, parking, pedestrian circulation, vertical transportation, facade access and building logistics to deliver Total Building Performance™ with three commitments: Enable. Engineer. Elevate.

·       ENABLE. By integrating Studio NYL into its global consultancy, Lerch Bates’s dedicated architecture services group, studio|LB, empowers architects to drive ambitious design intent with clarity rooted in technical excellence. Whether evaluating novel façade systems, modeling thermal or structural performance, or examining constructability from the earliest phases, architects gain a partner thENAat translates complex concepts into informed, actionable pathways.

·       ENGINEER. The combined firm delivers rigorous, innovatively-engineered solutions across façade design, structural systems, vertical transportation, Building Flow (the vertical and horizontal movement of people and materials), Building Science, and more, enabling a unified, technically robust approach from concept through construction. studio|LB leverages advanced modeling, materials research and performance analytics to create constructable buildings that are resilient, sustainable and efficient — aligned with the evolving demands of the Built Environment.

·       ELEVATE. studio|LB 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.studio|LB delivers the trusted Lerch Bates brand of innovation and Building Insight across multiple technical disciplines for sustainable and resilient building design with one integrated team, 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, award‑winning work and a reputation for technical excellence and creative problem‑solving.

“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 enclosures perfectly complements our legacy as a global leader in building performance.”

“The Built Environment is evolving rapidly,” added Jeff Marsh, EVP of Architecture Services 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 co‑founder Chris O’Hara said, “Joining Lerch Bates allows us to take our passion for aspirational architecture to new heights. As part of Lerch Bates, we can expand our capabilities alongside a diverse and exceptional team – together as studio|LB.”

Studio NYL co‑founder Julian Lineham said, “Pairing Lerch Bates’s renowned worldwide vertical transportation and façade access design expertise with our own structural engineering and façade design expertise allows us to take a holistic approach and in turn best serve architects with these comprehensive services globally.”

A New Standard for Performance‑Driven 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

  • Commissioning (BECx)

• 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. To learn more, visit studio.lerchbates.com, LerchBates.com or contact marketing@lerchbates.com.