Harley Ellis Devereaux acquires architecture firm Deems Lewis McKinley

San Francisco - Harley Ellis Devereaux (HED) is pleased to announce that Deems Lewis McKinley (DLM) has merged with HED.

A recognized leader in K-12 Schools design, DLM brings over 55 years of experience in the design of educational facilities across California.  With offices in Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco, DLM further diversifies HED’s 380-person design expertise and expands the firm geographically.

From Northern to Southern California and beyond, DLM’s designs have advanced the world of hundreds of local communities since 1959.  DLM's notable projects across California include a masterplan and complete campus replacement of the CHPS Demonstration De Anza High School in Richmond; a new Performing Arts Center for Palo Alto High School; a complete campus replacement, including a sustainability plan for Edna Maguire Elementary School in Mill Valley; a new Student Center for Monta Vista High School in Sunnyvale; and a complete design of the new 44,000-square-foot Susan B. Anthony School in Daly City that resembles a modern version of an "old red brick schoolhouse."

“The combination of DLM’s experience and reputation in the Bay Area and Sacramento and HED’s extensive K-12 Schools portfolio will provide our clients with an even broader range of services, thought leadership and design excellence,” says J. Peter Devereaux, Chief Executive Officer of HED.

“We are looking forward to merging the talents of our two teams and are excited to be part of a very talented studio with deep resources,” says Wallace B. (Wally) Gordon, President and Chief Executive Officer of DLM.

DLM staff in San Francisco will relocate to HED’s San Francisco Office in February.  DLM’s Sacramento staff will remain in their current office space.

Featured

  • Zurn Elkay Releases 2025 Sustainability Report

    Zurn Elkay Water Solutions recently announced the release of its annual sustainability report, according to a news release. The 2025 report discusses the organization’s efforts to maintain good environmental stewardship and the solutions provided in helping customers meet sustainability goals.

  • Girl Sitting at Library Desk, Using Laptop

    How Campus Design Shapes the Finals Week Experience

    Academic performance is not just about preparation. It is closely tied to how students manage stress, maintain their energy, and shift between work and recovery modes. Much of that is influenced, directly or indirectly, by design.

  • Rhode Island Boarding School Completes Student Dorm Renovations

    St. George’s School in Middletown, R.I., recently announced the completion of a $26-million renovation project on Arden-Diman-Eccles Dormitory, according to a news release. The school partnered with Voith & Mactavish Architects (VMA) on the new space, which places a new focus on collaborative community spaces open to both boarding students and day students.

  • Photo credit - Chuck Coates

    Florida District Modernizes Central Energy Plants at Two High Schools

    Flagler Schools, a public school district in Flagler County, Fla., recently partnered with Matern Professional Engineering to modernize the central energy plants at two of its high schools, according to a news release. The project is part of a larger, district-wide effort to reduce energy costs and operational expenses.