Craig Gaulden Davis Architecture Announces Merger with PBK

Craig Gaulden Davis Architecture (CGD), based in South Carolina and Maryland, recently announced that it has merged with PBK, the largest K–12 architectural firm in the U.S., according to a news release. The firm will operate as Craig Gaulden Davis | PBK with 31 offices across the country, boosting both firms’ expertise, national presence, and ability to provide comprehensive services to clients.

“PBK’s legacy of excellence and client success aligns perfectly with our continued commitment to deliver thoughtful design solutions to our clients and make a positive impact on the communities we serve,” said Scott Powell, Craig Gaulden Davis Architecture President. “Together, we are creating an architectural powerhouse that combines a deep legacy of regional insight with broad national expertise. This is a great opportunity to elevate our services and provide outstanding results for our clients.”

PBK was founded in 1981 and specializes in educational, sports, civic, and healthcare facilities, according to the news release. CGD was founded in 1957, according to the firm’s website, and provides regional expertise with a focus on personalized customer service.

“Partnering with CGD marks an exciting milestone for both firms,” said James Uhl, PBK CEO. “By combining our expertise and expanding our reach along the East Coast, we’ll continue to have a significant design impact in more communities.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Rethinking K-12 Schools as a Continuous Learning Experience

    Most students move through three or more separate facilities during their K-12 journey, yet the built environments they encounter at each stage have traditionally been designed in isolation, with little continuity in spatial language, learning philosophy, or physical resources. Each new school is a reset with different layouts, learning models, expectations, and ways of moving through a building. The next generation of school design is making the case that the first day of kindergarten and the last day of high school can and should feel connected through common support systems and infrastructure in the physical environment.

  • UCF Modernizes College of Hospitality Management

    The University of Central Florida in Orlando, Fla., recently completed a major renovation effort for the Rosen College of Hospitality Management, according to a news release. The project modernized 77,600 square feet worth of academic classrooms, teaching labs, and collaborative spaces to support both students and faculty.

  • GeoCam and UCLA: Modernizing Campus Accessibility Mapping

    In early 2025, UCLA partnered with GeoCam to capture and modernize its pedestrian infrastructure data. The goal was ambitious but clear: to produce a high-accuracy, imagery-backed digital map of every sidewalk, pathway, ramp, and ADA-related feature on UCLA’s 419-acre campus.

  • California Middle School Breaks Ground on Major Renovation Project

    The Hillsborough City School District (HCSD) in Hillsborough, Calif., recently began construction on new multipurpose and administration facilities for Crocker Middle School, according to a news release.