Perkins+Will, a leading international design firm, announced today that Signer Harris Architects, among the city's top design firms serving the biotechnology industry, is joining Perkins+Will in a move that will create one of the deepest science and technology practices in the northeast. "The addition of Signer Harris Architects to our office will expand and enrich the expertise that our firm can offer to our science, technology, academic, and commercial clients," said Robert Brown, managing director of Perkins+Will's Boston office. "Our science and technology practice focuses on a wide range of industries from incubator space to academic, research, and manufacturing environments. Signer Harris Architects has been a leader in the life science expansion in the northeast, and together we will have a depth of knowledge that will allow us to create buildings that help scientists collaborate on solving some of the most important problems of our society," said Brown. Founded in 1989, Signer Harris Architects has tripled in size over the last five years with a focus on creating innovative environments for research and development, process manufacturing, and other science and technology businesses.The firm is known for its exceptional work in life sciences including work for the Broad Institute, Genzyme and Biogen Idec. With the addition of Signer Harris Architects, Perkins+Will's Boston science design team will become one of the region's preeminent practices and will further enhance the firm's leading science and technology position nationally. "Joining Perkins+Will provides a platform for expanded expertise and services, including an incredible worldwide network of research and knowledge, that will bring new resources and opportunities to our employees as well as to our clients and their projects," said William Harris, founding principal of Signer Harris Architects. "Our design values are remarkably aligned and we are deeply committed to the mission of our clients. We both believe in creating lasting environmentally responsible buildings and socially responsible projects." This merger is part of Perkins+Will's ongoing strategic development in talent, services, markets, and geographical presence that enables the firm to bring more meaningful design to its clients while positively impacting society and the environment. It will also enhance Perkins+Will's expertise in higher education and corporate design. Perkins+Will's 110 person Boston office serves clients throughout New England, the U.S. and Canada and works across a variety of markets, including corporate, commercial and civic, healthcare, higher education, science and technology, sports and recreation, and interiors. The office recently brought in the regionally renowned Robert Brown as managing director to help grow the overall practice in the northeast and appointed distinguished designer Brian Healy as design director to ensure design excellence. The Boston office currently works with a number of preeminent clients including Harvard University, Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Bridgewater State University, UMass Lowell, Colorado State University, University of Pittsburgh, Nokia, U.S. Bank, and Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences.