Spokane-based Integrus Architecture PS announced this morning a merger with YGH Architecture, of Portland, Oregon.

Integrus CEO Brian Carter, who is based in the firm’s Seattle office, will remain CEO with the combined firm, which will be called Integrus + YGH Architecture for now.

“We’re sharing our names while we have a consultant on board to figure out our rebranding,” Carter says.

Integrus Architecture was founded in 1953 in Spokane and has grown to a staff of 100 across its two offices. In Spokane, Integrus is located in the Carnegie Building at 10 S. Cedar, on the west side of downtown. The firm also operates an office in Seattle.

Yost Grube Hall Architecture Inc., doing business as YGH Architecture, was founded in 1964 and has about 30 employees at one office located at 707 S.W. Washington, in Portland.

“Culturally we’re both well aligned, which is why this felt so good. Each of our offices is community-driven and that’s the kind of people we want to work for,” Carter says. “Most of those in our offices want to be significantly engaged in impacting the public realm, and it felt like a great fit and a great time.”

With the completed merger, the firm now has about 130 total employees, he says.

He says Spokane-based Mark Dailey will remain president, while Portland-based managing principal Tom Robbins, will remain principal in Portland and join the combined firm’s five-person board of directors.

The merger is expected to allow for expanded services at the three offices, including master planning, architectural, structural engineering, interior design, and experiential design services.

“In all three offices there’s a significant amount of learning environment, higher education, K-12, and civic work, which made the marriage seem natural,” Carter says. “Now, we’re able to pool a significant amount of resources and talent into a combined design firm.”

As part of Expo '74, Integrus Architecture, which was previously called Walker-McGough, helped design the Spokane Opera House, now called the First Interstate Center for the Arts.

Integrus Architecture also designed the Podium, in Spokane; the hotel expansion at Northern Quest Resort & Casino, in Airway Heights; and the downtown commercial tower now known as the Wells Fargo Center, in Spokane.