Leading Global Architectural Firm Murphy/Jahn Announces New Name And Expanded Leadership

CHICAGO, Oct. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In a handwritten note characteristic of his trademark design sketches, architect Helmut Jahn announced today that he will share design leadership with architect Francisco Gonzalez-Pulido.  As part of this evolution, the firm will be renamed JAHN, setting a new standard for excellence in global architecture.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121026/CG00714-a)

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121026/CG00714-b)

The announcement comes as Helmut Jahn, 72, is receiving industry accolades for his career accomplishments. He will be recognized this evening with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the AIA Chicago chapter.  On Thursday, Oct. 18, he received the Lynn S. Beedle Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat in Chicago. From November 30, 2012 until February 24, 2013, the Neues Musuem Nuremberg will review his career work in a one-time special exhibit entitled "Helmut Jahn. Process/Progress," and publisher Birkhasuer will release a major book under the same title.

"Architecture today requires a broader perspective, addressing urban responsibility, performance and not just style, engineering synthesis and new sensible technology and sustainability," says Jahn.  "Our firm has embraced these requirements and will continue to bring architecture and engineering that redefines the state of the art."

Francisco Gonzalez-Pulido, 42, joined Murphy/Jahn in 1999 and was named as Jahn's first partner in 2009.  He has worked in direct collaboration with Jahn in some of the most recognizable projects to date, including the State Street Village in Chicago, Hegau Tower and Hafen Dusseldorf in Germany, MGM-Veer Towers in Las Vegas, Leatop Plaza in China, Doha Convention Center +Tower in Qatar, Japan Post Tower in Tokyo, O'Hare Airport Expansion in Chicago and the Tokyo Station North and South Towers.

A native of Mexico, Gonzalez-Pulido originally studied at the Instituto Tecnologico y de Estudios Superiores of Monterrey in Monterrey, Mexico from 1987-1991 after which he founded 2MX3, a design-build practice focused on design, research and construction.  Looking to learn from professors who were teaching concepts on the leading edge of design, he headed to Cambridge, Mass., to pursue a Master's of Architecture at the Harvard University Design School from 1998 to 1999.  Intrigued by Jahn's collaborative concept of Archi-Neering he moved to Chicago in 1999 to join Murphy/Jahn, became executive vice president in 2003 and was later named partner.

"Francisco represents the future," says Jahn.  "His original design approach, first-hand experience with the physical construction of buildings, and his collaborative style of mentoring young architects, will be represented in how we will push the limits in future work."

In its first change since it was named Murphy/Jahn in 1981 when Jahn was named a partner in C.F. Murphy Associates, the Chicago-based firm has been renamed JAHN.

"As our new firm name, JAHN transcends the many contributions of Helmut and sets the highest standards for excellence in future architecture," says Gonzalez-Pulido.  "Few architects and firms have contributed so significantly to great building design in so many locations around the world that this expectation of responsibility, innovation and authenticity can be summed up in their name.  JAHN demonstrates the values Helmut has emboldened in the work of this talented team which will continue to challenge the industry."

The name transformation includes the new JAHN logo and website www.jahn-us.com which launches today.

JAHN is headquartered in Chicago and has offices in Berlin, Doha and Shanghai.

SOURCE JAHN