Buchan has merged three practices from across Australasia, Asia and Europe to form one unified company, the group announced last week. The announcement comes along with a complete rebrand for the group and a shortening of the name from The Buchan Group to just Buchan.

The company operates from studios in Australia, New Zealand, China, United Arab Emirates and the UK and has been a leading architectural, interior, and graphic design firm for over 125 years. Buchan traces its history as far back as 1890 with a practice in Geelong, Victoria in Australia. They now employ some 400 professionals worldwide and work on notable projects from many different sectors. 

Frank Zipfinger, non-executive chairman at Buchan says the merger would see the company become one of the most well-connected design studios in the world.

In New Zealand, Buchan houses studios in Auckland and Christchurch and is responsible for work on large scale projects like the Horizon Mission Bay apartments and Sylvia Park Shopping Centre Expansion in Auckland and the Christchurch Art Gallery. 

David Thornton, managing principal for New Zealand says, “For the New Zealand studios, the coming together of the three Buchan entities represents the formalisation of what has been a long-standing collaboration that has provided our clients with excellence in design service in this country for over 40 years now.”

“For both our clients and staff, the merger has provided the streamlining of our systems which now allows us a seamless integration of our design services giving New Zealand clients the opportunity to experience true global exposure through our staff collaboration with international design trends, whilst still receiving the rigor of our local expertise and confidence in delivery,” David continues.