HMC Architects has acquired Beverly Prior Architects, which will become HMC+Beverly Prior Architects and will continue to serve clients from its current San Francisco office.

The merger enhances both companies’ geographic reach, while strengthening positions in multiple market segments, according to HMC’s President and CEO Randy Peterson.

HMC has California offices in Ontario, Irvine, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and San Jose.

HMC Architects’ prominence in K–12 and community college markets will enhance Beverly Prior Architects’ education markets in addition to offering additional expertise in healthcare, interior architecture and specialty education consulting services, Peterson adds.

He says that Beverly Prior Architects will also strengthen HMC’s presence in Northern California while expanding its justice and civic market expertise firm wide.

Beverly Prior will be principal in charge and will serve in a corporate leadership role as the firm’s practice leader for its justice market; Cheryl Lentini will become the San Francisco office’s managing principal.