SJA Architects to merge with Twin Cities-based engineering firm

Talk about it

ST. PAUL -- TKDA, a leading provider of engineering, architecture and planning services, announced Tuesday that it has a signed letter of intent to acquire Duluth-based SJA Architects in a strategic business move that broadens both firms’ capabilities and better positions them for future growth opportunities.

SJA is known for many of the area’s high-profile public projects, including Amsoil Arena, and University of Minnesota-Duluth Campus’ Civil Engineering Building and the Swenson Science Building — all LEED certified facilities. SJA is also the lead architect on the new University of Minnesota 4th Street Residence Hall and Dining Facility on the Minneapolis campus.

In Cloquet, SJA designed the LEED-certified Resource Management Building for the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and the firm has worked extensively with the Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, designing the Academic Building Expansion, the Student Housing Complex and is currently working with the college on updating its Facilities Master Plan.

St. Paul-based TKDA is a 100-year-old company well known in the architectural community for its engineering and construction expertise. TKDA works with numerous well known corporate clients including Caterpillar, Honeywell, Kraft Foods, 3M and the BNSF Railway Company. Locally, TKDA designed the Burns Wellness Center at The College of St. Scholastica and is currently involved with upgrades to the BNSF Allouez Taconite Facility in Superior.

The new affiliation adds in-house engineering to SJA’s suite of services, creating a stronger work force for both companies to pursue new opportunities in the region.

“TKDA, with its solid reputation for quality engineering, is the right partner to grow our business,” said Ken Johnson, president of SJA who will direct the TKDA St. Paul and Duluth architects, landscape architects and interior designers. “We are coming together to provide superior coordination and service to clients in the region.”

In addition to retaining all employees at SJA, TKDA anticipates adding engineering staff to the Duluth location.

“We want to create the best team to win additional work and are committed to maintaining and growing the Duluth office,” said Bill Deitner, Chief Executive Officer of TKDA. “With our combined expertise, services and dedication to our clients and communities, we expect our partnership will lead to future growth and additional projects for the firm in northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin.”

About SJA

SJA Architects has been providing their clients and communities with full architectural, design and planning services in Minnesota and Wisconsin for more than 36 years. SJA has earned a reputation for excellence in design, planning and predesign, preparation of construction documents, and construction administration.

About TKDA

TKDA is an employee-owned professional services firm providing engineering, architecture, and planning to clients nationwide. With nearly 200 employees, TKDA delivers single source, integrated services to both public and private markets. Headquartered in St. Paul, Minn., TKDA ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms and includes satellite offices in Duluth, Minn.; Chicago, Ill.; Tampa, Fla.; Irvine, Calif.; and Kansas City, Kan.