Landworks Design Group, PA and Wirth & Associates, both located in Charlotte, have joined forces to offer a wider range of specialized services to clients in both the public and private sectors.
In 2021, when Landworks moved into the building on West Morehead Street in Wesley Heights where Wirth & Associates was already based, the firm leaders saw the potential for collaboration.
Matt Langston, PLA, FASLA, President of Landworks Design Group, said, “I have known Gary as a friend in the profession for nearly 30 years. Landworks was increasing our focus on park and recreation projects, so we talked with Gary about building off each firm’s strengths. The merger became a natural extension of those conversations.”
Langston added, “One of the key opportunities the move created was familiarity through proximity. We could simply run up or down the stairs to coordinate in person. The relationship-building that occurred, such as after-hours softball teams and other activities, helped confirm the firm cultures were compatible.”
Gary Wirth, PLA and Founder of Wirth & Associates, said, “We saw the move beneficial in order to provide our clients with larger staffing capabilities as well as to provide them with in-house civil engineering services.”
Wirth echoed Langston’s sentiment. “Having known Matt and Landworks professionally for many years, I saw the opportunity to team on park projects. The two firms did not compete directly for projects, so our client base was different. We teamed together to pursue more public park projects, and we found that the two firms were most compatible.”
A primary focus for both firms is a dedication to Charlotte and the surrounding region. Langston said, “While we serve the region, we really are local firms. We’re plugged into current events in the Charlotte metro area as they pertain to development and ordinances. We are not a branch office whose major presence is outside of the Carolina Piedmont. Our focus is here.”
Wirth agrees. “I have enjoyed a 45-year history of land planning in the Charlotte and regional area, including all aspects of landscape architecture. Our staff is local, and our experience is local. Our combined team includes individuals who know how to function in the local environments and municipalities where we practice, ensuring that our clients will be well served.”
A strong benefit of the merger is that it provides expanded expertise in different sectors of work. According to Langston, “Landworks takes pride in providing site design services for a variety of projects, in both the public and private sector. For example, we have considerable experience designing projects to provide housing opportunities of all types: single family, multifamily, and senior living. This merger bolsters our public sector capabilities. Gary and his team bring a wealth of expertise in parks and recreation planning, a strength of the firm for over 25 years.”
Wirth said, “Our park design services range from neighborhood parks to regional park facilities to large-scale nature preserve and conservation area designs, including greenway trail design and alternative transportation planning. We have provided trail planning and implementation for over 40 miles of trail and trail systems.”
One of the focuses of both firms is mentoring the next generation of professionals. Matt Langston, PLA and Steve Wilson, PE, the current principals of Landworks, and Gary Wirth, PLA, the founder of Wirth & Associates, have always placed a great importance on mentoring younger design professionals in all aspects of project design and administration. The merger now provides broader exposure to project types in both landscape architecture and civil engineering for the staff.
The two firms are now operating as Landworks Design Group, PA. Langston summarized, “We truly believe the combined experience of the two firms will benefit our clients and our projects. We are stronger together.”
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