Agathos AEC Adds Tecton Architects to Architecture Platform

Hunter Forest Capital's portfolio company Agathos AEC has partnered with Tecton Architects, a Hartford, Connecticut-based architecture firm with more than 50 employees. The deal gives Agathos its first pure-play architecture practice and a beachhead in the Northeast, its third regional footprint.

Tecton, founded in 1979, provides integrated architecture, interior design and master planning services. It is licensed in 10 states and maintains offices in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Current projects include a four-school building program for Barrington Public Schools in Rhode Island, a new public safety headquarters for the City of Peabody, Massachusetts, and multiple mission-critical facilities for General Dynamics Electric Boat, the submarine builder.

The partnership pushes Agathos AEC into the top 350 of the Engineering News-Record (ENR) 500, a milestone reached just over six months after the platform's founding, CEO John Buergler said. He called Tecton a "marquee design capability" that complements the firm's existing engineering disciplines.

"Tecton is exactly the kind of high-quality, values-driven firm we set out to partner with," said Scott Daum, managing partner at Hunter Forest Capital. "Technically excellent, deeply client-focused, and led by an outstanding team."

Tecton's executive principals – Ted Cutler, Jeffrey Wyszynski and Jeffery McElravy – will continue to lead the firm. Several rising leaders are stepping into expanded roles and participating in the partnership, according to the announcement.

The transaction was supported by Aldine Capital Partners, Petra Capital Partners, Pine Street Capital, Patriot Capital and First Merchants Bank. Legal counsel for Agathos included Lawson & Weitzen and Croke Fairchild Duarte & Beres. Miller, Cooper & Co. provided financial and tax due diligence. Tecton was advised by Prince Lobel and Cunningham & Associates.

Agathos AEC is building a diversified nationwide architecture and engineering design firm through partnerships with small, entrepreneurial firms at critical inflection points, Hunter Forest Capital said. The platform offers access to best-practice sharing and resource pooling among sister companies.

Tecton enters the partnership at a high point in its nearly 50-year history with sustained growth, the firm said. The partnership allows it to expand client offerings and strengthen its platform for staff.