CINCINNATI, OH and MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwired - Mar 3, 2016) -  CR architecture + design today announced a new full-service office in Minneapolis, MN. The office will be led by newly appointed director, Patrick Kirchberg, who joins CR with more than 30 years of architectural experience in retail rollout programs. For the past 10 years, Kirchberg has served as senior program architect with global design firm, Gensler. Minneapolis is the fourth office outside of Cincinnati, which includes Dallas, Denver and Seattle.

The Minneapolis office enhances CR's presence in the region where the company supports a number of clients. CR's Minneapolis office will provide the firm's complete offering of architecture, interior design and mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineering services focusing on eight key market segments; housing, hospitality, k-12 education, government, retail, commercial, higher education and senior living.

"Adding Minneapolis is part of our ongoing strategy to expand our reach and expertise across the country, and increase support for our clients in local markets," said David Arends, president and CEO of CR architecture + design. "The Minneapolis office, like our other regional locations, will focus on establishing a strong local presence in the key industries that we serve. We plan to begin aggressively hiring in Minneapolis, and we couldn't have started out with a better team leader. Patrick is a talented, well-known architect in the region and the industry. He will provide a strong anchor as we strengthen our foothold in Minnesota."

"It's hard not to take notice of CR's growing portfolio and success, which makes now the perfect time to join David Arends and his team as they continue to execute on their strategy and expand their presence in new markets such as the Twin Cities," said Kirchberg. "There is clearly a passion for design, as well as client services in everything that CR is doing, and when people are motivated, good things happen. I look forward to jumpstarting CR's Minneapolis presence, building a team that delivers on the company's mission and vision, and creating programs that successfully implement our clients' desired brand experiences."

Prior to Gensler, Kirchberg worked in various architectural roles with Gensler, Shea Inc., John Ryan Company, alpha 20/20, Daniel Louis Goldner & Associates Architects and Myklebust Brockman Associates. Kirchberg earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Lawrence University and a master's degree in architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

During the past year, CR has surpassed 160 employees and grown 50 percent year-over-year. The company has also received numerous accolades for its work, including being ranked in the top 10 Hospitality Consultants in the Nation by Hotel and Motel Management, and a top 20 design, architecture and branding firm by Design: Retail Magazine; named a top 100 Architect by Multi-Housing New; and receiving a 2015 Fast Growth Award by Zweig Group, which ranked CR as the 79^th fastest growing firm in the U.S. and Canada in 2014.

About CR architecture + design
CR architecture + design is a full-service architecture, interior design and MEP engineering firm with headquarters in Cincinnati. The company serves eight key market segments, including housing, hospitality, k-12 education, government, retail, commercial, higher education and senior living. CR has more than 30 years of firm experience, completing thousands of projects in the United States and Canada and boasting more than 100 design awards. The firm has offices in Dallas, Denver, Minneapolis and Seattle and is licensed to practice in all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and several Canadian provinces. For more information, visit www.cr-architects.com.