50 Years of Designing Places to Be and Belong
In 2026, Meyer proudly celebrates 50 years of creating inspiring, thoughtful spaces that reflect our commitment to design, sustainability, and community. From our humble beginnings in 1976 to becoming a nationally recognized architecture and design firm, our journey has been shaped by creativity, resilience, and collaboration. Along the way, we’ve embraced innovation, navigated challenges, and expanded our impact across industries and geographies. To honor this milestone, we invite you to explore the Meyer timeline – a visual story of our history, defining moments, and the people who have made it all possible. Join us as we reflect on the past, celebrate our accomplishments, and look ahead to the next chapter of Meyer’s legacy.
1970s · Foundations
Humble Beginnings
Deborah Meyer launches the firm from her first apartment, working at two drafting tables.
First Office Opens
Meyer opens its first office in Narberth, Pennsylvania. The firm focuses exclusively on corporate interior design.
1980s · Growth & Resilience
Employee Spotlight · Suzanne Nicholson
Suzanne Nicholson joined Meyer in 1980 and played a pivotal role in expanding the firm’s interior design capabilities, bringing decades of experience and a deep understanding of how design supports complex business objectives.
Persevering Through Recession
During a severe recession, Meyer’s checking account dropped to just $7. When Deborah Meyer asked the team if they wanted to continue, everyone committed fully, and pitched in to help the firm persevere through challenging times.
Employee Spotlight · Norman Liedtke
Norman Liedtke joined Meyer in 1982 and went on to lead the firm’s growth into a nationally respected architecture and design practice rooted in relationships, leadership, and design excellence.
Technology Arrives
Meyer installs its first fax machine, marking a major shift in how the firm communicates and collaborates.
Employee Spotlight · George Wilson
George Wilson founded Meyer Architects in 1987, growing the practice, mentoring generations of architects, leading award-winning projects, and championing sustainability and WELL building standards for over 35 years.
Start of Meyer Architects
Traditionally an interior design firm, 1987 marked an important evolution and the formal start of Meyer’s architecture services. Early architectural clients included Maier’s Bakery Headquarters in Reading, PA and Republic Bank Headquarters in Upper Darby, PA.
Employee Spotlight · Chris Scarafile
Fresh out of design school, Chris Scarafile joins Meyer. For the last four decades, Chris has led national corporate interior projects across the country, applying decades of experience and meticulous planning to some of the firm’s most complex work.
1990s · Early Expansion
Employee Spotlight · Dan King
A young architect name Dan King joins Meyer. Over the last three decades, Dan has grown the Living Studio into a nationally recognized senior living and multi-family practice, leading with expertise, advocacy, and a people-first approach.
A Place to Grow
Meyer moved into its current home at 227 E. Lancaster Avenue in Ardmore, establishing a permanent base that would support decades of growth, collaboration, and culture – becoming a place where ideas, relationships, and design excellence continue to take shape.
The Fire: Resilience in Ardmore
In January 1994, a fire devastates the Ardmore office on one of the coldest days of the year. The team is operational within days and fully restored within 11 months. A defining moment that solidified the team and culture.
Entering the Digital Age
Meyer completes its first project using CAD—a $2M renovation and addition at Swarthmore Borough Hall – marking the firm’s transition from analog drafting to AutoCAD.
Employee Spotlight · Phil Burkett
Phil Burkett starts his Meyer career as an architectural intern from Temple University. Over the years, Phil has helped grow Meyer’s national presence in the Corporate and Life Science sectors, known for his can-do approach, industry leadership, and community involvement.
Breaking the Million-Dollar Mark: GMAC
Meyer completes its largest architectural project to date: GMAC Headquarters for Liberty Property Trust (approx. 900,000 SF), marking the firm’s first fee exceeding $1 million.
Employee Spotlight · Mike Stanczak
Michael Stanczak joins Meyer after an early career at another Philadelphia architecture firm. Mike’s role has evolved from leading large-scale architectural projects to overseeing firm operations, ensuring Meyer’s culture, policies, and people remain at the center of its success.
Employee Spotlight · Debra Breslow
A young interior designer named Debra Breslow joins Meyer to grow and enhance our creative process. Over the last three decades, Debra has become a nationally recognized workplace design strategist, championing people-centered, wellness-driven environments that reflect culture, belonging, and sustainability.
Launching Cool Diggs
Cool Diggs launched to serve fast-moving, tech-driven workplaces emerging from the early internet boom. Aimed at internet entrepreneurs, the model offered pre-designed concepts, clear budgets, and rapid decision-making to help businesses open quickly and efficiently.
Employee Spotlight · Alicia Karr
After graduating from Georgetown University and serving in the Peace Corps, Alicia Karr joins Meyer in 1999 as an administrative assistant. Alicia has held various positions during her Meyer tenure including HR Director, CFO, President. Currently Meyer’s CEO, she now leads the firm’s strategic vision, culture, and evolution.
2000s · Growth in a Changing World
Designing Through Y2K
Meyer navigated the Y2K-era uncertainty by working with multiple dot-com companies and delivering major design-build projects at Millennium II & III in Conshohocken. The team led extensive risk assessment planning, helping clients prepare for potential disruptions.
Reflection and Reassessment
The events of September 11, 2001 profoundly impacted the architecture and design industry. Multi-story projects were placed on hold as clients reassessed safety, security, and risk, —reshaping how the built environment was approached moving forward.
Employee Spotlight · Melinda McCann
Meyer hires Melinda McCann to join the business development and marketing team as the firm begins to grow nationally. Melinda has led business development and client strategy, strengthening Meyer’s relationships with global brands and industry leaders while driving intentional market growth.
Going National
In the mid-2000s, Meyer transitioned from a regional practice to a national design firm, expanding its reach, client base, and influence while laying the groundwork for sustained growth across markets.
Resilience in a Time of Change
As the financial crisis put many projects on pause, Meyer pivoted quickly, strengthening client relationships, diversifying its work, and positioning the firm to emerge more resilient and focused for the future.
2010s · Expanding Influence
Expanding Global Reach
In 2011, Meyer co-founded One Global Design, expanding the firm’s global reach and strengthening its collaborative network to better serve clients across international markets.
A Watershed Moment: Independence Blue Cross
Meyer was selected to transform Independence Blue Cross’s Philadelphia headquarters—an ambitious, multi-year renovation of more than one million square feet. This landmark project redefined the workplace for 3,400 employees and marked a pivotal moment in the firm’s ability to deliver complex, large-scale corporate transformations.
Employee Spotlight · Shannon Remaley
Meyer makes a strategic hire bringing in Shannon Remaley to grow the newly formed Senior Living Studio. Shannon has led the strategic vision for the firm’s living and healthcare markets, advancing people-centered design that prioritizes wellness, collaboration, and impact.
The Senior Living Practice
Meyer launched the Senior Living Studio, formalizing a rapidly growing practice area and reinforcing the firm’s commitment to specialized expertise and focused client service.
Leadership Transition Begins
Looking towards the future, Norman Liedtke divests a portion of his ownership stake to the next generation of Meyer through the creation of an ESOP (Employee Stock Option Program) and forms the Executive Leadership Team, who leads the firm today.
Meyer Gives Back
Meyer launched Meyer Gives Back, formalizing the firm’s commitment to community engagement and service. That same year, the firm earned its first “Best Places to Work” recognition, reflecting a culture rooted in purpose, people, and shared values.
Best Places to Work
Meyer was named one of the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Best Places to Work, recognizing a culture rooted in purpose, collaboration, and care for its people. Meyer went on to earn this distinction again in 2020, 2022, and 2023.
2020s · Looking Forward
Connecting Through Uncertainty
As the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped the workplace, Meyer launched Corporate Roundtables to foster meaningful dialogue with clients and industry partners, helping navigate unprecedented change through shared insight and collaboration.
Redefining the Brand
Meyer launched its refreshed brand, redefining the firm’s identity and strategically positioning it for future growth and impact.
A New Generation of Leadership
Meyer announced a leadership transition as Alicia Karr was promoted to CEO and Norman Liedtke assumed the role of executive chairman – aligning with the firm’s five-year strategic plan and continuing its evolution as a nationally recognized, employee-owned design firm.
A Golden Milestone
In 2026, Meyer celebrates 50 Years of Designing Places to Be and Belong. We honor the people and projects that built our legacy while looking ahead with purpose and passion – embracing innovation, expanding our impact, and shaping the next chapter of design.