Carrier Johnson + CULTURE Taps Urban Design Expert Randall Morton to Lead New York Office
As firm expands portfolio of large-scale urbanism work, leaders name a seasoned professional in design and urban thinking to lead projects globally from growing New York City office.
The global architecture, planning, design and branding firm Carrier Johnson + CULTURE has announced the appointment of architect Randall Morton, AIA, to lead its recently opened New York City office. As part of the firm’s expansion, Morton — an internationally lauded expert on waterfront and transit-oriented development, urban planning and design, as well as urban revitalization — has been named Principal of the firm’s Urban Design Studio.
The addition is part of a strategic initiative by Carrier Johnson + CULTURE to expand the firm’s reach geographically while leveraging its breadth of expertise in large-scale urban design capabilities, says Gordon R. Carrier, FAIA, founding principal. “Our firm has a strong history of productive, beneficial impacts on urban form. With the addition of Randy Morton in New York City, we are poised to increase our influence on major metropolitan design challenges,” says Carrier.
Michael C. Johnson, AIA, founding design principal, adds that projects across the country will benefit from Morton’s depth of urban experience. According to Johnson, Morton has authored large-scale development plans for the Port of San Diego, the revival of downtown Minneapolis, New York’s World Trade Center and Hudson Yards, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital as well as sports and entertainment districts in Oakland, Atlanta, Newark, Miami, and St. Petersburg, Florida. Morton believes that place and authentic ideas drive design innovation, adds Johnson, noting that while Morton is based in New York City, he will shepherd all of the firm’s offices throughout the country on urban thinking. “Randy understands that identifying what is special about a given place is critical to delivering innovative, contextually appropriate solutions,” says Johnson. “We have collaborated with him in years past on significant local projects, including master plans for the 700-acre Chula Vista Bayfront and the San Diego Unified Port District.”
In addition, Carrier Johnson + CULTURE leaders have emphasized Morton’s anticipated role in major architectural projects in such sectors as science and technology, mixed-use development, education, culture and entertainment, complementing the firm’s already broad expertise. “Randy is an architect whose work will lead to new opportunities for Carrier Johnson + CULTURE,” says Carrier. “This new leadership and northeast office will expand the reach and depth of our work, and unite our offices on both coasts through a consistent design ethic and culture.”
Operating globally, Carrier Johnson + CULTURE continues to win a variety of multifamily, mixed-use, university, and workplace projects from its San Diego headquarters and its recently expanded Los Angeles offices. Morton’s familiarity with East Coast markets as well as his longstanding reputation for planning large-scale greenfield projects, revitalizing city centers, and creating innovative, visionary architecture are all expected to fortify the firm’s position at the vanguard of urban design. Master planning projects by Carrier Johnson + CULTURE include Hoyt Street Yards in Portland, Ore., the Reno Waterfront in Nevada, the Al Reem Island Master Plan in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and eight projects in China including the Wuhan Metropolitan Complex and the Guangzhou International Bio-Island.
Morton is a registered architect in New York, New Jersey and Florida, a member of both the Urban Land Institute and the American Institute of Architects, and certified by NCARB. His work has been published extensively, and he has served as a visiting critic at Yale University’s School of Architecture, Temple University, the City College of New York, Pratt Institute and at Columbia University, where Morton earned his Master of Science in architecture and urban design in 1985. He frequently speaks at conferences on urban design, waterfronts, and design excellence.
About Carrier Johnson + CULTURE
Reflecting a new focus in the practice of architecture and design, Carrier Johnson + CULTURE is reinventing a model for the future of designed environments. As a design-centric practice focused on the merger of architecture, interior design and strategic branding, Carrier Johnson + CULTURE works in partnership with market leaders in higher education, hospitality, healthcare, civic life, mixed-use development to deliver meaningful design innovation in building, living, wellness, and communication solutions. Our focus on solutions steeped in authenticity, reflects the unique three-dimensional brand opportunity of each commission. Visit www.carrierjohnson.com.
