AECOM Appoints Design Directors to its Chicago and Los Angeles Interiors Practices
AECOM appoints Matthew Rebbe, IIDA, AIA, LEED GA, NCARB and James Merchant as Design Directors, Interiors for its Design and Consulting Services group
Mr. Rebbe and Mr. Merchant will be responsible for design leadership and practice development of AECOM’s interiors design teams in Chicago and Los Angeles
AECOM, a premier, fully integrated global infrastructure firm, announced today that Matthew Rebbe, IIDA, AIA, LEED GA, NCARB (Chicago) and James Merchant (Los Angeles) have been named as Design Directors, Interiors for its Buildings + Places practice, part of its Design and Consulting Services group. As Design Directors, they will be responsible for design leadership and practice development for their respective studios in Chicago and Los Angeles and continue to create impactful interior environments across the globe.
“I’m delighted to share the news of Matt and James’ promotion to Design Directors for our Chicago and Los Angeles Interiors practices,” says Brett A. Shwery, IIDA, AAIA, CID, LEED, AP, Senior Vice President, Interior Design Director, Buildings + Places, Americas. “Their creativity, dedication, and passion has resulted in elevating design not only at AECOM but throughout the interior design profession.”
Since joining AECOM, Mr. Rebbe and Mr. Merchant have led integrated teams to deliver a global portfolio of modern spaces which promote innovation, adaptability, and wellbeing. Collectively, they have partnered with corporations across market sectors such as Eli Lilly, The Dow Chemical Company, Oracle, Bank of America, National Grid, BMS, Heinz, Miramax, Rolls-Royce, Shell, and BP. Mr. Rebbe has 20 years of experience weaving storytelling into each project and personalizes the experience by involving users into the design process. As a mentor, advocate, and team leader, Mr. Rebbe encourages design exploration to create a common vision. Rebbe holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Drury University.
“I am absolutely thrilled for this next chapter in my design career,” says Mr. Rebbe. “What excites me most about this opportunity is the ability to connect with people on a much larger scale. With our strong client partnerships and our talented AECOM team, we can improve the human experience through great design.”
With AECOM for ten years, Mr. Merchant spent seven years in London before relocating to Los Angeles. His work has won two British Council for Offices interior awards and has been nominated for the IIDA Calibre Design Awards. With a diverse, unconstrained, and responsive style, Mr. Merchant builds deep connections and an understanding of his client’s brand to create unique location-based experiences. Merchant holds a Bachelor of Media from University of Chichester and a post graduate degree in Interior Design, from Chelsea Collage of Art and Design.
“Designing inspiring spaces isn’t just about visual impact anymore” says Mr. Merchant. “It’s about transforming the way we experience them. I love working on spaces with big vision and this new role gives me a unique platform to contribute to projects that really get people talking and thinking differently about design. Now more than ever, vision, collaboration, research, and a commitment to design excellence are vital in our efforts to create environments for the future of humanity.”
“Matt and James are accomplished designers who have developed beautiful and engaging spaces,” added Shwery. “Their leadership, talent, and inspiration will continue to create value for our clients and communities around the world.”
About AECOM
AECOM is the world’s premier infrastructure firm, delivering professional services across the project lifecycle – from planning, design and engineering to consulting and construction management. We partner with our clients in the public and private sectors to solve their most complex challenges and build legacies for generations to come. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, governments, energy and the environment, our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm with revenue of approximately $20.2 billion during fiscal year 2019. See how we deliver what others can only imagine at aecom.com and @AECOM.
