History

For over 35 years, Gilbert Architects has been a full-service architectural firm devoted exclusively to planning and designing educational facilities for clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

History

Gilbert Architects was founded in 1988 by Thomas W. Gilbert, AIA, REFP. He has a simple, but powerful vision for the future of educational architecture: “design schools that serve, inspire and encourage our youth.”

Located in Lancaster, PA, our firm’s corporate headquarters is established in a renovated 12,000-square-foot building, which once housed the John DeHaven Tobacco Warehouse c.1876, and is listed in the National Historic Register. We also maintain offices in Owings Mills, MD and Ocean View, DE.

Our firm has completed over 120 feasibility studies and has designed more than 260 major renovations, additions and new facilities, and over 400 capital improvement projects valued at more than 3.2 billion dollars in total.

Gilbert Architects has been honored many times for educational design excellence, as well as for energy-efficient, sustainable building designs. We have a distinguished reputation for delivering projects on time and on, or under, budget. Nothing showcases our commitment to success better than the fact that more than 75 percent of our firm’s projects are requested by, or completed for, repeat clients.

In 2023, upon Tom Gilbert’s retirement, Gilbert Architects was acquired by Garmann Miller, a leading Midwest professional design firm specializing in K-12 education. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in their shared commitment to provide innovative design solutions and elevate the learning experience for students across the region.

The partnership between Garmann Miller and Gilbert Architects brings more resources, services and over 90 professionals to serve K-12 clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions.

“We are thrilled to enter into this partnership with Gilbert Architects,” said Eric Baltzell, CEO of Garmann Miller. “Together, we have a tremendous opportunity to create inspiring learning spaces that foster creativity, collaboration and student success. Our shared passion for K-12 education design will enable us to provide the highest level of quality and performance.”