Zach Verhulst, the American Institute of Architects’ Grand Rapids 2019 Young Architect of the Year announced the opening of PURE Architects.

Headquartered in Grand Rapids, PURE Architects will serve clients statewide, regionally and nationally. Verhulst will serve as owner and managing principal of the firm, and fellow Lawrence Technological University alum Andrew Queenan will be the firm’s project architect and building scientist.

“I believe that we have a unique opportunity to apply a lens and perspective that most other firms currently do not,” Verhulst said. “I’ve spent the last 10 years designing and managing projects and people across the state, experiencing many different projects and client types. Inevitably, most firms approach projects with the goal of mitigating risk to maximize profits, oftentimes at the detriment of the project’s potential. We are driven to do better. Our firm strikes a conscious balance between operational goals and aspirational ones, resulting in better experiences and design outcomes for our clients.”