We’re excited to announce that The Clarient Group has joined CannonDesign, one of the most forward-thinking design firms in the world. The strategic merger unites two powerhouse firms with a shared vision to elevate the human experience through intelligent, future-ready environments that redefine what smart buildings can achieve.
Going forward, The Clarient Group will continue to operate under its current name, strengthening CannonDesign’s practice for smart building consulting, technology infrastructure design and digital experience and operations design. Charlie Buscarino, founder and CEO of The Clarient Group, will continue to lead our team.
“We’ve been eager to scale our impact and drive even greater innovation in the smart building space, and CannonDesign provides the ideal platform to do just that,” said Charlie. “The firm’s deep capabilities across design, planning, strategic consulting and transformation give us the tools to deliver even more value to our clients. Our core remains the same, but our ability to shape the future is expanding exponentially. What’s ahead is game-changing and I’m looking forward to creating even greater value for our clients.”
CannonDesign is a design solutions firm at the nexus of architecture, strategy, experience, interior design, engineering and social impact. In 2024, Fast Company named the firm the #1 workplace for innovators in the U.S. Its designers and strategists create buildings, experiences and strategies for clients of all types, from developers to public and private organizations across the commercial, health, education, science, sports + recreation and civic sectors. Its clients include Mayo Clinic, Memorial Sloan Kettering, LinkedIn, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Kaiser Permanente, Under Armour, the California Institute of Technology and more.
“Technology and augmented experiences are shaping the built landscape, so I’m pleased to accelerate our smart building path forward with the addition of The Clarient Group,” said Brad Lukanic, CEO of CannonDesign. “This merger strengthens our vision that defines human-led experiences and operational workflows that inform smart solution design, and the individuals who use the buildings we create.”
Looking ahead, our combined practice will continue delivering what The Clarient Group’s clients have trusted us to do for more than 20 years — designing and seamlessly integrating digital ecosystems that drive real business impact, from improved energy efficiency and streamlined operations to elevated occupant experiences, optimized space utilization, precise building maintenance and more.
This merger comes at a time of rapid growth in smart building technologies. As owners and operators push for more seamless, responsive solutions, AI is poised to revolutionize what’s possible — reshaping digital experiences and the very ways we interact with the built environment. Our team at The Clarient Group is at the forefront of leading these conversations, but now with the added firepower of designers, researchers, operations and workplace strategists, futurists, software developers, change management experts and deep knowledge across sectors like healthcare, commercial, education, science and sports, we can push and innovate even further.
This merger is the latest in a bold series of strategic moves CannonDesign has made to amplify its impact. Recent investments include merging with Pacific Northwest design firm SRG Partnership, launching a digital products team to create bespoke software solutions and expanding its facility management company, Facility Optimization Solutions of CannonDesign, and its consulting company, Blue Cottage of CannonDesign. The firm has also established a research practice to measure the real-world impact of its work, built a data visualization team to unlock deeper insights and doubled down on its social impact arm, Open Hand Studio.
