Brightstar Capital Partners has acquired BrightTree Studios, a technology design and consulting firm specializing in audiovisual, IT and telecommunications, security, and acoustics. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
BrightTree will join KZF Design and Erdman as part of Brightstar’s architecture and design platform. The acquisition expands the platform beyond traditional architecture and design services into technology-focused planning for complex facilities.
Founded and headquartered in Warrendale, Pennsylvania, BrightTree serves clients across higher education, healthcare, corporate and other markets. The firm designs technology environments intended to improve collaboration, operational efficiency, safety and overall building performance.
BrightTree’s services include audiovisual system design, IT and telecommunications infrastructure, security technology and acoustic consulting. These capabilities are increasingly important as buildings rely on integrated digital systems to support communication, connectivity and user experience.
The acquisition is expected to create cross-referral opportunities across the platform’s existing client base. KZF Design and Erdman clients could gain access to BrightTree’s specialized technology services, while BrightTree may benefit from the broader architecture, engineering and project relationships within the platform.
Brightstar believes the addition will allow the platform to offer a more integrated client experience across multiple disciplines. Combining architecture and technology design can help project teams coordinate building systems earlier in the planning process.
BrightTree will gain access to Brightstar’s capital, operating resources and industry relationships. The firm expects these capabilities to help it pursue more clients and projects than it could reach independently.
Brightstar’s architecture and design platform is structured to preserve the cultures and identities of its regional firms while providing shared capabilities and strategic support. This collaborative model is intended to promote growth without fully centralizing each company’s operations.
The acquisition also reflects the increasing role of technology in the design of educational, healthcare and corporate environments. Modern facilities often require coordinated systems for hybrid communication, digital collaboration, connectivity, security and sound management.
Brightstar Capital Partners is a middle-market private equity firm focused on control-oriented investments across business services, industrials, technology, media and telecommunications, and financial services. The firm managed approximately $5 billion in assets as of March 31, 2026.
KEY QUOTES:
“Great buildings today require more than great architecture. The technology that brings a space to life is just as important as the space itself. We believe BrightTree’s capabilities will make us a more complete partner for clients across the platform by augmenting our existing capabilities, and we are excited to welcome their team.”
Dan Faust, CEO of Brightstar’s Architecture and Design Platform
“We started BrightTree with a belief that technology, designed thoughtfully, has the power to unlock human potential in the spaces where people work, learn, and heal. Joining Brightstar’s platform gives us the resources and relationships to bring that vision to more clients and more projects than we could reach on our own.”
Bill McIntosh, President and Co-Founder of BrightTree Studios
“We believe the firms that will define the next generation of architecture and design are those that can offer clients a seamless experience across disciplines. We are confident that bringing BrightTree into the platform creates a more integrated offering for clients and opens doors that would not otherwise be available to these firms on a standalone basis.”
Michael Burke, Board Chair of Brightstar’s Architecture and Design Platform and Former Chairman and CEO of AECOM
