May Architecture, a nationally recognized design firm, is expanding to North Florida with the opening of a Jacksonville office.
Known for its innovative design practices, the firm partners with top-ranked hospitals and universities to design next generation facilities that meet the evolving needs of people and practitioners in today’s modern healthcare and educational environments. May Architecture is a trusted partner to leading institutions such as Emory Healthcare, Shepherd Center, Piedmont Healthcare, Northside Hospital, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the University of Georgia — organizations known nationally for their innovation and impact.
Establishing a presence in Jacksonville marks a strategic move in May Architecture’s national growth, expanding its reach to support the next wave of healthcare and higher education innovation across the Southeast. Many of the healthcare systems and higher education institutions located in the First Coast are growing and looking to provide improved patient and student experiences. May Architecture looks to build upon its history of supporting the growth of their clients through innovation, streamlined operations and speed-to-market.
“This moment presents a unique opportunity for collaboration between the subject matter experts in our firm and the institutions we aim to serve in North Florida. By bringing together the right people, starting with an inquisitive perspective, and listening to our clients — we are able to reimagine what’s possible to create environments that are deeply centered around patients, students, and the people who support them,” shares Gil May, principal and founder of May Architecture.
Bringing Expertise to the Florida Market
May Architecture has hired Erin Holubeck Burres to spearhead the Jacksonville office.
Leading the office, Burres brings more than 25 years of national healthcare design and leadership experience. She understands that innovative design starts with strong relationships – with spaces, processes, and most importantly, with people. In this role, she offers a collaborative mindset and a passion for integrated design, working closely with clients to create solutions that are responsible and responsive.
May adds, “Erin’s approach emphasizes partnership at every stage, which aligns directly with the values we attribute to successful project outcomes. Chris offers additional insight into the client’s perspective, having served inside several major healthcare systems across his tenured career. Senior local leadership is integral to our success as we look to acquire talent, provide consistent oversight to our projects, and offer clients a direct connection to our extended resources and subject matter expertise.”
Burres says, “What drew me to May Architecture is their fearless, forward-thinking approach. As someone who has lived and worked in the Florida market for over 20 years, I care deeply about delivering real solutions and strengthening the relationships I’ve spent decades building. This is more than a new chapter. It’s the beginning of something powerful for the communities we serve and the partners we’ll grow with.”
Achievements in Healthcare
Sought-after for its expertise within the healthcare design community, May Architecture has a long history of helping healthcare systems grow efficiently and streamline processes for speed to market, incorporate the use of innovation and technology, enhance specialty care models, promote patient-centered care and operational efficiency and stimulate research and education.
Examples of the firm’s accomplishments can be found in Winship Cancer Institute at Emory Midtown, a collaboration with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, which brought forth a reimagined oncology care model and was awarded the national 2024 American Institute of Architects Healthcare Design Award. May Architecture is also responsible for the design of interventional radiology suites, hybrid operating rooms, cell therapy units, and medical simulation labs.
By working alongside world-renowned hospitals like the Shepherd Center in Atlanta (the #1 ranked specialty – spinal care, stroke and brain injury – care institution by U.S. News and World Report), May Architecture helps its clients expand and reenvision their practices and services. At the Shepherd Center, for instance, May Architecture has worked closely with the clinical team to reimagine the Multiple Sclerosis Wellness and Clinic and to create a new cutting-edge acute brain injury inpatient floor.
“Our clients tell us we truly listen, and it shows in the design and functionality we bring to every project. Our internal operation is centered around ‘the best idea wins,’ which means putting egos in the room aside to promote the best outcomes possible for our clients,” adds Emily Marvel, Healthcare Principal for May Architecture.
Transforming Higher Education
Healthcare is not the only market where May Architecture achieves unprecedented outcomes. In higher education, the firm designs for nationally recognized universities in the areas of active learning, student life, dining, and wellness. May Architecture designs environments that advance academic excellence and express each institution’s character while supporting student academic growth, well-being, and a sense of belonging.
Recent examples of collaborations include the University of Georgia’s West Campus Dining, Learning, and Well-Being Center attributed with breaking down silos and reimagining student well-being on campus. Georgia Institute of Technology’s Tech Way Lab renovation showcases the intersection of cutting-edge research, innovation, and state-of-the-art workspace design all in the service of supporting groundbreaking research.
Emory University worked closely with the firm to design “classrooms of the future,” including immersive experiences and global classrooms providing interactive, technology-intensive, and distance-learning environments. May Architecture is also responsible for modernizing several campus communities, helping evolve campuses to meet the next generation of students.
“As institutions rethink how learning, wellness, and community intersect, our role is to design environments that are flexible, engaging, and future-ready. This expansion into Florida reflects our continued commitment to helping campuses evolve in ways that meaningfully support students and their success.” says Shelly Attila, May Architecture’s Design Principal.
About May Architecture
Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Atlanta, May Architecture is a nationally recognized design firm reimagining what healthcare and education spaces can achieve. Known for our collaborative approach and relentless pursuit of impactful outcomes, we partner with leading institutions across the country to deliver environments that elevate care, empower communities, and push past conventional limits. Our work transforms complex challenges into breakthrough solutions — creating spaces that enhance experiences, improve results, and shape what’s next.
