By Wanda Lau
PRINCETON, N.J.—KSS Architects is excited to announce the promotion of three associate architects. Merilee Meacock and Scot Murdoch have been promoted to the position of Principal. Andrew Tucker has been promoted to Director of Sustainable Design, a new position the firm created to reflect its growing practice in environmentally-responsible design.
KSS managing partner Michael Shatken said the promotions were significant because of the depth of specialized expertise the three staff members provide.
“Merilee is nationally known for her planning and design of educational facilities, Scot for state-of-the-art industrial architecture, and Andrew for environmentally-sensitive design,” Shatken said. “These individuals developed their specialization while at KSS and demonstrate our commitment to in-house expertise that aligns with our clients’ needs.”
Merilee Meacock, AIA, LEED-AP, has designed many of the firm’s academic and education projects for clients such as Rutgers University and Kean University. Currently, she is the market leader for the firm’s K-12 market and has worked with clients such as the Eden Institute, The Calais School and the Cranbury School. She led the design and adaptive reuse of a 1920s commercial laundry facility into a charter high school, business incubator and black box theater at New Jersey City University, which has been honored by several organizations, including the American Institute of Architects. Her commitment to design excellence and community activism has been honored by several professional organizations, including the Eden Institute and the New Jersey chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Meacock is a resident of Cranbury, N.J., where she was a former zoning board official.
Scot Murdoch, AIA, has been instrumental in the growth of the firm’s industrial market. He has supervised the transformation of hundreds of acres of brownfields into productive industrial sites throughout the region and designed millions of square feet of commercial buildings and distribution centers for clients such as AMB Property Corporation, Forsgate Industrial Partners, ProLogis and Matrix Development Group. His most recent projects include Hyundai North America’s NE Distribution Center in South Brunswick, N.J., AMB Property Corporation’s Pulaski Distribution Center in Jersey City, N.J., and Portview Commerce Center in Elizabeth, N.J. Murdoch is also active in his profession and community. He created KSS’ in-house Intern Development Program, which helps guide designers through the professional licensure process. For many years, he also has been involved in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program and the Boy Scouts of America. Murdoch resides in Lawrenceville, N.J.
Andrew Tucker, AIA, LEED-AP, has helped KSS strengthen its sustainable design capabilities in all market segments. He became one of the firm’s first staff members to earn LEED Accreditation from the U.S. Green Building Council. Several of his projects have earned or are pursuing LEED certification, including Kean University’s Center for Academic Success (LEED Certified), a new campus center at The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey (pursuing LEED Silver), and a new academic building at Westminster Choir College, Rider University (pursuing LEED Gold).
As director of sustainable design, Tucker will lead the development of KSS’ sustainable design market, become a LEED consultant for projects in all markets and increase the firm’s presence in the environmental, building and education communities. He worked with the USGBC as a juror for the upcoming international GreenBuild conference and teaches seminars on sustainable design principles and LEED standards for architects. A resident of the historic Mill Hill neighborhood in Trenton, N.J., Tucker volunteers for Habitat for Humanity and participates in preservation initiatives with the Trenton Historical Society.
About KSS Architects LLP
Founded in 1983, KSS Architects LLP is an award-winning architectural design firm that specializes in the design and planning of educational institutions, government facilities, commercial and industrial buildings, and corporate interiors. KSS is committed to sound project management and superior design execution. The award-winning firm has offices in Princeton, N.J., and Philadelphia. For more information, visit kssarchitects.com.

