1980s

The early 1980s brought about a significant organizational change. Dick Griese became president and John E. Somerville became Chairman of the Board. The ’80s also saw the formation of the Mill Division which was established to serve Somerville’s growing list of industrial clients. The number of commissions in this decade was over 1,200 – compared to that of 355 in the ’60s and 725 in the ’70s. Overall Somerville’s practice had now become very broad, having a diverse portfolio designing many kinds of buildings.  It was also during this time that Somerville adapted CADD and virtually all working drawings were CADD printouts by the end of the ’80s.