Local architecture firm Pacific Atelier said it has purchased Projectors Hawaii, an 11-year old audio visual company.

Hale Takazawa, principal of Pacific Atelier, said the acquisition will allow the company to broaden its scope and help it weather the economic downturn.

"Now we have a design reach that helps us with concept presentation and the development of training rooms, classrooms, theatres, telemedicine, teleconferencing, retailing, digital signage and other technologies that are fundamentally changing the way we design buildings," Takazawa said.

Projectors Hawaii, which employs seven people, has completed audio visual installations for the Federal Fire Department at Pearl Harbor, Tripler Army Medical Center, Kapiolani Community College, University of Hawaii and private homeowners. Pacific Atelier's projects include master planning for Ko Olina Resort and Princeville Resort, the Cole Academy and Royal Palms at Poipu.