The Berlin-based academic publisher De Gruyter has completed its purchase of the Swiss-based German-language Birkhäuser. Alongside the acquisition of Birkhäuser's architecture and design publishing division, the acquisition includes the Birkhäuser brand name, which includes a range of STM publications.

Birkhauser published about 50 new titles annually and has a 2,500 title backlist. "Our purchase of Birkhäuser has considerably expanded our range of exclusive publications in art history and neighboring fields," De Gruyter CEO Sven Fund said.

Birkhäuser, founded in 1879, declared insolvency in March of this year. Its design and architecture list is home to such influential authors and architects as Le Corbusier, Alvar Aalto, Herzog & de Meuron, and Peter Zumthor.