AEM Architects was founded in 1974 by the merger and incorporation of two of the leading architectural firms practicing in Berks County: Elmer H. Adams & Associates (founded in 1932) and Carl A. Eisenhower (founded in 1936). Along with Marlan Meckley, a member of Carl Eisenhower's practice since 1958, they founded Adams, Eisenhower & Meckley, Inc. using AEM Architects as their trade name.

With the retirements of Carl Eisenhower in 1978 and Elmer Adams in 1985, Marlan Meckley assumed complete ownership and management of the firm. Under his direction, the firm embraced the technology of computer aided drafting and expanded its focus in the educational and health care markets.

In 2000, Thomas Kase (joined AEM in 1986), Philip Leinbach (joined AEM in 1991) and Peter Meckley (joined AEM Architects in 1991) became shareholders and assumed complete management and direction of the firm.