Thoughts

A program of the Architects Foundation and administered by AIA Communities by Design, Design Assistance Teams (DATs) bring together architects and other multi-disciplinary experts to collaborate with the residents and stakeholders of communities that struggle to grow equitably and sustainably to envision brighter futures and build the strategies to realize them.

In the ever-evolving realm of architectural design, the traditional brick and mortar mentality surrounding creative design processes are being challenged by artificial intelligence.

Understanding student success requires campus leaders to learn how best to meet the growing needs of students around mental health, wellbeing, and belonging.

During the spring of 2023, we introduced the second awardee of the Hip Hop Architecture Camp x Bergmeyer scholarship and internship program: the incredible Kamryon Johnson from Detroit, Michigan. In July of 2023, she had the opportunity to spend a fully funded week in Boston, immersing herself in our design collaborative and gaining hands-on experience.

The current methods of housing development, mainly focused on single-family tract homes and large apartment buildings, are insufficient tools to address housing supply.

When was the last time you did something spontaneous or indulged your curiosity? How can brands leverage curiosity as a marketing technique to set themselves apart?

How can retail brands seize the moment and reinvent themselves?

To celebrate PRIDE Month 2023, we asked our "Bergies" to define their personal concept of inclusivity, and more specifically, inclusivity behind the design lens.

The passage of the House and Senate bills titled "An Act Relative to Advancing the Profession of Commercial Interior Design" would license the practice of Commercial Interior Design in Massachusetts.

Conversations with leaders in the multi-family real estate industry led us to consider ways the Metaverse could act as a supplemental layer or extra dimension of multi-family housing and real estate marketing in the future.

Designers have a responsibility to create environments that meet a client’s needs. Moreover, we possess a remarkable opportunity to exceed design standards by offering solutions that foster mental well-being.

As an organization, we are committed to practicing with a clear focus on equity, inclusivity, sustainability, and civic engagement.

The current oversupply of office space and chronic under-supply of housing in the U.S. represents the first time we have seen market conditions that make office-to-residential conversions a realistic housing solution and opportunity for downtown revitalization by reintroducing mixed-use environments at the urban core.

The predominant takeaway from EuroShop 2023 is that the future of design is rooted in sustainability.

Guests expect a venue experience above and beyond the events they pay to see.

In honor of Women's History Month and to commemorate the courage and achievements of the women who came before us, we’ve shined the spotlight on ourselves to share the thoughts and messages of our very own Bergies. These influential women inspire, pioneer, and break the bias of gender inequality in their everyday lives.

One of the most prominent present-day marketing challenges a business can face is capturing a target audience’s attention and keeping them intrigued for the long haul.

We asked the UMass Amherst Dining Services team to share their thoughts, feedback, and statistics on the modern-day Hampshire Dining Commons.

In light of the recent movement for “vintage” innovation, Bergmeyer Graphic Designer Ariana Piacquadio reflects on the romanticization of the analog world. As the tables are rapidly turning backward with tech so commonplace, real-life experiences you can engage with using all your senses start to embody a new kind of nuance and exclusivity.

Operational efficiency is critical to ensuring a seamless experience in the hospitality industry. Our design team decided to get "behind the bar" with several sought-after libation destinations serving Boston's Seaport community to get a design perspective from the people integral to facilitating world-class restaurant experiences.

The passionate locals of Petaluma called upon us to help them achieve their goal of becoming a more accessible “15-minute city,” where every resident can access most of their daily necessities within a 15-minute walk or bike ride.

How will shopping in the Metaverse compare with real-life experiences?

A new social responsibility mission statement that reinforces giving forward as a core part of our design collaborative.

Although the Metaverse is still in its infancy, designers should be prepared to play a significant role in the next digital revolution.

Three designers share their unique perspectives on what we may experience in the Metaverse and task the design industry with being ready to create for both the physical and the virtual world.

Team Bergmeyer recently rode in the 2022 Pan-Mass Challenge, which raises funds for cancer research and treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Built environments can guide our thoughts, behavior, and habits. So, in a world that is rapidly changing, why do many of the spaces we use every day remain the same? Bergmeyer Interior Designer Eliza Steele shares her thoughts on designing outside the lines.

Building waste accounts for a staggering 35-40% of worldwide waste in landfills, and carbon emissions from both building erection and deconstruction are increasing. These factors can be daunting when considering whether the design profession is an active or passive player- in the unending game we play each day with environmental management.

Our retail design team fueled our creativity and reinforced our desire for true connectivity.

Transitioning from President to the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility, Mike had the opportunity to re-imagine his role within our Design Collaborative to focus on Bergmeyer's goals of serving the greater public good.

Beyond the month dedicated to celebrating Black History are the people and their stories that have made a permanent and influential impact on our lives.

An alternative way of design thinking and execution is needed to balance practical needs with the humility of aging.

Bergmeyer Principal Darryl Filippi shares why modular design and construction is an excellent option for higher education facilities.

Which Way for Experience Design in a Time of Chaos?

Recognizing the power of comfort, choice and community on student wellbeing.

It’s a brave new dining world out there; let us help you navigate it.

Why your brand is the key to infusing inspiration and empathy.

Bandages, bikes, Bitcoin… and more industries that are ready for a challenger.

Is your brand in need of TLC?

Our environment is changing rapidly, and customers are returning to in-person retail experiences. We need to be ready for them by making their first engagement positive, welcoming, and inspiring at the same time.

The leisure sector is ready to welcome you back with open arms. We sought out design-centric and alternative lodging experiences with a slice of magic that only hospitality companies can deliver, so let's hit the road already!

Return to We from Me: A resource for establishing hybrid remote/in-person work environments that align with businesses and corporate cultures.

New age luxury living prioritizes convenience and restoration by anticipating residents' needs and designing for them.

We’ve focused on returning to the workplace safely amidst the pandemic. Now we’re focused on the future and designing for “why” we go to the office.

In sync with the Pantone Color Institute’s 2021 Colors of the Year

Bergmeyer designers share housing design tips and advice for creating ideal homes.

We have looked to the past and explored the present for an informed perspective on the future of retail.

Sustainable design is no longer just a desirable expertise, it is a necessity and an integral part of everything we do together. It is no longer an option for designers - it's an ethical imperative.

We have new ideas and experience with how to get it done.

Exploring New Territories Post-Covid in Restaurant and Food Retail

Businesses rely on IT support to maintain operations, especially during an emergency. Yet one of the most critical roles of information technology management is being prepared before a crisis even happens.

Bergmeyer explores the new reality of specialized hospitality experiences.

It takes a lot of planning to open and operate a business. From the inkling of an idea’s inception through running a full operation (or many), business owners are trained to be prepared for unforeseen circumstances to hit at any point. Resilience has always been essential in order to prosper during severe situations. Now it’s a fundamental requirement in the face of an unprecedented global pandemic.

One thing is certain: the future is uncertain. Senior Designer Kenny Isidoro shares helpful suggestions from his personal experience with pursuing work during the 2008 recession.

Always Open: Bergmeyer takes a deep dive into the future of the beauty industry

Bergmeyer's Vice President, Rachel Zsembery, Associate Principal, Brian Perlow, and Associate and Design Practice Leader Eric Kuhn are participants in several episodes of the Shop! Retail Decoded podcast series.

Interior Designer Catherine Keywan shares how the Stay At Home directive altered her perspective of home in the city.

The good, the bad, and the unexpected.

Architectural Designer Quinn Levine challenges the common misconception that designers have a significant amount of knowledge only applicable to building design and construction as there are clear parallels between real and virtual design processes.

Bergmeyer's Vice President, Rachel Zsembery, is a panelist on Shop! Association's Retail Decoded podcast series, Defining the "Next" Normal: Episode #6, Cosmetics

Senior Interior Designer Krista Easterly explores how we can best design for this up-and-coming generation that is hitting college campuses and the workplace.

Bergmeyer's "Best of" series is back!

We are always open and willing to take on new challenges, and some of the best ideas can come from the unexpected.

Senior Associate Rachel Lanzafame discusses options for improving food waste management, as our team is working together to collectively share business strategies for coping with the COVID-19 crisis, recovering from it, and planning for the future beyond it.

Three Key Takeaways from the EuroShop 2020 Conference

Bergmeyer Principal Mare Weiss and Vice President Rachel Zsembery explore how the pop-up approach to retail allows for continuous adaptation. Originally published on August 29, 2019 online in ArchitectureBoston.

Welcome to our inaugural edition of the Best of Boston Guide.

Designing a new hospitality booth experience for GlobalShop 2019

Long gone are the days of stuffy, museum-like, out-of-proportion and underutilized lobbies.

This post is part of an ongoing series from Principal Mike Davis, FAIA on our progress toward the AIA 2030 Commitment.

This past holiday season, retail sales were the best they’ve been in recent history. And now that the holidays are behind us, let’s reflect on our shopping. Whether you picked out a gift for your significant other, or your parents, or a coworker, the possibilities that were presented to you were absolutely endless. So how did you decide? Why do we all come to the decisions we make when we buy stuff?

This post is part of an ongoing series from Principal Mike Davis, FAIA on our progress toward the AIA 2030 Commitment.

I recently had the opportunity to share some of Bergmeyer’s latest work in experience design for the food world. We were invited by the Boston chapter of AIGA, the professional association for design, to share a panel with Korn Design and Assembly Design Studios for a comprehensive look at what it takes to design a restaurant. Adapted from my talk for AIGA’s “Designing the Restaurant Experience” event, I’d like to share four thoughts on how Bergmeyer and our teams have approached some recent work.

Wellness has always been an interest for Bergmeyer, both as a firm internally and in the work we do for our clients. Our projects with a national multi-unit residential developer has broadened our idea of wellness in living communities and understanding what people want to experience where they live. So what does a wellness community look like and what does it offer?

Personifying brands helps give them a unique character. They can grow and adapt and speak in many forms. It’s this speaking part that has got me thinking lately. Just as brands must have their own unique identity and presence in the market, a successful brand voice is one that speaks with an identifiable personality. But how do you know when it’s the right time to find your brand voice?

Coworking spaces have become immensely popular thanks to a surge in entrepreneurship. Kristyn Hill, Interior Designer at Bergmeyer, explores the benefits of coworking spaces in a recent blog post for Design Museum Boston.

Just as brands strive to build relationships with their customers, we look to do the same with our clients. Through immersive partnerships we are able to broaden the lens of what design actually is; to go beyond the look and be more about the feel.

With many brick and mortar stores fighting an uphill battle against online shopping, retailers are trying new tactics to bring in shoppers. But what truly makes people want to spend time in a store? People like to feel special. They like to have choices. People like "me spaces."

Much has been said about the relocation of companies to urban areas from the suburbs. This isn’t a new phenomenon, though, with GE moving into 388,700 square feet, Reebok into 220,000 square feet and tech companies taking 1.8 million square feet in Boston, news of major companies moving into urban areas continues to dominate the headlines.

When McDonald’s BBQ opened 77 years ago, it was among hundreds of other drive-in (and later drive-thru) restaurants throughout the US that later became the iconic eating style during the time of an American socio-technology revolution: the automobile. The influx of driving in mid-20th century America revolutionized and shaped the way Americans ate meals. There have been exponential amounts of improvements to technology since the quick service restaurant (QSR) trend began three-fourths of a century ago. But within that time there has been little to zero aesthetic improvements as great as sit-in restaurants to drive-in.

In the past decade, shopping behavior has changed significantly, with more and more people choosing to shop online for goods and apparel. While online retailers have typically remained online, many see the potential for expansion through brick-and-mortar retail. The past two years have seen an unprecedented convergence of online retailers moving offline – seeking an omnichannel presence and getting closer to where their consumers are. The trend goes the other way as well. Traditional retailers are feeling the strain of increasing online sales and are pressured into finding solutions that fit the needs of the consumer that’s shopping online. Retailers are making moves to position themselves on both sides of the coin.

As retail evolves, retailers are discovering new ways to expand their brand’s outreach and loyalty. The newest trend in customer service features concierge and room service. Since customers trust a brand by their value and lifestyle, retailers are extending that trust by creating large scale hospitality programs and boutique hotel experiences to promote their lifestyle.