Paul Berger & Associates

Careful consideration and planning was taken into account designing this highly technical Chicago trading company.  Light levels, acoustics and the ability to adjust the furniture were key factors in creating an atmosphere that was comfortable and pleasing as well as technically advanced. The space included a trading area with an overlooking help desk command center that monitored all computer systems to assure that down time never occurred. The systems operation center employed state of the art equipment and cabling. It was important to the Client to display a sense of stability, success, strength and forward, fresh thinking.

As a respected commercial real estate developer, Fifield Companies wanted to occupy space in one of its company owned buildings. Its new offices were designed as both a showcase to prospective tenants and as a highly functional office. The interior space reflects the exterior. It incorporates a variety of materials and detailing. The exterior combines textured glass, granite, concrete and aluminum. Similar treatments were used on the interior. 

Another feature planned on the interior that reflected the exterior were angular corners. These angular corners were to provide activity centers for employees and visitors. Because Fifield is a leasing agent, prospects are continually touring the Fifield space. With its display of photographs showing Fifield's developments, the public corridor serves as a public relations tool. 

For this 40-person law firm, PBA developed office zones, demarcated by corridor partition setbacks, curved wood and glass partitions and a centrally located library. A rich variety of materials and glass wall surfaces provide a sense of movement and offer spectacular views of the Chicago lakefront and skyline.

Extensive millwork detailing grounds the space in tradition and provides continuity between the various elements; curved translucent glass walls allow natural light to filter into lengthy corridors. A mahogany chair-rail detail carries throughout the space across wall surfaces, glass lights and transaction tops.

The central library features a glass enclosed conference room with a custom designed conference table and reflects the curvature of the room. Small glass-front conference rooms located at the end of each main corridor allow for additional natural lighting and provide added work and conference area for the attorneys.

Designing space for advertising agencies is a distinct and fascinating problem. More than any traditional office, an agency's design must be immediately responsive to the volatile nature of an industry in which account acquisitions and losses can cause unpredictable fluctuations in an agency's planning needs. And mega-mergers in the advertising business mean still more uncertainty for these business and the people who work in them. 

It is imperative then, that good design accommodate an agency's tremendous need for flexibility, as well as create a mood of well-being among personnel so that creativity and productivity can flourish. Furthermore, the technical demands of an agency's production departments render this field a truly a unique design challenge. 

Over the years, PBA has provided programming, interior design and architectural services to more than a dozen major agencies, including DDB/Needham, Campbell-Mithun, Kobs & Draft, J Walter Thompson and Grey Chicago to name a few. 

The merging, relocation and reorganization of the worlds largest railroad company was not a small task.  The 360, 000 square foot headquarters not only encompasses office facilities but a state of the art network operations center and a railroad museum.  The museum houses priceless paintings, artifacts and even a land grant signed by Abe Lincoln. 

Through an equine eye. With no experience in equestrian center design, PBA set out to design this center from the standpoint of the equine eye. Understanding a horse's nature, that they are social creatures and don't relish being confined, PBA designed the stalls in the Serosun barn to offer opportunity for the horses to see each other and "participate" in the activity in the aisle. 

Oversize stalls are bathed in light from dormers and a grand cupola. Stalls are well away from the potentially dusty environment of the arena. The design put total emphasis on what works best for jumpers. The owners import horses from Europe to train and sell. 

The arena has extra span and plenty of headroom clear of low hanging lights, fans or other obstructions that could harm the horses 

Burr Ridge, Illinois, is the home of McGraw-Hill publishing company’s corporate headquarters.  The office space includes an elliptical-shaped bifurcating four-story stair and atrium. Library areas flank the stairs on each level and are lined with bookcases to display the client’s product. Each floor has a reception area immediately accessible to the elevator lobby and stair and adjacent to a conference center area. This creates a vertical integration of all departments. The boardroom complex includes a main boardroom, additional conference room, corporate dinning room all equipped with rear screen projection and teleconferencing and a full service kitchen. The headquarters includes a running track, outdoor terrace and fitness center overlooking a private lake. 

When a well respected philanthropist wanted to relocate her offices to a loft building, she initiated PBA to undertake the conversion. Moving from a typical office tower, the new offices were to incorporate a lively respectful and interpretive design. 

Modern boats boast fiberglass hulls, prefabricated components, fast engines, capabilities for deep-sea fishing or transoceanic voyages.  For some boaters, the modern model doesn’t fit; instead they would rather turn back the clock a few decades to the classic wooden boats built for relaxed and refined yachting, found in a Trumpy motor yacht.

From 1909-1974, renowned boat designer, John Trumpy designed Scandinavian-style wooden boats, early on: ferries, naval patrol boats and trawlers. Later, he designed runabouts, tenders, sailing yachts and motor yachts, like cruisers and houseboats.  Trumpy yachts attracted the titans of industry, business barons and befitted eight United States presidents. 

These yachts stimulate the senses with crisp lines, distinctive hull and bow shapes, and “tumblehome” aft sections, wide varnished accent stripes on a white hull, quiet Detroit Diesel engines and a smooth ride.  They were built to sail in calm waters, of lakes, bays and sounds, and generally no more than one mile off shore into rough waters.

John Tumpy created innovative designs and Paul Berger & Associates researched all aspects of the design and meticulously rendered a plan to fully restore this yacht to it's former glory and attain Coast Guard Certification. 

A 1924 high rise building built with unique vaulted 24' high ceilings and massive fireplaces became the challenge of PBA's design for this home of a Chicago Architect and his Real Estate executive wife and their two children. That being, retain the charm and elegance of the building and interior and incorporate updated systems and spaces. 

Resting on more than 700 feet of private Lake Michigan beachfront, a 55 unit development with each cottage home carefully designed to enhance the enjoyment and tranquility of the surroundings. They include open floor plans, expansive windows, inviting decks and clean architectural lines. The community includes private access gate entry, protected nature paths and wildflower gardens, a private beach pool, and a tennis court. It was critical to retain all of the mature trees on the site and design the site locations to co-exist with the terrain. The maintenance and care of sandy bluffs requiring protection and endangered wetlands were an important design challenge for PBA. 

When a real estate developer and a marketing professional began the demanding but creative task of combining two one-bedroom units in one of Chicago’s landmark High-rise Buildings, Lake Point Tower, they undertook their adventure like one of their business projects. 

After having interviewed many architectural firms, they selected PBA. Paul Berger was able to balance not only their different tastes but also their Ying and Yang personalities. At the first meeting he asked: “Do you have a stable marriage?” Little did they know how appropriate his question was.

The clients were prepared…. they had a vision, a budget, they had an outline of each room with all the details they would like to incorporate: lighting, space planning, electrical needs for future gadgets, furniture placements and detailed closet usage but most important they had a MISSION.

PBA was presented with the following mission statement;

To create a ‘serenely, dramatic’ living space which will be inviting and warm for a working couple who likes to entertain both formally and informally. Capture the magnificent views and the constantly changing environment and relate to the strong Mies’ influence (Lake Point Tower was designed by John Heinrick a student of Mies van der Rohe) and its contemporary architecture had to be taken into consideration in creating a timeless, soft modern apartment which reflects the ebb and flow of the surrounding nature.

White's perennial popularity is understandable: "People think that it's safe and neutral," but in truth, it's not. In the case of a 1940's Cape Cod home in Long Grove, we made fastidious plans to craft rooms that would look right clad in white. The homeowners wanted the house to be architecturally intriguing, serene and filled with light. The couple finally asked PBA to restore the Cape Cod's exterior, revamp the existing interior and add on a kitchen, great room and master suite. 

This 1890’s mansion is nestled on a quiet tree lined street in Chicago.  The 18,000 square foot structure previously housed 18 apartments.  The challenge was to reconfigure and restore it back to a single-family residence befitting the character of the era.  To restore this home to its former elegance, curved leaded glass windows were installed, the slate roof was repaired and handcrafted millwork was recreated. The interior was renovated and restored to its original plan on the first floor with a grand entrance and elegant detailing.