Brand Book
Designing Tomorrow, Today!
ENRICHING LIVES AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES
Fueled by passion and curiosity, and constantly inspired by collaboration, we strive to enhance the way people live, work, and relax.
who we are
Founded in Minneapolis in 1978, BKV Group has expanded practice sites to Chicago, Dallas, Washington, DC. Our team of talented professionals work in 48 states and counting. As a highly collaborative firm, our teams share knowledge across practice groups and geographies to create relevant and meaningful design solutions that support our clients’ missions.
This collaborative nature transcends BKV Group’s office walls as we strive for innovative design and problem-solving while working hand-in-hand with our clients. Our practice groups – which include multi-family housing (market-rate, senior, student, affordable, adaptive reuse, and highrise), government (municipal, county and state including police, fire, city hall, library, jails, public works, and courts), education, corporate, and interiors – help our clients’ dreams become a reality.
BKV Group’s branded design approach to our clients’ needs provides unique, efficient, sustainable, and practical spaces. Our in-house engineering, landscape architecture, and construction administration professionals facilitate a seamless, high-quality, and creative solution.
When asked why our clients work with us, they tell us “It’s because you really care – about us, the project, and our community. It’s the passion you bring to your work every day!”
We build enduring communities that will serve neighborhoods and cities for many years to come
what we do
BKV Group combines the talents of each member of the design team, resulting in streamlined communication between disciplines. By working together, our team finds the best design solutions under budget and timing constraints, while removing redundancies and enhancing the final product.
Holistic Design With Multidisciplinary Project Teams
OUR SERVICES
+ Architecture
+ Interiors
+ Urban Design
+ Landscape
+ Engineering
+ Branding
+ Sustainability
HOUSING
Intelligent residential design for building healthy, connected, and fulfilling lives.
INTERIORS
Creative, memorable, and environmentally progressive environments.
GOVERNMENT
Enduring facilities that define and influence the image of their communities, while addressing short and long-term needs.
HOSPITALITY
Personally-designed spaces that reinforce a client’s brand, and provides long-term value by curating exceptional experiences for guests.
CORPORATE/COMMERCIAL
Convergent buildings and spaces that provide comfort, flexibility, and connection to a sense of place, while helping to enrich lives and enhance productivity.
EDUCATION
Intellectual environments founded upon evidence-based design strategies that support whole-student development and engagement.
LIBRARY
Creating community anchors that span a variety of scales, and delivering on a vision that will serve the users and surrounding area for years to come.
our history
In 1986 the company was renamed Boarman and Associates and moved to 206 N. 1st Street. In August 1989 the office relocated to its current Minneapolis location at 222 N 2nd St.
In 1993 David Kroos, Peter Pfister, and Jeff Rudin became partners to create Boarman Kroos Pfister Rudin & Associates, the first of several iterations that eventually became Boarman Kroos Vogel Group, Inc. dba BKV Group in 2001. The Chicago location launched in 2007, followed shortly by Washington, DC in 2010, Dallas in 2018, and Hanoi, Vietnam in 2019.
Today, BKV Group delivers community-enhancing and award-winning projects across the country from these five practice sites.
1978
Boarman Architects founded in Minneapolis 1985
Boarman Architects 1992
formed
our culture
We provide our clients with superior customer service by adopting the clients’ goals as our own, enabling transparent and data-driven decision-making, committing to responsible stewardship of our clients’ money, and being passionate about the success of the communities in which we work.
We develop much more than buildings. We’re here to create connections & communities
BKV-U
BEER FRIDAY
CULTURE COMMITTEE
GRAPHIC STANDARDS COMMITTEE
BKV WORKSHOP
DONUT CLUB
COMMUNITY & EXTERNAL INVOLVEMENT
BRAND COMMITTEE
WEBSITE OVERSIGHT
DESIGN CLUB
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
DIVERSITY ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE
Design Culture Initiatives COMMITTEES
MERCHANDISE & APPAREL
DRAWING STANDARDS COMMITTEE
SPORTS CLUBS
BKV TOGETHER
ON-BOARDING PROCESS & WELCOME PACKAGE
STUDENT RECRUITMENT
HEALTHY EATING CLUB
PRINT FEATURES
SUSTAINABILITY COMMITTEE
DESIGN CHARRETTES
OUR CULTURE
Passionate
BKV Group understands that the products of our work deeply affect human beings, whether they are a full-time occupant or a passerby on the street. As designers, we have the opportunity and the responsibility to address the issues facing our society, and we address them every day in the buildings and spaces we imagine. Our designers engage passionately with issues of equality, safety, community, sustainability, wellness, and many more - always working to make our projects part of the solution. We believe in a friendly, upbeat, hopeful, and fun approach to our work and we are dedicated to a never-ending quest to strengthen our communities.
BKV-U
BKV-U is a weekly gathering that allows employees to showcase their passions, educate the office on any given topic in an entertaining, engaging, and informative way, while cultivating company culture through the exchange of new ideas.
OUR CULTURE
Creative
BKV Group has a 40+ year history of design excellence, winning both regional and national awards for our projects. The nature of architecture is that every site, every client, and every point in time is different, so, by definition, every project requires a unique and customized solution. These continually changing parameters that drive our design solutions inspire us to generate new ideas and new approaches every day. We continually critique, advise, debate, and celebrate finding meaningful, dynamic, elegant, and beautiful solutions. Our creativity is a critical resource that BKV Group takes seriously and cultivates intentionally, to ensure our clients’ buildings are perfectly suited to their time, place, and function.
Design Club
BKV Group’s Design Club was formed as a means for all disciplines to explore and share our collective design interests. Sometimes these explorations have been immediately applicable to the practice of architecture: Student housing case studies, Photoshop tutorials, or urban planning documentaries, for example. Other times, these explorations have been more tangential and spontaneous. Either route gives way to inspiration and motivation.
OUR CULTURE
Innovative
BKV Group believes in the power of design to bring about a better future. Our experience is extensive, but it is our focus on innovation that drives our designers past the status quo. All of our market sectors and disciplines are led by designers who are nationally recognized thought leaders in their industry, educating our clients and our peers through seminars, articles, and interviews. We task our leaders with continual research into the ways our clients interact with the built environment, and how the future will impact those interactions. Through this careful study and collaboration with our clients, BKV Group creates innovative buildings that drive positive change in our communities.
Sustainability Committee
The Sustainability Committee establishes goals and processes for integrating innovative sustainable principles into BKV Group projects. We encourage and provide ongoing education and dialogue so that both our internal staff and clients continue to develop their appreciation for sustainability and the innovations and cost-savings it provides clients.
OUR CULTURE
Collaborative
BKV Group’s project management approach allows our staff to engage clients from programming through project closeout, delivering projects on-time and on-budget through open communication, in-depth team workshops, and data-driven decision-making. For us, a successful project is defined by a happy and successful client, and to achieve a true collaborative relationship with shared purpose, we intentionally adopt our clients’ goals as our own and work collaboratively to streamline processes, accelerate key metrics, solve design challenges, improve a client’s bottom line, and increase their brand visibility.
Design Charrette
The purpose of our monthly design charrettes is two-fold: first, to utilize our multi-disciplinary staff to creatively solve design challenges for our clients. Second, the charrettes offer every BKV Group employee the chance to provide design input on our projects. This results in a more robust and thoughtful design for our clients, and enhances the creative culture within BKV Group.
OUR CULTURE
Curious
We often describe ourselves as curious people wanting to do great work on challenging projects. We have a collective drive to learn and push ourselves to new levels of innovation because we want to consistently contribute the most beneficial services and information to our clients. At BKV Group, we commit to the leg work involved with investigating subjects that advance how we construct our living, working, playing, healing, and learning environments. To continually motivate oneself is difficult, but the drive to be thought leaders within our field in order to better serve our clients is what propels us forward as an innately curious company.
Professional Development Committee
The Professional Development Committee empowers each member of BKV Group to be the best they can be. The committee serves the broader firm by identifying opportunities for growth and improving the accessibility of self-improvement. Initiatives spearheaded by the Professional Development committee include the launch of BKV Mentors – our mentorship program spanning geographies and areas of expertise – in addition to the Leadership Forum, BKV Dine, Shout-Out Cards, and public speaking and client interview training.
Authentic
Being authentic, from the BKV Group perspective, is dependent on the level of success a brand has in capturing the attention of our audiences – whether it is telling engaging stories that resonate, or being memorable through a strategic series of brand impressions.
We build our firm’s version of authenticity – or, in other words, our brand – by ensuring that all of the platforms we participate in are consistently aligned to reinforce our brand image to lift us out of the “sea of sameness” amongst our competitors, and the marketplace at-large.
Brand Committee
By establishing a sense of organization and forward-thinking perspective to the BKV Group brand, the Brand Committee is arranged year-to-year into select cohort groups which tackle specific topics and themes under the BKV Group “brand umbrella.” Spurring ahead initiatives with regards to the website, special print material, culture-focused collateral, the new hire experience, student and professional recruitment pieces, merchandise and apparel, as well as assisting with community and external involvements, the Brand Committee collaboratively pushes the BKV Group brand into the future.
OUR CULTURE
Holistic
BKV Group has developed an integrated design approach that effectively leverages our wide array of in-house design disciplines and our diverse market sectors. This stretches our thinking outside of conventional silos and allows our designers to cross-pollinate ideas, applying strategies and tactics developed for a specific building type to other building types not traditionally understood as related. We engage early in projects, helping to define and validate the project’s reason for being and involving a broad conceptualization of project stakeholders. We purposefully expand our design thinking beyond the site constraints to explore impacts and opportunities within the community, and beyond the closeout phase by using lifecycle analysis to plan for the long-term. By widening our vision and giving our designers freedom to think holistically about our projects, our clients receive a solution more deeply rooted in context and more thoroughly prepared for the future.
Our Teams
+ Architecture
+ Interiors
+ Urban Design
+ Landscape
+ Engineering
+ Branding
+ Sustainability
OUR CULTURE
Impactful
Volunteering is integral to what we do and furthers our collective goal of enriching lives and strengthening communities.
BKV Workshop
A design outreach effort whose primary focus lies in the unbridled research and exploration of all areas of design. The BKV Workshop seeks to examine issues and opportunities encountered within our local, national, and global communities that benefit the greater good of the public while simultaneously broadening our firm’s knowledge base, skill sets, and areas of expertise, while also expanding our market potential.
BKV Together
BKV Together is committed to planning and hosting philanthropic events outside of the office to provide support to the local community. Our team of volunteers contributes creativity, “elbow grease,” and passion to benefit the communities where we work and live.
our team
BKV Group cultivates a “One Firm” culture with well-established committees, consistent communication, robust training, and engaging activities to bring us together in a consolidated movement to better ourselves, our colleagues, and our clients.
Chicago
Dallas
Minneapolis
Washington DC
our purpose
We have a legacy of supporting non-profit and mission-driven groups to positively impact their respective communities. ...
Enriching Lives And Strengthening Communities Has Been Our Hallmark
Since 1978
We Believe Passion Is An Output, And We Volunteer
And
Donate
To National
Humanitarian Organizations Throughout The Year
ACE Mentor Program of America
BKV Together is committed to planning and hosting philanthropic events outside of the office to provide support to the local community. Our team of volunteers contributes creativity, “elbow grease,” and passion to benefit the communities where we work and live.
National Organization For Minority Architects
Fostering justice and equity in communities of color through advocacy, professional development, and design excellence.
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
Largest U.S. organization dedicated to championing civil rights for the LGBTQ+ community.
Habitat for Humanity
National program building homes, community, and hope so everyone has a decent place to live.
To Advance These Causes, We Promote
A Culture Of Inclusion
While Mentoring The
Next Generation
Rebuilding Areas Impacted by the Pandemic and Civil Unrest
BKV Group is conducting on-going design outreach initiatives to support AIA Minnesota’s call to “Support Businesses & Communities in Minneapolis & St. Paul Impacted by the Unrest.” This is a significant investment we’ve made to revitalize our communities nationwide which were damaged and impacted from the unrest with volunteering our time and our areas of design expertise
Annual Student Internship Program
Each summer, BKV Group opens positions in each of our practice sites to bring on architecture, interior design, and engineering students to have a three-month apprenticeship within our firm. With a robust mentoring structure, students glean invaluable professional and industry experiences, while having the chance to create an impact on our firm’s future.
Search for Shelter Sponsorship
BKV Group offers pro-bono design time to groups who are in need, helping local and regional affordable housing organizations envision beautiful, innovative design solutions for projects that previously existed only in written form.
Annual Student Scholarship Program
BKV Group supports the education of minority and women students and supports schools within our practice sites by establishing eight (8) BKV funded scholarships for Minority and Women Undergraduate Students. This helps to diversify our industry and engage the next generation of designers. In addition, we offer each student the opportunity to work with our firm during the following summer to gain professional design experience.
our brand
Our brand is our identity, consisting of our name, logo and other visusal designs, mission, and tone of voice that help us distinguish ourselves from others.
Typeface
BKV Group’s primary typefaces are Lora and Lato. Our secondary typeface is Arial – to be used when a system doesn’t include Lora and Lato, and in e-communications if a recipient does not have Lora and Lato installed. BKV Group also uses Gellatio script for an added graphic touch.
Lato Lora Gellatio M oderlin e
AaBaCc
AaBaCc
Color Palette
BKV Group uses a strong, vivid red in contrasts with black, white, and shades of gray. Colors in the secondary palette complement our primary colors. When used with the primary palette, they add energy and suggest movement. Utilized conservatively, the secondary colors accent and highlight significant or specific information.
BKV Group
BKV Mark
our leadership
The collaborative and holistic foundation of BKV Group leads to innovative design and oneof-a-kind solutions as we work hand-in-hand with our clients. We are a composite force of personality and knowledge focused on enriching lives and strengthening communities.
OUR LEADERSHIP
titles + descriptions
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The BOD is made up of nine permanent and rotating elected Partners. The role of the BOD is to provide the firm with active leadership and direction. Permanent members of the BOD represent the Executive Committee (Officers of the firm).
SHAREHOLDERS
Shareholders are the individuals who own firm stock. To own stock, you must be a Partner or Associate Partner.
SENIOR PARTNERS
Partners who are long-term, recognized national industry leaders who provide mentorship and support for key areas in marketing and firm business.
PARTNERS
Professional team members who lead marketing segments or key areas of the business. These individuals have significant responsibilities in client relations, marketing, workplace management, finance, business operations, leadership and culture.
ASSOCIATE PARTNERS
Professional team members who lead or support in marketing practice areas, business operations, and management. These individuals are recognized for their individual area of expertise within the firm and the industry.
SENIOR ASSOCIATES
Senior Associates are professional team members who have shown their dedication and leadership within the firm. These individuals are recognized for contributions to their practice group and growth within the industry.
ASSOCIATES
Associates are professional team members who are recognized for their efforts and potential growth within the firm. These individuals show leadership, initiative, and accept additional responsibilities beyond their job description.
LEADERSHIP TESTIMONIALS
Jack Owen Boarman Senior Design Leader, CEO
“To have clients say we exceeded their expectations and made the process rewarding and successful, is the outcome we seek for every project we design.”
Tell us a little about yourself and career – how did you come to work at BKV Group and why?
I wanted to be involved in innovative, creative and culturally significant projects. To convince clients to hire us because we had the best ideas for their project vision. To lead design multi-disciplinary teams to exceed the clients goals within their budgets.
What has made BKV Group special to you?
I was able to work with many talented design professionals in a collaborative creative team to exceed our clients vision in the best way possible. To, in return, have the clients say we exceeded their expectations and made the process exciting, rewarding and successful. It is not easy to achieve this, but when we do, it makes it all worthwhile.
Please share a story or situation that makes BKV Group what it is today. Has there been a common thread that you feel proud that it still exists today?
In my 38 years we have continued to design through the development of creative options to find the best solution. We seek students and entry level design professionals to work on our design teams to develop options. I have greatly enjoyed the energy of the younger talent and the process of looking at options for our clients’ programs. To discuss its potential with the team and then present the best to the clients. Like in school, everyone comments on the options. And often with good humor as well as constructive advice… more humor at times is needed and encouraged.
What is your favorite BKV Group project? Client? Why?
Honestly there are many to single out. The best are the ones where we were able to do something that was challenging and well received like Blue Apartments, One Southdale Place, The Penfield, The Aspen, Edina City Hall, Fire Station 27 & 28, Minnesota Air National Guard Operations Center, ATS and MTS corporate offices, our courthouses for Freeborn and Pine counties, Security Bank of Bemidji, etc. I feel that each new project will be the best. We have so many clients who genuinely express their appreciation that it is a long list of favorites.
Lois
Nicholas Director of Finance, Senior Partner
“It seems with every challenge or economic bump in the road over the years, we bounced back stronger.”
Tell us a little about yourself and career – how did you come to work at BKV Group and why?
Before moving to the warehouse district, BKV offices were located in the Chamber of Commerce building on 5th Street near the Nicollet Mall. I had just graduated from Business College which happened to be located in that same building. I responded to a job opening at “Boarman Architects” followed by an interview with Jack. His decision making ability was just as quick then and I was asked to start the next day. I requested a day or two to think about it, but started my employment the following Monday — a decision I have never regretted! The position had previously been filled with part time help and I was the first full time admin. support, in addition to six to eight other co-workers. I jumped right in to a very busy environment with tasks including all the receptionist phone duties, typing projects, specs, accounting, assisting with proposals, etc. We quickly began to grow and other admin. support was added. I have many funny memories from that first office, including a phone system with no intercom capability where calls were transferred by yelling down the hall to each other. It worked quite well, with the cooperation of everyone. One day Jack took me to lunch and on a tour of an old building on 1st Street in what I perceived as the “scary” Warehouse District. He soon informed me he was interested in acquiring this old building for our new office. I was shocked and told myself I had to quickly find another job because I had no intention of working in that area of town. I wanted to stay working near the Nicollet Mall. Obviously, I hung on as the excitement of the new office plans developed. This is an example of Jack’s vision and how he could see the potential of this area in the years to come. I am still here and love my job and co-workers!
What has made BKV Group special to you?
I have watched and experienced this firm grow from 6-8 people to 200+ with multiple offices. It seems with every challenge or economic bump in the road over the years, we bounced back stronger. Our market diversity has seen us through many tough economic times. This firm has more talent and personality than you will find anywhere. Being a part of this experience, along with the many wonderful friendships gained, has made BKV Group special to me. The recognition received, trust placed in me, and the countless other rewards have made all the hard work and stressful times worth it.
Please share a story or situation that makes BKV Group what it is today.
I think the commitment to full service, the commitment to maintain diversity, and the hiring of great talent has made BKV Group what it is today.
What is your favorite BKV Group project? Client? Why?
I don’t know if I have a favorite project. Being in my position, I relate to each project differently than those who are intimately involved in the design. My favorite client? That’s easy… those that pay promptly!
Kelly Naylor Interior Design Practice Leader, Senior Partner
“I am most proud of the people who make up this organization and their passion and dedication to the design profession.”
Tell us a little about yourself and career – how did you come to work at BKV Group and why?
I was a Senior in the Interior Design program at the University of Minnesota and was getting ready to graduate in a couple months. I had not yet secured the internship that I was required to complete prior to graduating in five months so I went to talk to my program advisor to let her know that I was looking for an intern position with a local architectural firm. As I was sitting in her office, she received a call from BKV Group, they were looking for an interior design intern. I had an interview the next day and started the day after that. The firm was about 40 people when I started. I felt like I learned more in my first two weeks of working at BKV Group than I had during my entire college career. Being exposed to a variety of projects and working side by side with such a variety of professionals in the industry was both eye opening and exciting.
What has made BKV Group special to you?
I never anticipated staying at one firm for as long as I have but there are so many reasons, I have stayed at BKV Group for over 20 years. From the start of my career I was lucky to work with strong mentors who looked for ways to include me in all aspects of the project. I was involved in programming, space planning, client meetings, team meetings, furniture selection, construction site visits early in my experience at BKV. If you asked to be involved in a certain aspect of a project, you were rarely turned down. As a junior designer, I remember mentioning to Jack Boarman that I thought it would be a great learning opportunity for me to attend an interview with him on an upcoming government project pursuit. Within a couple weeks I attended my first project interview with the team. I was an absolute nervous wreck when I learned I was part of the interview team and not just there to observe as I had initially anticipated. It is extremely rewarding to work at a firm that truly values Interior Design and is deliberate about integrating it into each project.
Please share a story or situation that makes BKV Group what it is today.
I am most proud of the people who make up this organization and their passion and dedication to the design profession. It has been so rewarding for me to be with this firm when it was 40 people and then participate in its growth to over 200 professionals. The entrepreneurial spirit has always been alive at BKV Group and to see a firm weather the ups and downs of the economy and come out stronger than ever is a testament to the drive and dedication within the firm at every level. Working with such a diverse group of people who have varied strengths in business, design, technical skills, technology, creativity and creating connections with our clients is so rewarding.
What is your favorite BKV Group project? Client? Why?
That is kind of like asking if you have a favorite child; I can’t do it.
Mike Krych
Senior Design Leader, Managing Partner (Minneapolis)
“What I have found is that I have been fortunate and privileged to be a part of many once-in-a-lifetime projects.”
Tell us a little about yourself and career – how did you come to work at BKV Group and why?
Well, I am truly a lifer. Here is why: I was looking for an intern job as a second year architecture student at the U, to get experience and pay bills. A colleague of mine mentioned there was a job opening at Boarman and Associates. I pulled together a portfolio, and had an opportunity to interview with none other than Jack Boarman. I arrived in the afternoon at 2011st Street North, walked up the stairs, met Lois at the front desk and she sent me to the conference room. I met with Jack briefly, he looked at my work and decided to hire me. Little did we both know what might lie ahead (at least for me).
My first day I learned how to turn a computer on (colleges didn’t require computer work at the time), and by week’s end, I had designed a kiosk and worked on reflected ceiling plans for the Fridley City Hall (my home town), as well as drafted numerous standard construction details. Already a full-service firm of 16 people (multiple Architects, an Interior Designer, a Mechanical Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Construction Admin Specialist, Finance Administrator and a Marketer), it was also fully computerized, a first for firms in the Twin Cities, all of which shows the vision of what this place could be and the innovative thinking behind it. Every day was exciting, adventurous, and full of new opportunities to learn every aspect of the profession. With this platform, it was easy to see a career path that not only was rewarding, but that could potentially be molded to meet my own personal goals as well.
BKV did not let me down. The creative drive to be better, and the energy and passion of this place has been constant – to excel, to provide the best design and environments as practical and possible, and to build great communities.
What has made BKV Group special to you?
The few things that immediately come to mind are the great mentors, talented people, variety of great projects and clients – big and small – and the full services we have always had.
I have been blessed to be surrounded by such great talent and mentorship. There are so many people that provide guidance and mentoring to me, each in their own way and I was starved to collect as much as each was willing to provide.
The diversity of project types has always been a foundation of this firm to maintain variety, to explore innovative ideas, and to create economic stability. Each can inform the other and it has always been crucial to think about how all the factors weave together. Along with this diversity comes a full array of client types and personalities. The challenge to satisfy individual tastes, to find what makes our clients excited, to meet a budget, while moving the profession ahead
is an art form in and of itself. Having the full services in-house, with each discipline approaching a project with their own expertise, knowledge-base, and personality is one of the most dynamic aspects of this firm. It is easy to roam with people just like ourselves, but to harness a collective approach of very different personalities, thought-processes and strategy into a singular vision is beyond rewarding.
Please share a story or situation that makes BKV Group what it is today.
I happened to run across a box at home, that I had filled from my desk, in hopes of going through and throwing out. In rummaging through said box, I ran across a collection of print outs from a former and missed colleague of ours, Jon Rall, a Construction Admin Specialist. Jon is one of those unique personalities that had a gigantic presence, that made people shiver when he got mad, that would tell you to your face when you needed to pull your weight, that could make an entire room buckle in laughter. He could recite an entire spec off the top of his head including the correct ASTM numbers and chapters, or could whip up a Norman Rockwell-like sketch like a great illustrator. Truly a unique talent.
Well, Jon would often lecture the rest of us colleagues to get our act together so that he wouldn’t always have to clean up our messes, and almost always deserved. However, in the same breath he would lighten our day by leaving copies or emailing lists, such as the ‘meaning of life’ from a toddlers perspective. Many of these would leave me in tears of laughter.
What I have found is that this firm has lots of Jon Ralls. We are all there to help each other out, to tell us what we need to hear, to mentor and look out for each other, to appreciate the camaraderie we have together when taking on very difficult tasks and situations, and to revel in each of our unique talents that combine to make better places.
What is your favorite BKV Group project? Client? Why?
I do not think I can name a single project that is my favorite. One might ask differently, what is that once-in-a-lifetime project that you worked on? What I have found is that I have been fortunate and privileged to be a part of many once-in-a-lifetime projects, each coming with their unique challenges, rewards, and client collaboration that make them special. My approach to most projects is to find what is unique to that project specifically. In that way, they are all interesting. The journey and relationships fostered along the way create the memories. The permanence and the art of the built environment creates the lasting reward.
Tom Daszkiewicz
Director of Operations, Senior Partner
“I’m proud of the mission and values we have here at BKV Group.”
Tell us a little about yourself and career – how did you come to work at BKV Group and why?
From an early age, I knew architecture was my calling. As a young boy I enjoyed being creative and artistic, as many young children are. But I was particularly drawn to imagining a world where I could put my creativity to good use, initially sketching elevation views of buildings in dilapidated states and then producing sketches of the same buildings illustrating how I would remodel/improve the structure with my designs. This passion would become a driving force for me in my future endeavors, and encouraged me to immerse myself in as many creative opportunities as possible. I would eventually go on to pursue architectural studies in college. During that time, I began submitting my designs in competitions on a national level, gaining invaluable experience and recognition. One of my first jobs was as a drafter within a prominent architectural firm. That was the beginning of a career path I had always dreamt of. I would eventually go on to meet Gary Vogel whom welcomed me into this family here at BKV Group.
What has made BKV Group special to you?
BKV Group is special to me for many reasons. One of the main reasons is our holistic approach. We are truly a creative firm due to our in-house design capabilities which is quite unique in this industry. Creativity and passion are highly endorsed here, and I enjoy knowing that there is value in the work I do. Additionally, I am drawn to our genuine sense of family and the support and empowerment each of us experiences here.
Please share a story or situation that makes BKV Group what it is today.
I’m proud of the mission and values we have here at BKV Group. I have always had an unwavering passion to use my creativity in unique ways. BKV Group provides this outlet. Additionally, what BKV Group does well is putting the client first, being forward-thinking, promoting cutting edge design, and constantly improving and growing. These are all honest statements about BKV Group that I hold in high regard.
What is your favorite BKV Group project? Client? Why?
One of my favorite projects is City Club Apartments in Cincinnati. What I like about this project is the historical renovation element. Historical renovations are always intriguing to me because they force me to think outside of the box and get creative with it. I enjoy the challenge, and I love seeing how I can improve these buildings and revitalize the communities the structures reside in.
Emily Rappe
Director of Professional Services, Partner
“I’m proud of the work our employees are involved in across all practice sites.”
Tell us a little about yourself and career – how did you come to work at BKV Group and why?
I grew up in Spokane WA and studied Architecture at Washington State University. After graduation my husband and I lived in Grand Forks ND where I worked as an assistant project manager for a construction company and then in Seattle WA for a small architectural firm before settling in Minneapolis in 2006. Prior to BKV, my architectural background was primarily focused on national retailers, managing projects that included new stores and restaurants as well as hundreds of remodels all over the US and Canada. I spent almost 10 years leading projects at my previous firm and was eventually leading a small team of people where I focused on mentoring, process and quality of projects. I made a giant leap in 2015 to BKV Group to take on my greatest endeavor to date as the Director of Professional Services.
What has made BKV Group special to you?
BKV Group is special to me because I’m one of a fairly small number of people at our firm that knows virtually every employee in the company. My role involves interviewing and hiring our great team members. It’s a pretty wonderful opportunity to have a hand in shaping the culture of our practice sites with the great people at BKV…and we very recently hit the exciting mark of 200 employees!
Please share a story or situation that makes BKV Group what it is today.
I’m proud of the work our employees are involved in across all practice sites with their participation in various committees that we have, as well as our ongoing monthly newsletter updates. It’s a wonderful way for our people to connect across our firm about initiatives that they share a mutual passion for. Our committees are engaged in topics ranging from culture, brand, communication and professional development, to sustainability, drawing standards, and community outreach volunteer opportunities. Most importantly we have a partnership group that supports these important initiatives that we’re all passionate about.
What is your favorite BKV Group project? Client? Why?
My favorite BKV Group project – I don’t actually have one. I am so proud of the work that we do at BKV Group, and am thrilled to support our team members as we continue forward with our passion of enriching lives and strengthening communities. I look forward to supporting everyone at BKV for many years to come as we continue in these pursuits!
Robert Muller
Senior Design Leader, Managing Partner (Chicago)
“BKV has a collaborative spirit that cannot be found in many architecture firms.”
Tell us a little about yourself and career – how did you come to work at BKV Group and why?
In more than twenty years working as an architect in Chicago, I’ve had the opportunity to learn from some of the premier designers in the city. I’ve focused my career on design leadership and BKV Group was in need of a design leader for the Chicago office. BKV has a great track record of strong design work and it was an opportunity for me to continue to learn and grow while offering insight from my own experience. I felt that my skill set would dovetail very nicely with BKV’s established capabilities.
What has made BKV Group special to you?
BKV has a collaborative spirit that cannot be found in many architecture firms. There is a genuine respect for all individuals and their contributions to our projects. This extends to the engineers, interior designers and landscape architects as well. My personal experience has been a sense of inclusivity, dedication, thoughtfulness and talent from everyone I’ve worked with.
Please share a story or situation that makes BKV Group what it is today.
BKV Group has the unique DNA of a holistic practice. The experience of having the entire design team readily available makes for a streamlined design process. In addition to our holistic identity, we are one firm working across several offices. My interactions with our team around the country are as seamless and effective as within the Chicago office.
What is your favorite BKV Group project? Client? Why?
My favorite BKV project is the next one. We are constantly striving to do better work, learning and growing with each project that we design. I’m optimistic about our future.
Kyler Queen
Director of Marketing & Business Development, Partner
“I’m proud of the work our employees are involved in across all practice sites.”
Tell us a little about yourself and career – how did you come to work at BKV Group and why?
My career spans a few different realms beginning with working in advertising as an account manager, to obtaining my Master of Arts in Interior Design degree, to freelancing as a graphic designer and content producer, to spearheading the founding office of an international architecture and design firm by uniquely merging my marketing and design background. From there, I desired a new challenge and that’s when BKV Group came calling. Upon meeting with the Partners and others, I saw infinite potential for BKV Group to grow as a firm and as a brand, and I wanted to help shepherd and accelerate that evolution as BKV Group looked to expand upon and leverage it’s emerging reputation in the marketplace.
What has made BKV Group special to you?
The civility and kindness of the firm’s leadership was what first struck me. During our “courtship” period, I was looking for things that might dissuade me from joining the firm since I was in a steady and fulfilling place in my previous firm, but it turned out that the more I poked and prodded around and in speaking with the Partners and visiting the offices that I observed a clear alignment between me and the firm’s foundational ethos (i.e. passion, creativity, collaboration, innovation, curiosity, authenticity, and empathy), in addition to seeing how I could create a positive impact on its future.
Please share a story or situation that makes BKV Group what it is today.
I have a unique perspective in having just joined the firm in 2018, allowing me to see the extraordinary things we do day-to-day which might be viewed as commonplace for someone who’s been here 20 or 30 years (a testament to the firm’s character that we can even say that multiple people have been here that long). The harmonious way our firm operates in providing a holistic suite of services is amazing, and I tangibly observe the impact of that success with our clients. Often, we are described as “the best kept secret in town” and that is not because of praise we preclude ourselves from, but because of the steady amount of influential work we’ve completed, and committed focus we have on achieving the highest level of client satisfaction possible.
What is your favorite BKV Group project? Client? Why?
My favorite client is BKV Group! The “client” the larger marketing team and I serve are the individuals that comprise our uniquely holistic practice, and it’s our people and our brand who I am most interested in working with to continually advance and evolve in order to connect with trailblazing clients, craft a bulletproof reputation in the marketplace, and, of course, “enrich lives and strengthen communities” across the world.
Mark Harris Senior Design Leader, Partner
“I was impressed with the high level of design and the multidisciplinary approach of BKV.”
Tell us a little about yourself and career – how did you come to work at BKV Group and why?
My wife and I both attended University of Illinois, where we met. When my wife completed her PHD, she received an offer from General Mills in Minneapolis. I then interviewed at a number of architectural firms in Minneapolis including BKV Group. I was impressed with the high level of design and the multi-disciplinary approach of BKV. My previous firm also had engineering in-house and I liked that BKV had the same. The wide array of project types and the attention to high level of design is what tipped the scales towards BKV in my employment search.
What has made BKV Group special to you?
As noted above, the multi-disciplinary approach and the desire to strengthen communities through excellent/responsible design is a big reason why my time at BKV Group has been special.
Also, over the past 14 years, I have had the opportunity to work with a great croup of colleagues. Working on fast-paced developer driven projects with a group of professionals that really care about the impact our work has on the community has been special. I have developed some valuable friendships during my time at BKV Group, which has made my time here even more special.
Please share a story or situation that makes BKV Group what it is today.
I think a recent trip to a Senior Housing conference stands out in my memory. The conference took place in New Orleans over Halloween in 2019. The trip was special, both due to the opportunity to meet with current and potential clients in New Orleans, where the culture and architectural is so memorable. Also, had an opportunity to spend time and bond with colleagues in this great location. One of my peers, who was on this trip, recently passed away, and looking back on this trip and the memories we shared make it very special.
What is your favorite BKV Group project? Client? Why?
I think the recently completed Senior Living projects for our client Anthology Senior Living (formerly CA Ventures Senior Living) are some of the most memorable projects during my time at BKV Group. These include Anthology Tuckahoe and Anthology Midlothian (both projects located in Richmond, VA). The reason is that these recent projects represent the culmination of 5 years of effort to build a strong senior housing legacy and portfolio in the Chicago office. The projects have been very successful both from a design/drawing execution standpoint, but also, we have “hit our stride” regarding delivering projects that meet our client’s development goals while also making continuous QA improvements. The projects have gone very smoothly in Construction Administration phase, which is a true sign of a well delivered set of documents.
Chris Palkowitsch
Senior Design Leader, Partner
“I really enjoy urban design projects with challenging programmatic requirements.”
Tell us a little about yourself and career – how did you come to work at BKV Group and why?
I am passionate about architecture and design, and thus, after graduate school, I was drawn to BKV Group by its diversity and breadth of portfolio and their new concept of “Lifestyle Living.” This concept has now been around for 15+ years but it still creates vibrant neighborhood integrated projects that are corner stones to their neighborhoods. I truly enjoy the challenge of creating high-quality and innovative architecture through a client-focused, collaborative process, and I strongly believe that BKV’s holistic process elevates good designs to great designs!
What has made BKV Group special to you?
The people and their passion is what I enjoy most about BKV Group. Early in my career, I created strong bonds and great comradery with my co-workers, and those bonds have grown into some of life-long friendships. As I continue to progress in my career at BKV Group, it’s the passion and dedication of the professionals that I work with that excites me to come every day. I’ve now worked at BKV Group a majority of career and could not imagine it any other way. I also value the entrepreneurial spirit of the company because if you are determined and hard-working, you will succeed at BKV Group.
Please share a story or situation that makes BKV Group what it is today.
There are a number of little things that I’ve learned through the years by observing our founder, Jack Boarman, that have really inspired me. Early in my career at the start of a client kick-off meeting for a new project, Jack walked into the room and he already knew every person at the table – including all the consultants. You could see the reassurance in the client’s eyes that they had made the right choice in architect. Another learning experience for me at BKV group is knowing to put the headphones down and really take in what is going on around you. Much can be learned from observing how various situations and challenges are resolved on a daily basis.
What is your favorite BKV Group project? Client? Why?
I really enjoy urban design projects with challenging programmatic requirements. It feels like I’m working to solve a very difficult puzzle, and it is always highly rewarding once the team and I have worked through the challenge and found harmony between the function and aesthetics of the project. A few of my projects like this in the Twin Cities area are Abiitan Mill City, The Walkway Uptown, and The Penfield.
Chad Kurdi
Electrical Engineering Discipline Lead, Partner
“BKV is making a positive difference in people’s lives.”
Tell us a little about yourself and career – how did you come to work at BKV Group and why?
I was born & raised in Jerusalem. I was wiring homes with my cousins when I was a teenager. This wiring experience made me love the electrical field. I went to school, finished my B.SC. EE degree, and worked for two years. My wife & I met in a hiking group in the Holy Land. She happens to be from a small town in central Minnesota and that is how I ended up in this wonderful State.
I worked at Associated Consultants Engineers (SEH now), Ellerbe Becket/AECOM, Short Elliot Hendriksen (SEH) and Dunwoody College of Technology. After teaching & leading the electrical department (electrical engineering designers & electricians) at Dunwoody for 12 years and raising my three wonderful children, I was ready to get back to engineering building. BKV gave me the opportunity to lead our electrical group. I did not know much about BKV before I joined it. After spending almost 8 years here, what a ride! With our group, I engineered over 300 projects in over 20 states.
I am currently a registered PE Engineer in 35 States & Class A Master Electrician in MN. I love our electrical industry where I serve as BKV board member, NCEL board member, Chair of IEEE Twin Cities Chapter, and President of IAEI Minnesota Chapter. I am also a former MN Board of Electricity member. Over the years I received many industry awards that I am proud of: Special Contribution to Industry Award (EA 2017), Exceptional Contribution to Industry Award (EA 2012), Industry Partnership Award (EA 2009), President’s Award for Teaching Excellence (Dunwoody 2007) & Director’s Award for Outstanding Achievement (Dunwoody 2003). 11 years ago, I created “Electrical Professional” YouTube Channel with 804 videos; 1400 hours; 19,000 subscribers; and 2.6 million views.
What has made BKV Group special to you?
BKV values and my values are in sync. BKV is making a positive difference in people’s lives. We provide homes for people and buildings for their government. BKV is where engineers are made! We have multiple projects for multiple clients in many jurisdictions with fast schedule and limited fees which is a big challenge that real engineers enjoy!
Please share a story or situation that makes BKV Group what it is today. Every building that we engineer is a story. When I drive around the cities with my family, I proudly point to the beautiful building that we engineered.
What
is your
favorite BKV Group project? Client? Why?
Piazza Terminal is the largest engineering project that I ever done! We used Medium Voltage Systems to power a complex multi building compound. My favorite client is Dominium. Very humble & professional group of people to work for. I engineered over 60 building for them. A Mill was one of them. A Mill is a marvelous building and an incredible engineering monument. I am so Proud of being part of the team that engineered the Hydro-Turbine & the heat pumps which power the building.
Liza Kapisak
Director of Interior Design (Minneapolis), Partner
“I love that I get to have a strong impact on people’s lives and make a difference in communities.”
Tell us a little about yourself and career – how did you come to work at BKV Group and why?
I attended college at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities for Interior Design with a minor in Architecture. Being educated in both degrees I knew that I wanted to work at a multi-discipline design firm. I had the opportunity to work at different Twin Cities’ design firms; but found that the variety in project types were limited. When the opportunity to start at BKV came about I was most excited about the holistic value and varied project sectors the firm had. With BKV as a leader in housing and creating innovated design solutions I knew this was the right fit for me and somewhere I could call home for my career. I find that each opportunity to work on different project types and teams allows us to learn from each other, expanded my knowledge and ideas which I can bring forward to other projects. BKV really encompasses all those ideals I had as a young college student of a design firm.
What has made BKV Group special to you?
The people! We have such wonderful staff that are passionate and collaborative about our work it makes coming to the office everyday fun. Leadership works alongside teams and they want the best for you to pursue your goals.
Please share a story or situation that makes BKV Group what it is today.
On my first day staff in all offices went out of their way to introduce themselves and make me feel welcome, offering a helping hand for anything that I might need. This motivated me to join our culture committee to continue to foster connections in our office knowing the positive impact it had on my beginning at BKV.
What is your favorite BKV Group project? Client? Why?
My favorite project type has been affordable housing with senior housing a close second. I love that I get to have a strong impact on people’s lives and make a difference in communities. Every project has unique challenges that need to be solved while providing high design to meet resident’s needs. Going back to finished projects and hearing that the residents and staff of these building are proud to call them home is the best feeling and makes me so proud to say I get to do this every day.
Susan Morgan Education
and Library Practice Leader, Partner
“Through volunteering and firm-matched employee fundraising, we give back to causes aligned with our mission and value.”
Tell us a little about yourself and career – how did you come to work at BKV Group and why?
I am originally from Minneapolis but practiced in Boston for more than a decade after attending graduate school there. The choice to come back to Minnesota was two-fold: seeking a healthier work-life balance, and seeking greater leadership and growth opportunities. Those same two reasons brought me in the door at BKV: I’ve found an environment where creative collaboration happens daily, where we care about each other and the communities we serve, and where I have the opportunity to support my firm, my projects, and our clients using the breadth of my skills and passion.
What has made BKV Group special to you?
BKV is a firm where we do far more than punch a clock: through BKV Workshop, emerging professionals lead project teams that nurture positive community impacts through pro-bono work; through volunteering and firm-matched employee fundraising, we give back to causes aligned with our mission and values; through both formal and informal mentorship, I am able to support and nurture emerging professionals across disciplines and practice sites.
Please share a story or situation that makes BKV Group what it is today. What resonates most strongly with me is BKV’s history of repeat work – everything from studies that lead directly into design projects to renovations of our own work from a decade or two past. That throughway with our clients is evidence of our thoughtful approach to design and of our relationship-based approach to service.
What is your favorite BKV Group project? Client? Why?
I have favorites for different reasons: there are projects where design collaboration has had powerful momentum, there are projects where client collaboration is seamless and mutually respectful, there are projects with significant community impact – either in bringing resources to underserved areas, or by providing transformative outcomes, and there are favorites where I’m proud of our team’s ingenuity in solving what appear to be insurmountable challenges in design or construction.
Mathew
Nugent Senior Project Manager, Partner
“I like to think of BKV Group as my work family, where we respect and care for one another.”
Tell us a little about yourself and career – how did you come to work at BKV Group and why?
I accepted an interview with BKV Group, thinking I would meet with an HR Director or a single partner as that was how most of my previous interviews were constructed. To my surprise, I met with 6 partners, and we spoke for a long time about immediate and future goals for the firm. What stood out was how much they liked where they were worked, but they also didn’t “soft sell me” and instead gave a very honest and real-life depiction of the day-to-day responsibilities. The next day I got a call asking about a follow-up interview as some partners couldn’t be present and wanted to meet me, so you can safely say I was thoroughly vetted – and for good reason – because 13 years later I am still here.
What has made BKV Group special to you?
I could talk about the challenging work, or the open collaborative work place, but the main reason I came to BKV Group was that I was looking for a home. I had changed firms several times in my early career, but when I came here, I saw how much this place meant to the people, and I knew my wandering days were over and I had found my home.
Please share a story or situation that makes BKV Group what it is today.
In looking from the outside, BKV Group may appear like controlled chaos. We have an open and dynamic environment that really works for us. Growing up in a large family with a lot of interaction, I think of BKV as my “work family”, where we can be open and free in interactions but there is always respect and care for each other.
What is your favorite BKV Group project? Client? Why?
That’s like picking one child as my favorite! One project that will probably always be at the top of my list is the Schmidt Brewery Historic Renovation. For me, the role of the architect is that of a problem-solver and puzzle master, and there has been no project where that definition has been more applicable. The historic brewery was set up for the conveyance of beer through its process and people were only there to serve that process. Therefore, floors were not connected laterally, forcing you to go up to down all in the dark. Solving the puzzle of the different levels to determine circulation was a challenge – for instance, the 3rd floor on one side of the complex is more than 10 feet higher than the opposite side. How we achieved accessibility without destroying the historic fabric of the structure was one of many puzzles that needed to be solved. I and a great team of architects spent most of one entire year mapping out the massive complex mostly in the dark as many chambers didn’t have windows because there weren’t accurate drawings of any of the buildings. We froze in the winter, baked in the summer, but thoroughly loved every minute. Then we had to take all that information and create drawings that a contractor could use to price and start construction. I say “start” because once we got going, every piece had to be review and re-reviewed as we opened up six to eight foot more than the century-old walls, removed brewing tanks to add lighting to spaces that had been left to the not so tender care of the Minnesota climate. The complex has 254 affordable artists units – each and every one uniquely designed to fit the actual space it resides in. Modern architectural practice has largely limited architects being on-site during the construction process, but in major historic renovations like this we get to practice “old school architecture” by working on-site with the contractors to create and complete a puzzle masterpiece the gives new life to a structure that is the heart and soul of the neighborhood it inhabits.
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