Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Transforming Spaces Through Human-Centered Design
Since 1922, BWBR Architects has been dedicated to creating exceptional environments that enhance how people live, work, heal, learn, and connect. Our team of over 175 professionals specializes in commercial architecture, interior design, planning, and research, with a focus on human-centered spaces that prioritize functionality and sustainability. With offices in Saint Paul, Madison, and Omaha, we serve clients nationwide through a culture rooted in equity, flexibility, and community. Our approach combines decades of experience with innovative design solutions tailored to the unique needs of healthcare, education, science and technology, and civic sectors. We believe great design emerges from collaboration, curiosity, and a deep understanding of how spaces impact human performance.Our commitment to sustainability is evident in projects like the Carleton College Student Health and Counseling Center and the Sandhills Global Technology Center for STEM Education. By leveraging FSC-certified wood and other eco-conscious materials, we create environments that support both people and the planet. Our multidisciplinary team works across markets to deliver spaces that reflect organizational missions while addressing evolving industry challenges. From behavioral health facilities to high-tech laboratories, we prioritize safety, dignity, and holistic well-being in every project. With a legacy spanning a century, we continue to push boundaries in architectural design while maintaining our core values of trust, transparency, and client partnership.
Services
Commercial Architecture
Interior Design
Sustainability Consulting
Code Compliance
Research Planning
Details
- Year established: 1922
Highlights and features
- We offer century-spanning expertise in commercial architecture and design
- Our human-centered approach prioritizes user experience in every project
- Commitment to sustainability through FSC-certified materials and practices
- Multidisciplinary team serves diverse markets including healthcare and education
- Flexible working model ensures client-focused collaboration nationwide
Services
Commercial Architecture
Our commercial architecture services create functional, sustainable spaces for businesses and institutions. We specialize in healthcare facilities, educational campuses, and corporate environments that enhance user experience. Our century-long expertise ensures designs meet evolving industry standards while reflecting organizational missions.
Interior Design
We craft interior environments that optimize workflow and well-being across healthcare, education, and corporate sectors. Our designs balance aesthetics with practicality, incorporating sustainable materials and universal accessibility principles. Each project emphasizes creating spaces that support organizational goals and user needs.
Sustainability Consulting
Our sustainability consultants help clients achieve environmental goals through material selection and energy-efficient design. We specialize in FSC-certified wood applications and LEED certification processes. Services include lifecycle analysis and carbon footprint reduction strategies for new and existing buildings.
Code Compliance
We ensure projects meet all local, state, and federal regulations through comprehensive code consulting. Our experts navigate complex requirements for healthcare facilities, laboratories, and public buildings. Services include accessibility compliance and safety standard implementation across all project phases.
Research Planning
Our research planning services inform evidence-based design decisions through occupant behavior analysis and performance metrics. We apply findings to optimize space utilization in educational institutions and healthcare facilities. This approach ensures designs meet documented user needs and operational requirements.
People
Terri Ulrick
President, CEO
Terri leads BWBR's strategic vision with over 25 years of architectural experience. She champions equitable design practices and sustainable innovation while maintaining the firm's century-long commitment to human-centered spaces. Her leadership emphasizes client collaboration and community impact.
Melanie Baumhover
Principal, Director
Melanie oversees project delivery excellence across BWBR's markets. With expertise in healthcare architecture, she focuses on creating healing environments that balance technical requirements with patient dignity. Her work emphasizes stakeholder engagement throughout the design process.
Greg Fenton
Education Practice Leader
Greg specializes in educational facility design with 20+ years of experience. He develops learning environments that support evolving pedagogies and student well-being. His leadership in campus master planning addresses contemporary challenges in higher education infrastructure.
Ryan Johansen
Healthcare Practice Leader
Ryan directs BWBR's healthcare design initiatives, focusing on patient-centered care models. He combines clinical insights with architectural innovation to create spaces that improve healthcare outcomes. His expertise includes behavioral health facility design and safety standards implementation.
Nate Roisen
Science + Tech Practice Leader
Nate leads design for complex science and technology facilities. His work addresses biosafety requirements in BSL-3 laboratories while optimizing spaces for innovation. He emphasizes human factors in high-tech environments, ensuring designs support both research and workforce well-being.
Questions
What architectural services does BWBR offer?
We provide commercial architecture, interior design, sustainability consulting, code compliance, and research planning services for healthcare, education, science and technology, and civic sectors.
How long has BWBR been in business?
Since 1922, we've delivered architectural solutions across the United States, combining century-spanning expertise with contemporary design innovations.
What sustainability practices do you employ?
We prioritize FSC-certified wood, energy-efficient systems, and LEED certification processes. Our sustainability consulting includes lifecycle analysis and carbon footprint reduction strategies for all building types.
How do you approach healthcare facility design?
Our healthcare design focuses on patient-centered care models, incorporating safety standards and behavioral health considerations. We create healing environments that support both clinical needs and human dignity.
What geographic areas do you serve?
While headquartered in Saint Paul with offices in Madison and Omaha, we serve clients nationwide through our flexible working model and virtual collaboration tools.
