JOEL BERMAN PROFILE
Joel Berman, Licensed Architect, State of Illinois
Joel Berman, ALA, has had his own architectural practice since the spring of 2002. In that time Joel Berman Architecture & Design, Ltd. has designed and executed a 5200 sf home in Glenview, added numerous additions to existing homes, designed five retail spaces (including a new 8,000 sf Brown Elephant Store and In Fine Spirits Wine Shop, both at Balmoral & Clark in Chicago), and produced capital studies with detailed cost analysis of the Little Theater at Near North Montessori School and the Shambhala Meditation Center of Greater Chicago. Prior to establishing his own practice, Joel worked at VOA Associates in Chicago for seven years, in the role of project manager and project architect of institutional buildings, including but not limited to: 71,000 SF Brandel Library at North Park University (Chicago), $13,000,000; 8,000 SF Viking Hall Renovation at North Park University (Chicago), $800,000; the 40,000 SF Rose Hulman Center for Technology for Research with Industry (Terra Haute, IN), $5,600,000; 80,000 SF Arie Crown Theater Restoration (Chicago), $7.5 million.
Additionally, Joel has extensive experience in retail, institutional master planning, and health care projects. Joel has proven leadership and communication skills; experience working with government entities, including the Chicago Planning and Building departments and the Chicago Park District; proven experience in managing complex large construction projects; and experience in a broad range of digital applications, including web based construction administration.
COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE:
Adjunct Faculty, Columbia College Chicago, 1997 to present.
Teach Sketching, Color Theory, and Architectural Detailing to MFA Interior Design and Interior Architecture students.
Instructor, Chicago Architectural Foundation Adult Education Department, 2005:
How to Sketch Like an Architect, a six week course teaching student how to sketch the built environment.
Active Member/Volunteer, Chicago Architectural Foundation, 1992 to present.
Serve on Newhouse Architecture Competition Committee and Newhouse Program Subcommittee, 1995 to present; mentor students, program the competition, teach students and high school teachers at workshops; and give studio crits to architecture students at Chicago's Roberto Clemente High School.
Artist in Residence, Cliff Dwellers, 2000.
Selected by the private club to collaborate with other young artists, including musicians, actors, sculptors, dancers, painters, and graphic artists; created three collaborative exhibitions with other artists 2000-2001. Active club member since 2001.
Instructor, Art Institute of Chicago: Seeing the City,
Students Sketch Chicago, spring 1997.
Worked with five Chicago Public High School students to explore the Art Institute, sketch Chicago's downtown, and investigate the relationship between sketching and architecture.
Founder and President, MOSAIC Outdoor Club of Chicago, 2002-2005.
Founded the Chicago chapter of a non-profit group organizing active, outdoor, and environmental activities.. Appointed an all volunteer board; drafted bylaws; coordinated creation of a membership database, website, events scheduling, and public relations.
If you would like to pursue your own architectural project, please phone Joel Berman at 773.275.5968, or send an e-mail with questions about an architecture project.
