Deborah Berke Partners

Deborah Berke Partners is an architecture and interior design practice that, for over thirty years, has made true-to-place projects around the country and the world. Each member of their design leadership possesses a deep and distinct area of expertise; together they create projects with unprecedented programs and unexpected architectural expression. Over time, they have built a wide range of experience in projects for colleges and universities, cultural institutions, private residences, boutique hotels, office and multifamily developments, and buildings for mission-driven clients.

Current Job Openings

Architecture

Professional II Designer
New York

Senior Professional
New York

Business Development

Business Development Manager
New York

Would you like to know how to get in touch with mentors, what architects are looking for in an intern, what career paths you can take, how to follow your interests or anything else?

Ask us here! We can turn it into a new discussion that’s open to our network so you get the full benefit of hearing from your peers and mentors.

Earlier this Fall Places Journal published Architectural Workers, a conversation with Peggy Deamer, architect, professor, and cofounder of The Architecture Lobby. The Architecture Lobby is an organization of architectural workers advocating for the value of the architectural discipline to the general public, by advocating for labor rights within the profession. In this thought provoking interview, Peggy speaks on what inspired her to start the Architecture Lobby and her philosophy of what it means to be an architectural worker.

Next week, on November 9th, we will be joined by Peggy Deamer, Vivian Lee and Robert Lopez, who will lead the discussion during our seminar. Peggy, Vivian and Robert each have unique stories and contributions to the practice that we look forward to hearing about.

If you haven’t already, register to join us on November 9th.

Also, we would love to hear from you; what does being an architectural worker mean to you? Share in the comments.

Last Spring we were honored to have Elizabeth Graziolo join us as a mentor and share the story of starting her own practice, Yellow House Architects (YHA), after a successful career and partnership at Peter Pennoyer Architects. Yellow House Architects was only a few months old at the time, but from the time YHA opened its doors the practice has been busy with work, has stayed busy, and has even expanded through the pandemic.

This Fall Madame Architect featured Elizabeth in a wonderful article exploring her interests, inspiration, career path and words for the younger generation of women architects.

Agile and Unhindered: Yellow House Architects' Elizabeth Graziolo on Working All Over the World and Venturing Off on Her Own

by Julia Gamolina

We are pleased to announce a new feature on our forum: the Design Excellence Feature will highlight projects from mentors in our community. Projects will showcase notable design that has often been recognized in publications and/or with awards.

We want you to get to know even more about our mentors through their impressive portfolios of work.

We are kicking off the Design Excellence Feature with Desai Chia Architecture, who has been recognized in Dwell and Interior Design this year for their design of the Ledge House, and have received the Honor Award in the 2020 Residential Design Architecture Awards for their collaboration with Environment Architects on the Michigan Lake House.

Desai Chia is run by Katherine Chia, FAIA and Arjun Desai, AIA. Together they have established the firm’s reputation for authentic design, creating inspiring environments expressive of their use and materials. We recently spoke with Katherine about the designs of the Ledge House and Michigan Lake House as well as the recent recognition and accolades these projects have received. Katherine shared,

“The designs for both the Michigan Lake House and the Ledge House evolved from a study of the local ecology, natural and vernacular features embedded in the region, and the client’s lifestyle and aspirations for the project. Each project had a “muse” that influenced the relationship of the architecture to the surrounding environment.”

In the Ledge House, the muse was an existing boulder- a prehistoric “glacial erratic” that was deposited along the ledge hundreds of thousands of years ago when the glaciers formed the Appalachian Mountains. The Ledge House was built tight to the boulder which became a rugged companion to the house and presides over the uphill forest views.

In the Michigan Lake House, the muse was the property’s steep bluff overlooking Lake Michigan-- we designed the form of the roof to capture and divert stormwater away from the bluff, preventing erosion along this vulnerable precipice.

Katherine will lead the discussion, along with Nadia Jarrett, in our January 21, 2021 Mentoring Seminar, where Katherine will discuss how work in the field is the best teacher.

If you haven’t already registered, you can register here.