Berliner & Associates 5976 Washington Blvd. Culver City, CA 90232 310-838-2100

At Berliner and Associates Architecture (BAA) our goal is to create buildings and spaces that enhance our client's lives and their unique culture and goals. Founded in 1996, BAA has provided quality services to clients throughout Southern California. During that time we have developed solid partnerships with our clients through shared creativity and vision.

We are a full-service design firm with expertise in Master Planning, Architecture, Interior Design, and Environmental Graphics. In addition, we integrate our expertise in the areas of sustainable design, LEED compliance, and ADA compliance.

Every design we create is deeply rooted in the functional and programmatic needs of our clients and the context in which the project fits. Whether the project is a new structure or a renovation, we make great efforts to understand the existing structures, environment, and needs of our clients as a starting point from which the design may evolve.

This results in an understandable, consensus-building process through the collaboration of all of the team members. Using our design sensibilities and experience in creating successful design solutions, we are able to incorporate the diverse needs and visions of a community into a cohesive, functional, and successful environment that reflects the dreams of our clients.

Richard Berliner - Richard grew up in New York City where his love of cities and buildings evolved over many years of walking around the city and admiring buildings and spaces. Always fascinated with the history of buildings and how people use them, Richard attended Rhode Island School of Design and received a Bachelor of Architecture in 1979. His apprenticeship was spent designing public and private buildings, master plans and interiors at large firms in Los Angeles. Working with our clients to understand their needs and dreams, Richard, along with the design team, develops solutions that grow from how people will live in buildings and spaces over their lifetime. Richard believes that architectural style is one tool to express people's dreams and that the essence of architecture is in the order, space and light that evolve from understanding clients and how they will live in the spaces we create. Richard is a LEED-accredited professional.
Mike Frey - Mike, a Northern California native, began his interest in building as a boy while working on projects with his father. He began working in computer-aided drafting in the early eighties, which led him into systems management for a large San Francisco firm. Mike moved to Los Angeles in 1985 to focus on architecture. While working for a large architectural firm he met Richard Berliner and together they founded Berliner and Associates Architecture in 1996. Mike is a project architect with over 24 years of technical expertise producing Construction Documents. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife Anne. Mike is a LEED-accredited professional and a licensed California Architect.
Brooke Borden - Brooke Borden joined Berliner and Associates in 2009. She received her Bachelor's of Arts in Architecture and Fine Arts and Bachelor's of Architecture degrees from Rice University in Houston, Texas. Upon graduation she won a traveling fellowship that gave her the opportunity to travel Europe for three months and see monumental architecture first hand. Prior to joining Berliner, she worked in Georgia, New Jersey, and North Carolina designing commercial, education, religious and community buildings. Brooke relocated to California in 2006. She is LEED accredited and licensed in North Carolina. Brooke loves the complex challenges of architectural practice and enjoys team based collaborations to design architecture for the every day. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and their two children.
Jenneffer Burgos - Jenneffer is a designer/ architect. She received her BA degree in Interior Architecture at Woodbury University, Burbank, California, in 2004. She is a NCIDQ-accredited interior designer and is LEED certified as well. Jenneffer joined the Berliner and Associates team in 2006 after working in Santa Barbara for a short time. Her passion is to be involved in more projects that help advance disadvantaged communities by building better schools and facilities. Her passion is to keep learning about new technologies as well as new ways of seeing architecture and interiors.
Marco Excudero - Marco became interested in architecture because it was a field that allowed him to be creative and rational at the same time, something between a designer and an engineer. He completed his six-year architectural degree at the University of Santiago de Chile. After he received his degree he went on to receive a certificate in Restoration of Historical Centers at UISEK and a certificate in Real Estate Appraisal at the Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile. Marco started his career working for Pascal Cheetham Architects for two years, primarily designing hotels. In September of 2007, he moved to California to marry his wife, and to start his career here in the U.S. Marco has been working for Berliner and Associates since June 2008 and is currently working on revalidating his architectural degree and is LEED-accredited.
Michelle Paige Ford - After receiving an AA in Interior Design from Santa Monica College's regional Interior Design Program, Michelle's focus was on residential design before joining Berliner & Associates Architecture in 2000. Now with over 10 years experience working in the field of architectural interiors in a variety of capacities, her body of work includes interior environments for various projects including commercial, mixed use buildings, retail, private residences, educational facilities, and multi-unit housing projects. She has a National Interior Design certification through the NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualifications), and is a USGBC/LEED Accredited Professional. Designing with sustainability as a motivation and by selecting green materials are a frequent practice. She is a native to California, and for her whole life Michelle has had an interest and concern for the health of the environment. The current Green Building movement and the growing popularity of Sustainable Design and Eco-friendly Architecture have been a great inspiration.
Lautaro Galvez - Lautaro decided to become an architect at the age of 12 after making basic architectural plans and models for an assignment in school. He studied architecture at University of Santiago Chile and graduated in 2002. Besides architecture his interests include traveling and photography, which have taken him all over the Americas. He and his wife moved to California in May of 2003 and he joined Berliner and Associates 3 months later. Since then he has worked on a broad range of educational and commercial projects. He and his wife welcomed their first baby in 2007. He is LEED-accredited and working to get licenced in California.
Mark Hembree - Mark inherited his interest in drawing and architecture from his designer - builder father, whose career spanned the Southern California building boom. At The University of California, San Diego he obtained Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Visual Arts and Literature. After graduation, he was persuaded to pursue architecture through inspiring visits to the studio of a friend who was enrolled in a design program. He was accepted into the School of Architecture at The University of California, Los Angeles, and graduated with a Masters degree in 1992. Since graduation, Mark has worked at a number of Southern California design firms, working on a broad range of residential, educational, entertainment, and commercial projects. Mark is a LEED-accredited professional and lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Micky, and their two children.
Mike Kreski - Michael Kreski, an East Coast native, came to Los Angeles after receiving a degree in Industrial Design from Rhode Island School of Design and has subsequently worked in the areas of architecture, planning and environmental graphics. His interest in urban design and the creation of public space has led to his involvement as lead designer in projects ranging from entertainment/retail centers, transit-oriented mixed-use developments, and signage programs for major airports. Before joining BAA in 2004, Michael was instrumental in the planning and design of the Las Vegas Monorail and the Chinatown Station of the Los Angeles Metro Gold Line, both of which were seen as catalysts for generating new urban development in their surrounding areas. His work is characterized by its attention to the "personal" details of large-scale developments which bring color, interest, and variety to the daily life of the prople who use them. Michael is a LEED-accredited professional.
Lori Odino - Though Lori exhibited a talent for design at a very young age, when she built a Barbie house out of cardboard and furniture for it out of Kleenex boxes, her early career was more academic than artsy. She received her BA in Psychology from UCLA and her MBA in Financial Management from USC. She subsequently worked for various companies, including Hughes Aircraft, CBS and Hilton Hotels. For her first job in the design world she managed a small architectural firm and served as its interior designer, while attending the UCLA Interior and Environmental Design Program at night. After a long, successful and very fun career in interiors, Lori has returned to her business roots as office manager for BAA. In her free time she is a community activist, takes ballet and yoga, and helps her friends with their paint colors.
Robert Russo - Playing with Legos at a young age, Robert's interest was to create architecture. He went on to study at UC Santa Cruz where he graduated with an Individual Major in Architecture. A glutton for punishment, Robert continued his scholastic career, graduating in 2008 with a Master of Architecture degree from NewSchool of Architecture and Design in San Diego. During his tenure at NewSchool Robert worked in the profession, helping plan and design retail and mixed-use projects. He went on to experience medical work and now he has come to work for Berliner and Associates. Robert looks forward to his development at the firm and fulfilling his goal of becoming an architect. He is a LEED-accredited professional and working towards his architecture license.
Rahel Zewdu - Rahel developed her interest in architecture at age seven while watching her older brother, who was attending architecture school, build models. She joined Berliner and Associates Architecture in 2000 after graduating from the CalPoly San Luis Obispo Architecture Program. She is a Project Architect and works on a variety of projects including commercial, educational and residential. Rahel is currently pursuing her architecture license and plans to complete the testing process over the next two years. Her future goals include developing low cost housing methods, which can be implemented in third world countries. Rahel is a LEED-accredited professional.

Awards:
2009 - Haworth / Unisource Solutions Community Impact Award - Los Angeles Pierce College, Animal Sciences Facilities
2005 - ASLA Merit Award, Los Angeles Valley College Campus Wide Improvements
2005 - DesignShare Merit Award for Innovative School Design, High Tech Los Angeles
2005 - National School Board Association, Exhibition of School Architecture Citation Award, High Tech Los Angeles
2003 - ASLA Honor Award, Los Angeles Pierce College Aesthetic Master Plan
2003 - State of California Senate Certificate of Recognition, Grover Cleveland High School New Media Academy
2003 - Los Angeles Board of Education Certificate of Appreciation, Grover Cleveland High School New Media Academy
2003 - DesignShare Awards for Innovative Schools Citation Award, High Tech Los Angeles
2003 - Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition in recognition of outstanding and invaluable service to the community
2001 - Los Angeles Board of Education recognition for partnership with Workforce LA and the Los Angeles Unified School District to create New Media Academy classrooms at seven high schools

ARTICLES:
American School & University Magazine, March 2005
Architectural Record, July 2004
ULI magazine, July 2005
Contract, July 2005
Environmental Design + Construction, March 2006
Edutopia, March 2007

Portfolio
Master Planning Projects:
LA Pierce College Campus Aesthetic
LA Pierce College Campus-Wide Improvements
Valley College Campus Aesthetic
Valley College Campus-Wide Improvements
Educational Facilities:
Alliance Imperial
Animo Pat Brown Charter School
Greenlee Plaza at CSU LA
Grover Cleveland High School
High Tech Los Angeles
Knowledge Universe Singapore
LA Pierce College North of Mall Renovation
LA Valley College Arts Courtyard Renovation
LA Valley College Arts Monarch Square
Rodeo Road School
Woodbury University Business School
Woodbury University Students Apartments
Commercial:
401 Wilshire
61 Colorado
Aerospace Corporation Main Entrance
Bank of America
Barrington Plaza Gym
Barrington Plaza Lobbies
Gateways Hospital
Honda Master Plan
Santa Clarita Office Building
Santa Monica Parking Structures
Valley Office Plaza
Wilshire Triangle
Residential:
Bristol House
Kay San Remo House
NOHO Lofts
Parker House
River Lofts Project
Sloane House