'08 BALA Hall of Fame

Barry A. Berkus, AIA, B3 Architects

Barry A. Berkus Photo courtesy Berkus Design Studio

Photo: Professional Builder Archives

One of the most influential (and best-traveled) figures in residential design today is Barry A. Berkus, AIA, founder and president of B3 Architects and Berkus Design Studio, Santa Barbara, Calif. During a career that spans 45 years, Berkus has established a reputation as an innovator, redefining living patterns in housing both in the United States and abroad. Through his design work, educational efforts, books and articles, he has tirelessly promoted the architect’s role as a planner and designer of neighborhoods and communities. Recently he wrote, “I believe the future of architecture lies in respecting regional context through environmentally conscious design and embracing cultural and economic diversity in each community.”

The Berkus portfolio includes more than 600,000 homes as well as resort and master-planned communities, urban infill, commercial and institutional projects and custom homes. In Japan, his work has ranged from the planning and design of new towns to developing building codes for framed construction. Other international projects include planning communities in Malaysia, master-planning residential villages for EuroDisney in France and designing the redevelopment plan for the waterfront Expo site in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Berkus has been named one of the world’s top 100 architects by Architectural Digest,the most innovative housing architect in the U.S. by Professional Builder, and one of the 10 most significant figures of 20th century residential architecture by Residential Architect.His firm has won more than 300 design and planning awards, including 44 Best in American Living Awards.