About

M. Gerwing Architects is a full-service, design-oriented architecture office in Boulder, Colorado. We have executed projects in Boulder, Denver, San Francisco, Portland, New York and Chicago as well as all along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains.  We have designed a number of different project types with special emphasis on residential design and historic preservation/adaptation.

The office is committed to an intensive process of continual exploration of shaping spaces – how we use them, how we imagine them, how they reside in our memory.

Approach 

We approach each project as a unique synthesis of client, site, budget, schedule and the opportunities and tensions that arise between them.  Overall we strive for balance – in design, in process and in managing our projects in private and public realms.  With our extensive experience in ushering projects forward in the City of Boulder, Boulder County and through various zoning, historic preservation and other approval processes, we can guide our clients toward realizable designs that meet their schedule and budgets and still create exciting and fulfilling architecture.

All of our projects are brought into focus by carefully listening and studying the problem at hand and then creating a guiding set of ideas or principles for the building. Beyond solving the problems of function and providing beautiful places, we always strive to transcend these notions and make a project that far exceeds our client’s and our own expectations. We believe in being involved in all phases of a project’s creation – from initial ideas and dreams through design and construction, to the final finishes and colors. We work with a number of local contractors or ACI design:build to execute our client’s designs, spending considerable time in the field to insure that the design and vision of the project is well-built and professionally managed.

The same set of ideas that guide the structure also inform every detail and the selection of every piece of hardware, every tile. For remodels and renovations, we incorporate the ideas and design of the existing building into this mix and create buildings that are new and old, timeless and timely.

We believe passionately about sustainability and making sure all of our buildings establish and maintain a healthy place on the Earth. We utilize all aspects of green construction and energy-savings technologies and techniques in design and construction. We strive to maintain as much of the existing building within our new designs - the greenest building is one standing.

People

The studio is headed by Mark Alan Gerwing with over thirty years of experience designing a variety of building types from large, mixed-use projects, restaurants and commercial spaces to custom, single-family homes.  Mark personally guides every project from initial design through construction to insure that every aspect of a project is carefully considered and fully coordinated.

Mark received a Master of Architecture from Yale University and a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Kentucky.  His professional experience encompasses working for a number of renowned architects in Italy, Boston and Chicago prior to moving to Colorado.  Mark is licensed in Colorado and is a LEED AP professional as well as a certified City of Boulder Greenpoints professional. He has been the local coordinating architect for the Boulder Valley Branch of Habitat for Humanity, was the past Chairman of the City of Boulder’s Landmarks Board, and currently is the Vice-Chairperson of the Boulder County Historic Preservation Advisory Board.

Mark is joined by Jim Walker and Meri Bacus. Each team member brings their unique combination of talent and experience to bear on various projects.

Jim Walker has 30 years of experience as a designer and project management expert. Jim heads up ACI design:build, our frequent construction partner, and contributes his vast experience and judgement to each project, from initial design through construction. Jim has a Bachelor of Architecture from Auburn University and honed his skills working for both Paul Rudolph and Peter Gluck in New York before practicing in Chicago and Boulder.

Meri Bacus is an experienced project manager and designer and she expertly guides our projects through design and helps us navigate the often complex and time-consuming approval processes with various municipalities. Meri has a Bachelor of Architecture from Cooper Union in New York and has extensive experience working in New York, Germany, Houston and Boulder.

Oscar is our newest addition to the crew. He is a ridiculously cute Golden Doodle puppy that will be starting our Studio Pet intern program. We have high hopes for Oscar and feel like he will soon be able to execute his duties as our customer relations expert.