Saint Paul and its twin city Minneapolis together form the largest metro in Minnesota, coming in at around 3.7 million residents. Though known for tough winters, the area also offers tons of year-round outdoor activities, access to world-class art museums and cultural institutions, and an amazing food scene.
BWBR’s history with Saint Paul goes all the way back to the beginning of the firm in 1922, when University of Minnesota School of Architecture graduate William (Bill) Ingemann began his architectural practice as INGEMANN. At just 25 years old, he set up shop in downtown Saint Paul and, alongside his future wife Dorothy Brink, herself a drafter and exceptional design talent, built a thriving practice. The firm designed dozens of buildings in the upper Midwest, including public schools, hospitals, churches, community centers, college and municipal buildings, and private residences, and evolved over the next 100 years to become the BWBR of today.
The firm’s name comes from BERGSTEDT WAHLBERG BERGQUIST ROHKOHL, the names of the principals (Milt Bergstedt, Chuck Wahlberg, Lloyd Bergquist, and Fritz Rohkohl) during the early 1970s, though it was shortened to BWBR by the end of the decade. Located in the heart of downtown Saint Paul, the office enjoys proximity to parks, culture, and sports amenities, including Rice Park, the Landmark Center, and the Xcel Energy Center.
BWBR currently has about 145 staff in Saint Paul, which serves as our largest location and company headquarters. The office supports all types of work across all of our markets, including behavioral health, education, health care, public sector, recreation + wellness, workplace, science + tech, transportation, and worship.
Some recent local projects of note include:
The Saint Paul office has always had a vibrant social culture and in the past has enjoyed Twins games, brewery visits, fielding broomball and softball teams, treat groups, and canoeing trips to the Boundary Waters. Even with current restrictions, the team continues to get together for online activities like the BWBR book club and virtual holiday parties. The office also places high value on sustainability, including our ENERGY STAR® and LEED® Gold Certified Building, in-office composting, and Metropass and HOURCAR programs for employees.
The Saint Paul crew loves to be part of the local community, and as part of our ongoing equity and philanthropy work, has partnered with or supported organizations, including the United Way, Face to Face youth organization, the ACE Mentor Program, and Hearts and Hammers.