BBA Architects

We will forever be indebted to BBA. Not only was this our first build, but it is our first home. We needed partners that would be patient, incredibly experienced, great listeners, set a high standard of quality, and lead us through this process step-by-step. BBA helped create our dream concept design, determine material and detailed plans of the space, conduct a financial feasibility project, introduce us to a number of trusted general contractors to select from, and provide ongoing construction administration throughout the build . We trusted BBA—we trusted their experience, their skill, their standard for quality—and they did not disappoint. They gave our family an elegant, timeless, and comfortable space to call home for generations to come. (P.S. - and we had a lot of fun throughout!) More...

Reviewed on Houzz

As a builder in Naples, Florida, we recommend Ed and his team at Burns & Beyerl Architects to anyone in the Chicago Metro Area, as well as anyone who owns in Naples, Bonita Beach, or Marco Island, who wants to either design and build a custom home, or wants to remodel a luxury home or condo.
Ed understands that you want your own special place, that reflects your style and taste. It is imperative that you trust the team you have chosen to design your dream. Burns & Beyerl Architects is a team you can trust and we highly recommend them. More...

Reviewed on Houzz

I have had the pleasure of "knowing-of" Burns + Beyerl Associates since 1994 (just one year after I started designing/building Custom Steel Furniture).
I discovered Steve & Gary due to a profile of their work in a magazine- a profile that showed a Modern-forward-thinking-vision, that I felt would align w/ my own aesthetic. I've had the pleasure of collaborating w/ Gary Beyerl on a multitude of projects- ranging from a variety of Railings + Furniture + Fireplace Surrounds in his own home- to Mirror-Polished Stainless Vanities > to Medieval-Looking-Hand-Forged-Wine-Cellar-Door Hardware....and have ALWAYS been amazed at how much he "gets-it"!
Not only is Gary quite articulate,fun to work with and whip-smart- his ability to easily draw-a-quick-sketch, to highlight and clarify what he's thinking makes him-an Architects-Architect. AND- how many Architects do you know- that bicycle to work- EVERYDAY- and consider their car- a "2nd" vehicle?!
OH!_ and let's not forget Ed + Cathy + Jenn + Christine and other team members that help Gary "look-good" too!
No matter whether your style is ULTRA MODERN-kinda Traditional- or Faux French Chateau-Gary can articulate- and execute your dream home! and probably bike to the Job-Site-meetings!2! More...

Reviewed on Houzz

I worked with B&B (Cathy Osika) on our loft renovation in Chicago and was so pleased and the process was so painless that she is now the lead architect on the house we are building.
What do I like about them/her:
Has good taste
Gets into our heads and totally understands how we live, what our taste/style is an reflects that
Is super flexible - has a point of view but really looks to accommodate what we need/want - she is not "precious" about things. But is also very clear when it's time to stop dithering around!
Great creative solutions - hanging the furnace from the ceiling gave us a full size laundry room with storage
Very collaborative - the house we are building is in another state, lots of parties involved…but the whole team works smoothly
Stays on top of the details - so that I don't have to More...

Reviewed on Houzz

Cathy Osika of Burns + Beyerl Architects (BBA) designed my home which I love for its beauty and function. The building process was quite challenging, and there is no doubt that Cathy and the BBA staff were invaluable in managing through many bumps with the builder. Seemingly big problems were solved quickly and creatively. I particularly liked that my strong design voice was considered throughout the design phase. It was such a positive experience that I hired them again to design the renovation of my Mid-Century Modern guest house. They also designed and managed the building and landscaping of the new patio (photo attached). The project was flawless and enjoyable with stunning results. BBA is a great partner, and the relationship continues long after the project has concluded. This review is specifically for the guest house renovation as it is my most recent work with them. More...

Reviewed on Houzz

Ed Twohey of Burns & Beyerl is phenomenal. Smart, creative, and thoughtful, he went the extra mile to adapt ideas and came up with solutions that fit our home, our needs and our aesthetic. He came up with some incredible drawings on the spot as we discussed changes to our home, which was extensively renovated. He also provided helpful direction where we needed it and drew upon his extensive experience to guide us in both big and small choices along the way. Professional, intelligent, warm, and with a great sense of humor, Ed is a force to be reckoned with in the best possible way. We will always be grateful to him for helping to create a beautiful home that truly feels like our home. Highly recommended. More...

Reviewed on Houzz

Burn and Beyerl have designed an incredible contemporary beach house for us on Lake Michigan on a VERY challenging 40 ft wide lot with a big sloping grade. They totally understood that the beach and street elevations were the elevations to concentrate on since we were so close to our neighbors. All that experience they had designing homes on 25ft wide lots in downtown Chicago really paid off! I can sleep easy also because they were very diligent in working with structural engineers so that the high winds off the lake would not affect our new home. They also had a wide breadth of experience with construction techniques and new materials. Check out their website which is very impressive! More...

Reviewed on Houzz

We are currently in the middle of construction on a major home renovation which is converting a multi-unit home into a single family. We found BBA through Houzz and have had an amazing experience working with Gary Beyerl and his team. Gary has not only made our dream and vision of this house a reality, but has also brought exciting and sophisticated ideas to the table. We live in a historic district of Chicago and BBA made the permit process smooth and successful. We started construction back in March and are projected to be complete in Spring 2015. BBA has guided us through each step (permits, material schedules, construction bids, etc). This has been an exciting process and it is also great to see Gary genuinely interested and invested in the process and outcome of this project. We highly recommend this firm and are very pleased with BBA's ability to make our dream a reality. More...

Reviewed on Houzz

We worked principally with Gary Beyerl and Tim Hawkins at Burns + Beyerl. The project involved the build out of about 4000 square feet of raw apartment space in Chicago and took over a year (due to factors unrelated to Burns + Beyerl). Gary and Tim were extremely detail oriented and interested in making the space everything that we wanted it to be. They devised beautiful and creative solutions to each of our objectives, which included creating space for art, books and storage, as well as comfortable living areas. They transformed the generic layout into appealing and inviting space that exceeded all our goals.

Throughout the project, we were in constant communication so that every issue was dealt with promptly. Gary and Tim were sensitive to costs and were able to adapt and revise plans that seemed in certain cases were too expensive, replacing them with good ideas that were more economical. We wanted our views to be challenged whenever Gary and Tim disagreed with us, but respected if we ended up disagreeing with them. Usually we ended up with good solutions everyone liked, but even when we had to overrule a recommendation of the architects, Gary and Tim made it all work. Over and over, they had ideas and noticed things that made the space much more beautiful and comfortable: excellent door hardware, dramatic marble for the sinks, just the right dimensions and design for cabinetry, elegant modern custom trim, placement of lights--really every little detail. We love the work that they did as well as the process of working with them. More...

Reviewed on Houzz

I cannot say enough about this wonderful firm. We worked with Cathy Osika
and wound up with exactly what we had hoped for. They are extremely talented architects but also help you through what could be a very difficult process. They were there with us each step of the way. They were always available when we needed them. Cathy designed and created a beautiful home for us. It was everything we wanted and more. We would highly recommend them to anyone. We are so grateful to live in this fabulous space and couldn't have done it without them. In our opinion Burns and Beyerl is
the best architectural firm you could choose for any project. More...

Reviewed on Houzz

BBA world did a complete renovation/restoration on our mid-century home. Ed Twohey did an incredible job and his knowledge surpassed our expectations. We would recommend them to anyone interested in impeccable design and craftsmanship. More...

Reviewed on Houzz

The Architects and Designers at Burns and Beyerl are true professionals. Their aesthetic and design approach is always thoughtful and unique. The best part about working with Burns and Beyerl is that they are exceptionally organized. In addition to being great designers, they are also a fun and energetic group. More...

Reviewed on Houzz