Jerry Berggren founded the firm in 1977 with mentor and friend Woodrow “Woody” Hull. Shortly thereafter, Hull retired and Berggren was left to carry on the firm. The first project successfully captured by this young architect was the restoration of the Post Granary Building at the site of historic Fort Robinson in western Nebraska. This milestone is the foundation of a career-long relationship with the Nebraska State Historical Society and its State Historic Preservation Office.
The 1983 Jobs Bill was the milestone which introduced the firm to its most significant building type, the Historic County Courthouse. A project to improve the thermal efficiency of the windows at the Johnson County Courthouse in Tecumseh also initiated Berggren’s concern for energy conservation and an ongoing commitment to sustainable design.
The 1986 Exxon Oil and Stripper Well Overcharge settlement led a Nebraska Energy Office’s request for proposals for energy efficiency education and demonstration. Jerry’s proposal, “Courthouse Trail” was the first, and the largest to be approved and implemented. The Courthouse Trail experience solidified two career-long relationships with the Nebraska Energy Office and the Nebraska Association of County Officials. Also in 1986 Charles ”Chuck” Woll and Berggren came together and created Berggren & Woll Architects. While growth and expansion of the firm was the plan, that was not to be due to Mr. Woll’s untimely death from cancer in 1991.
Recovery from the loss of Berggen’s friend and partner was slow but methodical. He continued to serve Nebraska’s county clients and in 2002 he became the recipient of the Honors Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This achievement was Berggren’s first nationally recognized award.
Today, Jerry Berggren has expanded his firm and employs professionals with abilities in historic preservation, architecture, interior design, sustainability, master planning and more. The future will undoubtedly hold more unexpected opportunities and challenges. He looks forward to each of those and you are invited to contact himdirectly regarding the architectural challenges you face.