We have deep roots in the Midwest, roots further ingrained into the fabric of our firm by the relationships that we form with our clients. Our founding principals created this firm to further their goals of a people first, community minded architectural design firm that sought to help local businesses, schools, nonprofit organizations and other impactful organizations in their own missions of servitude and support.
Our History
Our Founding
Zerr Berg Architects was founded in 2001 by Brian Berg and Tim Zerr. Together, with their sister company, Gehrtz Construction Service and Steve Gehrtz, they set out to create a synergistic collaborative environment dedicated to serving regional communities.
Tim Zerr’s architectural career of over 40 years includes many significant projects throughout North Dakota and Minnesota. Before his retirement in (year) his practice was characterized by a very hands-on, pragmatic client-centered approach to design. An approach that continues to live on in each project Zerr Berg Architects takes on. He was, and continues to be, an amazing mentor and source of knowledge for countless coworkers, interns and professionals. Tim worked on many (if not most) of the schools in Fargo/Moorhead and oversaw the design of Concordia College’s connective skyway systems. Tim’s legacy lives on through each employee of Zerr Berg Architects and is a welcome guest in the office to help talk through design questions and problem solve issues.
Brian Berg has been involved in the Fargo/Moorhead architectural scene for 25+ years. His vast portfolio includes projects in all areas of commercial and residential architecture including multiple church projects and extensive work with the North Dakota Air National Guard. Brian served the NDANG for 20 years and continues to support their missions and service. He is a committed and dedicated leader, ensuring that each of his projects aligns closely with his client’s needs, wants and goals. Brian passionately leads his design teams through challenges and works with each member to ensure their growth and professional development.
Positive Synergy
Both Zerr Berg Architects and Gehrtz Construction Services work closely and offer each other insight and professional advice when working together or with other design/construction firms in the area. This synergy and exchange of information allows both firms to succeed beyond the scope of their duties and gives each project and well thought through altruistic feeling when moving between design and construction phases.
Our Philosophy
From our inception, the philosophy at Zerr Berg Architects has always been focused on building relationships and trust with clients, contractors, partnering firms and community members. This foundational philosophy has led us to become a trusted and valued tool for many local businesses and clients. Our projects are designed to hold up over time and accommodate our client’s needs and goals. The trust that we build with our clients throughout, and often after, a project has brought us many return clients, giving us the opportunity to form very close bonds with business and nonprofit owners.
Our motto, “creating community through inspired design” is at the core of our process. We’re a people first firm, meaning that our clients come first. We view every project as a problem that needs to be solved, each step a complex puzzle with many moving pieces that we need to piece together in order to create a perfect solution for our clients. Their problems become ours as we collaborate and listen to them throughout the entire design process. Collaboration and communication are our keys to success.
Our Projects
Community is at the core of what we do. Each of our projects goes on to serve the community and we enjoy having the ability and calling to empower our clients and give them the ability to continue that servitude. Project types we’ve completed are education, worship, community, healthcare, government/military and commercial.
From the inception of Zerr Berg Architects, we have been dedicated to assisting local schools achieve their full potential as educators. Schools are an important part of any community, guiding the future leaders and workers towards a successful future. We have worked within most school buildings in the Fargo/Moorhead Area and have worked in some capacity with many regional schools as well. Our scope of work for these school systems includes master planning, facilities assessments, referendum services, renovations, additions and new state-of-the-art school buildings. When approaching educational projects, we have tried and true method of utilizing user group meetings, assessing current/future needs and working closely with construction managers and contractors to ensure that tight timelines and budgets are followed perfectly throughout the entire project life cycle.
Our Future
We are committed to continuing our legacy of serving the community with the same passion, determination and attention to detail that we’re known for. As our firms have grown and taken on bigger and more complex projects, we’re grown with them. This growth and continued success led to the addition of three partners being added to the leadership team of both firms.
2018 – Dan Kleist
Dan Kleist has been with Gehrtz Construction Services since its inception in 2001 and has grown his career through dedication, hard work and an exceptional work ethic that his clients and staff have grown to appreciate. Dan joined the leadership team in (year) and has been a valued source of knowledge and encouragement to numerous interns and construction managers ever since. Dan leads his project teams through obstacles and unexpected issues with a smooth grace and confidence that comes from his years of experience.
2018 – Tony Wolf
Tony Wolf first came to Zerr Berg Architect’s as a student intern in 2006 while pursuing his Master of Architecture from North Dakota State University. Since then, he has fully committed to the firm’s people-first design approach and has led numerous large-scale projects from conception to completion. Tony leads his projects with an ease and willingness that makes clients feel heard and valued throughout the entire process. He works hard to ensure that everyone on the design team has a voice and full understanding of each project. He has helped numerous interns transition into full-time careers as project managers and architects and enjoys sharing in their success. Tony joined the firm’s leadership team in (year).
2022 – Matt Gehrtz
Matt Gehrtz joined Gehrtz Construction Services in 2016. After pursuing a career in civil engineering Matt realized that he enjoyed the hands-on, interpersonal work of construction management. His engineering background helps him fully understand a project and enables him to communicate more clearly with the design team and client throughout each project stage. Matt brings a personable eagerness with him onto each jobsite, and he excels at leading emerging construction managers and contractors through obstacles that occur on a jobsite each day. He joined the firm’s leadership team in (year) and has worked on numerous projects throughout the region.
