Business Details
25 Years
experience
Award-Winning Architectural Design in Richmond, VA
Founded in 2001, our firm specializes in architectural design with a focus on higher education, cultural institutions, and historic properties. Our team brings decades of collaborative experience in programming, conceptual design, and project management, delivering state-of-the-art facilities tailored to client needs. Rooted in thoughtful contextualism, we prioritize listening to clients and integrating their vision with technical expertise to create timeless, functional spaces.With a portfolio spanning campus planning, historic preservation, and institutional projects, we emphasize sustainability, material craftsmanship, and community impact. Our regional expertise in the Mid-Atlantic combines deep contextual understanding with innovative solutions for both urban and rural landscapes.
Services
Architecture
Master Planning
Interior Design
Historic Preservation
Campus Planning
Residential Design
Sustainable Design
Cultural Facilities
Details
- Year established: 2001
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of specialized experience in educational and historic architecture.
- Our collaborative approach ensures designs reflect client missions and community context.
- Award-winning expertise in sustainable campus planning and preservation.
- We maintain long-term relationships with repeat institutional clients.
- Our team integrates technical precision with artistic craftsmanship in every project.
Services
Architecture
We create contextually sensitive architectural solutions for educational, cultural, and institutional clients. Our process integrates client vision with technical expertise to produce timeless, functional spaces that enhance community identity. Projects range from campus buildings to visitor centers.
Master Planning
Our planning approach emphasizes sustainable development through site analysis and three-dimensional modeling. We create holistic visions that balance growth with preservation, guiding clients in optimizing land use while respecting historic contexts and natural landscapes.
Historic Preservation
Specializing in adaptive reuse, we preserve architectural heritage while modernizing structures for contemporary use. Our work maintains historical integrity through meticulous material selection and construction techniques tailored to protected sites.
Interior Design
We design interiors that reflect institutional missions through functional, aesthetically cohesive environments. Our integrated approach ensures seamless coordination between architectural and interior elements, focusing on user experience and long-term adaptability.
Sustainable Design
Sustainability guides our design process from initial assessments to material selection. We employ energy-efficient systems and low-impact site strategies while maintaining architectural excellence, ensuring environmentally responsible solutions that serve client needs long-term.
People
Maynard Ball
Co-Founder
Co-founder with extensive experience in large-scale institutional projects, previously a partner at SmithGroup in Washington, DC. Leads design strategy and client collaboration.
Bernard 'Tut' Bartzen
Co-Founder
Co-founder bringing expertise in academic and athletic facilities, previously a partner at Marcellus Wright Cox and Smith in Richmond. Oversees project execution and technical design.
Shawn Van Tiem
Architect
Joined in 2002, specializing in campus planning and historic preservation projects. Manages complex institutional developments from concept to completion.
Nicole Doise
Team Member
Key team member contributing to diverse projects including educational facilities and cultural centers, focusing on detailed design and client communication.
Questions
What architectural styles does Bartzen & Ball specialize in?
We practice thoughtful contextualism, creating designs that harmonize with historic and civic environments while incorporating modern functionality.
Do you work on historic preservation projects?
Yes, we specialize in historic preservation and adaptive reuse, maintaining architectural integrity while meeting modern needs.
What regions do you serve?
Primarily the Mid-Atlantic region, including Virginia, Washington, DC, and surrounding states.
How does your design process incorporate sustainability?
We begin with sustainable design checklists, focusing on minimizing environmental impact through site analysis and material selection.
Can you handle both large-scale and small projects?
Yes, we believe no assignment is too small and apply equal rigor to projects of all scales.
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