Nicholas Bernardi is a LEED accredited and licensed architect in Illinois with over a decade of professional design experience in corporate interiors, municipal, restaurant, commercial, retail, industrial, and residential. He received his Masters of Architecture Degree from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2008 with a concentration in Healthcare Design.

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A native to the Chicago land area, Nick left for Detroit, MI after being enticed by 70% academic scholarship and a 5-year accredited Masters program at University of Detroit Mercy. While at UDM, under the tutelage of David Jaeger (of Harley Ellis Devereaux - Detroit), Nick’s academic concentration was in Healthcare Design. In pursuit of his Masters Degree, influenced by his passion for improv comedy, his thesis project, "The Vitality of the Performing Arts", explored the idea that grass-roots theater and arts-based development could act as a catalyst to help revitalize blighted areas in the city of Detroit. While on summer breaks from college, Nick attained 3 separate and vastly different summer internships at architecture firms. In addition to this experience, teaching himself Revit during his last year of graduate school helped him secure a number of job offers while graduating into the recession of 2008.

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In 2008, Nick joined the design team at SRBL Architects in Deerfield, IL (now FGM, Oakbrook, IL). While there he developed a strong knowledge for municipal building projects and project delivery methods. He worked on a number of Police, Fire, Village Hall, Park District, Library and Public Works projects in the Chicago-land area. While at SRBL, Nick completed his IDP, became a LEED AP BD+C and started his architectural licesning exams. Nick stayed with SRBL from 2008-1012 through the merger with FGM Architect in Oakbrook, IL

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In early 2012, Nick was heavily recruited by ENR Top 500 firm, USKH inc. (now Stantec), for an open-ended 6-month contract position in Fairbanks, AK. Nick's skill set and his Revit knowledge, made him an ideal candidate for USKH to relocate him to Fairbanks in effort to assist their architectural team for the Spring and Summer of 2012. While there, he worked on Federal and State projects as well as a large privately operated Alaskan Hotel Resort project. In the Fall of 2012, Nick voluntarily to returned to Chicago.

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In late 2012, upon his return to Chicago, Nick was offered a full-time position with Chipman Design Architecture where he served as Project Manager on the Red Robin Restaurant design team. In this quick-turn-market, he designed and oversaw over a dozen projects from kickoff through construction for restaurants across the United States as well as franchise restaurants in the Canadian market. In 2013, during his time at Chipman, Nick completed the last of his 7 Architectural Registration Exams and received his Architecture License in the State of Illinois.

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In 2014 Nick joined the Wright Heerema team in Chicago. During his time at WHA, he worked as a Project Architect focused primarily on corporate interiors and building repositioning projects in downtown Chicago. Within these existing mid- and high-rises, he encountered a lot of uniquely Chicago issues that required a lot of uniquely Chicago solutions.

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In 2020 Nick joined the 845 Design Group team which brought him back to the Municipal Market. He has acted as Project Architect on the new Chicago Executive Airport Customs and Border Patrol facility.

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Nick is a natural critical thinker and is dedicated to finding the best solutions to every problem. His commitment to succeed with whatever he puts his mind to constantly shows in the quality of his work, his personal relationships and his outside-of-work passions.

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Outside of the office, Nick is an actor, comedian and musician. He is a graduate of the Second City Chicago Improv Conservatory Program. He has studied improv at Annoyance and iO Theaters in Chicago. He is a working actor, creative and musician. Independently, Nick has released a number of music projects. When he can, he still plays with his Detroit-based college band. Beyond performing, he has volunteered his time helping organizations like Architecture for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity, AIA-NEI & St. Alphonsus Liguori Parish by giving back to the community.

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Nick has been an integral team member on the following Architectural projects:

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Airport:

2020 Chicago Executive Airport - Customs and Border Control

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Building Repositionings:

2014 231 S. LaSalle, Chicago, IL - Lounge, Roof Deck

2014 25 Ottawa, Grand Rapids, MI

2015 AJ Gallagher, Rolling Medows, IL

2016 200 W. Jackson, Chicago, IL Lobby, Lounge, Fitness

2017 123 N Wacker, Chicago, IL Lobby, Lounge, Fitness

2018 1 N. Dearborn, Chicago, IL

2019 231 S. LaSalle, Chicago, IL - Fitness, Lounge

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Laboratory:

2017 AbbVie - Building S20

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Restaurants:
2012 Red Robin, Oakbrook, Illinois
2012 Red Robin, Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
2012 Red Robin, Crofton, Maryland
2012 Red Robin, St. Petersburg, Florida
2013 Red Robin, Norridge, Illinois
2013 Red Robin, Broward Mall, Plantation, Florida
2013 Red Robin Patio Addition, Spokane Valley, Washington
2013 Red Robin Patio Addition, Santa Clara, California
2013 Red Robin, Valley Gate, Pennsylvania
2013 Red Robin, Brick, New Jersey
2014 Red Robin, Yakima, Washington
2014 Red Robin, Horseheads, New York

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Government:
2012 United States Air Force - Administration and Conference Room remodel

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Schools & Higher Ed:
2012 Koyukuk School - Existing Conditions Study - Koyukuk, Alaska
2012 Tri-Vally School - Re-roofing, Healy, Alaska
2012 University of Fairbanks Alaska - Hanger As-Builts, Fairbanks, AK

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Hotel Resort:
2012 Denali Resort, Trapper Creek, Alaska ‎

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Police:
2008 Hoffman Estates Police Station (LEED)
2008 Skokie Police Station (LEED)
2008 Mount Prospect EOC
2009 Palatine Police Station
2009 Glendale Heights Police Station
2010 Chicago Heights 911 Dispatch Implementation
2011 Franklin Park Police (LEED)

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Fire:
2008 Mount Prospect Fire Station #14 (LEED)
2010 Orland Park Fire Station

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Public Works:
2008 Buffalo Grove Public Works

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Village Hall:
2010 Glendale Heights Civic Center

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Recreation:
2008 Glenview Park District - Maintenance Facility (Green Initiatives)
2009 Park District of Franklin Park - Banquet and Community Center
2010 Gurnee Park District Hunt Club Park Toilet Building
2010 Glenview Park District Diederich Field House Renovation
2010 Glenview Park District Maintenance Facility Study
2011 Wheeling Park District Community Recreation Center Utilization Study
2011 Glendale Heights Sports Hub and Aquatic Center

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Library:
2010 Carol Stream Library New Entrance and Lobby/Interior Remodel

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Experience with architecture firms include:

2020-Current - 845 Design Group

2013-2019 - Wright Heerema Architects - Chicago, IL
2012-2013 - Chipman Design Architecture - Des Plaines, IL
2012 Spring/Summer - USKH, Inc - Fairbanks, AK
2008-2012 - SRBL/FGM Architects - Oakbrook, IL
2007 Summer - Richard Preves & Associates - Libertyville, IL
2006 Winter/Summer - Ware Malcomb Architects - Oakbrook, IL
2005 Summer - Crossroads | Bluesky Design Build - Lake Forest, IL