SINCE 1971
K. Norman Berry Associates Architects (KNBA) has an accomplished diverse portfolio. In this statement of qualifications you will find a selection of projects highlighting our work, but by no means does this encompass our entire collection.
KNBA’s main objective is to serve our clients and their needs. We go above and beyond to collaborate, listen and procure the skills needed to deliver success.
KNBA has designed a work environment that encourages collaboration, harnesses technology and expands the vision of the firm for our staff, consultants and clients. When we engage in a partnership with our clients and consultants, listening and collaboration become the key to success.
KNBA provides services in architecture, master planning, interiors and urban planning. The firm has offices in Louisville and Lexington and serves the Commonwealth of Kentucky. KNBA has an accomplished and diverse portfolio with primary focus in preservation and adaptive re-use; higher education; community living and state government projects.
KNBA’s broad portfolio of work includes development and preservation of the cultural heritage of our community. Whether it is our work on many of the historic buildings of West Main Street in Louisville, the Speed Art Museum, the Historic Fayette County Courthouse, or the Kentucky Capitol in Frankfort, we are proud that our work is linked to our collective cultural, educational, aesthetic, inspirational, and economic legacies – all the things that quite literally make us who we are.
The partners at KNBA strongly believe that the key to the success of any project is close cooperation between the client and the architect during the infancy of a project. Fully defining and understanding the clients’ needs and desires provides us with the information necessary to focus, communicate, and ultimately shape the direction the project must take. The organizational structure of the firm is designed to ensure the firm meets the standards of quality to which it is devoted.
KNBA has been involved in some of the most significant projects in our region over the last 20 years, including the American Printing House Renovation, UK College of Design, WKU Football Fieldhouse, Kentucky State Capitol, The Galt House, Fayette County Courthouse, Louisville Slugger Field, 111 Whiskey Row, 21c Hotel Museum, The Speed Art Museum and the University of Louisville Belknap Academic Building.
From the earliest days of the company, our focus has been on three founding principles – Creating timeless architectural design, restoring historically significant structures, and sustaining our communities, environment, and the profession through our commitment to service. KNBA is honored to have worked with a diverse group of clients over 50 successful years in a variety of markets and building types. We are proud of our legacy of personal service to our clients; advocating for their aspirations while being stewards of their budgets; and participation in our larger community and our profession through volunteer activities.
KNBA provides the services for successful project completion, including but not limited to:
• New Building Design
• Historic Preservation
• Renovation
• Additions
• Master Planning
• Design Build Construction
• Facility Condition Assessment
• Interior Design
• Campus & Facility Evaluations
• Construction Administration
• Life Safety Code Compliance
• ADA Assessments
• Constructibility/Feasibility Review
• Energy & Sustainability Solutions
• Facility Optimization Solutions
• High Performance Facilities Design
• Historic Preservation Tax Credit Administration
• Existing Building Sustainability Certification
• Post Occupancy Evaluation
• Sustainable Operations Consulting
• Building Energy Surveys
• Site Redevelopment or Adaptive Reuse Study
• Grant and Tax Incentive Support
• Historic Structure Reports
• Historic Research
• Historic Materials & Finishes Conservation
• National Register Documentation
• Documentation for Historic Properties
KNBA has continued to follow the principles Norman Berry established for the firm; follow ethical standards, set high design expectations and provide exceptional service to our clients and profession. The firm is now led by five principals that have over 100 years’ experience working together and 150 years cumulative experience in the profession. This level of experience is invaluable in producing the volume of work that has continued to grow in both project size and complexity.
Bob Haffermann and Ed Krebs have been Principals with KNBA since 2006. Bob currently serves as the Managing Principal and is responsible for oversight of the business operations and the financial management of KNBA. Ed takes a leadership role in the business development and civic engagement efforts of the firm. Christopher Fuller was named Principal in 2014 and contributes to the overall leadership of KNBA in concert with the management team. Carole Yocum and Tim Doelling, most recently elevated to Principal in 2022, broaden, diversify, and strengthen the firm’s leadership.
In 1995, Steve Eggers, Principal Emeritus, was named Principal. From 2006 to 2019 Steve served as Managing Principal. Steve currently supports firm leadership, participating in the firm’s civic engagement efforts, and mentoring the staff.
In 1971, the partners reorganized and Mr. Berry opened K. Norman Berry Associates, moving the office to Louisville, Kentucky.
In 1965, K. Norman Berry (19332021), joined and then purchased Leo Oberwarth & Son with partners Jim Burris and Milton Thompson. KNBA is a direct successor of Leo Oberwarth & Son.
In 1895, Leo Oberwarth established his architectural practice in Frankfort. His son, C. Julian Oberwarth (1900 – 1983), joined him in 1924 and was the first registered architect in Kentucky.
Bob Haffermann AIA, LEED AP Managing Principal 38 years exp.
Ed Krebs AIA, LEED AP Principal 38 years exp.
Christopher Fuller AIA, KYCID Principal 29 years exp.
Curtis Thrush AIA, LEED AP Associate 24 years exp.
Carter Scott AIA Associate 13 years exp.
DESIGNERS & TECHNICIANS
Breanna Vernon Designer
SUPPORT STAFF
Dues Marketing Manager
Laura Kennedy Designer
Angie Harness Office Manager
Sara Woods AIA Associate 27 years exp.
Eric Schweinhart Architect 8 years exp.
Jaymond Crayton Designer
Winkle Bookkeeper
Carole Yocum AIA, LEED AP, KYCID Principal 29 years exp.
Kathryn Sanders Architect 5 years exp.
Tim Doelling, AIA, LEED AP Principal 29 years exp.
12
3
Aaron Jones Architect 21 years exp. Registered Architects Designers Support Staff
3
Dom Elpers Architect 5 years exp.
18 TOTAL STAFF
LOCATION – Louisville, Kentucky
CLIENT – The Healing Place
TYPE – New Construction/Non-Profit SIZE – 75,000 sf
Campus designed for addiction recovery focused and committed to sustainability.
The Healing Place Women’s and Children’s Campus houses a nationally renowned shelter and addiction recovery program. The non-profit organization, founded in 1989, has a 75% success rate – five times the national average – for recovery facilities. Due to growth in the number of women, some with children, asking for services, The Healing Place needed to expand its facilities.
The board made a strategic decision to procure eight acres located at 15th and Hill Streets in Louisville; close in proximity to many of its clients. The Healing Place’s commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment was a driving factor in the design of the campus. K. Norman Berry Associates (KNBA) designed the entire campus with a strong focus on sustainability. The goals for the project included low operating costs and a healthy and safe residence for clients and their children.
During construction, 86% of construction waste was recycled. Removal of asphalt resulted in 67% of the site being restored to a vegetative state. A ground-source geothermal heat pump mechanical system with energy recovery units lowers long-term operating costs, roofing shingles that give off less heat reduce the impact on the ozone layer, rigid foam insulation between the inner and outer walls provide greater thermal improvement, low water-use toilets and lighting on sensors that turn off when the room is not occupied are among many strategies used.
The footprint of the facility was designed to emulate the organization’s logo – cupped hands surrounding a person. The campus includes a 75,000+ square foot masonry and steel structure that houses more than 175 women, health clinic, kitchen and dining area, meeting rooms and playgrounds.
LOCATION – Louisville, Kentucky
CLIENT – The Healing Place
TYPE – Non-Profit SIZE – 103,600 sf
Doubling the client base that can be served helps to address a pressing community need.
The Healing Place Men’s Campus has remained at or over capacity since its inception. Previous smaller projects have tried to address the physical requirements of The Healing Place’s recovery model. The expansion of the men’s campus from 225 to 471 beds significantly impacts their ability to address drug and alcohol addiction issues. KNBA worked closely with The Healing Place leadership and staff to allow the existing campus to remain in operation while the new facility is constructed. This expansion is currently under construction.
LOCATION – Louisville, Kentucky
CLIENT – New Life Direction Ministries
TYPE – Non-Profit Housing SIZE – 19,000 sf
This concept design sets the stage for developing housing and training center for single mothers.
This proposed project redevelops an existing 1950’s era multi-building motel site in Valley Station. All of the existing structures are demolished, and the property is re-imagined as a 19,000 SF two-story building, providing 20 one- to three-bedroom apartments for short-term housing for single mothers. Each apartment is equipped with a small kitchenette to foster family meals. A large meeting room with a communal kitchen becomes part of the ‘Single Mom Training Center’, with space to provide training, support, encouragement, and opportunities for education to learn life, relationship, and parenting skills. An on-site licensed day care for 70+ children assist with the overall New Life Direction Ministries mission.
LOCATION – Louisville, Kentucky
CLIENT – Youth Build
TYPE – Non-Profit/Multi-Use/Restoration
SIZE – 6,982 sf
A community envisioned and neighborhood driven mixed-use project that is being planned and implemented by multiple neighborhood partners.
YouthBuild employed the services of KNBA Architects to provide all the architectural services for The Smoketown Community Center project and the conversion of the vacant shotgun house into a residence.
The Smoketown project includes:
• Working Smoketown Laundromat
• A business incubator for TECH-Nique, Inc. for sole proprietorships, partnerships, and employeeowned cooperatives
• Office space for the Neighborhood Association and space for neighborhood meetings
• Violence interrupter program
• Dormitory for YouthBuild participants
Smoketown Community Center is a two-phased project, phase one for the Smoketown Laundromat was completed in August 2022. Phase two is the full restoration and adaptive reuse of the existing corner structure with a new addition as phase two.
The Smoketown Community Center project grew out of the Smoketown Visioning project and has been presented at a number of neighborhood meetings over the last two years. YouthBuild Louisville is working with community partners Bates Community Development Corporation and ldeasXlab on the redevelopment of the project.
532 E. Breckinridge St. Youth Build renovated the longvacant shotgun house at 532 E. Breckinridge Street into a "Smoketown Youth Residences." The existing, historic house was rehabilitated to accommodate seven residents in a four-bedroom, three-bath unit. The residence houses up to six (6) YouthBuild program participants who are housing insecure, along with an adult resident that will provide supervision for the young adult residents. YouthBuild will own and operate the residence and will provide property maintenance through YouthBuild's Construction Training program and the organization's internal property maintenance crew.
LOCATION – Louisville, Kentucky
CLIENT – City of Louisville, Department of Housing
TYPE – Non-Profit Housing SIZE – 30,000 sf
A temporary stop for individuals that ultimately puts them on a path to housing stability.
The City of Louisville hired KNBA architects for the renovation project transforming the former headquarters of the Archdiocese of Louisville into a beacon of hope for the homeless community. With the city’s forward-thinking initiative, utilizing $1.6 million from the American Rescue Plan, this building at 212 East College St. will soon serve the homeless with a 2-step approach: First, a ‘Safe Outdoor Space’ will include temporary housing pods to address the immediate need of individuals. The lower level of the building will provide support amenities for an estimated population of 50; Dining Hall, Community Room, Medical Facility, Showers and bathrooms. Second, upper level floors 1 and 2 provide individual apartments, a total of 38 units. The Mayor’s vision for this space as a temporary refuge, providing crucial support and resources, aligns with our commitment to creating inclusive and functional environments. While the immediate focus is on providing basic amenities like food, showers, and secure storage, the potential for future development into affordable housing underscores a holistic approach to addressing homelessness. We applaud the city’s comprehensive strategy and look forward to seeing this space evolve into a vital resource for those in need. Through collaborative efforts with local officials and community stakeholders, we are confident that this project will make a meaningful difference in the lives of the homeless population in Louisville.
LOCATION – Louisville, Kentucky
CLIENT – Sowing Seeds With Faith
TYPE – Non-Profit/Educational
SIZE – 112,000 sf
An expanding organization empowering underserved youth in Greater Louisville with educational support, structure, faith, and accountability.
To meet the needs of the hugely successful and expanding organization Sowing Seeds With Faith (SSWF), KNBA collaborated with its leadership to develop a Master Plan vision for a permanent bricks-and-mortar facility to enhance their client services. SSWF currently provides after school tutoring, mentoring and summer enrichment programs to engage the youth of the underserved portions of the Greater Louisville community in mastering developmental challenges via educational expectations, structure, faith, and accountability. Currently operating out various leased space locations the new 112,00 square foot center will create a stable, purpose-built environment to enable SSWF to thrive.
The project includes educational, sports and enrichment facilities such as:
• 20 Classrooms for approximately 30 student each
• Main Lobby/Library
• Teen room/dance studio
• Auditorium
• Tenant spaces for potential related endeavors
• Café
• Multi-sport courts and walking track
• Event Space for community rental
• Administrative offices
• Rooftop social garden
The project will create a new anchor in the community servicing the west end of Louisville and beyond – currently serving 19 zip codes. With the construction of the new facility SSWF will move from a resource of the community to a cornerstone
LOCATION – Louisville, Kentucky
CLIENT – Commonwealth of Kentucky
TYPE – Education SIZE – 45,075 sf
Howser Hall was in need of a complete renovation to house students for the Kentucky School for the Blind.
This 45,075 sf renovation of Howser Hall created a safe and specialized environment for the students of the Kentucky School for the Blind. The project included four Community Suites with four bedrooms in each suite. The student bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, are equipped for three students. These students having their own storage, sleeping, and studying space. There are shared kitchen, dining, laundry and living room spaces along with a residential advisor office in each of the four suites.
There are two Independent Living Suites that are designed as apartment style spaces. These suites each have their own kitchen, bathroom, living room, and laundry amenities. The project also included three large multi-purpose spaces for active and focused learning activities, a six-bed infirmary, and a large housekeeping unit. Special design attention was given to the details in the finishes and furnishings for teaching and learning within this environment.
LOCATION – Louisville, Kentucky
CLIENT – Boys and Girls Club/Bernheim Forest
TYPE – New Construction SIZE – 24,973 sf
This project is a collaborative community development partnership with the Smoketown neighborhood. KNBA worked with Lake|Flato to produce a master plan to guide the stakeholders in the best direction for the community. The goal is to convert an empty lot into a campus like setting and to serve the broader community while honoring the historical integrity of the neighborhood.
The Wheelhouse project is planned to include administration offices, shared multi-purpose rooms with dynamic technology, a community green space and innovative natural environment that allows for hands on nature education, a community kitchen, a teen center with elements of maker space, an indoor gymnasium/ multi-purpose space with an integrated water feature and a secure entrance with a well-lit perimeter.
LOCATION – Louisville, Kentucky
CLIENT – Family Community Clinic, Inc.
TYPE – Renovation SIZE – 4,510 sf
A compassionate project that helps fill the needs of members in our community.
The St. Joseph Family Community Clinic was an adaptive re-use project that infilled the underutilized historic school building located on the south side of E. Washington Street, within the Butchertown Historic District. Built in 1866, the school was designed in a style congruous with the Gothic Revival St. Joseph cathedral, with a brick and limestone exterior.
When the non-profit Family Community Clinic expanded its services, it required a larger space that could accommodate larger clinic rooms, more cheerful waiting areas, and a secure, on-site pharmacy and clinical lab. KNBA and its consultants also enhanced some areas on the third floor of the school building, which are occupied by St. Joseph Catholic Church.
The historic space, left unaltered since 1926, required complete rehabilitation of its energy systems and the integration of more accessible features, such as a wheelchair-accessible ramp and a budget-friendly elevator. The interior was completely renovated to allow for the integration of the needed clinic spaces while ensuring the building’s historic elements were sensitively addressed. The new clinic spaces were designed with a cheerful, energetic aesthetic emphasized through bright colors and natural finishes to provide a welcoming experience to the organization’s underprivileged clientele. The Family Community Clinic was completed and resumed their services to the community in September 2018.
LOCATION – Louisville, Kentucky
CLIENT – Cabbage Patch Settlement House
TYPE – Renovation
SIZE – 29,000 sf
The Cabbage Patch Settlement House is a non-profit organization serving more than 1,000 at-risk children and families annually. The organization has been using its current facilities since the 1920s.
Cabbage Patch owned and occupied six buildings in the historic Old Louisville neighborhood. The buildings, originally single family homes, have had many additions and renovations over the years to meet the changing needs of the organization for recreational, educational and office space. Cabbage Patch needed a large, multipurpose recreational space and additional meeting rooms.
K. Norman Berry Associates (KNBA) worked with Cabbage Patch to define their needs and develop a campus master plan. The firm proposed a one-story connector building on the rear of four of the properties located on Sixth Street. The plan included a large underground addition that would serve as the multipurpose space. A new two–story addition and carriage house would provide additional programming spaces. Renovation of the existing buildings, including the gymnasium, would result in more efficient office space that better fit the needs of the staff. The plan called for new construction of 19,000 square feet and renovation of 10,000 square feet.
KNBA is known for leading its clients through complicated projects. The firm took the role of advocate for Cabbage Patch to obtain all the necessary approvals, permits, inspections and licenses from the Old Louisville Historic Landmarks and Preservation Commission as well as all the other local agencies. KNBA focused on finding creative solutions within the existing building and preservation codes that would allow the Cabbage Patch master plan to be realized. The firm proposed sensitive architectural designs to mirror the historic nature of the neighborhood. KNBA architects were on-site continuously to monitor construction and troubleshoot issues as they arose.
LOCATION – Louisville, Kentucky
CLIENT – Kentucky Promise 2012
TYPE – Adaptive Reuse
SIZE – 132,000 sf
A complex adaptive reuse, renovation project that will engage researchers and citizen scientists to learn how our natural, social, and personal environments impact health.
Located at the corner of W. Muhammad Ali Blvd and 5th Street, in the heart of downtown Louisville, The Envirome Institute campus is the renovation and expansion of two historic buildings and an adjacent garden space, focused on a program designed to foster health and wellness.
Comprised of the Harmony Building, a 65,000 sf, 6-story brick and concrete structure, and the 11-story, 55,000 sf, Republic Building, the design is a renovation, innovative addition and adaptive reuse that demonstrates how the built environment can work in unison to link nature, health, and community.
The campus will include specifically designed research areas, labs, offices, and meeting rooms to engage researchers and the community, to learn how natural, cultural, and personal environments impact health. The ground floor will house a grocery store, food market place, and demonstration kitchen. Upper floors are each dedicated to various research areas, focused on the Envirome Institutes’ key focus of nutrition, sleep, and physical activity.
The project is a case for ways of focusing on building healthier cities, by restoring these structures and adapting them for the new future looking use. Key design elements include establishing connections to the outside via light wells and rooftop access at multiple levels and incorporating water management to lessen the storm water runoff. Inviting nature into the urban landscape, the campus will highlight design that pursues sustainability under the LEED and WELL Building standards, focused on water management, biophilia incorporation, via a cliff ecology concept on the addition, with integrated planters and recycled water irrigation. Within the adjacent George Garvin Brown Garden, there will be subsurface storm water storage and a geothermal well system, providing the majority of mechanical system energy.
LOCATION – Louisville, Kentucky
CLIENT – Douglass Boulevard Christian Church
TYPE – Low Income Senior Housing
SIZE – 15,600 sf
This historic structure was given a new purpose by the church to serve a new mission – to provide 11 low income senior apartments.
Built in 1836 by Starks Fielding, the house was among the first 1,000 brick homes in the region and its 200-acre property originally included Big Rock in Cherokee Park. The property was acquired by George Douglass after the Civil War, whose daughter later donated acreage and Big Rock to Cherokee Park. For 10 years beginning in 1939, Rugby University School operated at the site.
Broadway Christian Church, later Douglass Boulevard Christian Church, acquired a large part of the original tract in 1936 and built their current place of worship at 2005 Douglass Boulevard in 1940. In 1949, the church rededicated the historic home as Briney Hall. It was in continuous use until 2005.
The 3.1 million dollar adaptive reuse senior apartment project carefully renovated the interior as well as created new elevator and stair exterior elements. The project met the Secretary of the Interior Standards for Historic Preservation which allowed it to qualify for historic tax credit. Additionally the grounds serve as the Douglass Loop Farmers Market.
LOCATION – Bowling Green, Kentucky
CLIENT – New Millennium Real Estate
TYPE – Housing SIZE – 30,880 sf
A city growing at a rapid rate was in need of additional housing.
KNBA developed the concept for this two-story, brick veneer approach apartments, comprised of smaller groupings of units organized around common breezeways. A combination of balconies or “Juliet” railings at openings are incorporated into the building design. There are three main unit plans: 1 bedroom with 1.5 bathrooms, 2 bedrooms with 2 bathrooms and 1 bedroom with 1.5 bathroom corner units. There are a total of 26 units between two floors, (12) 862 SF, 1 Bedroom Units and (14) 1,297 SF, 2 Bedroom Units.
LOCATION – Lexington, Kentucky
CLIENT – AU Associates
TYPE – Housing
SIZE – 37,400 sf
An urban site offered a challenge to design a condominium project that had to comply with the historic context.
The building responded to the historic streetscape with appropriately scaled infill two and three story loft units. A total of 38 Artist’s Live/Work Loft units were located on the site. The siting of the units created a central courtyard area between the new buildings. Parking is provided on the lower level of the apartment building.
LOCATION – Louisville, Kentucky
CLIENT – Poe Companies
TYPE – Residential New Construction
SIZE – 30-Acres
RiverPark Place’s initial phase included a 300-slip marina and a mix of 600 housing units.
RiverPark Place is a mixed use residential development located on 30 acres along the Ohio River. Just one mile upstream from downtown Louisville the development begins where the Waterfront Park ends. The project’s initial phase included a 300-slip marina and a mix of 600-housing units. The total project consists of 1,500 condominium units. The project was phased over a multi-year period.
