Berj A. Shakarian has been a professional architect for more than 40 years. He was the Cuyahoga County Architect for 35 years (now retired). In this capacity, as Architect of the largest county in Ohio, he served as Owner-Architect and supervising more than $1 billion in construction projects.
His work included both new construction and restoration projects in the context of the Capital Plan. Projects included correctional facilities, neighborhood centers, children's homes, parking garages, satellite offices, and specialized entities. Each of these projects depicted both sensitivity to the users and context, including a responsible environmental stewardship.
As the first County Architect, Mr. Shakarian has truly introduced the profession of architecture to Cuyahoga County government. He implemented quality-based selection processes for architects, engaged small firms in public work, and organized architectural competitions. He supervised the county trades, encouraging Total Project Integration. This included a multitude of consultants: painters, sculptors, restoration artists, graphic designers, landscape architects preservationists, and environmentalists.
Additionally, he has instigated major changes in the county procurement system by developing a Project Manual for Construction Contracts, including standards for sustainability.
Several of his restoration projects, specifically the Cuyahoga County Court House and Soldiers and Sailors Monument restorations, have earned prestigious awards. Further, he provided the impetus to lead the County Government to purchase (not many people know that the county owns those buildings) and save the 1920s vintage theater complex from demolition in downtown Cleveland. The effort led to the restoration of the State and Ohio Theaters into a national entertainment center - larger than the Kennedy Center.
Mr. Shakarian also worked in the education field as an Architect and Construction Manager for John Carroll University for three years. With regard to ongoing professional education, he continued to refine his skills, having recently been certified in all the state-of-the-art AutoCAD and Revit (BIM) computer programs, as well as being certified as a Residential Plan Examiner from the International Code Council (ICC). He would be an asset to any architectural/design firm.
Virginia Marti College of Art and Design, Lakewood, OH, US, AutoCAD and REVIT Instructor for Interior Design Department
Teaching AutoCAD I, II, III, and IV and REVIT to college students enrolled in the Interior Design Program at VMCAD
John Carroll University, Cleveland, OH, US, Architect & Construction Manager
Architect and Project Manager for several on-campus projects, including the new St. Ignatius Fountain and Plaza (dedicated 2014), and supervised other renovations for residence halls and administration buildings.
Cuyahoga County, Cleveland, OH, US, Cuyahoga County Architect
As the County Architect, I supervised the design, construction and renovation of all the 55 county buildings. I supervised all in-house tradesmen. I was responsible for all the budgets, finances, and Capital Plan projects of Cuyahoga County. Further, I administered the architectural and engineering contracts for firms doing business with the county.
Berj A. Shakarian - AIA, Cleveland, OH, US, Architectural Firm - Self-employed
Self-employed at my own architectural office, where I and a small staff of three other architects, performed design services for residential and institutional entities.
Case Western Reserve University - Adelbert College, School of architecture, Cleveland, OH, US, BArch, Architecture
