Most kids are intrigued by towering castles and the ornate temples and churches of far away
lands, but Joshua Behr developed his desire to become an architect as a small boy, traipsing around construction sites with
his dad. Since then, he has always found the 'everyday' buildings beautiful and so inspiring, particularly in the
way that such design is informed by local materials, labor practices and use of space, that he has dedicated his life's
work to enhancing their design.
Joshua's formal training began when he was just 14 with his first job - an errand boy in an architectural
firm in Chicago. It was there that he learned to read the blueprints he delivered around town, and was given his first drafting
lessons. After high school, he began his academic training at New York City's Parsons School of Design in their Environmental
Design Program where he focused on Urban Planning and Architecture, and Interior and Product design. Joshua continued his
studies in the Graduate Design Program at ITT in Chicago. There he rounded out his understanding of Architecture and Design
through a focus on the Technology of Building. A licensed Architect and a registered Interior Designer, he has worked in NYC,
Amsterdam and Chicago in areas ranging from furniture design and interior design, to single and multi-family housing, hotel,
restaurant, health club and hospital design.
"I
especially enjoy the process of analyzing and fine tuning the use of space for maximum efficiency. Sometimes more isn't
necessary. It might be more efficient in many ways, including cost, to just use the existing space differently," Joshua
explained. He also likes the task of analyzing and planning efficient use of energy - heating, cooling, light and water -
to meet each customer's needs, budget and lifestyle.
Joshua relocated his family and his business to Louisville, landing in the Original Highlands,
two years ago. Of the city he says, "In many ways, it is the ideal place to live. It is pedestrian friendly and has the
perfect balance of big city and small town attitudes, ethics and amenities. The historical architecture is nicely balanced
with cutting edge modern structures. The Original Highlands is akin to a village within the city, reflecting its unique qualities."
Behr Design Studio has a unique fee
schedule. Unlike other architects and designers, Behr doesn't charge a percentage of the project cost, instead the fee
is for time only. In that way, the only incentive to encourage the customer's spending is the integrity of the design,
leaving the control of quality, cost and time frame of the project to the client from start to finish.
For more information or a free consultation, contact
Joshua at josh@behrdesignstudio.com or call 502-240-8909.
