Tom Bergstrom
Managing Director - Bergstrom Architects
www.bergstromarchitects.com.au

Tom Bergstrom is the Managing Director and the founder of Bergstrom Architects, a medium sized and growing Architectural firm based in North Sydney that specialises in Hospitality and Residential projects.

So Tom... Why Architecture?
Well I moved around a lot when I was growing up and lived in Sweden and the US so I was always interested in different types of houses. Then when I went to school I did technical drawing and it all developed from there.

What was your first job?
Despite studying in the US and Denmark it was actually whilst a period of study here in Australia. I ended up working for a small practice in the inner west. My first ever job was actually picking vegetables on a farm back in the US… a few weeks of that was enough to persuade me to get an education!

Who or what inspires you?
Working with small business owners day in, day out. Seeing how they innovate in their businesses and the benign part of transforming their businesses then seeing the results at the other end.

Favourite place on Earth?
Any quiet corner that I get to myself! In between running a successful business and raising two young children this can be very hard to achieve!

Top 3 buildings worldwide?
1/ Saynatsalo (Finland) by Alvar Aalto
2/ Woodland Cemetery (Sweden)  by Gunnar Asplund
3/ The Opera House (Australia) by Jorn Utzon

Best project you ever worked on?
Interesting… I would have to say that it would actually be a small residential project that 2 student friends and I helped build in San Francisco. This influenced me a great deal in the early part of my career and helped me to understand what it actually takes to build something.

Project you wish you’d worked on?
Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao) by Frank Gehry: Technically amazing and a beautiful Architectural sculpture.

Biggest change in Architecture over your career?
Has to be computers. They have had the single biggest impact on the industry since the start of my career and changed the way we work forever.

A sentence to sum up your view of ESD?
To some of our clients it is a necessary evil and to others it has meant a golden opportunity. The hospitality market has probably been slower on taking up real sustainable design compared to the commercial or residential sectors.

Best advice you have ever received?
My dad once said to me “You have to be able to work with all types of people”. This has always stayed with me and is so very true in the building industry.

Advice you would give to young Architects?
Don’t forget about your lead pencil! Most have excellent skills on the computer but it is still import to be able to design by hand sketching.

How do you unwind?
Cycling; I try to get out most weekends and have a good long ride with friends, it helps after a long week at work.

In your opinion, has the “great Australian building” been designed yet?
Yes and No. Too many buildings get compared to the opera house, especially in Sydney.

What do you love about your job?
Along with a lot of others I’m sure, there is some uncertainty about the next 12 months but we are not overly pessimistic. There is sure to be a continuation of the slow down, we just need to get some confidence back into the market and we will continue to grow.

How are you looking forward to the next twelve months, given the current financial situation?
I love driving a successful and dynamic team, managing a great group everyday and working with such dedicated and talented people. I enjoy seeing the staff go through their ups and downs and come out the other side and helping guide them through the process.