Bergmann Design Principal, Jim Durfee, to Retire at the End of 2018

On December 31, 2018, Jim Durfee will retire from Bergmann after 18 years with the company and 35 years of professional practice. In addition to his nearly two decades as Design Principal, Durfee was a member of Bergmann’s board of directors, serving from 2004 to 2006 and again from 2009 to 2012. While he will step down from his full-time position, Durfee plans to stay active with Bergmann as a staff consultant and continue his longstanding engagement with the community through numerous civic activities.

Durfee’s architectural career has been distinguished by his passion for applying timeless, classic design principles to contemporary projects. In addition, his expertise in historic rehabilitation and restoration helped transform neglected historic structures into substantial new community assets.

Prominent projects Durfee worked on include the City of Rochester’s Public Safety Building, the University of Rochester’s Witmer House, the American Cancer Society’s B. Thomas Golisano Hope Lodge, and the Windstream/Gannett Building in downtown Rochester. He also lent his talents to numerous educational institutions, including The University of Rochester, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), St. John Fisher College, Alfred University and many more, as well as health care, municipal, institutional, commercial and housing projects.

“Jim’s commitment to his profession and community can be seen in the buildings he designed and the organizations he supported,” said Pete Giovenco, president and CEO, Bergmann. “We thank Jim for his years of service to our clients, mentorship to our staff, and leadership in our community.”

Durfee has received numerous professional awards for architectural design and public service, including AIA Rochester’s Medal of Distinction in 2013. He served as president of the AIA Rochester and of the Memorial Art Gallery, serves on the boards of the Architectural Foundation of Greater Rochester and the Landmark Society of Western New York, and serves on the Dean’s Council for the RIT Graduate School of Architecture, among others.

In addition to serving in a consulting role for Bergmann and continuing his community and professional engagement, in his retirement, Durfee plans to pursue his passion for art and focus on specialized design projects.

Prior to joining Bergmann, Durfee practiced at Durfee + Bridges and Handler Grosso Durfee Associates. A licensed architect in numerous states, he holds a master’s degree in architecture from Columbia University.

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For nearly four decades, Bergmann architects, engineers and planners have been delivering results to clients across the United States and Canada. This team of more than 400 professional and technical staff spans the Northeast, Midwest and Atlantic regions. Bergmann develops connections with partners and communities to create dynamic, creative solutions that will stand the test of time, while promoting environmental and functional sustainability. Projects in the Bergmann portfolio range from signature buildings and commercial developments to critical transportation infrastructure and community planning.