Born and raised in Seattle, Gudmund Brynjulv Berge graduated from the University of Washington School of Architecture in June of 1950. That same year, he applied for and received his architectural license. In 1957, he opened an architectural practice with Gilbert Mandeville. The firm provided both architectural and engineering services.  Berge served as the lead designer and architect, and Mandeville was the registered engineer.

The firm of Mandeville & Berge is best known for its work as consulting architects for the Logan Building (1957) in downtown Seattle. The building is one of city’s first International style structures designed with an exterior curtain wall system. Upon opening the building housed offices for the firm and a variety of other businesses.

During the 1960s, the firm received many other high profile commissions. These included several structures at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma; the Alaska Exhibition Building and the Transport Building at the Seattle World’s Fair (1962); the Girl Scouts Office Building in Seattle (1964); the igloo-shaped Alaska Building at the New York World’s Fair (1965); and National Bank of Commerce buildings in Seattle and Mukilteo (1964).

Other notable work by the firm  in Seattle included the Encyclopedia Americana Building (1960); the chapel and educational wing at Seattle First Presbyterian Church (1962); the Ballard Library (1963); the infamous “Sinking Ship Garage” in Pioneer Square (1965); the Bay Shore Apartments on Portage Bay; and a Flight Simulator building for the U.S. Air Force in Tacoma.

Berge died in Seattle at the age of 91 in June 2018.

– Michael C Houser