Deon Bahr, 1938-2025

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of our founder, Deon Bahr, the “B” in BVH. Deon established the firm in 1968, driven by two core principles: a passion for great design and a commitment to fostering a close-knit, family-oriented culture.

A Holistic & Integrated Practice

At a time when the pursuit of great design was largely seen as confined to the coasts, Deon was determined to prove that bold, innovative architecture could thrive in our own backyard. He encouraged the challenge of traditional design norms, creating spaces that push boundaries and inspire.

Equally important to Deon was the sense of family he instilled in BVH. He deeply believed that the firm was a family—one that worked together through thick and thin but also made time to celebrate life and each other. He often spoke not just about the number of people BVH had touched over the years but also about the many families the firm supported and the countless lives impacted through our work.

A Stabilizing Force

A successful business requires a blend of individuals, each with some special talent or contribution. Deon was the visionary, always striving for excellence, pushing the design envelope. He was a stabilizing force in the firm, positively optimistic, able to recognize and nurture talented young architects. Deon’s approach shaped the culture of BVH. He believed the best ideas came from collaboration—whether in “water cooler moments” or the energy of the “studio environment” that he fostered. He had a unique way of seeing things, like our Friday Morning Breakfast Club, where we’d seek out the best mom and pop “greasy spoon” restaurants (fellow partner, Paul Jeffrey kept a record with our ratings from 1 to 4 spoons) to fuel our creativity.

A True Artist

Deon was a rare, multi-talented architect-artist-craftsman-collector who was able to move through both the aesthetic and technical aspects of our profession with a high degree of success. His talent as an artist reflected this same reverence for beauty and rationality. He was especially interested in exploring the Golden Mean proportional relationships in his paintings and constructions. The true measure of a man is his contribution to society, giving back to his community and profession. For this Deon gave his time and talent and was duly recognized.

Tools of an Architect

In 2018, Deon presented “Tools of an Architect,” an in-studio mini series on essential drafting tools and the art of drawing. Beyond the triangles and t-squares lay life lessons and stimulating stories. Special moments like these are just part of a legacy that will be carried by those at BVH, and beyond.

To say that Deon’s influence has been monumental is an understatement. He was a visionary and taught us that design excellence does not have to come from New York, Chicago or London. He founded BVH on the principle that great design can happen in small firms and he pioneered that culture at BVH. He was adamant about hiring great talent, nurturing them to do great work, and to build strong relationships with our community and our clients. This culture and passion is still alive today because of him—living on in our staff and partners.

“Onward,” as Deon would say after a meeting or chat. Always, “Onward.”

– A collection of sentiments shared by former BVH partners and staff.

Contribute a Memory

We would love to hear how Deon impacted your life, career, or way of looking at the world. Please submit any thoughts and images below.

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