About

Baerwald Research, LLC specializes in custom research services and research library consulting for professionals who design and plan the built environment. Clients include firms, organizations, and individuals involved in architecture, interior design, workplace design, urban planning, sustainability, and construction.

Focused on all facets of the design professions, we search the web, specialized databases, libraries and other sources for valuable information that will help you make thoughtful design and business decisions.

You might be seeking fresh insights about your clients and the trends driving their businesses. Or you’re keeping your eyes peeled for opportunities to expand your practice. Or maybe you’d just like to stay abreast of ongoing issues shaping the built environment.

We can help.

Whether it’s a one-time need or an ongoing pursuit, Baerwald Research, LLC will lead you to fresh content that is on-target and of practical value.

We look forward to putting our specialized design and research expertise to work for you.

Expertise

Baerwald Research, LLC is led by Susan Baerwald, a skilled researcher with extensive firm-based experience in the design professions.

Susan previously served as Research Librarian at HOK, a global architectural firm, where she provided research services for all disciplines. Her role included helping diverse practice groups, departments and project teams gain a deeper understanding of best practices within their own areas while learning about significant issues that their clients face.

She also developed a collection of resources to support research within the firm, including a practice-oriented library of hardcopy books, magazines, and codes; an extensive intranet-based library of links; and internal blog posts and wikis covering a wide range of topics.

Strengths

• Deep knowledge of needs, practices, and resources in architecture and related fields
• Expertise in online searching and in using specialized databases for design and business
• Extensive international network of researchers in most business and academic fields
• Wide-ranging fields of interest

Professional affiliations

SLA / Special Libraries Association, St. Louis Metro Area Chapter SLA – 2021-22 Programming Committee, 2014 President, 2013 President-Elect / Programming Chair

AIIP / Association of Independent Information Professionals – full member, 2022 Conference Planning Committee, 2021 Conference Planning Committee, 2016 – 2021 Mentoring Committee Chair

CEL Creative Exchange Lab – The Center for Architecture and Design St. Louis –  Advisory Board