About Norman Barrientos
Designing for Performance. Writing from Experience.
Author · Architect · Speaker · Photographer
Norman Barrientos, AIA, is an architect and author whose work bridges the precision of design and the art of storytelling. With more than 40 years of professional experience, he has achieved national recognition for his expertise in designing operations and maintenance (O&M) facilities that keep cities, fleets, and infrastructure running efficiently. As the Owner and Principal Architect of Milwaukee-based architecture firm, Barrientos Design & Consulting, he shapes the future of operations and maintenance facilities worldwide.
Advancing the Field of Fleet Facility Design
Norman recently authored a technical guide, Fleet Facilities Design & Standards: Planning for High-Performance Operations & Maintenance Garages, to serve as an invaluable strategic resource for fleet and facilities professionals. The book guides the creation of high-performing, future-ready garages that enhance operational excellence, justify capital improvements, and effectively manage assets.
Norman was inspired to condense his vast knowledge into this invaluable strategic resource and design reference because he recognized a critical industry gap. His clients lacked systemic field data and a centralized resource for designing facilities that are significant, generational capital investments, often equaling the replacement of their entire fleet. Through his work, Norman aims to elevate fleet facility design to the same level of study and evaluation as other specialized buildings, moving beyond trial-and-error approaches.
Education & Professional Background
Norman is an active professional member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA®). After obtaining a professional architecture degree from the University of Minnesota, he later completed a Graduate Certificate in Business Administration from Harvard University. He obtained his first professional registration while practicing in Massachusetts, where he started his first architectural practice, got married, and had his first child.
After a two year stint in Chicago, Norman and his now larger family moved to Milwaukee where he established Barrientos Design & Consulting in 1997.
Sharing Knowledge as an Industry Thought Leader
Norman is a prolific seminar provider for national association events involved in public works, fleet management, and vehicles and equipment sales. This includes presentations for the American Public Works Associations, Government Fleet Expo, National Association of County Engineers, Association of Government Fleet Administrators, and various locally-based chapters.
His seminars focus on the fundamental design principles he has learned working on a wide variety of operations and maintenance facilities with his most popular seminar being titled, "Seven Design Principles of Highly Effective Garages."
Community Involvement & Creative Pursuits
Norman has also been involved in his local community with past service as a Board member for Froedtert Hospital and Foundation, Mount Mary University Trustees, Milwaukee Area Technical College Foundation, and the Milwaukee Arts Board.
In addition to his architectural work, Norman is a creative visionary whose other passion projects include writing historical fiction (check out his WWII aviation story, Messerschmitt’s Apprentice) and photography.
In his free time, Norman enjoys running running with his most memorable race being the Boston Marathon.
