3D Rendering in North Monmouth.

“Tuscher Design Group is always a pleasure to work with. Their attention to detail and ability to communicate the clients needs to the professionals they work with is second to none. I highly recommend TDG and look forward to working with them in the future.”

“Kaplan Thompson Architects is a top notch firm with energy efficiency as its major focus. They are easy to work with and are full of ideas. We have worked with them on several projects over the years.”

“What talent. Dave solved an incredible problem requiring living space for an in law and maximization of open space that could be integrated into useful living areas I have worked with many architects and designers over the years and Dave sees and does thing very few people can. Dave is also a great person to work with and always completes projects in time and on budget. Highly recommend. ”

“We never intended to live in a dream house. Good, functional, and thoughtful architecture would have been fine. But our home on coastal Maine is so beautifully designed that the builder uses it to advertise to clients! Working with Dave Johnson at Skaala was nothing less than a superb experience. Through the design phase until the last drop of paint, Dave was a reassuring presence. When we moved in we already knew every corner of the house intimately and three years later it continues to give us pleasure and a true sense of home.”

“Mottram Architecture is the reason our remodel is so functional still till this day. She took the time to listen to our ideas, asked numerous questions, and really got a feel for what we wanted out of the project. Then took our old farm house and walked us through several different design possibilities which incorporated new ideas and thoughts. Much of this helped us understand what we wanted out of each area and how much space we truly wanted in each room. Mottram Architecture helped throughout the project answering questions that the contractors had. We are thoroughly happy with the finished product. The functional use of space and getting what you want out of a project even when you might not know exactly what you want is the reason we would use Mottram Architecture again and recommend using them for a remodel or new build.”

“Gaius, Blueberry, and Pat, along with the entire Shelter team, is a delight to work with. They're not only talented, but they're forward thinking. Their traditional skills enable them to produce work that will stand the test of time and value. And they're all generous teachers.”

“Knowledgeable. Resourceful. Pragmatic. (And they produce great designs, too.) Richard Renner Architects transformed our home. We hired Richard Renner Architects (RRA) with two objectives in mind. First, we wanted to live in a Net Zero home, which produced more total energy than it used. And second, we wanted to make our home a lot more attractive. In the end, we got more than we bargained for. For starters, our home’s energy total consumption (and attending carbon footprint) dropped by about 70%. When we add solar panels next year, our home will actually produce more total energy than it uses, putting us firmly into what the energy geeks call Carbon Negative territory. Along the way, our home went from ugly to handsome. Every time I look at the “before” and “after” pictures, I’m delighted. Especially when I consider how cost-effectively RRA managed to achieve the transformation. Most of our project budget went to energy conservation, leaving architect and builder with very little money to make things beautiful. You may never see our home in Architectural Digest, but it makes me smile every time I walk up the driveway. And now, to the “more than we bargained for” part of the story. Thanks to the design and construction methodology RRA drove, our home isn’t just a little more comfortable–it’s radically more comfortable. On the coldest winter day, every room feels cozy and warm. On a 100-degree summer day one can sit in my attic without breaking a sweat (even without the central air-conditioning running). The basement isn’t damp anymore. And the indoor air quality improved dramatically. Richard Renner Architects assembled a rock-star team. They say it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. Sometimes it’s both. Richard and his team have deep knowledge and terrific design instincts. But they’re not builders. Fortunately, they seem to know “all the right people” when it comes to getting the job done. Richard helped us assemble a rock-star team of builders and engineers (with all the skills and none of the attitude). Right from the start, it was obvious that everyone on the team enjoyed working with Richard. He did a terrific job of managing our project–especially through the inevitable bumps in the road. On time and on budget. No, really. After suffering one “start-up” delay (our new windows arrived late) the project ran on time and on budget. And, remarkably, we’re still friendly with everyone who worked on our project. Full-disclosure. I don’t work for RRA and I never have. I’m a real, live customer. If you’ve decided to work with RRA, ask Richard to put us in touch if you’d like to hear more. Good luck with your project.”

“Total design services for the Arrowsic Fire Station. Professional and thorough in their work. They had lots of great ideas and listened carefully to the needs of the community.”

“We were referred to Leslie as we already deep in the permitting process of a small but still complex garage rehab (into office + living space). Having cobbled together some form of a design halfway between a napkin drawing and a not-to-scale artistic rendering using our own resources, we asked Leslie to think about what made the most sense for our space- oh, and btw, could she do it very quickly. Many architects would have laughed us off at that point saying it was too late in the game and that we couldn't possibly get it done. But Leslie didn't flinch. Within a week she had drawn up new plans that detailed some cool options for flow through our fairly tight space. She even added elements that made the carpenters love her- like where to hide vents and piping etc. Every detail was thought of. In the end, we love the building and the design that Leslie put together. It's bright, open, and fits a lot into a small space. Leslie is a charming, honest, and extremely knowledgeable individual. She is an excellent architect and an even better person- we can't recommend her enough for projects big or small.”

“Mike Bournival is a great builder. We have had him do things from kitchen, to outside decks. He does a great job and will work hard to help your dreams come true!”