Here are some comments from our clients:
Michael and his associates were the architects that imagined, planned, budgeted, and oversaw the execution of a MAJOR renovation and expansion of my 1883 San Francisco victorian home. From start to finish, this was a $2 million project that took over 2-1/2 years. The extended bureaucracy in San Francisco made it even harder to do a project like this, but Michael's experience working around those hurdles allowed the project to be completed to great satisfaction.
Doug Litwin, September 2013
hired 2009
My partner and I hired Michael to design a major renovation of our 109 year old house in San Francisco. We were extremely impressed with Michael's approach to understanding our aesthetics and how we envisioned living in the space. He worked closely with us to refine our ideas, and consistently generated bold new ideas that we quickly fell in love with. He has a keen awareness of light, volume, flow and function. Michael patiently worked with us to arrive at a final design that is well beyond what we could have envisioned on our own, and yet feels perfectly suited to us.
Michael was also very active in facilitating the entire process, from securing the permits, to interviewing and selecting contractors, to selecting finishes. As the project progressed, so did the design, and Michael was extremely helpful in seeing new possibilities, evaluating the alternatives, and quickly iterating on the designs. His calm and thoughtful demeanor put us at ease as we hit the inevitable surprises and the scope of the project expanded.
Our project is nearing completion and we're thrilled with how it's turning out. Michael has been a pleasure to work with. We would certainly hire him again and highly recommend him to others considering home renovations.
Scott Prevost, September 2013
hired 2013
We did a major remodel of our home in Noe Valley with Michael. He came up with the initial concept of turning the basement into a new master suite and opening the wall between the kitchen and dining room. We really loved the openness of the plan and feel of the space.
Michael was great to work with, helped keep things on track with the contractor, and delivered an amazing result.
John Hathaway, September 2013
"Noe Valley 2"
hired in 2005
Michael is very conscientious of his clients needs and budgets and works diligently and creatively to meet their needs. Michael is very open to learning about new and proven technologies in the construction trade.
Hiram Banks, September 2013
hired in 2009
Michael was the architect on this project and he brought me in to design the garden. Working with Michael was a pleasure. He has a very collaborative way about him and because of that the garden became the exterior room that the clients wanted. He was very open to my suggestion of building stucco walls around the garden instead of your typical wooden fence. His input on the outdoor lighting integrated with the architectural language and geometry of the house. Michael's sense of space is amazing. On this project he created a strong visual connection between the kitchen and the garden... it really works during parties as we made sure the lighting doesn't glare off the windows. I highly recommend Michael and would love to work with him again.
Deanna Glory, APLD, September 2013
colleague
We hired Michael early in his career knowing of his creativity and personable manner. He oversaw an extensive residential renovation and addition from early design, through contractor selection and completion. We were thoroughly delighted with the results which impressed everyone who visited our home. Michael additionally negotiated a good deal of value from the contractor's work. He incorporated all of our ideas and requests including use of innovative materials while contributing his own concepts and adhering to his own sense of aesthetics. I give Michael my highest recommendation.
William Chiles, March 19, 2008
"Dolores Heights 2"
hired in 1995
Remodels can be excursions into madness; Michael Mullin Architect was a link to sanity during mine. A steady, calm, intelligent, practical and honest presence from beginning to end. I had an idea of what I wanted before Michael drew up the plans, but his suggestions were always worth considering (and often right on target); his attention to detail gave me confidence that even my sketchier ideas would be realized. He knows what's beautiful, and he knows what's possible; I couldn't have survived the remodel with my sanity intact without him.
William Salit, March 18, 2008
"Castro"
hired in 2003, and hired Michael more than once
I am a landscape architect who has consulted with Michael Mullin Architect on a couple of projects, and he has in kind consulted with me on a couple of houses I have rehabbed over the years. With both houses he quickly visualized elegant layouts for some tricky spaces that saved us from making some big mistakes. This skill is particularly useful in the relatively tight and vertical spaces found in San Francisco houses. Beyond his spatial organizational talents, Michael has impeccable taste and a broad knowledge of materials, finishes and color combinations.
In addition, Michael has proven to be sensitive to the many issues involved in the aesthetic, environmental and sustainable aspects of landscape design, unlike many architects who's main concerns with landscape and garden design is typically to showcase their work. He understands and tries to create, when opportunity permits, the ideal indoor/outdoor living and flow that is so much desired in 'California Living.'
Rainscape Design, September 2013
colleague
Michael is a pleasure to work with. He has an excellent design aesthetic and collaborates with his clients to ensure the design fits their lifestyle. He also gets to know his clients well, which is invaluable when designing a space. He is very creative and knows what is fashionable/trendy vs. classic/traditional regarding design and material selection. He is very collaborative and though he will convey his point of view and recommendations, he is flexible based on client likes/dislikes. On top of his raw abilities, Michael is also incredibly reliable. He takes copious notes and remembers all conversations which equates to cost efficiency for the client. There are no missteps or wrong turns based on inaccurate information; Michael captures it all and keeps the project on track. Michael is creative, bright, and reliable and I would highly recommend his services as architect.
Jacque Bibeau, March 4, 2008
"San Anselmo"
hired in 2000
Michael was hired as architect for a major remodel of our house. The process was quite involved and he worked with us for many months to finalize the design. He listened to our ideas and, combined with his own vision, he created a beautiful space that, many years later, we are still thrilled with. It is a space that consistently impresses our visitors. He also was very thorough throughout the project, advising on many details throughout the lengthy construction phase. I can recommend him without reservation.
Gregg Stratton, December 9, 2007
"Potrero hill"
hired in 1999
I have worked with Michael on several projects over 15 years. He has always been extremely professional in his dealings with the client as well as me, the contractor. His designs are clean tend toward modern but his main focus has always been delivering the clients vision. Quite often clients have an idea of what they want but need help in focusing their thoughts into a constructible design, I find that this is one of Michaels strengths. Being able to bring sophistication to an idea is not always an easy task, but on a large project where time is money it is essential to be able to provide this service.
B Birmingham Inc., September 2013
colleague
Michael is a detail-oriented person by nature who began the process of designing our rather intensive remodel by first speaking at length with my wife and [me] about our lifestyles. That turned out to be very important in Michael's ability to build out our dream home. And when he had "the big idea" - which was a curve ball for [our] budget, timelines, and design ideas - he already had Plan B drawn up just in case the Big Idea was more than we could chew at that time. Fortunately it wasn't and the fruits of our labors can be seen on Michael's web site.
Norm Page, September 27, 2007
"San Anselmo"
hired in 2000
Complete remodel of house built in 1895. Michael listened carefully to what we wanted to accomplish, including the incorporation of vintage architectural details into what would be a modern house. He had input on everything: structure, architecture, permits, design, color, fixtures, and etc. He also helped us find a contractor and met regularly with us and the contractor during construction. We couldn't be happier with the results. Everything, architecture, style, color, and etc works together in one harmonious whole. For this project, we went for the whole enchilada, and chose to spend a lot of time and money on planning and architectural services. However, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Michael for less ambitious projects. If you want competence, sensibility, and style, in your architect, then Michael should be on your short list.
Jim Acker, September 2013
"Noe Valley 4"
hired 2006
Michael helped us review our space needs and shaped a creative, beautiful redesign of an awkward and hideously ugly entry way. Once just a place to get past, it now invites one to linger and look at the art.
Charles Stinson, September 25, 2007
(project not shown)
hired in 2003
Michael Mullin did the architectural work on a home I had built in San Francisco. He worked in concert with me to ensure that what I wanted to achieve was in fact achieved. The end result was a stunning home, one which neighbors felt fit in with the neighborhood. It was a very creative and collaborative process and I was extremely pleased with the results.
Bob and Donald, September 13, 2013
hired 1995
Michael Mullin provided design consulting input on two of my residential development projects, saving construction cost and boosting resale value. He has a fantastic eye for what is possible and put forth ideas that improved on my designs tremendously. Highly recommended.
Kristin Hofso, September 2013
hired 2008
Michael Mullin created a marvelous transformation of our Outer Sunset home We asked him to add a third floor for a music conservatory, and as discussions proceeded we added this and that. But we did not want to lose the original personality of the house. This turned out to be a very challenging project, with structural issues, grouchy neighbors, and a hard-to-please client (us). But he pulled it off brilliantly, on schedule and budget. We remain delighted with the design he produced, it is holding up well, and visitors are always amazed at what is here.
We later asked him to design a small guest house remodel in Humboldt County; his insight and pencil opened up a new direction we had not thought of, and this has been successful as well.
Michael is honest, talented, hard-working, highly creative, experienced, and just darned nice. I recommend him without hesitation.
Jeffrey Rodman, September 12, 2013
hired 2005