What We Offer

Every project is different, and we prefer it that way. Whether you’re renovating a century home, adding space for a growing family, or building from the ground up, our approach stays the same: listen carefully, design thoughtfully, and stay involved throughout the process to ensure construction is executed as planned and the finished result is as intended.

We enjoy working with homeowners and builders. If you’re a homeowner exploring a project, you’ll find an overview of what I offer below. If you’re a builder looking for an architect to partner with, you’ll find information for that relationship here as well.

Hiring an architect can feel like a big step, especially if you haven’t done it before. We try to make the process straightforward and collaborative, with clear communication at every stage. Here’s an overview of some of the types of projects we like to take on:
Whole-Home Remodels & Renovations
A whole-home remodel is an opportunity to rethink how your house works for you—improving flow, updating systems, and making spaces that fit the way you live. We have experience with older homes, where the challenge is often balancing preservation of character with modern functionality and energy efficiency.
Kitchen & Bath Renovations
Kitchens and bathrooms are the most detail-intensive rooms in a house, and they’re where good design has the biggest impact on daily life. We work through layouts, material selections, appliance coordination, and cabinetry design to make sure the finished space is both beautiful and practical. We coordinate closely with cabinetmakers and contractors to keep the process on track.
Additions & ADUs
Whether you need a second story, a bump-out for a growing family, or additional rental income through an accessory dwelling unit, additions require careful integration with the existing structure. We handle the design, permitting, construction documentation, and stay up to date with ADU regulations and zoning requirements.
New Custom Homes
Starting from scratch gives the opportunity to build exactly what you need. From site analysis and schematic design through construction documents, contractor bidding, permitting and construction, we’re with you through the entire process.
Historic Preservation & Restoration
Portland has no shortage of homes that have been beautifully preserved. We enjoy the detective work involved in historic projects—understanding how the house was built, what’s been changed over time, and how to honor the original character while updating the home for modern living. If your home is in a historic district or has landmark status, we navigate the additional review processes involved.
Sustainable & Energy-Efficient Design
As a LEED Accredited Professional, Maria brings sustainable design principles to every project, whether or not you’re pursuing certification. This includes energy-efficient building envelopes, thoughtful daylighting strategies, responsible material selection, and coordination with energy consultants when needed. Good sustainable design isn’t just about being green—it’s about building a home that’s more comfortable, more durable, and less expensive to operate.
Not sure where to start? Schedule a free consultation and we can talk through your project together.
We know that what builders need from an architect is different from what homeowners need. You need clear, buildable documents. You need someone who picks up the phone during construction. And you need a design partner who understands what happens on the job site, not just at the office.
Some of our favorite projects have come from our relationships with builders. Here’s how we can work together:
Design Partnership for Builder-Led Projects
If you have a client who needs architectural services for a project you’re leading, we can step in as the design partner. We’ll work with you and the homeowner to develop a design that meets their vision and your build requirements. This is a collaborative process—we value your input on constructability, material availability, and budget realities because it leads to a better result for everyone.
Construction Documentation & Permitting
Maria has two decades of experience in producing thorough, well-coordinated construction documents. We are happy to handle the permitting process, and are responsive to RFIs and clarifications during construction. The goal is to give you a set of documents you can build from confidently.
Design Consultation for In-Progress Projects
Sometimes a project hits a design question midstream—a layout that isn’t working, a client who wants to change scope, or a site condition that requires a creative solution. We’re available for targeted design consultation on projects that don’t need full architectural services. This can be a one-time session or ongoing support depending on what you need.
Value Engineering & Design Optimization
If a project is coming in over budget, we can work with you to find design solutions that reduce cost without compromising the intent. This might mean simplifying details, suggesting alternative materials, or rethinking a layout to reduce structural complexity.
Why Builders Work With Us
We hear the same things from the contractors we partner with: the documents are thorough, we’re easy to reach, and have an understanding of construction. We take that as the highest compliment. A few things that set the working relationship apart:
- Construction documents that are detailed, coordinated, and buildable
- Direct access to an architect throughout the project
- Responsiveness during construction when questions come up
- Collaborative approach to design that respects your expertise and your client’s budget
- Licensed in Oregon, California, and Washington
Referrals
If you have clients who need an architect, we welcome the referral. The best projects happen when the architect and contractor have a good working relationship from the start.
Want to discuss a project or explore a partnership? Reach out here.

Explore Our Services

What We Offer