From first conversation to finished building.
Every project runs through the same principal. No hand-offs. No surprises. No committee.
Listen
Before drawings, before budgets, I want to understand how you live, what frustrates you about your current space, and what you picture when you imagine the project done right. The best architecture starts with a real conversation, not a questionnaire.
Discover
I visit the site before I draw a single line. Light at different hours, the way the land drains, what the neighbors built, what the zoning actually allows. The design should feel inevitable given the constraints, not imposed despite them.
Design
Not with a floor plan first, but with a relationship between inside and outside, public and private, what you see first and what reveals itself over time. We iterate until it clicks, and you'll know when it does.
Refine
Materials, structure, mechanical systems, the details that separate a good building from a great one. This is where having one architect who understands the whole picture matters most. Nothing is delegated. Nothing falls through the cracks.
Document
Construction documents that builders can actually build from, not vague sketches that create change orders. I've stood on enough job sites to know exactly what happens when a detail is left ambiguous or a dimension doesn't add up.
Oversee
I stay involved through construction, reviewing submittals, answering RFIs, visiting the site, solving problems in real time rather than after they've become expensive. The builder builds. I make sure it gets built right.
I'm selective about the projects I take on. Here's who I work best with.
You want one architect, not a team with a rotating cast. You value knowing exactly who's designing your home and who'll be standing on the job site when it matters.
You care about the process, not just the end product. You want to be involved in the decisions, understand the trade-offs, and enjoy the experience of building something that's genuinely yours.
Your project is in Michigan, or you're building here. I design in the places I know: the light, the soil, the zoning, the builders.
You want someone who picks up the phone. Not a receptionist, not a project manager, not an intern. The architect.
We were lucky enough to hire Roger to design our dream home. He is extremely talented and an even better listener. We met with him and he immediately understood our vision and got to work. We have very specific tastes and he captured it perfectly while also staying within our budget.
What clients usually ask before we start.
How much does it cost to hire an architect in Michigan?
Architectural fees typically range from 8–15% of construction cost, depending on the project's complexity and scope. For a custom home, that means the design investment scales with the build. I'm transparent about fees from the first conversation, no surprises.
What's the difference between hiring a one-person firm vs. a large firm?
At a large firm, the principal who wins the project often isn't the one designing it or managing it day-to-day. You end up working with junior staff and project managers. With my practice, the person you meet is the person doing the work. Every call, every decision, every site visit. That continuity is the difference between a good project and a great one.
How long does the custom home design process take?
From first meeting to construction documents, most custom homes take 4–8 months depending on size and complexity. Renovations can be faster. I don't rush the design phase because getting it right on paper saves months and money during construction.
Do you work on renovations, or just new construction?
Both. Some of my best work has been renovations: bringing a mid-century home back to life, adding onto a family house without losing its character, or reimagining an interior completely. Renovations often require more skill than new builds because you're solving problems the original architect didn't anticipate.
What areas of Michigan do you serve?
I'm based in Rochester Hills and work throughout Michigan. Most of my projects are in Oakland County (Rochester, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Troy, Lake Orion, Clarkston) but I also design lakefront homes in northern Michigan (Charlevoix, Traverse City, Petoskey) and have worked in Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Detroit, and Plymouth.
Do you help select a builder?
Yes. After 25 years in Michigan, I know the builders: who does quality work, who communicates well, who stays on schedule. I'll help you find the right match for your project and your expectations. A good architect-builder relationship is one of the most important factors in a successful project.
What's the first step?
A conversation. Tell me what you're thinking, even if it's vague. Most projects start with a phone call or a message through the site. No commitment, no sales pitch. Just a conversation about what's possible.
Every project begins with a conversation.
Tell Me About Your ProjectNo commitment. Most projects start with a 20-minute phone call.