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Vernacular, personalized architecture
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FR Review:
Michael Davis creates homes that are utterly unique to the client--whether it's a bohemian-feeling rooftop addition in the Village, a historically accurate English fieldstone cottage in the suburbs, or a loft gallery on lower Fifth. He is said to be sensible, creative, charismatic, and flexible in both his architectural abilities and his personality. Clients say the personable Davis works very closely with them to understand their lifestyles, tastes, and needs, creating a comfortable and beautiful "portraiture of their lifestyle."
Born and raised in New York City, Davis studied art history and comparative literature at Brown and earned an M.Arch. from Harvard. He established the firm in 1993 and currently heads a team of six. The firm takes on projects around the country, from Boston to San Francisco, but most of its endeavors are in New York City and Westchester. Interiors are usually also done in house, where Davis meticulously chooses the finest (although not necessarily the most expensive) materials himself, even if it means a buying trip to Europe for furniture or Indonesia for architectural artifacts. Davis also appreciates the historical elements of his craft and uses a variety of salvaged materials such as doors, floors, and light fixtures in order to give his work a character of "patina and permanence."
About half of Davis' ten annual projects are large apartment renovations, but he also does smaller projects, ground-up homes, and historical preservation. Projects carry a wide range of budgets: from $200,000 to $4 million (new construction). Davis takes pride in being able to work either on the economic side or in no-holds-barred luxury. The firm charges a standard percentage of construction costs.
Representative Client Comments:
"Michael totally maintained the spirit of the place. The perfect guy if you are trying to obtain a specific look or feel." "During the interview process he stood out of the pack as the only architect who understood interior design as well as architecture." "The details are amazing; he put trim on the overhead beams to soften the edges." "Fairly responsive." "The contractor, painters, and carpenter he brought in were also terrific." "No budget is ever met, but we spent the money wisely." "The back office is not the best, especially at keeping the billing organized." "As an accountant, I can vouch that he is always upfront and honest." "Michael is an outstanding architect and one of the more decent human beings on the planet." "We have already recommended Michael to two friends." "I can't imagine using anyone else."
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