Born and raised in New York City, Michael MacDonald, brings a unique perspective to the necessary components of
community and
placemaking to various project scales, including commercial workplace, residential development, retail, restaurant, single-family house, and institutional projects. With over 13 years of experience in design and implementation, the studio is focused on bringing value to client’s projects through an attention to providing innovative solutions to meet client needs in an efficient manner.
Michael’s experience includes leadership roles with innovative architects: Clive Wilkinson Architects, Rapt Studio, Assembledge+ (Los Angeles) and Resolution: 4 Architecture (New York). Notable projects he has run include KCRW Studios, Google Venice, The Dwell Home, and Downtown L.A.’s The BLOC. Michael received his architectural education at Cornell University, and is currently an adjunct professor of design at Woodbury University.
The studio holds architectural licenses in California, New York, and Illinois; NCARB certification; and LEED accreditation.
Good design doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by listening and innovating.
Architecture has the ability to bring us together, to provide context for creation, to frame the way in which we communicate, and to inspire us to do great things. But a successful project doesn’t happen without a thorough understanding of a multitude of issues including context, constraints, and opportunities. In order to provide a solution, you need to define the problem. We do that by asking questions and listening.
We measure success not by personal achievement, but in the ability to meet and exceed client goals. We understand that in order for a project to be a lasting success, it needs to make efficient use of available resources, be sustainable, and to provide the context for positive daily use. This doesn’t happen when vision ignores budget, or when concept omits feasibility.
But that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun.
We live to innovate and surprise. We provide creative solutions that come from experience and a unique point of view. Sometimes to make an impact, you need to make a statement. Sometime it’s what you don’t do that gets noticed. Sometimes you need to challenge the status quo. And sometimes you need to need to re-assess the approach to the problem itself. Where others see limits, we see opportunities. Let us help you make your project a unique success.
LA Great Streets Challenge Grant Award
Next LA Merit Award, Palomar Medical Center (with CO Architects)
Eidlitz Travel Fellowship, Western Austria
AIA National Innovation in Housing Design Award, Modern Modular Homes (with Resolution: 4 Architecture)
Dwell Home Design Invitational, The Dwell Home (with Resolution: 4 Architecture)
Seipp Price, Cornell University
