These people are great! They have helped me a number of times over the years and I really appreciate their attention to detail and quick communication. Thank you Applied Architecture! read more

We started our project with only a draftsperson. Once completed we had questions and wanted to explore more options. We contacted Applied Architecture and realized we should have started with Mike and staff. They had a boatload of suggestions and options that we did not see. Mike and team always were looking at the budget and another key item is Mike knows what the city will approve. Our project in now done and we love it. read more

Let me start with saying that Dane and Michael have the highest morals and integrity I have seen in a long time. They took on my case and immediately pulled the data because I was supposed to go into a hearing with the city on a possible permit violation on a master bedroom and bathroom. In about a week they pulled all the previous records and we found that there was a permit that the inspector missed approximately 20 years earlier. Michael or Dane could have not mentioned that to me and charged me for all the plans that would have taken to recertify the place but Dane and I went into the hearing and basically took all the plans that we drew up and the permit history with the old drawings and 100% reversed the permit violation because we proved to the board that there were legal papers for the permit 20 years ago that the inspector missed. I would recommend Dane and Mike for any possible work or advisory capacity because they will actually give you an honest evaluation of what is going on and they won't sugarcoat it for you but they will dig deep enough to actually make sure they have every stone uncovered. It was pretty amazing in the hearing with Dane we are talking to the board and Dane went in for the kill shot and asked the inspector, is that the permit that you're looking for is that adequate and the inspector had to say yes which basically sank their whole case. Unfortunately the inspector came after me for something else but it was minor compared to the possible 40 to $50,000 I could have spent recertifying a legal master bedroom with bathroom that was done 20 years previously with the appropriate paperwork. Kudos for the board that actually rectified the situation unanimously and recognized that the inspector wasn't very thorough on his investigation. read more

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We are very pleased with the ADU that Mike and Dane designed. It was very thorough and according to all city codes, legal requirements, etc. We are thankful that our good friend referred us to them. From the very start, it was obvious that they were experienced, reliable and very knowledgeable. We are also very happy with the recommended contractor who was very meticulous in completing the project. read more

To be fair, I did not use there services. But, when I called the business I was told "We do not service your area" The receptionist said this after I only told her the name of the city. She said they only service the Sacramento Region." I told her I live in Solano County. She said "Oh we do jobs in that area". I then told her the city I live in. She then said "We do business in that area". She didn't recognize the city but instead of saying where is that so I can make sure you are in our service area, she automatically said "WE DONT SERVICE THAT AREA", without taking the necessary due diligence to make sure she was giving the appropriate information. She then admitted she didn't know the city but instead of saying "where is that city located" she defaulted to "We don't service that area". It saddens me significantly that the new workforce won't take the basic extra step to make sure they understand and are giving proper information. It is more important for them to be right for themselves versus being effective and saying "I don't know let me check", "I'm not sure can you give me a minute to make sure", or anything beyond the basics. She also said "all inquiries had to be via email ONLY. The architect did not respond to any inquiries via phone, I could only get responses via email". I suggested she tell him that he train the employee, who answer the questions to respond to the most frequently answered questions or put up a frequently answered questions and email him for further clarification. Fortunately and unfortunately, the people who will most likely spend the most money are over 48 years old. This group tends to need direct communication with the person they will trust with their home. They tend to respond better to phone via emails. Well, I suppose he is very busy and don't have the time, nor the system set up, to accommodate future clients unless they are text and email people. Good luck with that! read more

I have worked with Michael and Dane at Applied Architecture on various home remodeling projects over the past several years. As a civil engineer in the business, I went thru several design professionals that did not "get it". Then I was referred to Mike and this team by another architect who knew of their capabilities. Since working with them, I have been very happy with their service and attention to detail on the designs for our home (we are now on phase 4). I would heartily recommend that if anyone is trying to find a great design firm to design a home project to talk to Mike and team at Applied Architecture, you will get honest and realistic advice and design. read more

I highly recommend Applied Architecture! We were in a time crunch to get plans approved for our garage conversion and needed a reliable architect. Michael and his team (Dane was our main architect) worked quickly to draft up quality, permit ready architectural plans at an affordable price. They worked with us throughout the process and got permits approved in record time! Their services are an essential must for any type of ADU/garage conversion deciding whether or not to get architectural plans as they guide you through the entire process effortlessly! Thanks to the Applied Architecture team! read more

Applied Architecture helped us draft plans and secure permits for a JADU. They were fantastic to work with: super responsive and attentive, provided clear instructions, and did all of the hard work. They did an excellent job of keeping us informed of where we were in the planning process and what the next steps were, without any delay. I could pick up the phone and reach Mike or Dane any day of the week, even though I rarely needed to because they were on top of everything. They know exactly what the city and its departments are looking for and how to get through all stages of planning and development. They even provided us with a list of general contractors that they recommended and provided notes on each one (we ended up choosing one from their list). Having worked with other architecture firms in the past, I can say that the individuals at Applied Architecture are experts and professionals, and they make the process feel seamless. If we need to secure another permit in the future, Applied Architecture is the first place we'll call. 10/10. read more

We purchased a Craftsman in Midtown that had been through some unfortunate "remodeling", and we needed help figuring out how to both undo some of the weird choices made, as well as make some improvements. Mike Malinowski of Applied Architecture was wonderful to work with. He gave us a huge range of options to choose from, ranging from the very simple all the way to super creative approaches that we could never have arrived at on our own. His team was great as well; fast, reliable and produced top quality deliverables. Now that our project's wrapped up, the results are fantastic. The new changes made feel seamless and have a very natural flow. If you didn't know, you'd assume the house was always like this, which is exactly what we wanted. Additionally, Mike helped us get through the permitting process with the City of Sacramento quickly and painlessly. Can't recommend Applied Architecture highly enough. read more

During our initial planning and budgeting phase of a potential home remodel and second story addition, Mike was VERY helpful answering all of my questions and even questions I didn't know to ask yet. Although my husband and I have not yet moved forward with hiring an architect or contractor, we appreciate the knowledge he shared when we had no idea where to start. Our next step is to make a final decision of whether this is something we will actually pursue or not. Thank you for your time Mike! Valerie & Craig read more

I worked with Mike with Applied Architecture over 4-5 months on an ADU project in Sacramento. Mike was expert in his knowledge of all of the complicated steps required prior to obtaining the permit for the work, and greatly assisted me in finessing the most challenging hoops to jump through. He also made an insightful call that decreased the burden of work that was required to meet compliance. His charges were very reasonable for the services provided. Mike was also very professional and timely with his communications to me. I highly recommend using this architectural firm for any similar needs of others. read more

The whole team has been amazing to work with, attentive to every detail and diligent through the permit process. We can't wait to start our remodel! read more

We retained Mike to design our separate office space (a cottage) and also to remodel our 1929 Squeaky Williams home in Land Park. Mike understood we wanted to respect the home and the period and he delivered. I'd hire him again in a heart beat. read more

Applied Architecture (AA) took on a small project for me that I thought no one would help me with. The project was more of a feasibility study to see what the City of Elk Grove would allow us to do to our house. AA not only took on our small project, but knocked it out in a week! They figured out that we could add on to the front, back and over the garage and answered more questions than I had asked. In addition, he helped me decide if I had a load bearing wall or not for free. I really appreciate that kind of dedication to clients. I had a great meeting with the owner where he had a fantastic presentation of all the facts and explanations of how he got there, as well as limitations, which is nice so we know what we can and cannot do with the data. I appreciate his help and the professionalism and will definitely go back if I every need his services again. read more

At the beginning of this experience I did not know much about how to design an ADU that would fit my needs. Once I started working with Mike he explained every step of the process to me. He was very knowledgeable about building regulations that allowed me to maximize the space and size of my ADU. Mike was also very helpful in walking me through the permit process and I am thrilled how my project came out. Thank you to everyone at Applied Architecture read more

Mike and Alex are pros! We can't sing their praises enough. They took a budget focused project and made sensible suggestions to achieve the look we desired. Their consideration to balance existing neighborhood design elements with our new updated design goals was outstanding. Their plans flew through our HOA approval process. I highly recommend this architectural firm. They are full of big ideas and can accommodate any design with your budget in mind. Highly recommended!! read more

Great designs! Great team! Very client oriented. They want you to be happy and really solicit and listen to your ideas, rather than just trying to sell you theirs. Really excel in rennovation of older homes, from simply adding curb appeal to entire second story additions. No one will ever know it's not part of your original home! I fool people all the time! read more