Since Terrapin Architecture is the company with Richard Berg as the partner architect, I'll repeat…read moremy words here for him. I've known Richard Berg for several years, not as an architect, but as a tireless supporter of the community. I've also seen several of his homes and buildings around town. So when we were planning on building a new home attached to a remodeled home, we immediately wanted him. I've done my own design work in the past with mediocre results. Richard showed me the true value of a professional with his creative solutions, attention to budget, and superior detail. The attention to detail reveals itself in many pages of diagrams beyond the norm that builders love since it accurately conveys how to create the intricacies of a well-built structure. Richard has a quiet demeanor which hides his excellent education. When he speaks it is with creativity and substance. He listens to not only what I say, but the overall ideas behind my words. Builders and the permits department love his work since it makes their job easier - accurately conveying information. I am absolutely delighted with how our project came out and I give him my highest recommendation. Henry (Hank) Fly, tpaine@spg4.com Port Townsend, WA 98368

From the owner: Terrapin Architecture PC is a full service architecture firm that provides architecture and…read moreplanning services to local clients on the North Olympic Peninsula. We specialize in custom homes, innovative remodels, and commercial projects.

My experience with Kirk Boike matches the reviews of Tegan C. and Captain Craig M. exactly. I had a…read moresimple small house project! He utterly failed in design, drafting, communication and understanding what I wanted. I talked to him. I emailed him. I made drawings with notes, numerous times. Nothing worked. Eventually we ended up with a partial plan that passed review but I and the carpenters and the building inspector figured out how to build the house as we went along. Dealing with Boike was a stressful, discouraging, expensive, and incredibly frustrating experience. Avoid this person.

Kirk Boike has failed every possible benchmark of competence that can be imagined. He takes on…read moreprojects he will not work on, and will never return emails or phone calls. The paltry drawing he does is challenged by the City and sent back for rework. After 6 months of wasted time I am no closer to having a permit for what amounts to 3 days carpentry. As the daughter of a Contractor, I've been involved in dozens of new builds and PMI certified. Kirk is a complete sack of fail on whatever he touches (and his own house looks like something a giant Lego dog left behind).

A client of mine was looking for a good Architect to consult with concerning the feasibility of a…read moreremodel/expansion of his single story home in Bellevue. He had contacted several Architects who didn't seem to want to be bothered with this small of a project. I recommended Michelle Linden of atelier a+d and she has been stellar. She determined that the addition of a second story is in fact feasible and they have moved into the design phase. As Michelle is just starting her own practice (after working five years for a PNW Architectural firm as a registered architect) she is accommodating and affordable. But don't let that fool you - she knows her craft. She has strong technical, aesthetic and communication skills, all desirable traits in an Architect who is charged with translating ideas and dreams into a built space.

We recently bought a condo that needs a complete remodel. We hired Michelle to draw up the designs…read moreand also to take us throught the permit process. We are thrilled with the plans and are very impressed with how efficiently Michelle guided us through permitting. She took care of every last detail, freeing us to do the work we do best.

Nina has been helping me with a home remodeling project. This is no ordinary undertaking, to say…read morethe least. There are many constraints due to the current layout of the building which resulted from several changes for the past dozen of decades. She swiftly tackled these challenges and her design recommendations spoke for a great deal of skills and experience - we ended up with practical and refreshing design, while still preserving the home's historical characters. Lastly, Nina has always been effective and efficient in coordinating with engineering and city's building permit department. Her in-depth knowledge in local zoning and building codes saved me from unnecessary overheads. I'm glad to have the chance working with Nina and won't hesitate to hire Island Architecture again for future projects!

Nina is prompt and responsive. She helped me get my plans approved and asked the city all the…read moredifficult questions I would never have though about. I highly recommend her. I will use her for all of my future projects

I've known Richard Berg for several years, not as an architect, but as a tireless supporter of the…read morecommunity. I've also seen several of his homes and buildings around town. So when we were planning on building a new home attached to a remodeled home, we immediately wanted him. I've done my own design work in the past with mediocre results. Richard showed me the true value of a professional with his creative solutions, attention to budget, and superior detail. The attention to detail reveals itself in many pages of diagrams beyond the norm that builders love since it accurately conveys how to create the intricacies of a well-built structure. Richard has a quiet demeanor which hides his excellent education. When he speaks it is with creativity and substance. He listens to not only what I say, but the overall ideas behind my words. Builders and the permits department love his work since it makes their job easier - accurately conveying information. I am absolutely delighted with how our project came out and I give him my highest recommendation. Henry (Hank) Fly, tpaine@spg4.com Port Townsend, WA 98368

We got the permit from the city with plans authored by a different architect but when the project…read morestarted, the difference between actual dimensions on the site and the plans started surfacing and we had to rework on the plans. I reached out to Michael and he was very responsive, he visited the site and quickly shared the updated plans for resubmission to the city. He also closely worked with me and GC to answer further queries from the inspector. Overall, I had great experience with Michael. He is professional, shared his quote upfront and honored it, was very collaborative, responsive and has attention to detail. I am sure he has a bright future ahead and if I start another project I will definitely work with him again.

Update with the design Michael's done for us and the actual project completion. Really pleased with…read morehow the master bath turns out.