We help growing families with thoughtful additions or new homes so they don't have to do it over again.
Investigate through design. Build for a lifetime with confidence.
Just Free Advice
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“Reiko is a very talented architect and a very caring person! She was so helpful in suggesting ideas that are helping us in our journey in building our new home. Thank you so much, Reiko!“
- Monica R.
We help you and your loved ones design a home that honors where you've been and supports where you're going.
IS THIS YOU?
You don't want to settle anymore.
You aren’t sure whether what you want is worth the investment.
You value design, but don’t know if your vision works. You want to avoid costly mistakes and manage complexity wisely.
You can’t wait to move out of your current home or to reimagine it because it just doesn’t work.
You’ve been dreaming about this for so long, you can’t wait to make it happen.
You want to work with someone you trust to help you create a home.
Whether renovating a family residence or developing a high-value property, confidence in the process matters.
Our job is to design the best home you dreamed of that works.
Vision-Led Design
Big, beautiful projects rooted in intention, spatial experience, and long-term livability.
Stress-Free Monthly Payment System
With our clear and predictable monthly payment system, you’ll never have to guess what your fees will be. Enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing exactly what to expect each month.
High-Touch Collaboration
Highly responsive communication and thoughtful listening to refine what you envision even if you cannot yet articulate it. To be able to see the project in 3D ensures that you know what you’re getting before it gets built!
Clarity Through Process
A clear roadmap from concept to completion, with steady leadership and no ambiguity about what comes next.
OUR PROCESS
Every Project is Different, But Here's a Snippet of What It's Like to Work with Reiko Architecture
We Offer Essential and Standard Services.
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First step is to get the big picture of what you want to get at the end of everything. What’s important to you and your loved ones? We’ll also do site visits, get surveys or geotech started, due diligence, and talk about budgets.
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The first sketches will be based on the surveys and site measurements. We’ll meet on zoom on a weekly schedule to go over the ideas which we’ll be able to see in 3d. The sketches will be the beginning of the technical documents which we’ll use to obtain any necessary permits, and what the contractor will use for construction and bidding.
We’ve been doing this for a long time and specialize in tricky permitting like hillside projects, or ones where we have to present at Planning Commission or appeal to Zoning Administrator to get zero setbacks. -
Contractor’s bids could be confusing and so different from one contractor to the other. We can help smooth out the process.
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Contractor’s bids could be confusing and so different from one contractor to the other. We can help smooth out the process.
Selected Projects
Reiko has over 20 years of experience, and has worked on award-winning projects in collaboration with architecture offices such as AWA Architects, Kelly and Abramson Architecture, and Backen, Gillam and Kroeger Architects.
Major Renovation / Before & After
ADU / Pool House
New Construction
“It was a pleasure working with Reiko. She was professional and provided me with a terrific product when finished.”
Dennis Y.
Questions You May Have
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Each project is different and we’ll need to have a meeting or two to understand the ins and outs of your project. Typically architectural fees are a percentage of a project’s construction cost. If the project is complex to build, then usually it takes some time to design it. Our fee falls between 5% - 15% of total construction cost.
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It’s important to get an architect who is aligned not only in vision but also in experience! I have over 20 years of experience and have worked on schools, hospitals, warehouses, small sheds to 10MM houses. I have extensive experience in the bay area, LA, and North OC.
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Ah, I get this a lot. What’s the pros and cons of working with an Architect or directly with a contractor? The big difference is that if you hire an architect, they are a professional entity that’s different from a contractor. You may not want the architect and the contractor be the same entity. If they are the same entity, then you might not get a full investigation of design - you might have to settle. It might be harder to change the design later on if you change your mind.
During construction - what if you have an issue with the contractor? An architect is another professional entity that can help you navigate construction. -
A lot of times the contractors will tell you that they don’t know how much it’s going to be until they see plans. For a hard bid, they’ll need to see structural drawings, and that wouldn’t come until we figure out a lot of the design and get the engineer going. That makes it hard to commit to a design without knowing how much it’s going to be first.
We can work with contractors during schematic design so that we have a range of what your project might cost. We’ll ask for a series of preliminary estimates to make sure we’re on track. And ask for a final bid once the construction documents are done (with engineer drawings). -
The designing portion of your project could take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months. Really depends, again, on your project. Permitting also depends on the city. We can talk about this during the consultation.
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The rate reflects the time and effort it takes for the project. But we can look for ways to cut cost. Let’s chat!
MEET REIKO MICHLIG
I Take Every Project Seriously Because Each Home Becomes Part of a Family’s Story.
As a mother of three, I understand how spaces must adapt through different seasons of life. A well-designed home should be timeless, comfortable, and supportive — today and years from now.
Our work balances beauty, practicality, and careful coordination to create architecture rooted in clarity and intention.
Core Values: Joy, Create, Abundance, Rooted, Fearless
FEATURED IN
MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE,
UC BERKELEY
LICENSED ARCHITECT
Let’s Design Your Next
Chapter With Clarity
For families and established professionals seeking thoughtful design and structured guidance.