Here’s The Deal: GMK Architecture Inc. is one of the reputed architectural firms affording extraordinary architectural design services. For more than 30 years, architects Jim Gempeler and Russ Kowalski have used computer-aided design (CAD) systems to build upon clients' ideas & needs. They specialize in custom residential and small commercial projects. The company provides enhanced knowledge, whether designing a private residence or commercial enterprise. They use high-quality materials and products to build their clients' projects. Their designs embrace new ideas and technologies, reflect their client's design tastes, and accommodate all functional lifestyles or business requirements. They never fail to satisfy the customer expectations.
3 Best Residential Architects in Madison, WI
Expert recommended Top 3 Residential Architects in Madison, Wisconsin. All of our residential architects actually undergo a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!
TOP 3 GMK ARCHITECTURE INC REVIEWS
Jim is one of the brightest, and most creative people I have ever met. When these qualities are merged with practicality, it is a customer's delight. I've done two projects with Jim, one a very substantial home. My experience could not have been more positive. Would I use hime again? In a flash. How often does one find a person who is both immensely creative, responsive to customer objectives, and practical in terms of business realities.
Jim Gempeler is receptive, imaginative, practical and flexible. Oh yeah, he's an amazing architect too. He found an elegant, practical way for us to open up the first floor of our century old colonial without compromising it's character
Easy to work with. Exactly what we were looking for!
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![Barnett Architecture LLC Madison Residential Architects Barnett Architecture LLC Madison Residential Architects](https://threebestrated.com/images/BarnettArchitectureLLC-Madison-WI.jpeg)
Here’s The Deal: Barnett Architecture LLC is one of the well known architect company in madison. The firm aims to develop projects based on a single clear idea or concept that guides the overall design. The design team avoids preconceived notions and encourages everyone to contribute their ideas about what the project should or should not be. Through a collaborative design session called a Charrette, a variety of ideas are generated, and a consensus is reached, helping to quickly confirm the design direction and address key issues such as goals, needs, schedule, and budget. Their services range from hourly consultations to overseeing the entire project architectural process. They believe this is the foundation for green design. Green design experience extends beyond the mainstream, including solar hot water and photovoltaic systems, radiant heating and cooling, wind turbines, and green roofs.
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TOP 3 BARNETT ARCHITECTURE LLC REVIEWS
I contacted Todd in 2011 to see if he was interested in working on an unusual project. My wife and I had a buildable lot and I wanted to build a smallish high-performance house (aka Passive House from the German Passivhaus trend). I had seen a couple of his projects and I liked the contemporary feel and interesting use of materials. He explained how he worked and I found out he was also a fan of Sarah Susanka's ideology (see the "Not So Big House" book series). (His design partner, Sara, in fact worked for Sarah Susanka some years before.) He was also familiar with the Passive house concept and knew what was involved. I was sold. As others have noted, Todd approached the project in a very inclusive, collaborative fashion. Ready with his sketch pad, he draws ideas, makes suggestions, but goes where you guide him. The more ideas and direction you provide, the easier he and Sara can start putting things together. My advice is to show up with more ideas than "I want a house with 3 bedrooms". Do some research, find examples, pictures, etc. Once you help establish a direction, he will supply options and alternatives based on your taste and budget. I can tell you he will offer lots of cool ideas you had no idea existed. Ultimately, he wants to help you get the house you want, not one he wants. I highly recommend him. As for the smallish house? It got bigger, but that was because of me. I'm a woodworker and after weighing costs, I included a fairly sizable workshop into the footprint, rather than build a separate outbuilding. It turned out great.
Our new addition is splendid, and it is definitely all about the design. Todd took our little 1960 three bedroom ranch and made it a roomy, light, airy space that our family of four will continue to enjoy for years. I think it is some of his creative details that really make the project, such as opening up the stairwell by the dining room, which gives the effect of a larger open dining space. The unique placement and size of the windows in the new bedroom make it a magnificent room, along with the efficient use of dead space that has given us a study area and two beautiful built in book shelves. We really feel like we have a whole new house. Todd was so easy to work with. From the beginning I knew this project would go well, because he took the time to sit with us, and really listened and responded to what we wanted. Todd was patient with our indecision and helped steer us in a practical yet thoughtful direction. Ultimately, he designed a space that exactly met our needs, and was within our budget. Cynthia Hirsch and Family
This is the letter I sent to Todd at the completion of our project: “On Friday, it will be one year since we moved into our "new" home. I remember the very first meeting we had when I told you I wanted to walk into my house every evening and say "ahhh" and feel that I was where I most wanted to be. And I do! Every night when I come through the door I think how much we love living here and how perfect it all is. We want you to know how much we appreciate all you did to make that happen. From the beginning, you and Sarah both grasped the idea that we really did want to keep things small, to make the house perfect but not huge. You didn't encourage us to expand the footprint, to add things we didn't need, or to incorporate "extras" that weren't necessary. What we have is exactly what we wanted; every area of our home has a purpose and is daily used and enjoyed. We always appreciated your availability, your creativity, and your willingness to listen to and incorporate our ideas. Your sensitivity to the history and age of the house meant a lot. I am glad you encouraged us to be true to the character of our home and to incorporate as many of the historical aspects as possible. We love the original beams in the fireplace room and the light pole made from reclaimed wood. I especially appreciate the stone archway between the addition and the original house. As you know, I am all about symmetry and I absolutely love it every time I walk through that area. It is so in harmony with both the past and the future of this home. Thank you, also, for helping me with the decisions I found hardest. It would have been very difficult to choose the millwork without your guidance. I also appreciated your help with the light fixtures. Everything ties together so perfectly and is so consistent with the age and feel of the house. Further, I had no idea how important it is to have just the right color paint for the various areas. One of my favorite times of the day is the morning, when the sunlight streams in from the east and the walls seem to glow! Although we are not planning on ever moving, there are things we would eventually like to do with the other buildings on the property. You will be the first person we call when we get to that stage. You have shown us the value of involving an architect from the earliest point and look forward to again utilizing your imagination and guidance. Please feel free to list us as a reference for future clients as we would be very happy to give you our highest recommendation.” CH and BC, Mequon, WI
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These ratings are independent and not influenced only by reviews found on any other online platforms or feedback received directly from customers.
![GinkgoHouse Architecture Madison Residential Architects GinkgoHouse Architecture Madison Residential Architects](https://threebestrated.com/images/GinkgoHouseArchitecture-Madison-WI.jpeg)
Here’s The Deal: GinkgoHouse Architecture is a design firm in Madison, Wisconsin, focusing on bringing high creativity, thoughtfulness & detail to residential and non-residential projects. Andrew Wanek is the owner of Ginkgo House Architecture. He established the firm to create an open, collaborative process that produces a rewarding end product. As a licensed architect, he is dedicated to achieving this goal. Ginkgo House Architecture recognizes the immensely personal nature of creating a space to live, laugh, raise families, and entertain. They will look at several factors and assess which technique is best for your project and budget, considering the possibility of implementing further green strategies in the future.
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TOP 3 GINKGOHOUSE ARCHITECTURE REVIEWS
We first pursued Ginkgo House Architecture after touring an existing new construction project near its completion. We then met with Andy and quicky felt confident in his ability to design our new home. We likely presented as potentially tricky clients (insert Andy's diplomatic smile here) in that we had a design aesthetic generally atypical in the Midwest, an affinity for independence, and a handful of craftsman whose work we wished to include. Andy proved to be attentive to our style preferences, resourceful with creative materials, and genuinely enthusiastic about the project. Andy struck that delicate, yet critical, balance between being professional, yet personal. We have now lived in our new home just over a year, and as we finish furnishing I often find myself quietly musing, "Now, what would Andy do?". And in the next 12-15 years when our nest has emptied and we look to downsize, Ginkgo House Architecture will be my first phone call.
Andy at Ginkgo House Architects listens to your thoughts and desires to develop beautiful and creative designs that fit your lifestyle and home. Andy formulates ideas that will enhance and compliment many styles from historic to modern and works well in our Design/Build environment. We have worked with Andy for over 16 years and he continues to be a collaborative partner in creating successful projects and happy clients. We would highly recommend him.
We have just finished the addition of a first floor master suite and an entire exterior remodel (including new architectural elements) to our home.We put our complete trust in Andy Braman-Wanek of Ginkgo House Architecture and he exceeded our expectations. Andy presented us with three different choices, but the one we selected stood out both as the most livable and the most architecturally harmonious. His design is traditional and fits in beautifully with the character of the neighborhood which is what we wanted. The addition , its size and proportions, its connection to the main structure, its roof line, and above all its siting on the lot all reveal Andy's creativity and vision. (Everyone says the new construction looks like it has always been there, which is what we were hoping for.) Furthermore, the house now takes advantage of the full width of the lot and its changing grade. With regard to room layout, interior finishes, lighting, plumbiing fixtures, and hardware we were happy to rely on Andy's expertise. As we live in our new space we continue to appreciate the day-to-day convenience and beauty of these details, and know none of them occurred by accident. Finally, one of the most exciting decisions we made with Andy's guidance was choosing the exterior colors of the siding, shutters and doors. We knew we wanted to get away from white. What we ended up with is a fresh choice that has not only been embraced by our neighbors and seems to have universal appeal now, but that we feel will hold its attractiveness in years to come. As aging baby boomers we had come to the conclusion that we wanted to remain where we lived, but felt the need to make certain modifications to our home to accommodate our future needs. Andy's ideas have made this possible. We give Gingko House the highest possible rating and recommend Andy Braman-Wanek without reservation.
Help others: Click Here to send review or send us your review to reviews@threebestrated.com. Negative and positive review will be used for rating. Make a difference.
The ratings displayed on our website are derived from our own proprietary tool, incorporating a comprehensive 50-point inspection check that evaluates specific aspects of each business.
These ratings are independent and not influenced only by reviews found on any other online platforms or feedback received directly from customers.