The soul of architecture is beautiful function; the spirit of design is captivating storytelling. One can exist without the other much like a play can exist without an audience, but the meaning is sapped. But when properly fused, the result is meaning and value that transcends the sums of its parts.
One style of architecture or design is no better or worse than another; the world is broad enough and splendidly varied enough for all forms, properly intentioned and executed, to have place, meaning, and voice. Rather, each project needs to find its own story. Each client, each site, each program, taken in aggregate, have a chapter of that story to tell. The job of the architect and designer is to do their part to write and execute that story to the best of their abilities. That means working with clients, contractors, and consultants to ensure all parts of the story are properly balanced and beautifully functional. This is true regardless of the project type; houses, restaurants, offices, hotels — all when properly executed function beautifully, share a captivating story, and bring their own meaning and value to the world.
One style of architecture or design is no better or worse than another; the world is broad enough and splendidly varied enough for all forms, properly intentioned and executed, to have place, meaning, and voice. Rather, each project needs to find its own story. Each client, each site, each program, taken in aggregate, have a chapter of that story to tell. The job of the architect and designer is to do their part to write and execute that story to the best of their abilities. That means working with clients, contractors, and consultants to ensure all parts of the story are properly balanced and beautifully functional. This is true regardless of the project type; houses, restaurants, offices, hotels — all when properly executed function beautifully, share a captivating story, and bring their own meaning and value to the world.
The soul of architecture is beautiful function; the spirit of design is captivating storytelling. One can exist without the other much like a play can exist without an audience, but the meaning is sapped. But when properly fused, the result is meaning and value that transcends the sums of its parts.
One style of architecture or design is no better or worse than another; the world is broad enough and splendidly varied enough for all forms, properly intentioned and executed, to have place, meaning, and voice. Rather, each project needs to find its own story. Each client, each site, each program, taken in aggregate, have a chapter of that story to tell. The job of the architect and designer is to do their part to write and execute that story to the best of their abilities. That means working with clients, contractors, and consultants to ensure all parts of the story are properly balanced and beautifully functional. This is true regardless of the project type; houses, restaurants, offices, hotels — all when properly executed function beautifully, share a captivating story, and bring their own meaning and value to the world.
The soul of architecture is beautiful function; the spirit of design is captivating storytelling. One can exist without the other much like a play can exist without an audience, but the meaning is sapped. But when properly fused, the result is meaning and value that transcends the sums of its parts.
One style of architecture or design is no better or worse than another; the world is broad enough and splendidly varied enough for all forms, properly intentioned and executed, to have place, meaning, and voice. Rather, each project needs to find its own story. Each client, each site, each program, taken in aggregate, have a chapter of that story to tell. The job of the architect and designer is to do their part to write and execute that story to the best of their abilities. That means working with clients, contractors, and consultants to ensure all parts of the story are properly balanced and beautifully functional. This is true regardless of the project type; houses, restaurants, offices, hotels — all when properly executed function beautifully, share a captivating story, and bring their own meaning and value to the world.
The soul of architecture is beautiful function; the spirit of design is captivating storytelling. One can exist without the other much like a play can exist without an audience, but the meaning is sapped. But when properly fused, the result is meaning and value that transcends the sums of its parts.
The soul of architecture is beautiful function; the spirit of design is captivating storytelling. One can exist without the other much like a play can exist without an audience, but the meaning is sapped. But when properly fused, the result is meaning and value that transcends the sums of its parts.
One style of architecture or design is no better or worse than another; the world is broad enough and splendidly varied enough for all forms, properly intentioned and executed, to have place, meaning, and voice. Rather, each project needs to find its own story. Each client, each site, each program, taken in aggregate, have a chapter of that story to tell. The job of the architect and designer is to do their part to write and execute that story to the best of their abilities. That means working with clients, contractors, and consultants to ensure all parts of the story are properly balanced and beautifully functional. This is true regardless of the project type; houses, restaurants, offices, hotels — all when properly executed function beautifully, share a captivating story, and bring their own meaning and value to the world.
Michael has been practicing architecture and design for nearly 20 years, the last half in the greater Washington, DC area. Prior to joining Nahra Design Group in 2020, Michael was a Studio Director and one of the founding employees at the prominent hospitality design firm HapstakDemetriou+. There he was a leader of firm operations, recruited and directed the talented staff of design professionals, and design and managed projects of a variety of scales and typologies.
Before moving to Washington, Michael lived and worked in Portland, Oregon. There he worked on large scale hospitality projects such as the first branded aLoft Hotel and multiple Marriott projects, along with local restaurants and offices, learning the true value, necessity, and means of executing environmentally responsible, and economically viable, design. It was also there he earned his Masters of Architecture from the University of Oregon.
Between earning his BA in Architecture at Miami University of Ohio and settling into Portland, Michael got his start working across the US on a variety of project types as a project manager with an Ohio-based general contractor. His experience working as a contractor prepared him for re-entering the architecture profession upon moving to Portland.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, raised in northeastern Ohio, with experience from coast to coast and multiple points between, and a fondness for world travel and experiencing different cultures and ideals, Michael brings midwest sensibilities, west coast environmentalism, east coast work ethic, and a global perspective to every project on which he works.
Michael is licensed to practice architecture in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and National Council of Architecture Registration Boards (NCARB).
Michael has been practicing architecture and design for nearly 20 years, the last half in the greater Washington, DC area. Prior to joining Nahra Design Group in 2020, Michael was a Studio Director and one of the founding employees at the prominent hospitality design firm HapstakDemetriou+. There he was a leader of firm operations, recruited and directed the talented staff of design professionals, and design and managed projects of a variety of scales and typologies.
Before moving to Washington, Michael lived and worked in Portland, Oregon. There he worked on large scale hospitality projects such as the first branded aLoft Hotel and multiple Marriott projects, along with local restaurants and offices, learning the true value, necessity, and means of executing environmentally responsible, and economically viable, design. It was also there he earned his Masters of Architecture from the University of Oregon.
Between earning his BA in Architecture at Miami University of Ohio and settling into Portland, Michael got his start working across the US on a variety of project types as a project manager with an Ohio-based general contractor. His experience working as a contractor prepared him for re-entering the architecture profession upon moving to Portland.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, raised in northeastern Ohio, with experience from coast to coast and multiple points between, and a fondness for world travel and experiencing different cultures and ideals, Michael brings midwest sensibilities, west coast environmentalism, east coast work ethic, and a global perspective to every project on which he works.
Michael is licensed to practice architecture in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and National Council of Architecture Registration Boards (NCARB).
Michael has been practicing architecture and design for nearly 20 years, the last half in the greater Washington, DC area. Prior to joining Nahra Design Group in 2020, Michael was a Studio Director and one of the founding employees at the prominent hospitality design firm HapstakDemetriou+. There he was a leader of firm operations, recruited and directed the talented staff of design professionals, and design and managed projects of a variety of scales and typologies.
Before moving to Washington, Michael lived and worked in Portland, Oregon. There he worked on large scale hospitality projects such as the first branded aLoft Hotel and multiple Marriott projects, along with local restaurants and offices, learning the true value, necessity, and means of executing environmentally responsible, and economically viable, design. It was also there he earned his Masters of Architecture from the University of Oregon.
Between earning his BA in Architecture at Miami University of Ohio and settling into Portland, Michael got his start working across the US on a variety of project types as a project manager with an Ohio-based general contractor. His experience working as a contractor prepared him for re-entering the architecture profession upon moving to Portland.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, raised in northeastern Ohio, with experience from coast to coast and multiple points between, and a fondness for world travel and experiencing different cultures and ideals, Michael brings midwest sensibilities, west coast environmentalism, east coast work ethic, and a global perspective to every project on which he works.
Michael is licensed to practice architecture in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and National Council of Architecture Registration Boards (NCARB).
Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites
Various Locations
Mercado de Paseo Caribe
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Nandos
Old Town, Alexandria, VA
National Minority AIDS Council
Farragut, Washington, DC
Pincho
Various Locations
Po Boy Jim
Atlas District, Washington, DC
Quarter Market
Ballston, Arlington, VA
Rasa
Various Locations
Rice Crook
Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Rose’s Luxury
Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
Scott's
Penn Quarter, Washington, DC
Shy Bird
Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA
Tadich Grill
Penn Quarter, Washington, DC
Emilie's
Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
Fields Good Chicken
Various Locations
Gusto
Various Locations
Hahn Loeser Parks
Naples, FL
Hot Lola's
Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Ice Cream Jubilee
Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Kershaw Knives KAI USA
Tualatin, OR
L'Ardente
Mt. Vernon Sq, Washington, DC
(Under Construction)
La Hacienda Montehiedra
San Juan, PR
(Under Construction)
Levine & Associates
Dupont Circle, Washington, DC
Little Beet
Various Locations
Marinepolis Sushi Land
Pearl District, Portland, OR
Marriott Courtyard
Various Locations
&Pizza
Various Locations
aLoft Hotel
Portland, OR
American Tandoor
Tyson's Corner, VA
American Tap Room
Richmond, VA
Ballston Service Station
Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Black Hog BBQ
Frederick, MD
Bracket Room
Clarendon, Arlington, VA
Bread Furst
Van Ness, Washington, DC
Casa Tua Cucina
Brickell, Miami, FL
Choice Hotels MainStay Suites
Various Locations
Choice Hotels Suburban Extended Stay Hotels
Various Locations
Convivial
Shaw, Washington, DC
District Doughnut
Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
DC Pizza
Farragut, Washington, DC
&Pizza
Various Locations
aLoft Hotel
Portland, OR
American Tandoor
Tyson's Corner, VA
American Tap Room
Richmond, VA
Ballston Service Station
Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Black Hog BBQ
Frederick, MD
Bracket Room
Clarendon, Arlington, VA
Bread Furst
Van Ness, Washington, DC
Casa Tua Cucina
Brickell, Miami, FL
Choice Hotels MainStay Suites
Various Locations
Choice Hotels Suburban Extended Stay Hotels
Various Locations
Convivial
Shaw, Washington, DC
District Doughnut
Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
DC Pizza
Farragut, Washington, DC
Emilie's
Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
Fields Good Chicken
Various Locations
Gusto
Various Locations
Hahn Loeser Parks
Naples, FL
Hot Lola's
Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Ice Cream Jubilee
Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Kershaw Knives KAI USA
Tualatin, OR
L'Ardente
Mt. Vernon Sq, Washington, DC
(Under Construction)
La Hacienda Montehiedra
San Juan, PR
(Under Construction)
Levine & Associates
Dupont Circle, Washington, DC
Little Beet
Various Locations
Marinepolis Sushi Land
Pearl District, Portland, OR
Marriott Courtyard
Various Locations
Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites
Various Locations
Mercado de Paseo Caribe
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Nandos
Old Town, Alexandria, VA
National Minority AIDS Council
Farragut, Washington, DC
Pincho
Various Locations
Po Boy Jim
Atlas District, Washington, DC
Quarter Market
Ballston, Arlington, VA
Rasa
Various Locations
Rice Crook
Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Rose’s Luxury
Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
Scott's
Penn Quarter, Washington, DC
Shy Bird
Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA
Tadich Grill
Penn Quarter, Washington, DC
&Pizza - Various Locations
aLoft Hotel - Portland, OR
American Tandoor - Tyson's Corner, VA
American Tap Room - Richmond, VA
Ballston Service Station - Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Black Hog BBQ - Frederick, MD
Bracket Room - Clarendon, Arlington, VA
Bread Furst - Van Ness, Washington, DC
Casa Tua Cucina - Brickell, Miami, FL
Choice Hotels MainStay Suites - Various Locations
Choice Hotels Suburban Extended Stay Hotels - Various Locations
Convivial - Shaw, Washington, DC
District Doughnut - Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
DC Pizza - Farragut, Washington, DC
Emilie's - Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
Fields Good Chicken - Various Locations
Gusto - Various Locations
Hahn Loeser Parks - Naples, FL
Hot Lola's - Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Ice Cream Jubilee - Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Kershaw Knives KAI USA - Tualatin, OR
L'Ardente - Mt. Vernon Sq, Washington, DC
(Under Construction)
La Hacienda Montehiedra - San Juan, PR
(Under Construction)
Levine & Associates - Dupont Circle, Washington, DC
Little Beet - Various Locations
Marinepolis Sushi Land - Pearl District, Portland, OR
Marriott Courtyard - Various Locations
Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites - Various Locations
Mercado de Paseo Caribe - San Juan, Puerto Rico
Nandos - Old Town, Alexandria, VA
National Minority AIDS Council - Farragut, Washington, DC
Pincho - Various Locations
Po Boy Jim - Atlas District, Washington, DC
Quarter Market - Ballston, Arlington, VA
Rasa - Various Locations
Rice Crook - Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Rose’s Luxury - Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
Scott's - Penn Quarter, Washington, DC
Shy Bird - Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA
Tadich Grill - Penn Quarter, Washington, DC
&Pizza
Various Locations
aLoft Hotel
Portland, OR
American Tandoor
Tyson's Corner, VA
American Tap Room
Richmond, VA
Ballston Service Station
Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Black Hog BBQ
Frederick, MD
Bracket Room
Clarendon, Arlington, VA
Bread Furst
Van Ness, Washington, DC
Casa Tua Cucina
Brickell, Miami, FL
Choice Hotels MainStay Suites
Various Locations
Choice Hotels Suburban Extended Stay Hotels
Various Locations
Convivial
Shaw, Washington, DC
District Doughnut
Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
DC Pizza
Farragut, Washington, DC
Emilie's
Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
Fields Good Chicken
Various Locations
Gusto
Various Locations
Hahn Loeser Parks
Naples, FL
Hot Lola's
Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Ice Cream Jubilee
Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Kershaw Knives KAI USA
Tualatin, OR
L'Ardente
Mt. Vernon Sq, Washington, DC
(Under Construction)
La Hacienda Montehiedra
San Juan, PR
(Under Construction)
Levine & Associates
Dupont Circle, Washington, DC
Little Beet
Various Locations
Marinepolis Sushi Land
Pearl District, Portland, OR
Marriott Courtyard
Various Locations
Marriott Fairfield Inn & Suites
Various Locations
Mercado de Paseo Caribe
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Nandos
Old Town, Alexandria, VA
National Minority AIDS Council
Farragut, Washington, DC
Pincho
Various Locations
Po Boy Jim
Atlas District, Washington, DC
Quarter Market
Ballston, Arlington, VA
Rasa
Various Locations
Rice Crook
Quarter Market, Arlington, VA
Rose’s Luxury
Capitol Hill, Washington, DC
Scott's
Penn Quarter, Washington, DC
Shy Bird
Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA
Tadich Grill
Penn Quarter, Washington, DC
© m | m a s o n architecture | design