Testimonials
We first met and hired Mike and his team at Surface Architecture back in 2017. We were looking to build our dream home on a mountaintop lot we had recently purchased. From the start, we felt comfortable that Mike understood our requirements to make our home a welcoming place for us and our family and friends.
We also wanted to take full advantage of the beautiful view while minimizing any obstructions from future neighbors. Mike blew us away with his innovative modern design, which we had not even considered. He took full advantage of the property and managed to give us different views from every room.
We did want a few changes, and Mike was very accommodating and easy to work with. Much of our interaction in the first year was remote, but we always felt in sync with the Surface team and trusted that they were invested in our project with us.
During the build process, Mike and his team were partners to both us and the builder—helping solve problems and making sure our build was done to specifications.
Mike also brought on his design team to help with all aspects of the interior design, from paint to furniture, ensuring every room was set up for our lifestyle. The Surface team far exceeded our expectations for what an architectural firm would bring to a project.
Nearly ten years on, Mike and his team are still invested in us. Last year, we had a house fire and reached out to Mike for advice and help. He jumped right in, working with engineers to create a plan to restore our beautiful home, and recommending an amazing contractor to repair the damage. We also requested a few updates, which he turned around quickly so as not to cause any delays.
We highly recommend Mike and his team at Surface Architecture to anyone looking for an experienced, knowledgeable, and trustworthy team!
We couldn’t be happier with the incredible work Michael did on our backyard and pool project. He created a true backyard resort that seamlessly blends with the architecture and style of our home while offering a peaceful retreat overlooking the river.
From start to finish, he was thoughtful, creative, and easy to work with. He collaborated effortlessly with our builder and HOA, ensuring that every detail came together beautifully and smoothly. The end result is a tranquil, elegant outdoor space that feels like an extension of our home.
Working with the team at Surface Architecture was a joy from start to finish. When we first contacted them, we lived on the other side of the world. We had a list of ‘wants’ in a home. They took time to understand our lifestyle, needs and ideas and even viewed local properties for suitability prior to our return to the States. Their creativity, technical expertise and eye for detail is reflected in the final design. They took our lists of ‘wants’ and turned them into an overall vision that is both functional and inspiring. Our home feels like ‘us’ and we could not be happier with the result.
When we bought our home built in the mid-90s, it had amazing potential but very few windows to enjoy our bluff views. We had no idea where to start. Having never worked with an architect before, we called Mike Bridges at Surface Architecture—and that call completely changed our project.
From the moment Mike walked through our home, he started envisioning possibilities we never would have thought of. The concepts he presented were incredible, and we fell in love with his ideas right away. Throughout the process, Mike worked hand in hand with our contractor on every detail. Looking back, I’m convinced that having him involved actually saved us money in the long run because he could see and communicate what was possible long before construction began.
We’re now building a second home, and Mike was our very first call. His creativity, attention to detail, and collaborative approach make the process not only smooth but genuinely enjoyable. His team is fantastic—right down to helping us select finishes and appliances.
We can’t recommend Surface Architecture highly enough. Mike has a rare talent for envisioning what a space can be and then bringing that vision to life. We’ll never start another project without him.
We highly recommend Mike Bridges and Ross Young of Surface Architecture + Design. From our first meeting at our recently purchased property atop the Cumberland Plateau, they demonstrated an exceptional ability to listen, understand, and translate our vision into reality.
The rocky, wooded, bluff-edge site presented both challenges and opportunities. We hoped for a single-story Modern Style home that would be in harmony with a Japanese style garden. Ultimately, Mike and Ross created a design that looks and feels to be a perfect expression of our vision.
The home they designed is nothing short of extraordinary—beautiful, efficient, restful, and uniquely suited to our aesthetic and living preferences. Surface Architecture + Design's holistic approach was equally impressive. They assembled a team of specialized professionals for detailed site analysis, structural engineering, landscape architecture, and interior design to coordinate every element seamlessly. The steel columns and beams, for instance, are both functional and integral to the design, supporting cantilevered decks, large open spans, and dramatically extend flat and butterfly roofs.
As we hoped for, the design brings the outdoors in and allows for numerous moments, as Ross would say, when our attention is captured by beauty.
Designing a home is about bringing hopes and dreams to reality. Through four major design iterations and countless thoughtful refinements over two years, Mike and Ross never wavered in their commitment to getting every detail right. Their patience, expertise, and collaborative spirit made what could have been an overwhelming process rewarding. Having capable, experienced, and thoughtful partners on the journey makes all the difference. A touch of humor at the right moment helps too.
If you're considering a custom home perfectly suited to your needs and wants and beautifully suited to its physical environment, Surface Architecture + Design should be your first choice. Their talent, professionalism, and care for their clients' vision are extraordinary. We are profoundly grateful for the home they created for us.
When we first decided to build a home and create the world that we wanted to live in, it was nothing short of an enormous feat. We had a vision, but didn’t know where to start. We found Surface Architecture and explained what we wanted. When we met with Mike Bridges on the property we knew that Surface Architecture was exactly the fit we were looking for as we could see the inspiration, enthusiasm, and intent that Mike would bring to our project. We could tell that he understood what we wanted and that he was as excited as us to bring it to life.
We had the opportunity to work with Ross Young as our lead architect, and it was Ross that took our vision and then introduced us to ideas and concepts that we would have never thought of but that were perfectly in line with what we were looking for and only enhanced all aspects of our home.
Throughout the preliminary design phase, several revisions, and the monitoring of the actual build, both Mike and Ross helped us navigate the complex world of a custom build. Whether it was sourcing products and design elements to keeping us updated on our budget in relation to our choices they were always there with the help and answers we needed.
The talented team at Surface Architecture took our vision and made it a realty that truly surpassed anything we ever thought possible. Because of them we are now living in our dream home!
