About MWA

About MWA


MISSION:
MWA's high integrity (AEI) team expertly guides clients through the design process where the outcome isn't just another project, it's a legacy.

For nearly four decades, MWA, Inc. has worked to create thoughtful spaces that reflect the unique character of Truckee and the greater Lake Tahoe region. Our multidisciplinary team specializes in architecture, engineering, and interior design, and we approach every project with curiosity, collaboration, and care.

MWA, Inc is a nuts-and-bolts firm with artistic talent and a strong understanding of how to create enriching places for happy people. We’re passionate about crafting designs that are both beautiful and practical, blending timeless elements with forward-thinking ideas. Our team thrives on bringing creative visions to life while staying grounded in the unique beauty and culture of our mountain community.

We listen to what our clients say, educate them and help them weigh-off the multitude of options, factoring aesthetics, function, environment, long-term vs short-term costs, marketability, flexibility, and user satisfaction through the ages. We create a synthesis of concepts generated by our clients and ideas garnered from careful consideration of the potential.

While most of our projects are snow country designs for Truckee and Lake Tahoe, many of our satisfied clients commission us to do additional projects around the world including Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Baja, and throughout California and Nevada. Our staff currently holds Architecture licenses in California, Nevada, Colorado, and Washington, and Engineering licenses in California, Colorado, Nevada, and Utah.

The majority of our commissions have been for high-end residential projects. We have also designed commercial buildings and centers, restaurants, multi-family housing, starter homes, industrial facilities, airport facilities, mixed-use projects, and remodels.

Our goal is to build strong relationships between the owner, builder and architect. We understand that architecture is much more than just pretty pictures. We develop builder friendly plans to ensure our client's vision is clearly delivered to the people building it.




In late 2003, I sent Kurt Reinkens, a senior partner at MWA, a 3-page letter describing the features that I wanted in a house on a lot in Northstar. Kurt and his team took the letter and went to the lot (numerous times) and designed a house that not only met but greatly exceeded my expectations.

There were already houses on each side so Kurt and his team designed my home so that I had total privacy even with 72 windows! I didn’t need a single blind in any room---l did put a few but they were not necessary for privacy.

No house can be done without modifications along the way. Kurt and I and the builder Jeff Cotton did these smoothly and with total cooperation among all three parties.

In addition, Kurt continued to always look for ways to make the design better. His unique placement and design of windows not only captured all the views but as I mentioned earlier kept the privacy.

I highly recommend Kurt and his firm to do any architectural project and I would use them again.


-- John Atterbury
Copyright © 2026 - All Rights Reserved