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. |
We built a home in the Lahontan Community in 2002-2003 that was designed by Kurt. We had already experienced a home designed by Kurt in Tahoe Donner that we had purchased earlier. Our satisfaction with the Tahoe Donner home was the reason we went to MWA for the Lahontan design. Having had some experience living in the Truckee area, we had some specific needs that we wished to be addressed for the Lahontan design. We articulated these needs in the form of a four page memorandum that we handed to Kurt when we sat down to discuss the project. Kurt took us to some completed homes that he had designed to help us visualize some ideas.
A couple of months later we were told that the draft plans were completed and ready for our review. We were delighted when we found that Kurt had found a way to address all of our needs. From our point of view the design was perfect. Moreover, Kurt had done this while taking maximum advantage of the attributes of the building site: the view of Lookout Mountain, the beautiful meadow and wildlife refuge behind the house and the lovely grove of Aspen trees on the property. We have lived in the home for 4 years and continue to be delighted with the design.
We found working with MWA to be easy and efficient. The communications were excellent every step of the way. Email was used to facilitate communications as we lived in the Bay area while the home was being built.
Overall, we found Kurt and MWA to be very responsive to our needs and very efficient to work with. The project was completed on budget and the architectural design costs were very reasonable.
-- Charlotte and George Hawley
A couple of months later we were told that the draft plans were completed and ready for our review. We were delighted when we found that Kurt had found a way to address all of our needs. From our point of view the design was perfect. Moreover, Kurt had done this while taking maximum advantage of the attributes of the building site: the view of Lookout Mountain, the beautiful meadow and wildlife refuge behind the house and the lovely grove of Aspen trees on the property. We have lived in the home for 4 years and continue to be delighted with the design.
We found working with MWA to be easy and efficient. The communications were excellent every step of the way. Email was used to facilitate communications as we lived in the Bay area while the home was being built.
Overall, we found Kurt and MWA to be very responsive to our needs and very efficient to work with. The project was completed on budget and the architectural design costs were very reasonable.
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