--- title: "MKBC Studio — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/mkbc-studio-pfvwus-pf~1258371402 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1258371402.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "MKBC Studio" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/9123df1d0e0100a3_0104-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Madison, New Jersey 07940, United States" phone: "(862) 360-1812" website: http://www.mkbcstudio.com rating: 5 review_count: 6 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 followers: 47 last_updated: 2026-08-17 --- # MKBC Studio Original Houzz profile: [MKBC Studio](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/mkbc-studio-pfvwus-pf~1258371402) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Madison, NJ - **Serves:** Plainfield, Montclair, Westfield, Maplewood, Scotch Plains, North Plainfield, Summit, Millburn, Morristown, South Orange, Madison, Verona, Roselle Park, New Providence, Berkeley Heights, Cedar Grove, Florham Park, East Hanover, Northfield, Bernardsville, Fanwood, Mountainside, North Caldwell, Roseland, Morris Plains, Cranford, Springfield, Convent Station, Montauk, New York City, North Jersey, Philadelphia - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (6 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2012–2021), for Service, Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves Maia Kumari Bree Chowdhury (Maia Gilman) is a Registered Architect and Registered Environmental Professional with experience in bringing together a diversity of cultures, interests, and technical insights. Finding elegant, economical and ecologically friendly solutions to persistent problems is a talent she brings to every job, no matter its scale. Using an approach of “storyboarding” she integrates a weave of options to create desirable outcomes for her clients, whether they are involved in commercial, institutional or residential projects, and whether or not they come from the public sector or private industry. She is the current Vice Chair of the US Green Building Council's New Jersey Chapter MLAB. Working within the framework of multinational engineering companies as a consultant and within the United Nations as a volunteer has given her a unique perspective on the array of approaches that are taken across the board. Her own twist on problem-solving is enhanced by not only this international corporate exposure and intergovernmental experience, but also by her broad-minded perspective as an artist, author, VR designer, and Reiki Master. Maia teaches adults and teens about space and place-making and develops curricula on the same subjects. She is the author of ecofiction The Erenwine Agenda: A Hydraulic Fracturing Love Story; Otter Coast: A Medical Marijuana Mystery; Reiki: a manual; contributor to Anthology House: a visionary ecology project, Volumes 1 and 2 and has been included as a case study in the book How to Design and Build a Green Office Building. With over a decade on the public speaking circuit (including national radio and a TEDx talk at Seton Hall University), Maia is well-poised to address a wide audience on environmental topics that range from the general (“what makes a healthy space?”) to the very specific (“how can the lay consumer better understand low VOC paint labeling standards?”). She was a regular contributor to Green-Buildings.com, the New York Real Estate Journal and to Thrive Global, a workplace wellness platform. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Floor Plans - Energy-Efficient Homes - 3D Rendering - Bathroom Design - Green Building - Space Planning - Universal Design - Multigenerational Homes - Drafting - Home Restoration - Historic Building Conservation - Project Management - Handicap-Accessible Design - Basement Remodeling - Mudroom Design - Attic Conversion - Basement Design - Deck Design - Landscape Plans - Laundry Room Design - Rooftop Deck Installation - Custom Home - Historic Restoration ### Areas Served - Plainfield - Montclair - Westfield - Maplewood - Scotch Plains - North Plainfield - Summit - Millburn - Morristown - South Orange - Madison - Verona - Roselle Park - New Providence - Berkeley Heights - Cedar Grove - Florham Park - East Hanover - Northfield - Bernardsville - Fanwood - Mountainside - North Caldwell - Roseland - Morris Plains - Cranford - Springfield - Convent Station - Montauk - New York City - North Jersey - Philadelphia ### Typical Job Cost $100,000 - 25 million Traditional Design-Bid-Build model ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | MKBC Studio | | Address | Madison, New Jersey 07940, United States | | Phone | (862) 360-1812 | | Website | http://www.mkbcstudio.com | | Followers on Houzz | 47 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Maia-Gilman-Architect-PLLC-168831008575/ - X (Twitter) — https://twitter.com/MaiaGilman - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/maiagilman/ - Blog — https://www.maiakumarigilman.com/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [MKBC Studio](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/mkbc-studio-pfvwus-pf~1258371402) - **Website:** http://www.mkbcstudio.com - **Phone:** (862) 360-1812 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Best of Houzz Service 2021, Fixr Top 200 Construction Influencer 2017, Houzz Best Renovations New York Area 2012 - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2012–2021), for Service, Design. **Affiliations** - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) - [NCARB](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/ncarb-pfvwus-pf~1477640315) - [U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/u-s-green-building-council-usgbc-pfvwus-pf~1797160658) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 6 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### All 6 reviews **★★★★★ — HU-128337127, Nov. 2020** > Maia has been a consistent delight to work with - with her unique mixture of artistic and architectural understanding, she's contributed significantly to several of our Virtual Reality projects. She brings her dedication, passion and skill to bear on each project with an understanding of its specific needs. **★★★★★ — annette3112, Nov. 2020** > Maia is one of those rare architects who will look at the whole picture, she doesn't just try to push the latest trends. She will gain a thorough understanding of your lifestyle, family situation, etc to come to a solution that really works, is practical and takes small but important details in account. And of course everything looks great. Two thumbs up! **★★★★★ — Jillian Stone, Oct. 2020** > Maia was the architect for a renovation of our pantry and family room, and she did a fantastic job from start to finish, meeting with us to really understand our needs, drawing up plans, dealing with contractors and vendors, and making sure we were happy with the finished product. She brings her eye for beauty as a fine artist to everything she does; we have her gorgeous paintings hanging in our living room! **★★★★★ — Luminous Spaces, Oct. 2020** > Maia is a Renaissance Woman. She expresses her creativity in a variety of media. Because of her background and passion for authentic expression and the natural world, I love her artwork. Dynamic lines, color, and expresses the feminine, yin principle. **★★★★★ — Kevin Shaw, Oct. 2020** > Diligent and thoughtful. She worked hard to get us the best home designs we could find. > > Thanks again Maia!! Great work. **★★★★★ — Enrique Garcia, June 2017** > Maia is a thoughtful, creative architect who was immediately in tune with what we wanted to accomplish with our home renovation project. She expertly guided us to achieve a beautiful, functional, sustainable space. ## Selected projects - [Maplewood Addition](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/maplewood-addition-pj-vj~2561801) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - Description: This project was a fun one in which the owners thought they wanted a large addition, when in fact what suited them best was a renovation and a small addition. We considered many options including a two story addition on the rear. In the end, a full house renovation (interior and exterior) was completed, along with a mud room addition at the back. Silver Fish Design (then Bogie and Cy) did the final color consultations, interior detailing, exterior woodwork restoration and construction. - [1920s Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/1920s-home-pj-vj~15801) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - Description: This project is the former home of architect Maia Gilman and the project was featured in USA Today, and was also the focus of Maia Gilman Architect's 2012 win of Houzz Best Renovations in the New York metropolitan area. - [Gregory Studio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/gregory-studio-pj-vj~2561705) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 37 - Description: This project involved sourcing multiple options for environmentally friendly and calm-feeling products for a family with a home-based business. The design included a full renovation of a historic three-story wood frame house, with options for a two-story addition on the rear. The project remains unbuilt to this day, and yet, inspiration abounds in these images! There are other product pages for more private spaces in the home that we are choosing to keep offline, and that can be shared by privat… - [South Mountain Yoga Studio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/south-mountain-yoga-studio-pj-vj~2574154) - Location: South Orange, NJ - Photos: 12 - Description: This adaptive reuse project saw the conversion of a former storage space into a luminous yoga studio. The process of designing for good chi, or prana, is described here in this TEDx talk by architect Maia Kumari Gilman: https://vimeo.com/album/1681216/video/27358676 - [Luxury Loft](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/luxury-loft-pj-vj~2562021) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 18 - Description: This NYC luxury loft renovation began as a response to a flood in the apartment that required the floor to be replaced, and led to a full gut renovation with custom woodwork throughout. Of note: the woodwork was created by a local craftsman who sourced local hardwoods from a family-run wood lot business in Pennsylvania. Kitchen component design was contributed by Jacqueline Hosford Interior Design, during which Jacqueline took careful measurements of the clients items to ensure room for each obj… - [Abstract Art Commissions](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/abstract-art-commissions-pj-vj~2573750) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 2 - Description: Maia is a painter and Reiki master as well as an Architect, and she paints large scale abstract works that are for commissioned sale. Prints also available at https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/maia-gilman - [Art Prints for Sale](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/art-prints-for-sale-pj-vj~6376821) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - [Metro Theater](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/metro-theater-pj-vj~2574193) - Location: New York, NY - Photos: 2 - Description: Maia Gilman contributed the historic restoration package to this beautiful and beloved art deco movie theater refurbishment design for Manhattan's Upper West Side, in a collaboration with Gilman Architects New York. - [Carriage House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/carriage-house-pj-vj~2561906) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - Description: After a large tree fell on a historic carriage house, the owners decided to upgrade the structure while undertaking necessary repairs. A copper cupola, lighting and new doors were added after structural reinforcement was performed. Having an eye for the whole, the owners took the opportunity to upgrade the waterproofing and wood condition of the exterior of the main house as well, and gutters, leaders and wood repair to porches, landings and stairs were completed at the same time as work on the… - [Hamilton Mews](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hamilton-mews-pj-vj~15227) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - Description: This early 1800s row house used to be tenement housing for nearby brewery workers. An earlier renovation in the 1980s took care of the bones of the gut renovation, while our newer work included wood restoration inside and outside, paint color schemes which were approved by the local residents and city historic preservation commission, roof repairs, exterior lighting and egress doors, new kitchen, revealed historic brick hearth, custom built-ins and general upgrade in charm. - [Casa Garcia](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/casa-garcia-pj-vj~29908) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - Description: Another project in which the clients thought they wanted more space, and we ended up helping them to economize within their existing walls, with a renovation that included opening a pass-through between kitchen and dining room, finding niche space between studs for a sweet message center, and changing a window opening to suit a new construction window in the kitchen. The owners wanted to find out if "green" was possible on a tight budget, and they succeeded. Later improvements included solar pan… [See all 11 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/mkbc-studio-pfvwus-pf~1258371402) ## Ideabooks - [Maia Gilman's Idea Collection](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/12826778/list/maia-gilman-s-idea-collection) — 100 ideas - [Maia Gilman's Media](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/87877017/list/maia-gilman-s-media) — 5 ideas [See all 2 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/mkbcstudio) ## Community Q&A **Q: where can i get that washer and dryer** *(in Photo Questions)* looking for washer and dryer in black A: They were purchased from Sears a few years ago. **Q: Great countertop material!** *(in Photo Questions)* How did you finish the edges of the countertop? A: Hello Gaia, the countertop was finished by the installer with the crystal resin recommended by TorZo Surfaces. - see for more info: http://www.torzosurfaces.com/about/faq **Q: What brand is the washer and dryer?** *(in Photo Questions)* I have been looking for a black top load set and cannot seem to find any. A: Hi Alison, it's a Kenmore Elite set. **Q: How to connect living room with the surrounding rooms: I think I have the smallest, most awkward living room in the world! I love the rest of our little 50's era house, but this room just isn't working at all--no matter how many millions of times I rearrange it. It opens to the dining room and has a view of the kitchen, both of which have a light sage color scheme. I am ready to purchase all new furniture, paint, rearrange, add build ins, accessorize--anything! I'd love ideas on what I could do to work with, not against, the windows, traffic flow, and proximity to the dining room. Plus, I'm not sure whether new furniture should be extend the sage theme--or if should define the space w/ some other color scheme. Please help!** *(in Design Dilemma)* How to connect living room with the surrounding rooms: I think I have the smallest, most awkward living room in the world! I love the rest of our little 50's era house, but this room just isn't working at all--no matter how many millions of times I rearrange it. It opens to the dining room and has a view of the kitchen, both of which have a light sage color scheme. I am ready to purchase all new furniture, paint, rearrange, add build ins, accessorize--anything! I'd love ideas on what I could do to work with, not against, the windows, traffic flow, and proximity to the dining room. Plus, I'm not sure whether new furniture should be extend the sage theme--or if should define the space w/ some other color scheme. Please help! A: I always look at the floor plan of the room, as well as of the entire floor of the house, to see how it flows with all the functions you are trying to accommodate. Flow and comfort - being open, yet leaving the people seated feeling secure by not having their backs to an open passageway - are key. Removing unnecessary furniture and harmonizing your colors into a coherent palette of lighter colors with bright accents will help. In my eyes, the living space does not have to be a sage-based color theme, but could be complementary on the color wheel, or adjacent on the color wheel. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-17.*