--- title: "MS|Architecture — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/ms-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1510219770 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1510219770.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "MS|Architecture" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/d153e816017ed613_0192-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "San Luis Obispo, California 93401, United States" phone: "(805) 704-7118" website: http://www.msmith-arch.com rating: 4.9 review_count: 7 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 followers: 79 last_updated: 2026-09-23 --- # MS\|Architecture Original Houzz profile: [MS\|Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/ms-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1510219770) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** San Luis Obispo, CA - **Serves:** San Luis Obispo, Atascadero, Los Osos, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, Santa Margarita, Edna - **Houzz rating:** 4.9 out of 5 (7 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2017–2026), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Recommended on Houzz - 250 Ideabook Saves MS\|A, founded in 2011 by Micah D. Smith, AIA, is a small San Luis Obispo-based architecture firm specializing in custom residential and small to medium-sized commercial projects. With 20 years of architectural experience, Micah’s creative problem solving, knowledge and resourcefulness lead to value-added architectural service and superior built work. MS\|A brings a passion for design together with a pride in quality deliverables and overall team experience to each and every project. Client expectations are exceeded at MS\|A. A core principle at MS\|A is building strong relationships that transcend any single work’s design, permitting and building phases. The success of each work is measured in human terms as well as the traditional metrics of design/budget/schedule/execution. The importance of a strong team plays out throughout the life a project because of MS\|A’s collaborative design approach that brings together the right team for each project. Design principles for the firm include sustainability, creative use of materials, clean lines, strong massing, and complementary uses of color and materials. The end result is rich, tasteful, timeless, and provocative. Prior to starting his own firm, Micah gained experience with a verity of firms and construction-related businesses before settling in the previous 7 years at Leonard Grant, Architect. At LGA Micah’s primary contributions included construction documents, electronic 3D modeling, and design. Micah received his B.A. in Environmental Analysis and Design from University of California, Irvine where he studied both the natural and built environment and the connection of the two. Micah also attended a 2-year architecture program at Orange Coast College. Continuing education is important to Micah, as he is committed to learning for life. Important recourses for Micah’s continuing architecture education are independent study, the American Institute of Architects, college courses as well as hands-on construction experience with Habitat for Humanity and with some of his own design work. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Energy-Efficient Homes - Floor Plans - 3D Rendering - Green Building - Bathroom Design - Space Planning - Universal Design - Pool House Design & Construction - Home Restoration - Drafting - Historic Building Conservation - Handicap-Accessible Design - Barn Design & Construction - Deck Design - Landscape Plans - Construction Drawings ### Areas Served - San Luis Obispo - Atascadero - Los Osos - Grover Beach - Morro Bay - Pismo Beach - Avila Beach - Santa Margarita - Edna ### Typical Job Cost $100,000 - 2 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | MS\|Architecture | | Address | San Luis Obispo, California 93401, United States | | Phone | (805) 704-7118 | | Website | http://www.msmith-arch.com | | License Number | C33179 | | Followers on Houzz | 79 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Micah.D.Smith.Architecture - LinkedIn — http://www.linkedin.com/in/micahsmithdesignarchitecture - Blog — http://www.homeadvisor.com/biz/msarchitecture/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [MS\|Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/ms-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1510219770) - **Website:** http://www.msmith-arch.com - **Phone:** (805) 704-7118 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Two AIACCC President's Awards - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2017–2026), for Service. **Affiliations** - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 4.9 out of 5 — 7 reviews** ### All 7 reviews **★★★★ — German Reyes, March 2025** > The project was successfully completed, and the final design met expectations. While there were some challenges along the way, the team worked through them effectively to deliver a solid outcome. **★★★★★ — mleighsmith, April 2016** > Micah designed plans to remodel our very small master bathroom. He came up with some great ideas to make everything fit, but not feel cramped. Our plans were approved no problem. We love how it turned out. **★★★★★ — Joel Conn, March 2016** > MS\|Architecture went the extra mile to accommodate our specific design style. Micah had some great ideas and was time and again able to ‘think outside the box.’ MS\|Architecture always made sure that no details were missed and that our needs were met. We highly recommend Micah for your next architecture project. > -Joel and Sarah Conn **★★★★★ — slorunner, March 2014** > My husband and I planned a complete renovation of our kitchen. My husband has a contractor's license and we did all the work ourselves. But, neither of us has design experience and we needed insight and creativity with planning the layout. Micah Smith met with us promptly and provided us with three options to pursue. We chose one and he prepared drawings we could take in to get our building permit. He also helped us evaluate a dividing wall before we decided to take it out. We are nearly done and it looks great, thanks to the great plans and ideas we got from this architect. **★★★★★ — kkebmeier, July 2013** > Micah designed our dream home in 2002-2003. I believe my wife and I were his very first clients after his college work. The layout, the features, the material choices, all extraordinary. Our house needs no artwork -- it is art. **★★★★★ — Stover Tile and Design, July 2013** > I worked on a tiled patio project with Micah. It was a pleasure to work with him and his design. Easy to work with and had a great design to work with. I would be glad to work with him again. **★★★★★ — Green Goods, July 2013** > Working with Micah Smith of MS/Architecture was a pleasure. Micah brought Green Goods onto a job for a Government Services Administration office and we worked together to provide the space with sustainably-sourced, eco-friendly materials. Micah's thoughtful design created a welcoming work space with great indoor air quality and contemporary style. ## Selected projects - [Avila Beach patio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/avila-beach-patio-pj-vj~225171) - Location: Avila Beach, CA - Photos: 14 - Description: This beautiful patio addition was done for my parent's home in an oak-wooded private community. My parents have always enjoyed entertaining outdoors but were unable to here prior to the patio. I gained a lot of construction and construction management experience on this job, which is a big hit with everyone who visits. - [Pala-Temecula House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pala-temecula-house-pj-vj~228443) - Location: Pala, CA - Photos: 17 - Description: My first independent custom home - the commission for which I won in a design competition. The layout of the floor plan adeptly addressed the client's desire for easy day-to-day living while taking maximum advantage of views throughout the house. Pala-Temecula House, Architecture Firm: MS\|Architecture, Designer: Micah D. Smith, AIA, Builder: Steve Bochinski, Location: Pala, Ca., Year built: 2003, Photography: Micah D. Smith, AIA - [Cypress Ridge Trellis](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cypress-ridge-trellis-pj-vj~234203) - Location: Arroyo Grande, CA - Photos: 9 - Description: The scope for this small but impactful outdoor project included a new trellis, built-in barbecue, and rear-yard landscaping for a home adjacent to a golf course. To conserve materials, existing stone pavers were kept in place and the patio's extension was done by blending in new, matching pavers. - [Kepler Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kepler-remodel-pj-vj~2791348) - Location: San Luis Obispo, CA - Photos: 3 - [Conn Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/conn-remodel-pj-vj~2791354) - Location: Pismo Beach, CA - Photos: 6 [See all 5 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/ms-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1510219770) ## Ideabooks - [Ceiling Details](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/72661235/list/ceiling-details) — 8 ideas - [Conn](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/44931442/list/conn) — 11 ideas - [Watters exterior](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/19718937/list/watters-exterior) — 4 ideas - [Watters WIC](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/18549126/list/watters-wic) — 4 ideas [See all 4 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/micah-smith9955) ## Community Q&A **Q: What is the material used on the roof?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Thank you for your question cjomiz. Flat clay tiles, similar material to Spanish tiles, but flat form. Sorry I didn't notice your question right away. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-23.*