--- title: "Rusafova Markulis Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/rusafova-markulis-architects-pfvwus-pf~1988459696 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1988459696.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Rusafova Markulis Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/b52358ad00d1fb0a_1136-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "2 Perdue Place, Asheville, North Carolina 28806, United States" latitude: 35.5808 longitude: -82.6078 phone: "(828) 545-1977" website: http://www.rusafova-markulis.com rating: 5 review_count: 17 best_of_houzz_awards: 6 followers: 216 last_updated: 2026-08-13 --- # Rusafova Markulis Architects Original Houzz profile: [Rusafova Markulis Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/rusafova-markulis-architects-pfvwus-pf~1988459696) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Asheville, NC - **Serves:** Asheville - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (17 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2017–2025), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 10,000 Ideabook Saves Rusafova-Markulis Architects is an award winning full service architecture practice. The office design aesthetic is modern, site sensitive and environmentally conscious. We work closely with our clients to guide them through all phases of the design and construction process. With each project we strive to achieve innovative and unique solutions that give a positive sense of accomplishment to the entire project team of Owner, Architect and General Contractor. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Architectural Drawings - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Kitchen Remodeling - 3D Rendering - Green Building - Space Planning - Universal Design - Historic Building Conservation - Project Management - Tiny House Construction - Prefab Houses - Custom Homes ### Areas Served - Asheville ### Typical Job Cost $100,000 - 700,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Rusafova Markulis Architects | | Address | 2 Perdue Place, Asheville, North Carolina 28806, United States | | Phone | (828) 545-1977 | | Website | http://www.rusafova-markulis.com | | License Number | NC 011331 | | Followers on Houzz | 216 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — http://www.facebook.com/rusafova.markulis - Blog — http://www.rusafova-markulis.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Rusafova Markulis Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/rusafova-markulis-architects-pfvwus-pf~1988459696) - **Website:** http://www.rusafova-markulis.com - **Phone:** (828) 545-1977 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - LEED AP - 3rd place Jury Awards Winner at the 2014 Matsumoto Prize for the Blue House - **Best of Houzz:** 6 awards (2017–2025), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [Green Built Alliance](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/green-built-alliance-pfvwus-pf~881622133) - [NCARB](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/ncarb-pfvwus-pf~1477640315) - [LEED AP](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/leed-ap-pfvwus-pf~1386238498) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 17 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — HU-210104593, Nov. 2021** > Maria and Jakub were the perfect team to help us design our small, beautiful vacation rentals. They were both extremely assessable, flexible and creative. We have been renting them now for almost six months and are asked at least weekly who our architect was. We already have plans to use them for future projects and highly recommend them to others!!! **★★★★★ — dgbcarolin, April 2021** > Rusafova Markulis Architects are a distinctively talented and professional team. While knowledgeable and creative, they also make every effort to pay attention to the needs of their clients and turn ideas into a functional reality. We couldn’t be more pleased with our new home and recommend them highly to anyone looking for a uniquely designed home that meets their every need. **★★★★★ — robert, April 2021** > These guys are a great team. It's been a distinct pleasure working with them on the design and construction of my new home. > I love the design of the house. They're very competent in the technical aspects of construction too. I can't say enough about > how good they are.r **★★★★★ — RJ Taylor, Feb. 2020** > I am so impressed with the architectural and design services of Maria and Jakub. They worked with me to design a smaller home with efficient use of space. Between the two of them, they had all the skillsets for architecture, code compliance, and interior design. I have recommended their services to a number of people. **★★★★★ — Kerry McQuiston, Feb. 2019** > Maria and Jakub created a home we love by listening to our key needs and understanding our desired aesthetic. In addition to designing a beautiful home they were honest, flexible and easy to work with. They clearly have a lot of experience with all facets of home building, design and with professionals working in the area. We do not live in Asheville but had no issue coordinating from a great distance. We would absolutely work with them again. **★★★★★ — Stephen Scholl, Jan. 2019** > We hired Maria and Jakub to design a small modern home in the mountains, located about 10 minutes from downtown Asheville, NC.. We could not be more pleased. We found them to be bright, energetic, creative yet practical, responsive, conscientious about our budget, as well as environmentally sensitive. These two talented architects authentically embrace the minimalist modern design aesthetic. For us, they created an elegant design that is both striking and simple. They integrated our home beautifully within the contour of our property. It's our dream come true. And these two are fun to work with! **★★★★★ — David Queen, Oct. 2017** > Rusafova Markulis architects were tasked with creating a contemporary, creative and practical design for an artist's studio in the hills of NC. The design had to meet the needs of a creative space for painting, photography and sculpture design as well as workshop for metal sculpture. Likewise the look of the building needed to fit in with the rural forest environment > The resulting design and plans met all our needs (see photos) and has exceeded them with the intangible, but real element that the space has for inspiring creative art. > As we explored possible design options, working with Maria and Jakub was also excellent by bringing to bear their considerable creative and technical skills. Their collaboration as a team and with us as clients was key to the success of the project. They were also engaged and supportive during the construction stage helping with execution of the build contract. > In summary, Yes I would certainly recommend them, especially if you want that special feel for your design. **★★★★★ — Multi Construction LLC, Sept. 2017** > I have hired Maria for multiple projects. All the designs she has done for me are really unique beautiful. I highly recommend her. **★★★★★ — Sara Wolf, July 2017** > A fantastic designer team that we'll definitely use for every one of our projects! To say we were left happy with the process and the outcome doesn't say it all. We loved coming up with innovative ideas together with Maria and Kuba, and couldn't wait to see what their imagination and experience would create next. By the end we were not just close collaborators but also friends, and it often felt as if they were designing our house as if it was their own home, yet fitting perfectly our unique family needs and the exceptional quality of the surrounding landscape. We recommend them and look forward to working together with them again. **★★★★★ — B Cubed Group, LLC, July 2016** > What a positive experience working with Rusafova Markulis. From the moment of first inquiry through completion of construction drawings, the firm has exceeded expectations. Maria Rusafova, our main point of contact, is talented, skilled and professional and exudes an upbeat, enthusiastic and gracious demeanor - making the experience a true pleasure. Attracted to the style of their other projects, I was not disappointed - the simple modern design that they developed was just right for our challenging site. Delivering a cost-effective project was a high priority and that was respected throughout the design process. I recommend the firm with no reservations - I would retain them again. **★★★★★ — mamamonel, June 2016** > I am in the process of adding a dining room and master bedroom to my home along with a kitchen renovation. I knew that Maria was exactly who I wanted to work with on the plans. She is has a great vision for what potential a space can have, listens to her client's ideas & needs, and uses her expertise to create drawings that are ready to come to life. With her as the foundation of this project, I feel that my builder will be able to make this dream addition & renovation a reality. **★★★★★ — david368, June 2016** > Building a house can be a nightmare or a dream. My experience has been the latter. Start with a beautiful piece of land. Add two talented and patient architects. Wait for magic to happen … > > Working with Maria & Jakub has been a pleasure. They've listened carefully to how I will live in my home. To my rants and raves about my likes and dislikes. All with a smile and steady hand. They've taken my strong architectural views, combined them with their own aesthetic sensibilities to design a home that is more than I could have imagined. > > Best of all, they are now friends, welcome at the dinner table in my new home. I could not have asked for more. ## Selected projects - [McLane House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mclane-house-pj-vj~7111075) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 30 - [HH10](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hh10-pj-vj~6817026) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 13 - [Sapphire Eco Cabin](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/sapphire-eco-cabin-pj-vj~5532922) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 26 - Description: 1000 sf eco cabin in Sapphire, NC - [RJ Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rj-residence-pj-vj~6052937) - Location: Swannanoa, NC - Photos: 11 - [Cabin House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cabin-house-pj-vj~6435698) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 24 - [Casa Negra](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/casa-negra-pj-vj~6052974) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 22 - [Shope Creek Cabins](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/shope-creek-cabins-pj-vj~6644927) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 18 - [Wow House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/wow-house-pj-vj~6313496) - Location: Asheville, NC - Photos: 8 - [222](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/222-pj-vj~1750793) - Location: Asheville, NC - Photos: 28 - Description: 222 is a renovation of a mid-century home in North Asheville. We were hired to open up and unify the living, dining and kitchen areas as well as improve the window configuration. All interior finishes, furniture and decorations are by owner. - [Perdue Place](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/perdue-place-pj-vj~133305) - Location: Asheville, NC - Photos: 16 - Description: Perdue Place is 1750 sq.ft. house built in an urban forest with mature oak and poplar trees. We designed this home to be small, energy efficient and filled with natural light. All the design decision we took along the way were a direct response to site constraints. We also took advantage of the what the challenging site had to offer. Every window is carefully placed to frame a view of the beautiful city forest. Inside one feels as if in a tree house. On the outside the rich patina of the cor-ten… - [The Blue House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/the-blue-house-pj-vj~277949) - Location: Asheville, NC - Photos: 13 - Description: The Blue House was designed for a young family that wanted a small (950 sq.ft.), energy efficient and affordable house to call home. Their building site presented us with numerous challenges and site constraints. An existing sewer easement cut diagonally through the site, leaving a small trapezoid area to build on. To maximize the square footage we designed a vertical, tree house structure elevated from the ground in order not to disturb the roots of the two mature trees that our client wanted t… - [S Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/s-residence-pj-vj~5836197) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 18 - [Art Studio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/art-studio-pj-vj~5451722) - Location: Flat Rock, NC - Photos: 12 - [Stegall Lane](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/stegall-lane-pj-vj~346390) - Location: Asheville, NC - Photos: 20 - Description: Total floor area: 2200 sq.ft. 244 sqm Completion year: 2013 Stegall Lane Residence is located in beautiful Chunns Cove, Asheville. The house is the retirement nest of a couple who chose Asheville for their new home. Our clients came to us with defined modern aesthetics and flair for European design. They requested lots of glass, natural ventilation, airy open spaces and connection between inside and outside. We organized their program in a composition of simple volumes that work with the steep s… - [Shelburne Woods Spec House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/shelburne-woods-spec-house-pj-vj~2599009) - Location: Asheville, NC - Photos: 18 - [Dairy Gap Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dairy-gap-residence-pj-vj~6339968) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - [Black & White](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/black-and-white-pj-vj~5529398) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - Description: Black and White is an energy efficient 500 sq.ft. accessory apartment to a large traditional home in the heart of West Asheville built in place of an existing garage. Our design objective was to create a dialog between the old structure and the new through the play of familiar materials used in new, creative ways. We kept the neutral black and white palette of the main residence, giving it a modern twist. The new structure is simple, stripped of decoration, trim and moldings. The window placemen… - [Rockhold Renovation](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/rockhold-renovation-pj-vj~6943283) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 31 [See all 18 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/rusafova-markulis-architects-pfvwus-pf~1988459696) ## Ideabooks - [Exterior](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/95812238/list/exterior) — 1 idea - [farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/86324359/list/farmhouse) — 1 idea - [52](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/19350098/list/52) — 79 ideas [See all 3 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/rusafovamarkulis) ## Community Q&A **Q: windows** *(in Photo Questions)* What is the system called that you used to make the windows private? A: ItnosnkIt is just satin glass - most window manifacturers carry it **Q: What is the exterior wood?** *(in Photo Questions)* Looking to understand what type of wood and sealant or stain was used on the exterior of this home Thank you, Janet Schoeny A: This is brazilian ipe wood that is sealed with ipe sealer. **Q: are there blueprints plans available.?** *(in Photo Questions)* We want to build a similar home A: Rebecca. Please email us to discuss further. Thank you. **Q: What is this beautiful metal siding called?** *(in Photo Questions)* I'd like to use siding just like this for a house I'm building. What is this product called? A: This is corten siding. You can purchase some at https://www.cortenroofing.com **Q: What is the exterior paint color?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: it is black stain from Cabot **Q: What are the materials in the ceiling?** *(in Photo Questions)* Are those wooden blinds on wood frames for the ceiling. What are the lights under the "blinds"? Very creative. Thank you! A: The little overhang is made of a roll of sticks and the lights are just string lights in a plastic sleeve. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-13.*