--- title: "Michael Eric Dale — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/michael-eric-dale-pfvwus-pf~310472070 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~310472070.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Michael Eric Dale" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/97f3daf90d1bf056_6630-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "935 Landale Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35222, United States" latitude: 33.5219 longitude: -86.7666 phone: "(205) 873-1676" website: http://mikkrikk.houzz.com rating: 5 review_count: 10 best_of_houzz_awards: 7 followers: 160 last_updated: 2026-09-03 --- # Michael Eric Dale Original Houzz profile: [Michael Eric Dale](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/michael-eric-dale-pfvwus-pf~310472070) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Birmingham, AL - **Serves:** Birmingham, Vestavia Hills, Homewood, Mountain Brook, Lake Purdy, Cahaba Heights, Hollywood, Bellmead, Nashville - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (10 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2016–2022), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves Twenty five years of gracious livable homes characterized by simplicity of massing, harmonious proportion, and meticulous detail. It was entirely by accident that I started a business designing new homes and large-scale additions. I had returned "briefly" to Birmingham in 1993 from the commercial design field in Washington, DC. The opportunity to design a large home addition came around. A builder passed my name around. I soon got to design my first complete home makeover (see in Colonial Revival.) My name was passed around more. Soon another makeover- an impressive English home. I never made it back to DC because I kept getting nice home projects. Twenty five years later I am still designing homes. Along the way, I have collected a lot of knowledge and skill. I am often told that one of the best skills I learned was how to work with people effectively. I invite total participation in the design process, engaging clients by offering numerous ideas rather than one. We always find that ideas generate more ideas- this is what the design process is all about. My basic philosophy is that each home fulfills my clients’ lifestyle- not my own. How important to listen. How important to provide solutions. How important to design a home that each family will love for a generation and more. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Floor Plans - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Bathroom Design - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Multigenerational Homes - Home Restoration - Custom Homes ### Areas Served - Birmingham - Vestavia Hills - Homewood - Mountain Brook - Lake Purdy - Cahaba Heights - Hollywood - Bellmead - Nashville ### Typical Job Cost $100,000 - 2 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Michael Eric Dale | | Address | 935 Landale Road, Birmingham, Alabama 35222, United States | | Phone | (205) 873-1676 | | Website | http://mikkrikk.houzz.com | | License Number | AL 76 Registered Int Designer | | Followers on Houzz | 160 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Michael Eric Dale](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/michael-eric-dale-pfvwus-pf~310472070) - **Website:** http://mikkrikk.houzz.com - **Phone:** (205) 873-1676 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - National Council for Registration of Interior Designers - State of Alabama Registered Interior Designer - **Best of Houzz:** 7 awards (2016–2022), for Design, Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 10 reviews** ### All 10 reviews **★★★★★ — Susan Swagler, Feb. 2017** > We had to replace the siding on our home, and we hired Eric to guide us in some design changes to the exterior of the house to make it more interesting and attractive and livable. He worked well within our budget, met our deadlines, and brought plenty of creativity and smart design to the project ... helping with everything from basic materials to designing an exterior with interesting texture to creating a lovely and practical awning over the back door to choosing paint colors. And he listened. When I wanted to make the front porch (where we spend a lot of time) even more comfortable and "room-like" he immediately suggested ipe planks for the flooring to give the porch more of family-room feel. Perfect! And he made sure the builders installed it correctly. It gave our porch (the first thing any visitor sees) a real wow factor. He understood what we were looking to achieve with this project, and then delivered beautifully. **★★★★★ — katiecrafton, May 2015** > We worked with Michael Eric Dale on our new home and couldn't be more satisfied. His ability to hear what we wanted in the design of our home was evident in his drawings. He was easy to work with and his ability to create beautiful open floor plans was exactly what we wanted. We love the look and design of our new home and would recommend Michael Eric Dale to our family and friends. **★★★★★ — jje12, April 2015** > We have used Eric for 2 major renovations and 1 lake house. I would highly recommend him without reservation. He is very easy to work with, turns the work around quickly and is reasonably priced. Eric is especially good at presenting several ideas and options at an early stage, sketching them out quickly and allowing for discussion and decisions before he spends a lot of time and money on detailed plans. He is very good with the architectural details that make the house special. He worked very well with our builder and decorator, open to other ideas but bringing a lot to the table re: materials, finishes, etc. He brought a lot of value to our project and was an absolute pleasure to work with. **★★★★★ — Chris Robbins, April 2015** > Eric was engaged by us to design our house which was constructed where an older house was completely razed. In working with Eric we had requested the house accommodate our family of five while meeting various other wish list items. In addition, we directed Eric to mirror the design of another one of his projects which we admired. Eric was able to successfully provide a design which truly made our house an "original" while implementing stylish features that didn't "break the bank". > > Should we ever decide to again build another dream house we would not hesitate to utilize Eric. **★★★★★ — Leigh Anne Roach, April 2015** > Michael Eric Dale has an amazing ability to produce spaces that are the most satisfyingly proportioned and beautifully scaled. Joined with his beautiful sense of balance is an ability to handle the light in ways that can make your heart sing. Visitors to our house comment on how much they love the tucked-away entrance that opens into a fluid living area with unexpected views of trees and hills. We are in a small zero-lot-line development, so it was no small trick for Eric to design us a house with so many windows--and beautiful light--yet also give us a sense of great privacy. We asked for a modern version of a Voysey English Arts and Crafts house, and Eric delivered just that--liveable and gracious, with a sense of history. Eric fully understands historical references and handles them with sophisticated innovation. He also produces beautifully nuanced designs with few or no historical references. The key to this is his ability to unify the handling of larger spaces--and light--with great attention to every detail. **★★★★★ — lycreigh, April 2015** > I have utilized Eric Dales expertise on four projects. Three residential new home constructions, and one re-modeling job. These projects were large, ranging from 4000 to 7000 square feet. Eric is talented, professional, and easy to work with and timely in his planning. I highly recommend him for your design needs. I have recommended him to many friends and he has always provided a high quality design. My first project was in 1998 most recent 2012! **★★★★★ — tatemark, April 2015** > Eric designed a solution to blend a new addition into our older home without it looking like it was new. He listened to our "must haves" and "want to haves" along with some of our crazy impractical thoughts without judgement and presented insightful solutions to our needs. The addition of a master bedroom and bath, great room and a bedroom/bath remodel was ten years ago but has stood the test of time. We recently bought a new home and employed Eric to once again come up with a solution for a master bath remodel along with a new laundry room, bath, and office. His plans were spot on, again! **★★★★★ — beckywig, April 2015** > I am a residential custom homebuilder / remodeler and have worked with Michael Eric Dale for almost 10 years. > We have done many remodeling projects and new home projects with Eric and have always found him to be very professional and always available to answer questions or come to the site for consultations if needed. Eric is very talented and creative, which is why I am always glad to recommend him to our clients. Many of our most impressive projects were designed by Michael Eric Dale. > > Vic Wiggins > Wiggins Building Corporation > Birmingham, AL **★★★★★ — wtdbama1, April 2015** > Decided to build my 4th home and was looking for someone that understood my vision. Eric was that individual. Not only did he present alternatives for us to consider but took our feedback and expanded upon them. He spent probably as much time on the job site as I did making sure things got done "right". I found his fees to be fair and reasonable. I can identify his homes in our area as they speak attention to detail. Would enjoying building one more but only if Eric is involved. Would strongly endorse Eric Dale for designing your next home, he is absolutely the best home designer we have eve worked with. **★★★★★ — llterry, Dec. 2014** > Eric Dale is an accomplished architectural designer who is able to translate ideas and concepts into beautiful plans that become an amazing home. Eric has said many times " the difference in a good design and a great design is the details" and he thinks through all of the little details. Eric has a great eye and makes sure that every aspect of a design is perfected. I was the beneficiary of his wealth of his experience and could not be happier with my plans and my home. ## Selected projects - [Anthology](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/anthology-pj-vj~787572) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 22 - [Home on Greenway in Mountain Brook](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/home-on-greenway-in-mountain-brook-pj-vj~787456) - Location: Mountain Brook, AL - Photos: 29 - Description: This home, in the traditional French style found so often in Mountain Brook, takes advantage of its large, though somewhat narrow lot near Birmingham Country Club. The lot featured something that is a rarity for its location- an alley located to the left side. Because of the opportunity for a large, beautifully landscaped back yard, the garage was pushed to the front with service to the left side. This allows both a living room and family room to have a visual relationship with the beautiful yar… - [Dell Road French home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dell-road-french-home-pj-vj~787472) - Location: Mountain Brook, AL - Photos: 17 - Description: This elaborate French home with meticulous details was recently completed. The home is set on a leftover lot in an area of beautiful, older homes on a highly regarded road. An small older home was torn down and its acreage was divided into two separate lots. This lot had been overlooked because it appeared to be an active, draining ravine. No one would touch it because they assumed water would be an expensive issue to correct. It was heavily wooded with trees and brambles, but while walking the… - [Hastings Road Home, Mountain Brook](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/hastings-road-home-mountain-brook-pj-vj~787309) - Location: Mountain Brook, AL - Photos: 5 - Description: This new home on a prestigious street in Mountain Brook was built on a previously undeveloped leftover lot. While somewhat imposing, the roof and plan were developed in such a way that its 7000 square feet are effectively masked, keeping the scale of the home in line with other, smaller properties on the street. - [Second Home in Montevallo Park planned community](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/second-home-in-montevallo-park-planned-community-pj-vj~787312) - Location: Mountain Brook, AL - Photos: 4 - Description: This beautiful home in a planned community has 2 separate fronts, because it faces 2 separate parallel streets. The massing is kept simple. The home depends on fine details and careful proportions for its success. - [Brookwood Road home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/brookwood-road-home-pj-vj~46783) - Location: Mountain Brook, AL - Photos: 5 - Description: This beautiful home has long been one of my favorites. Its gracious, simple roof line is distinctive, but the home has the character of a 1920's home found in Redmont. - [Cherokee Road Manor House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cherokee-road-manor-house-pj-vj~930703) - Location: Mountain Brook, AL - Photos: 10 - [Smyer Lake Home 1](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/smyer-lake-home-1-pj-vj~2604995) - Location: Leeds, AL - Photos: 7 - Description: One of the most beautiful lots on coveted Smyer Lake has beautiful views of the length of the lake and the mountain ridge in the background. The house was built to take the utmost advantage of the views. The owners wanted arriving guests to be able to see through the house to the water and ridge. The house was kept low to preserve the view of the ridge in the distance while driving onto the property. The screened porch is located to the right end of the house to avoid blocking views of the lake… - [Smyer Lake Home 2](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/smyer-lake-home-2-pj-vj~5519165) - Location: Leeds, AL - Photos: 22 - Description: The two Smyer Lake homes shown in my portfolio are next to each other, but separated by 8 years. This 2018 home was inspired by the beautiful rustic lodges in the National Parks of Utah and northern Arizona. Our principal aims were: -for the house to fit seamlessly into its site with as little disturbance as possible -to right-size the house so that it was comfortable for gatherings, but not too large to retain an intimate scale. -to allow simplicity to be the key element of the design both outs… - [First Home at Montevallo Park planned community](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/first-home-at-montevallo-park-planned-community-pj-vj~787464) - Location: Mountain Brook, AL - Photos: 9 - Description: This is another project built in the Montevallo Park planned community off Montevallo Road in Mountain Brook. This home features two fronts because it faces two parallel roads. The owner very much wanted the ubiquitous Mountain Brook French style with wall dormers. An interesting feature is the roof crown. While not readily visible from this view, the crown is a lower-pitched roof at the top. The reason is the 35 foot height limit. Since the other street is about 10 feet lower than Montevallo Pa… - [Georgian/ Colonial Revival Homes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/georgian-colonial-revival-homes-pj-vj~585483) - Location: Mountain Brook, AL - Photos: 10 - [English Arts & Crafts Homes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/english-arts-and-crafts-homes-pj-vj~587740) - Location: Birmingham, AL - Photos: 11 - [French Homes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/french-homes-pj-vj~587669) - Location: Mountain Brook, AL - Photos: 24 - [Craftsman- style homes](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/craftsman-style-homes-pj-vj~627100) - Location: Birmingham, AL - Photos: 27 - [Interior Detailing & Design](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/interior-detailing-and-design-pj-vj~969868) - Location: Mountain Brook, AL - Photos: 44 - [Various styles](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/various-styles-pj-vj~628482) - Location: Mountain Brook, AL - Photos: 15 - [Forest Park miracle](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/forest-park-miracle-pj-vj~798994) - Location: Birmingham, AL - Photos: 11 - Description: This unloved 1950's house on the eastern edge of Forest Park was in astonishingly bad condition and bought in foreclosure for the lot price. I helped the buyer re-imagine the house from a warren of ugly rooms into a modern, open showplace. The budget was very tight but we managed to create a gorgeous home. - [A developing project](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/a-developing-project-pj-vj~593005) - Location: Homewood, AL - Photos: 5 - Description: I utilize sketch drawings in the development of design for both floor plans and exterior elevations. In developing floor plans, I have found it much better to present several design ideas to clients, rather than one plan at a time as is customary practice. Comparison allows my clients certainty that they are heading down the right path in their decision process. The amount of time for the design process is shortened, often significantly. This is vital when there are tight deadlines, as happens w… - [Pine Ridge Road French Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pine-ridge-road-french-home-pj-vj~1064109) - Location: Mountain Brook, AL - Photos: 5 - [Mountain Brook Home - Richmar](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mountain-brook-home-richmar-pj-vj~683784) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - Description: Architect: Eric Dale Photographer: Kenneth Boone [See all 20 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/michael-eric-dale-pfvwus-pf~310472070) ## Community Q&A **Q: what are the 3 big trees on the LH side of the photo?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: I believe they are Nellie Stevens Holly. This variety has softer leaves. Those look like they were due for a trim- they are usually kept in a conical shape. **Q: roof pitch question** *(in Photo Questions)* This house is gorgeous. I see that in a previous post you said the roof pitch was 14/12. My question is: is that in the front of the house and sides? We are planning a very similar elevation, and our architect has 16/12 on our side pitch, but the front being an 8/12. I don’t want the roof to look too short when you look at the house, so wondering if you did 14/12 in the front as well. A: it is hard to understand exactly which roof planes you are talking about. All of the roof pitches visible on the front are 14/12 however sometimes I do have to lower the main ridge 2 steps lower to 12/12. If you are saying the pitches on the sides are 16 but the main roof is 8, that would generally look very odd. It may be that the Architect is trying to avoid a too-tall main roof. (Many cities have a maximum 35 foot high rule, although they enforce this rule differently. ) The way to resolve this is to keep the front roof plane at the same or slightly lower pitch than the side planes. The roof ridge must be kept close to the front of the house- not in the middle. Now this becomes tricky to explain. Imagine the roof behind the main roof ridge as a U shape. The main roof ridge would be the line that connects the 2 perpendicular lines of this U. Imagine these two extensions as minor ridges running from the main roof line to the rear of the house-they can be gabled at the rear or hipped. Then fill between these with a lower pitch roof- the lower pitch roof will not be so noticeable at the rear and can also be mitigated if you have a shed dormer or screen porch. That is how the roof lines of traditional homes have been done for ages. **Q: Can you please name the color of the exterior paint?** *(in Photo Questions)* I know you have graciously answered this question more than once, but wanted to know if you have the “exact” color of the exterior paint used along with the manufacturer. There are hundreds of “off-white” or “creamy off-whites” out there which make the choice so difficult. I would greatly appreciate it. A: Sorry for the delay, I did finally find out the color: Sherwin Williams Natural Choice. It actually appears somewhat lighter than the photo. It is a very nice alternate to white. The shutters here are black but have been changed to a middle tone of warm grey. Although I had suggested the grey to begin with, I believe I prefer the black shutters as shown here. **Q: can you please tell me more about the dormers to the far left?** *(in Photo Questions)* We are currently building a house right now and I want to know what the roofing material is over those dormers( the ones sticking out the farthest) and what the siding material is also surrounding them. Thank You! A: all the dormers have copper roofs **Q: Drive way** *(in Photo Questions)* Beautiful home, beautiful landscapes. Could you be so kind as to tell what is used on driveway? I see this often in European estates and think it's so stunning. I've always wondered what material it was and it's installed. Thank you most kindly. A: This is just standard tan pea gravel you can buy in bulk from a stone or landscape supplier, or by the bag at home depot for small projects. The best way to install a driveway like this is a very thin layer of gravel over a substrate of chert or similar subsurface. The substrate keeps the thin layer of gravel from moving about. The worst way is to dump a 4" layer that you can barely drive over and which winds up in the street. **Q: Roof height?** *(in Photo Questions)* How high is this roof? A: The house is 35 feet or less at the ridge from the ground. The front wall is about 20'-6" high to the top of gutter. The roof pitch is 14/12 but tricks are required to span the depth of the house without the roof getting beyond the height limit and proportional relationships. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-03.*