Altius Design Group

Working with Rich was a real pleasure. He kept our project within our budget which was challenging at times. His teamwork with the builder was first rate. I would highly recommend Rich if you are lucky enough to get him!

Rich and Rod are an extremely talented team. A small practice with the innovation and quality of a much larger architect you get the best of both worlds including the very important personal service. We have use them for a new build large mountain ski home and a remodel project. They were able to bring a combination of innovative architecture and sound practical advice to each. We specifically liked their ability to ensure client driven requirements were achieved without causing undue cost or complexity at build time. A real partner to bring a check and balance to a project and keeping it on budget.

We are very grateful for the house design that Rich and Rod did for us. We had a plan in mind that needed modification to fit on the build site. We also requested that they make it look more like it belonged in Montana. They did a great job with all of our requests and we regularly notice things that they did that we would not have thought to do. We are not experienced mountain living people but they guided us through the process and included things that they knew would be important for our new environment. We were pleased with their progress on the work and their communication with us. As long distance clients we felt that they were attentive to our job and definately met our expectations on every aspect of the job. I would highly recommend using Altius for your design project. I feel certain that they can handle all sizes of projects and you will be pleased with their work. We would not hesitate to use them again.

Where do we begin? When we bought our house in Whitefish, we were extremely overwhelmed with all the choices and decisions that were thrown our way during the renovation process. Rich was our saving grace! He was knowledgeable, helpful, patient, a great person to have in our court to bounce ideas off of. And equally as important, he has great taste! Rich was always quick to respond to our questions and offer design solutions. We cannot recommend Rich and his team enough and look forward to working with him again on all future projects!

Rich at Altius Design is a very talented architect. He worked with us on a Mountain Contemporary home and was very creative and thoughtful in his design. He could be a top architect in any major city but we were lucky enough to have him right in Whitefish, MT! All you have to do is look at the beautiful/cool houses he has designed. Very well done!

Rich Graves and his staff worked diligently with us to create a mountain top home that fits our needs perfectly. Their professionalism, creativity and persistence sets them apart from other architectural firms. We highly recommend Altius Design Group to design your future home.

Rich designed our house with great attention to every detail and to be able to achieve our goals while working within Guidelines for our specific lot. The end result is stunning, Just as important his relationships with our builder provided for construction free of issues. We really enjoyed working with Rich and his team.

Innovative, creative, and unique is what’s best about Altius. They have the ability to see what the owners can’t, and help guide them thru the tedious logistics involved in designing your wants and needs. You won’t be disappointed at the process in creating a beautiful home and knowing you have a one of a kind. They are the best Northern Montana has to offer when creating your dream.

We had an excellent experience working with Rich & Rod! They designed a spectacular dream home that fits our needs perfectly. They indeed pondered every idea and made it come alive on paper and virtual reality 3D demo. Altius was a delight to work with and we would highly recommend them. Our project is currently on hold due to financial timing but we will be glad to post pictures when the project is complete!

Rich and Altius were fantastic in helping us design our Montana dream home. Rich was great at listening and conceiving a house plan that incorporated our visions. He gave us very imaginative, original and practical suggestions while keeping our budget in mind as well. It was a true team approach. We can't imagine we'd have the house we have now without Altius and Rich.

Rich Graves did a fantastic job designing my mountain home. I was looking for someone who had the right mix of aesthetic and experience to build a mountain modern home with minimal impact on the surrounding environment. He designed a house with an open space concept that can accommodate kids of all ages. We wanted to take advantage of the stunning views, so the main floor opens up and melts seamlessly into the mountain side. Rich took great advantage of the topography of the property. The house itself is about 2,500 square feet, but feels much bigger. This is a product of an amazingly well-thought out, and unique, floor plan. He is very creative, was a pleasure to work with, kept within budget and was well organized.

Rich Graves and the team at Altius Design Group designed our home in Whitefish Montana, and we can't say enough good things about the overall experience. Rich was collaborative from the start, and designed the home we wanted rather than the one he thought we should have. He was great about pointing out all the pros and cons of each request or idea, so that we arrived at a final decision that was practical but also reflected our personal needs and lifestyle. Rich brought many of his own ideas as well, and was constantly improving our plan. He was responsive, professional, and thorough from start to finish. Rich also was very helpful in finding us a builder and designer locally that he felt would work well with us, and in the end we had a great team to see the project come full circle. Now that we've lived in the house for six months, we could not be more pleased with the end result. We relied heavily on Rich's expertise and guidance throughout the entire process, and we're so glad we did - there is very little we would change. If we could do it all over, our first call would be to Rich. He comes with our highest recommendation! Rich, thanks so much for our lovely home!

After admiring homes designed by Altius for years, I finally had the chance to hire them to help us design our new home. Their finest qualities include a modern sense of style coupled with design function, sense of humor, and ability to listen while sharing ideas. I highly recommend Altius Design Group for your home design project.

We have now completed two projects with Rich at Altius Design group. The best review I can possibly write is that we went back a second time because of the great job they did on the first project. We were even more thrilled with the second project. They listened to my ideas and made them come to life with a unique design that we love. We have built many houses and have used several different design firms in the past. I am always hesitant to write reviews with contractors, as it is a personal preference and relationship based, but I feel obliged to write this review as we are most pleased with this design group and would like to give them the 5 star review they deserve. I do believe that they are a gem and I only wish I had found them earlier.

The Altius Design Group, and more specifically, Rich Graves, sets the standard for competent, cutting edge, creative architectural design. If that were not enough, the level of personal service and attention drives this team to a level I have never seen. My wife and I have owned, built, and remodeled several of our homes from Greenwich, CT (Cos Cob) to Napa, CA, to Shell Beach, CA - and have been personally involved in countless large personal projects throughout our life. We are very familiar with the standards of competence and service and have high expectations. Rich Graves led the team for Altius from initial concept to full design. In the process he took us to various homes in the area to help us find styles and to firm up our decisions based on actually seeing homes, not just looking at pictures. He then helped us objectively interview and select our construction contractor, which was equally valuable and just as important as the design services. You can 't go wrong with this team, based in Whitefish, Montana. We will use him again for the next project! We would be happy to be a reference for them if you want to reach us via Rich and the team.

It is with the highest recommendation that I endorse architect Rich Graves with Altius Design Group, Whitefish, MT. After various personal and commercial projects with a good number of architects, without a doubt Rich Graves was the most talented, innovative and creative under a backdrop of reasonable fees. His ability to attain his clients desires, with practical recommendations and careful steering when necessary, resulted in an exceptional full remodel/re-build of an older, outdated home. The result was an astounding rebirth from the studs up and out! His attention to detail was impeccable, and his consideration of interior and exterior design resulted in a practical yet stunning new home. His talents allowed us to achieve the new home we wanted using an existing structure. We are so pleased with Rich Graves' work and fees, that after many residential and commercial projects with other architects, without hesitation, we would now utilize the expertise of Rich Graves and Altius Design Group for any future projects we have, wherever they happen to be located.

Rich was fantastic to work with. He was thorough, and thoughtful in helping us remodel our log cabin. He took the time to understand what we wanted and helped us achieve our goal. We are thrilled with the results and it has been over 10 years since we completed the project and would not change a thing. He worked seamlessly with our designer and builder as well. Excellent!!

As an interior designer I have worked with many architects and clients developing plans and Rich Graves is a stand out in his talents to work collaboratively and creatively. He is skillful at keeping the vision while remaining open to ideas and then developing the design to fit the client's desires and intent. I would highly recommend his firm for beautiful aesthetics and an enjoyable experience. Inge Cahill, Home Matters

My wife and I feel very fortunate to have selected Altius/Rich Graves as the architect for our new home. We were familiar with Rich's work before starting our search for an architect - so we already thought very highly of his work, but it was the feeling that we could truly collaborate with Rich that made us select him. As it turned out, the process went exactly that way. Rich captured our space and living needs as well as our design/style preferences in the very early drawings. Rich encouraged our involvement in the design and we did make some changes as we gave more thought as to how we would live in the house, but made very few changes to the look, style or feel of Rich's design. Throughout the process Rich was very responsive to our questions and turned new drawings around very quickly. Rich also worked very closely with our builder and our designer. He was frequently on the job site during construction - and while he was open to suggestions, he also ensured that the final product was true to the design. In the end, we have a house that is really cool, unique for the area, and perfectly matched to our needs. We are very proud of our home and if we were to build another, we would certainly use Rich.

We always enjoy working with Altius, their plans are clear and precise. They are receptive and knowledgeable about innovative new products as they are introduced to the market. There are a countless number of issues confronted during the building process. Rich and Rod are always decisive, recognizing and solving small issues before they become large ones. They are creative, thorough, the top of their profession.... JR Dalton- Montana Sash & Door.

After we purchased our 5 acre lot in Whitefish, MT we contacted Rich Graves and his team to design our dream vacation house. We contracted them to survey the lot and draw up design plans. Throughout the process, it was a pleasure working with Rich. He asked all the right questions, embraced all our revisions and made our design plans perfect for our needs. He also set up a meeting with a local contractor so when we're ready to take the next step, we'll know who to call. When we are ready to start building, we will definitely contact Altius Design Group for their continued guidance and professional advice. Rich is a pleasure to work with!

I have worked with Rich Graves on multiple projects and found each one to be a collaborative effort between design professionals, builder and the owner. The firm consistently produces designs for both residential and commercial projects that are innovative while, at the same time, creating spaces that truly fit the client's needs. Rich is also respectful of the necessary connection between the natural and built environments, ensuring the architecture extends seamlessly into the site.

We have used Altius for three projects from 2003 to 2010. The services provided were very professional from beginning to end, with continued involvement during construction until project completion. Most superior was their ability to listen to what we wanted, and to incorporate those desires into the completed designs.

We have been very fortunate to work with Altius Design Group on several projects throughout our 22 year building career. Rich and Rob have a strong passion for what they do. They have a unique skill of capturing the clients vision and draft up construction plans that are both construction budget minded and distinct in every design. Altius Design Group is known for delivering quality construction documents that save time and money for the project.

I have used Altius Design Group for many projects. They are far and away the best designers I have used. Rich Graves always has a way to make your ideas better and make the project you are working on a dream house. They bring every job to a personal aspect and make a great experience with the design of your home. Their attention to detail and fair price on the most custom home is something that has to be respected. I would highly recommend them for all your high end projects. David Brandt Builder and Owner

Rich has been awesome. We are building our dream home on the lake and Rich has delivered a design that meets all of our expectations. We want a modern design that fits a Montana setting, achieved. We want a house that gathers the family together, achieved. We want to integrate the outdoor space with the lake and the house, achieved. Rich started the project by listening. His attention to concept details was exactly what we wanted. He then added details from his experience that fit our concept. Rich is a professional with a unique Montana presence about him. His communication was outstanding, via email, text, phone and in-person meetings.

Altius Design Group was a crucial component in my extensive remodel of an older home, in poor structural condition and a bit of a mess after several poorly thought out additions. Rich excels in integrating owner concepts into architectural reality. Altius engages the client with an amenable demeanor and welcomes an iterative approach to the design process, particularly when issues arise. I couldn't have been more pleased with the final outcome. The drawings, preliminary and final, were delivered on time and within budget. This project was difficult on many fronts, Altius expertly handled their duties to keep the project on pace.

Altius Design Group are the most creative, disciplined, thorough and professional Architecture firm that I have worked with. The always have the best interest of the project at heart.

We are currently mid project but have found Altius Design Group a great pleasure to work with. We are particularly appreciative of Rich Grave's ability to listen carefully to our preferences, yet bring to them his own original ideas and creativity. The result has been a design that feels very personal and unique to us. We have also been delighted with the collaborative approach Altius has embraced with the entire team on our project. We believe this has only enhanced the process and are excited to see their beautiful design become reality.

We worked with Rich Graves on two projects – one in Montana and one in Idaho. In both cases Rich brought a wealth of experience and resources to help us create the type of vacation homes we had always dreamed of building for family gatherings. As we resided in Southern California, communication was key, as well as a thorough understanding of local resources, materials and requirements. Helping us deal with challenging developers was also a big plus. During our site visits Rich was always well-prepared, incorporated our input from previous discussions and brought creative solutions to the meetings as we finalized plans. The Idaho lot in particular brought special challenges due to its geography but the design developed took full advantage of the natural beauty the site offered. Rich also exposed us to top local builders and worked closely with us during the bid process. Throughout our dealings with Rich and his firm, he brought a level of professionalism and thoroughness that we greatly appreciated. We heartily recommend his work. Doug & Cynthia Perry

Meet Rich through our builder. He came highly recommended. Along with his partner Rod, they did a fantastic job. They could not be easier to work with and had some great idea's that we incorporated into our design. We looked at some there other work and were very impressed. We are currently in the construction process, and can't wait to see their idea's get built. If your looking for someone with great ideas and very easy to work with, you can't go wrong here.

Rich Graves did an amazing job working with us to design our home. He was professional, easy to work with and followed our lists of requirements and came up with better ideas, suggestions, and design. We knew the look we wanted and Rich was very responsive to our wants and needs. He was also patient with us as changes were made throughout the process and he worked extremely well with the builder, especially when we were not there to assist with questions etc.

Always a pleasure to work with Rich and everyone at Altius Design Group. We've worked on several projects together over the years and I would highly recommend! Elements Lighting & Design Whitefish, MT

We have worked with Rich and Altius on several projects, and have been very impressed with his design process. Rich is a very personable architect that produces amazing projects. He spends a lot of time coordinating trades during the design process to reduce and eliminate conflicts in the field. I highly recommend Altius. John Melvin JM Engineering, PLLC

Altius Design Group is top-notch architectural group that provides its clients with exceptional advice to help solve difficult design, engineering and cost management issues. They consistently go above & beyond the call of duty in all aspects of their service model, and are excellent collaborators and interpreters of what can often be, a challenging architectural vision from the client. We have used Altius Design Group on a number of projects in Eastern Canada, and would have no hesitation in recommending them for a project you are considering.

We are midway through the building process after Rich designed our new house to fit on our mountainside property to maximize the breathtaking views. His ability to initially take our ideas and create our perfect house plan has made it a very pleasant and enjoyable process . He is always patient and follows through on each stage of development to ensure the highest level of professionalism for our project. We are excited to have it finished and our family looks forward to many years of slopeside living.