Merzbau Design Collective

J.C. and Melynn at Merzbau Design Collective were instrumental in transforming our closed-in and dated 80's home into a spacious and modern open plan. They listened to our vision and presented us with ideas that went beyond our initial expectations. Along the way, the team was available with contractor/vendor recommendations, design mock-ups, and the overall positive energy it takes to get through an extensive remodel in Austin. Would highly recommend them to anyone looking for designers who truly care about the end product and how the family will live in the space.

JC and the Team at Merzbau have been absolutely amazing to work with on every project. From the early stages in pre-construction to the tough decisions needed during the construction process, they have been professional and easy to work with each step of the way. I cannot wait for the world to see their beautiful work of art come to life!!! They get our highest recommendation for any future project or collaboration you are looking to do.

J.C. Schmeil gets our highest praise. It's been two years since our remodel was completed and we still can't believe how well it all turned out- or how easy J.C. made it for us. We'd been through a few other architects and we were quite frustrated with the process. Unlike the previous architects, J.C. actually listened to us when we discussed our budget and what we hoped to accomplish. Of the four plans he submitted, we fell in love with two and had a hard time deciding between them. He gave us straightforward sensible advice and guidance on difficult decisions throughout the process - and came in under budget. We recommend him every chance we get.

J.C. Schmeil is an amazing architect who made the process of building our dream home as painless as possible! We have a home that is so livable and will grow with us through the years. We couldn't be happier.

Our original, 1,000 square foot house was built in 1950. Anticipating the need for more space to raise a family, we added a second story -- but this addition left the first floor lacking vision. We found ourselves unnecessarily cramped as we over-used certain areas of the first floor while other spaces went underutilized. J.C. Schmeil assessed our situation with wonderful results. His design created spaces that both felt good and were maximized for their purpose. A calm presence and a positive problem-solver, he well understood the needs of a family with growing children. He re-imagines space creatively, finding ways to take advantage of every inch. J.C. gave us the courage to re-locate our kitchen to a central room, re-purpose a languishing "sunroom" into a well-loved dining area, add a hardworking entry way to corral the flotsam and jetsam of family life, and create two comfy living spaces -- one with a television and one without -- to serve all members of the family. We went from feeling vaguely uncomfortable on our first floor to loving life. J.C. steered us to great contractors and craftsmen, and got us through the entire process with a minimum of pain. If we had another remodel in mind, we'd turn to J.C. again -- but he's so good at what he does, he's worked himself right out of a job. Our house is pretty much perfect, thanks to him!