MF Architecture

I interned for Matt Fajkus during the summer of 2017 and found a firm that cultivates a high design standard and a nurturing environment. They are a model firm for how a studio should be managed and how to exceed a clients expectations.

If you're looking to renovate or completely redesign your current home, I would highly recommend MF Architecture. I approached MF Architecture when I saw a newly finished home they designed in my Crestview neighborhood. This new home had a very similar design aesthetic that I was looking for, as I was considering doing some renovations to my home at the time. For our initial conversation, I met with Matt Fajkus, David Birt, and Sarah Johnson where we discussed notes and influences for my renovation. I could see that we all had similar interests in architecture and design and I liked their overall vibe. I really enjoyed their warmth, insight, tasteful suggestions, and overall good nature that made this initial conversation feel easy and familiar. After our visit, I felt confident I had the right architectural firm for my renovation. One of my favorite parts of this entire process was the design phase. I provided MF Architecture with a substantial amount of design influences and specific styles when we first started that gave us an easy shorthand in our discussion. I thought they were able to take my influences and interpret them quickly, easily and even expanded on them. Sarah and David provided some amazing designs as we worked to whittle them down to get to something we could all agree on. They were all so accommodating and I felt that this was a true collaborative process that felt very rewarding. Once it came time to interview contractors, I quickly realized that this Austin market was a builder's market and had made some misjudgements on budget and on some of the design work we had completed. So, I went back to Matt and we decided we needed to rework the design and I brought on a contractor during this redesign process. To MF's credit, we worked on the redesign with my selected contractor at no additional cost to me so that we could get the design better and get my project back on track. By bringing in my contractor during the redesign phase, we were able to make this process much more efficient and we were able to get to a revised design plan that we all agreed felt much better. And more importantly, I was able to get a new estimate amount that I was comfortable with that felt doable. During the construction phase, you'll always run into issues that are unforeseen even with a good contractor on board. I think it's just the nature of this business that will always have unavoidable situations to try to derail any progress. That is why I cannot stress enough that it was so CRUCIAL having MF Architecture on board supervising the construction phase helping me keep my project on track. It was an additional monthly fee I hadn't planned on paying for....but, it was WORTH. EVERY. PENNY. Having Sarah and David there at my weekly check-ins with the contractor to keep everything moving forward, answer questions quickly, making necessary unplanned redesign decisions, and more importantly, being the homeowners advocate when it was time to have those uncomfortable discussions with the contractor. I don't think I would've kept my sanity if it wasn't for Sarah and David (with Matt's keen oversight) monitoring the contractor's progress and answering questions. Having them supervising the construction build was so valuable and I don't think I could've done it without them. I moved into my new home on Memorial Day weekend 2017. I tell everyone that this was one of the most thrilling, rewarding, and frustrating things I've ever done in my life. Even when you have a quality architect firm and a solid contractor on board, the construction process can be tough for various reasons beyond your control.......but, all that goes away when you're able to see the final outcome. I really do feel like I made the absolute right choice with MF Architecture for my rebuilt home. I had the best experience working with Matt, David, Sarah, and the entire MF Architecture staff. And strangely enough, I would do it all over again tomorrow because I really enjoyed working with them that much. I'm just so happy and proud when I tell friends that MF Architecture designed my beautiful rebuilt home...and I know you will be too.

Everybody at the MF office is fantastic to work with. I worked with the team last summer and was constantly impressed by the design quality and the amount of work coming out of the office. I really enjoyed that the firm encourages unique challenges, tackles many different scales, and has an interest in all things design, not just architecture. I highly recommend getting in touch with MF Architecture if you're at all interested in them. They are a creative, professional, smart, and enthusiastic bunch of architects and designers.

MF Architecture is a highly professional and collaborative team producing amazing designs. They love to be challenged regardless of the scale of the projects, and they will provide the right solution. I enjoyed my time working for MF Architecture where I learned what a great team means in the architecture field.

MF is truly a different kind of architecture firm. I was lucky enough to work there last summer and found myself surrounded by professionals who really care about their work and love what they do. As a college student, I can't yet afford to be one of their clients. But if I was, I know I would find a team that was excited to help me and would continue to push the design throughout the entire project, no matter the scale. Hire him!

I highly recommend MF Architecture. Matt and David did a fantastic job in the design of my new home despite some difficult challenges. Vision, talent, creativity, innovation, organization, communication...it''s all there with MF Architecture. The end result is a home that emphasizes a modern design with a functional floor plan that maximizes light and views while maintaining privacy that fits perfectly on a restrictive lot. Thanks MF!

My company designed the landscape on two MF residential projects so far, and we have loved being able to play off of the delightful architectural details of the houses. The projects always feel special and we know Matt Fajkus and his team care so much about the impact the spaces have on users. They have a keen understanding on material selection, light, and connectivity between in and outside of the structure.

I have been working with MF Architecture for the past several months on a very challenging project in central Austin. We started working on the design together with the owners well in advance of starting construction. At every step of the project, MF Architecture has been professional, creative, knowledgeable on everything from best practices to minutia of the city code, mindful of budget constraints, thoughtful to the architecture of existing homes in the neighborhood, and all around pleasant to work with. I can't wait for the opportunity to work with MF again!

MF Architecture designed a sustainable greenhouse/farm project for me and did a really great job with the graphics that I needed to launch a Kickstarter campaign as well as the functional layout of the farm. This project was probably different than the work most architects would consider but Matt and his team are highly intelligent professionals and did a excellent job. I would highly recommend using them.

After touring some houses in Austin, we ended up in MF Architecture's Tree House project and absolutely loved it. It was clear the designers took great consideration in both functionality and form of the home, while paying meticulous detail to natural light and outdoor living space. After we learned it was designed by MF Architecture, we looked into their other projects and the same seemed to hold true. Their projects are simply stunning and truly blend the threshold between indoors and outdoors, which has always been a feature of my dream home. While we weren't originally planning to design and build a home (we were looking at homes already built due to our time frame) we consulted with Matt Fajkus to learn about the process and possibility of designing and building a house. He was incredibly gracious with his time and was as clear as he possibly could be in explaining the process in terms of time and costs. I truly appreciated how concise he was with his words and was very careful not to over-promise on anything even though he knew we were on a time crunch! And the cost was much lower than I would have imagined! Unfortunately, we were not able to work together due to our timeframe and ability to find a lot in the right location. However, MF Architecture is the first firm I would recommend to anyone looking to design a home in the Austin area!

MF Architecture has a creative eye for clean concepts and innovation. Matt Fajkus is always courteous, prepared, and open to discussion about any feedback or ideas I may have in conjunction with the project.

I have followed Matt Fajkus's career from Harvard Graduate School of Design to working for Sir Norman Foster in London for several years, and then his position at The University of Texas at Austin. When he opened his own architecture firm in Austin, I didn't hesitate to recommend him to friends, colleagues, and businesses -- all of whom continue to express their gratitude. Matt has taught in Europe and elsewhere, and I have observed some of his informative and "ambassadorial" lectures in Austin and in Germany. His business has grown rapidly for many reasons -- his abundant talent and inspired creativity, his ability to hear what clients want and then make their dreams a reality, and his passionate dedication to giving 100% to every project, however great or small. Because of his genuine interest in and attunement to others, he has a unique ability to take clients’ original ideas and present fresh options for their consideration. You don’t want to miss this opportunity!