Reverse Architecture

We worked with Carl on the gut renovation of the kitchen in our Cambridge condo, with vague plans to add a bathroom later on. Carl clearly enjoys his work, and our interaction with Carl during the design as well as the building phase was extremely pleasant. We commend Carl for his creativity, attention to detail and involvement throughout the project; from design to finish. Carl is a great listener who figured out our taste, worked our wish list well into his designs, and kept us pleasantly challenged with new ideas. He provided us with skilled guidance in selecting sustainable materials and equipment, and was flexible to explore new options that we came up with. The final design felt like a true collaboration. Upon completion of the kitchen design, we realized that it would be easier to add the bathroom at the same time, rather than later. Again, Carl delivered a creative design that reflected our wishes very well. The contractor we used praised Carl’s detailed designs, which helped greatly in carrying out the renovation as planned. Carl stayed involved during this process, helped respond to unanticipated findings, and paid great attention to detail throughout. Importantly we stayed within budget, and we are extremely happy with the final outcome.

Dreams can come true !Through the creative and innovative architect carl Solander my shabby outdated 20th century apartment has been miraculously transformed into an elegant beautiful 21st-century home. The full potential of this place has been captured through excellence of design that is both dynamic but understated simple and functional. Carl was gracious with his guidance supportive and knowledgeable of resources and materials & most patient with my endless questions and concerns. My only wish is that I had a second apartment to renovate with all the knowledge and insights I've gained through his professionalism.

We live in a Cambridge condo built in the early 1900s, and we wanted to gut renovate the existing kitchen, pantry, and mudroom to create a new eat-in kitchen, a 3/4 bath, and lots of storage. We are thrilled with the result, and found the process to be relatively painless (unlike many others who have undergone kitchen renovations with two small kids!). Carl worked tirelessly to create a space that would accommodate all our wishes, including a built-in cabinet in the pantry to hide the kitty litter box from view. I really appreciate the attention to detail he brings to his work, and that he is very responsive to questions and input from his clients. I also appreciate that we came in on budget, and Carl found a terrific contractor to lead the job. I highly recommend Carl to anyone looking for a thoughtful, creative, collaborative architect. We will soon be working with him again to renovate our old bathroom. Stay tuned for pictures!

Carl Solander worked with us on our addition project, and has a lot of experience with helping homeowners navigate through the complicated process of construction. He gave us great advice, called out things about our design that were less than optimal and gave us better alternatives, and spotted things for the builder to fix that we never would have found on our own. I would definitely work with him again.

Reverse Architecture is a thorough and innovative practice. Knowing I had to entrust a valued project to another architect for Construction Administration, RA was my first choice. They are extremely knowledgeable about the means, methods, and science of construction and uncompromising in their attention to detail. As well they bring a fair and balanced perspective to client and contractor relations. I highly recommend them for collaboration and architectural services.

I worked with Carl over the course of several years on a very complicated multi-phase condo project in Sarasota, FL. As a General Contractor that specializes in high end custom homes and remodeling projects, I found Carl to be great to work with. He not only had imaginative designs that contained a major wow factor, he also thought through the build ability of his vision in order to make it achievable. We have been affiliated with many Architects and Designers over the years, Carl remains one of the very best we have had the opportunity to work with.

My husband and I are a retired, environmentally-conscious couple living in the southern Maine area. About ten years ago we decided it was time to relocate from our charming 100-year-old but project-laden two-story home to something that was easier on the knees, simpler to care for and less expensive to heat. We consulted with Reverse Architecture which presented us with a range of different designs, keeping our needs and concerns in mind. Once we made our selection and after many further meetings and refinements to the design, Carl advised us in choosing the general contractor. He maintained communications with the contractor and crew throughout the project, scheduled regular meetings with both, handled any disputes that arose, and kept an eye on the project to ensure the plans were being followed as specified. He was always responsive to our questions and concerns, and, as I can now see with benefit of hindsight, very patient with our sometime-repetitive barrage of emails. Carl's background and knowledge in energy alternatives proved extremely helpful in our choosing the right options for us. He worked with us when financial considerations made it necessary to modify some of the design and materials, and we couldn't be more pleased with the end result. Even though we've been living in our home for several years now, we continue to take pleasure in its unique design and features. The pop-out windows afford us an expansive view of our surroundings, and the undulating roof, while beautiful of itself, was designed to shade the inside of the house from the summer sun while allowing the winter sun to warm the home's interior. The design also ensures we'll never have to shovel snow off the roof again! In the interest of full disclosure I should mention that Carl is our son. While some might dismiss our review because of that fact, family relationships and dynamics alone do not ensure a positive outcome which we very much feel this was.

Five years after the completion of the gut-remodel of my apartment, it retains the wow-factor I experienced when the job was first completed. Carl Solander produced a contemporary design uniquely suited to my space, approx 2000 sq ft. I enjoyed working with Carl inasmuch as he introduced me to new materials emphasizing sustainable sources, presented alternative product and design choices, and carried the project forward on the planned timeline. The contractors and subs worked very well with him. The project was featured in Sarasota Magazine.

I am a general contractor and have worked with this firm on a few projects. Carl's unique design style is refreshing and exciting to execute. I'm impressed by his attention to detail and always look forward to seeing the finished product. I hope to work with him again in the near future.

As the proud and delighted owner of Apt B, I highly recommend Carl. His keen appreciation of materials, light and space, recommendations for fixtures and overall esthetics realized my ideal apartment. His drawings and plans were extremely accurate and detailed. Carl's skills at managing contractors (at a distance) and financial planning ensured the project was completed on time and below budget. In a small apartment, space is at a premium and options constrained within that of the apartment building. Carl found for me an under the counter dishwasher, fridge, combined drawer fridge/freezer and a .corner kitchen cabinet, maximizing space - my kitchen is huge. My kitchen is stately - kitchenaid appliances are matched with the beautiful knotted maple wooden cabinets which Carl commissioned from an independent local carpenter and glorious polished concrete tiles which he recommended. Carl reconfigured my bathroom - found space for a huge 6 foot bath, and a commissioned a cast concrete polished solid bathroom counter and wash basin. And I still have a hallway closet! And for my living room Carl designed a beautiful transom through the living room/bedroom wall and found a inverted picture rail that allows for easy handing and rehanging of art. Carl is energy conscious, locally sources, solid, inventive, creative, and professional.

Reverse Architecture is a terrific firm because of the depth of construction knowledge and understanding modern design needs. Carl Solander had been featured in The Boston Magazine with a different firm. We were fortunate that Carl started on his own and was able to bring the same modern design aesthetics to our home renovation project. The added bonus was his role of project manager during the construction phase. The result was a spectacular, award-winning addition to our house. We highly recommend, Reverse Architecture and we already discussing our next renovation project.

I recommend their services highly. We came in right on budget and right on time, mostly because nothing was left to chance. Everything was documented for the general contractor in the architectural plans. End product and procedure. Not only did these full specifications protect us from shoddy contractor work, it allowed our guys to work with greater efficiency. Projects often go over budget when you have to undo and redo work. Having through plans and procedures helped us get is all right the first time. We did a full basement renovation, front and backyard landscaping, a new bathroom and a new kitchen in Brooklyn. Our architect, Carl, did a great job of showing us where could we could save money, and where splurging would be worth the investment. Nothing was left to chance. They thought of everything. We have plans for adding another floor to our building, and we'll be using them again for sure.