Summers Design Group

These architects took my unbuildable design for an 800 sq ft. cottage and created a soaring, light-filled, spacious dwelling and studio that met city rules, yet exceeded our hopes for beautiful, livable design. They supervised the project, ensuring attention to construction, logistical, and materials details. They knew a talented contractor who sought out superior, hard-to-find materials and fixtures. The project is a breath-taking success, far surpassing our expectations, and is such a pleasure to live in. They are so gracious and easy to work with, knowledgeable and broadly experienced, encourage questions, and quick to respond to concerns. True professionals. This was their second project for us. The first project also exceeded expectations. They amply demonstrate the reason to hire architects.

I've worked with Summers & Novice on a number of large jobs, and they consistently surprise me with their attention to all the details and making sure everything is done correctly the first time. They're more than willing to spend the extra time beforehand to make sure the job itself runs smoothly and the client's time and money is use most efficiently. I highly recommend them for any type of job you need done as I know you'll be in great hands.

Summers & Novick made our extensive remodeling and renovation of our 42 year old home a pleasured, low-stress experience. They met our objectives of (1) bringing our kitchen and two bathrooms up-to-date with excellent designs and quality workmanship, (2) avoiding contractor legal and workmanship issues in the process, and (3) overseeing all work being completed within budget. Beyond the initial architectural design, we hired them for project management and construction oversight to implement their designs as we jointly envisioned. They paid incredible attention to detail throughout the entire process, i.e., from their documentation to gutting and first shovels in the ground to the very last paint stroke. Where workmanship was “unacceptable”, they saw to it that the contractor re-worked at his expense. Their process steps are noteworthy. Step 1 design study developed sketches and concept renderings enabling “ballpark” cost estimates offering decision point opportunities. Step 2 developed detailed design drawings, materials lists, specifications, and contractor’s requirements, and work summary (for bidding, progress payment steps and all work to be done before starting any construction). Step 3 they prepared agreements for their construction observation services, bid document packages, and agreements for the landowner, contractor and architect defining all everyone’s responsibilities and roles. In our case, our agreement with the architects made them the “judge and jury” for the contractor’s work and progress payments. This meant the contractor(s) had (1) to work with the extremely thorough documentation and (2) satisfy the architects (who, incidentally, were far more particular me). Any and all issues were addressed and resolved through the architects which kept both the contractor and us (the homeowners) honest. This project required two separate city permits. The first was for converting the kitchen, dining room and family room to a great room, and the second was for two bathrooms. Their drawing packages with extensive notes were so complete and thorough that the usually picky building department approved each set of plans “over the counter” in less than 30 minutes! To our surprise and delight, Summers and Novick not only are architects, but they happen to be artists with interior design and landscape design as well as having extensive technical (structural, electrical, lighting, glass, ceramic, materials) expertise. Our remodeling end product is tastefully up-to-date, was well executed with quality workmanship and is very nicely integrated. There is no transition between the “old” and “new”. The original kitchen, family room and formerly unused dining room were converted into an open, now well-used Great Room. Also, they also designed and remodeled two bath rooms, an adjoining patio deck, and landscaping. Bottom line, we obtained an up-to-date, well designed home without ANY contractor horror stories within budget.

I have worked with Leon Summers and Galina Novick on a number of different projects over the last twenty years, and I always enjoy working with them. Not only are they pleasant, intelligent individuals, but the houses they design are unique, creative, and fun to build. Summers and Novick's attention to detail is incomparable, and their use of space is ingenious. This design team always looks at projects as an opportunity to bring out the best in their creativity and in the neighborhoods in which the structures are built. I look forward to many more years working with Leon Summers and Galina Novick. As a contractor, I always see their houses as an interesting challenge. They may be a bit more difficult to build than others' homes, but the results are always outstanding.

Galina and Leon are creative, meticulous and generally very good at what they do. They are primarily architects but they also offer great interior design, landscape design and construction management services.