MDA designgroup

I was introduced to Elisabeth Martin, and MDA designgroup, by my realtor when discussing renovating our Manhattan duplex. I interviewed a number of architects but the decision to go with Elisabeth was easy. We got along from the first moment we met. She took the time to really listen to what we were trying to accomplish with the renovation, what we needed functionality wise from our space and what we wanted aesthetically. She then jumped in immediately with wonderful ideas of her own. I was so impressed with her enthusiasm and nature ability to take a space in and see how to make it the best it could be. We worked together to develop a detailed and well designed master plan for the project - which was substantial. The project involved reworking a staircase, a completely new kitchen, 3 full bathrooms, reworking structural elements, enhancing lighting throughout, floor work, a new HVAC system, adding storage, an AV system and redoing out entire backyard. Elisabeth and her MDA designgroup team were always very patient with my many questions and concerns. They were happy to present me with design elements to pick from and adjusted or provide additional options based on my feedback. They would also work in items I’d request seamlessly. As a first time renovator and a family fairly new to Manhattan we relied on Elisabeth’s ample connections in the area as well. She connected us with many very talented and pleasant to work with craftsmen and tradesmen throughout the project from our main contractor to engineers to a stone expert to an AV specialist to an expeditor. And her team managed much of their work. Elisabeth and everyone at MDA designgroup helped keep the project on track and handled any issues that arose tirelessly. Elisabeth was an advocate for us with everyone involved in the project, including our condo board. In the end, our home now suits us perfectly, has so many features we adore and is more than we could have hoped for. Our family and friends agree, we get complements on anyone who comes over. I honestly do not think we would have gotten the same results with any other partner. Elisabeth Martin is special, a real pleasure to work with and a wonderful person.

I highly recommend working with MDA designgroup. I am currently working with MDA designgroup--Elisabeth Martin and Marsha-Ann Cadougan--on the renovation of a family limestone in Brooklyn. The house is a single family home and had not had any major renovations since about 1970. The kitchen and bathrooms were dated, at best, and the home was quite dark. Embarking upon this renovation project was daunting, I was unsure if I would be able to make the house my "home". Happily--and still with fingers crossed--I am on schedule from being two months away from having a home that is refreshingly modern, yet still encapsulates much of what make the homes in this area historic gems. Elisabeth and Marsha-Ann have been indispensable since day one. MDA has guided me throughout the project, including designing the layout, filling for permits, selecting a contractor and leading site visits. They respond to my random questions and allay any concerns I have, while also thoughtfully addressing any issues that have arisen along the way. The guidance and insight they have brought to the process have kept me sane! (I am a first time renovator who has a knack for finding things to worry about.) With respect to design, MDA spent hours working with me to capture those key elements that would personalize my home. They proposed multiple layouts of rooms and thoroughly addressed all pros and cons. At times we have had slight differences in opinion--for example, whether it was best for me to keep the window seats in my bedroom--and each time I have been more than pleased with the result. (I kept the window seats at Elisabeth's suggestion.) As with any project, at times the unexpected occurs. In the limited instances where this has taken place, MDA has quickly acted and presented me with solid alternatives. Elisabeth and Marsha-Ann work seamlessly with my contractor and throughout construction have helped manage any additional costs. Their expertise and advocacy (for me) has made all the difference.

MDA was hired to deliver great design under a tight schedule and a disciplined schedule. The brief was demanding as was the client. Elisabeth, as owner, principal and chief designer, was tireless in her commitment to our project. Along with her team, Elisabeth was creative, practical and responsive. MDA's ability to develop beautiful design solutions that were at once cutting-edge yet sensible was beyond impressive. MDA's design intent remained sensitive and sensible throughout our intense process. MDA was also prepared to perform outside of its specific scope to ensure timely and successful execution--a rare and demanding responsibility for an architect. At times where the contractor was struggling, MDA tirelessly looked to bootstrap the roles and responsibilities of other professionals. This professional approach made a good project, a great project. We enthusiastically recommend MDA without hesitation or reservation.

MDA was thoughtful, insightful respectful and timely and all of the work that tge firm undertook for our home renovation. Our timeline was super aggressive; expectations were high & the schedule demands were intense. That said, Elisabeth was relentless in her pursuit of design excellence; client responsiveness and fiscal responsibility. The end result was on budget, on schedule and exceptionally beautiful. We would recommend MDA enthusiastically and without reservation for any project that requires design sensibility and sensitivity for the most discerning clientele. An absolute pleasure to work with.

I've worked with Elisabeth for 17 years as a landscape designer (Groundworks Inc) on several of her projects for both public and private clients. She is inventive, creative, pragmatic and delightful to work with. Her attention to detail and client needs are paramount and always lead to successful projects. She is extremely conscientious and committed to design, final product, budget, client satisfaction and deadlines - Elisabeth and her firm give 200 percent and then more! Her experience with public and private work is remarkable in that she can easily balance all facets of any job; we always enjoy working alongside her and her team. She is a mentor, friend and trusted professional that is creative, fun and discerning with problem solving. I cannot recommend Elisabeth and her firm enough.

We hired MDA designgroup as we understood that they worked well with their clients, listened and understood their client's needs and desires, and kept to within budget in a timely manner. Designing a new kitchen for us that would provides greater storage and more counter space presented a challenge within the existing space. Given set backs, we could only built out to a small degree. We also wanted to include professional appliances. It was remarkable to us that the resulting design is more in keeping with the character of the house than the original kitchen. Both family and friends agreed that the new kitchen design reorganized the former multiple, separate, adjacent spaces into great room centered on the act of cooking that is open to gathering on either side. MDA helped us identify cabinets, tile and counters within our budget and in keeping with our aesthetics, and directed us to where we could best purchase professional appliances. The kitchen not only speaks to our love of natural elements and warm, comforting materials, it also maximized the functionality of the the house and its connection to the open landscape just outside the door. We have since entertained quite a bit and have found our new kitchen to be an ideal for small and large gatherings alike.

I hired MDA designgroup to do the architectural design for my hair salon expansion. Although I was happy with the look of my original salon space, I decided to go with a different architect because I found the original designer difficult to work with. At first I wasn't sure if MDA would be a fit for my project because they customarily work on institutional and residential projects from what I understand. From our first meeting, Elisabeth Martin immediately put me at ease. It is obvious when you meet with her that she is someone who is extremely knowledgeable, but who listens to the client. She is someone who understands the issues at hand and what needs to be done to get you where you need to go. I never felt like my project was too small for her attention In fact, I was always treated as though I was their top priority. After meeting with the contractor to discuss specifics and one more meeting with her team, her office was able to provide completed drawings very quickly. The drawings took the best ideas from the original design but improved on some lighting and mechanical conditions that were imperfect in the first iteration. The contractor was able to start as soon as I signed the lease and no time was wasted. Her team was readily available for walk throughs. Because of her highly attenuated attention to detail she caught something resulting from a miscommunication between the contractor and I in the very early stage of being built that we were able to fix with no impact on the completion schedule. The finished space, which doubles the original square footage and is connected by a doorway pass through, is as comfortably functional as it is beautiful. We chose many of the same finishes from the original design and most people say that it looks as though it was always there, rather than having an add-on feel. I could not recommend this company more highly. I am looking forward to the time I may work with them again.

It's a great pleasure working with the team at MDA designgroup. Their commitment to being extremely detailed and trustworthy is exceptional. DAVIDSON COMPANY

Elisabeth Martin has proved to be the perfect architect for my brownstone renovation project! I hired her after interviewing a half dozen others who also had extensive brownstone experience. She had the right combination of creative vision and practicality and I liked her straightforward, high-energy personality right away. She spent the time to "window shop" with me to get a bead on my tastes and preferences and then artfully guided my choices but always offered alternatives. I didn’t want to add an interior designer to the project and Elisabeth fulfilled that role well for me. MDA designgroup is a small firm and as principal, Elisabeth takes the lead in every project with a team of smart, resourceful junior staff to assist her. My renovation of an UWS turn-of-the-century brownstone (ground floor/parlor floor duplex) was a major project: replacing a worn out greenhouse with a rear addition on the ground floor and deck above it on the second floor, reversing the interior stairwell, converting windows into French doors, redesigning the kitchen and two bathrooms, and converting a second kitchen to a LR bar and utility room. One complicating factor is the team had to work around me as I lived in various parts of the apartment while work was being done in other sections. As in most complicated renovations, there have been some timing delays and cost overages, but Elisabeth is very vigilant examining each extra expense and suggesting cost-saving alternatives. Overall, I found MDA designgroup had a strong design sense and clear opinions, seasoned with a willingness to find solutions that pleased my personal goals. I would enthusiastically recommend MDA designgroup.

I am a General Contractor and Cabinet Maker, who specializes in High End NYC projects. I have had the pleasure of working with many top Architects and Designers over a long career, and have had several wonderful experiences working with the MDA designgroup. They are extremely talented, versatile, competent and true collaborators. Initially they work very closely with their Clients to confirm the goals of the project and then translate that understanding into excellent drawings and specifications which make bidding and planning easier. During construction, they are attentive and proactive helping to address any questions, issues or changes which may occur. They work tirelessly to improve projects as they progress and help to ensure that projects are completed on time, within budget and to a very high standard. Through their efforts, the experiences have been good ones for all involved. In short, I recommend them highly.

My husband and I have been working with MDA designgroup since December 2014 on our total gut renovation in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. We could not be happier with the level of service we have received to date. MDA designgroup really listens and cares about your vision and goals for your project. This was evident by the fact that we were shown virtually perfect plans for our home with the first draft. In addition to designing, their knowledge base and expertise helped us navigate through the minefields of zoning, DOB code concerns, etc. during the construction bidding process. Elisabeth's (Principal) attention to detail and 24/7 accessibility has made it so that a working mother with two kids under the age of 3 can maintain peace of mind during this huge undertaking. We are looking forward to moving into our dream home by the end of this year. Thanks MDA!!!