Our M.O.
We specialize in residential, restaurant, and multifamily architecture. We strive to create sustainable and site specific design through common sense practices and/or innovative technology as a guiding principle. The successful translation of client advocacy and artistic interpretation are our tools for producing meaningful and creative architecture. We take cues from the project’s physical surroundings as well as historical and architectural context to inform our design strategies, but keep the needs of our client or end user as the paramount focus of our design efforts.
We're a focused design team with over 15 years of experience in the design and construction field. Our goal as professionals is to listen to our client's needs and find clear and intelligent solutions.
We are an architecture and design firm licensed in multiple states (IL, CA, WI) doing work primarily in Chicago and Northern California.
Ruth Michael, Architect
EDUCATION
University of Illinois at Chicago (2003-2007)
Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies
University of Illinois at Chicago (2007-2009)
Masters in Architecture
PROFESSIONAL
Craig and Associates Architects - Chicago (2005-2009)
MBH Architects (2010-2016) - Alameda, CA
Balfour Beatty Construction (2016-2017) - Oakland, CA
Michael Office of Architecture (2017-Current)
Thomas Michael, Architect, NCARB
Tom started MOA with his wife and partner Ruth in 2017 and opened their practice in Chicago in 2018.
Tom originally studied architecture in his home city of Chicago at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Experiencing and studying the urban condition in Chicago had a profound impact on the way Tom views architecture and its role in the cultural identity of a city and region.
Tom spent two years at Vinci|Hamp Architects in Chicago working on projects from single family residential to the renovation of historic buildings like a Frank Lloyd Wright home and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Tom then spent three years in Philadelphia, earning his Masters of Architecture Degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 2011. During this time he also spent five months living in London and studying at the Architectural Association School of Architecture as a visiting student.
Tom moved to San Francisco in 2011 to continue his career at the award winning firm CCS Architecture. At CCS Tom worked as a Project Architect on many award winning projects, specializing in unique restaurant designs, but working on a multitude of project types as diverse as high end residential design, a casino and a fish market.
EDUCATION
University of Illinois at Chicago (2003-2007)
Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies
University of Pennsylvania (2008-2011)
Masters in Architecture
Architectural Association School of Architecture - London (2010)
Visiting Student
PROFESSIONAL
Vinci Hamp Architects - Chicago (2006-2008)
CCS Architecture - San Francisco (2011-2018)
Michael Office of Architecture (2017-Current)