Adirondack Design

Over the several years we’ve been part of Adirondack Design projects and have always been impressed with their quality and thoughtfulness. We’ve enjoyed the challenges that allow our timber framing skills to grow and be highlighted. We’re always looking forward to our next collaboration. No one does Adirondack Great Camp quite like Michael Bird and Adirondack Design!

Michael designed our dream camp on Lake George. He took our ideas, some practical, many unorthodox, and came up with a design that is beautiful, timeless and very functional. He is a pleasure to work with, and was thoroughly involved with every step in the process from planning to completion. I hope to work with Michael again someday.

Michael Bird renovated an unmaintained lakeside cabin on our property first and turned it into a liveable comfortable camp which we used as we built the main house that Michael designed and ultimately, the boat house that is also a product of Michael's creativity. I once heard someone say that we have the best house on Saranac Lake and I agree. It is just about perfect and I would not change a thing.

Michael has designed and overseen three different construction projects for me, a home (1991), a lake side camp (1993) and a boathouse (2000). Additionally, our businesses have overlapped such that I have had the opportunity to work with Michael and his staff on several large projects for third parties. My role often is in governmental permitting, and permits as ultimately issued are are often narrower than an architect's original vision. Michael excels at maximizing his vision and the owner's goals within the perimeters established by the various governmental agencies involved.

Michael is a superb architect and a man of exquisite taste. And isn't that what the exercise is about? If you have found Michael you are on the right track! Listen to his suggestions, he will listen to your ideas and in the end the results will exceed your expectations! He and his team are always professional and will work with you to make your vision a reality. Michael has vast experience in the history of Great Camps. He grew up in one himself. He has close friends who own vintage era camps- he's lived the experience and knows it intimately. I am describing camps designed and built over 100 years ago. Michael brings the charm, spacious characteristics of those together with modern comforts so your "new" great camp looks, feels and smells like the real thing- yet its comfy. Of course, it IS the real thing! Authentic is a description that comes to mind. I am tipping my hat to the simplicity and grandeur and flair of the old camps and that's exactly what Michael has imbued his new camps with. We chose Michael for this sensitivity and knew of his expertise, and we are thrilled we did! Or camp is classic and timeless. Thank you Michael!

I am a residential building contractor in Saranac Lake, New York and have completed numerous custom home and compound projects with Michael Bird/Adirondack Design. We have completed countless bid design/build and time/materials projects together. I have always found him to be reasonable to deal with in creating thoughtful projects that fit clients visions and need, keeping the building process enjoyable from start to finish. I have worked with many Architects in the last 20 years and at this pint when asked by future clients for an Architectural recommendation, Michael is where I send them. Chris Tissot Tissot Construction Inc.

Michael, a summer native of the Adirondacks has a genuine understanding of the elements that make up the unique features that set his designs beyond the expected... Whether stone, burls, logs or bark he carefully manipulates the natural elements into a rustic interpretation to create beautifully proportioned successfully thought out spaces. He includes elements that are pleasingly not the obvious. He goes beyond simple floor plan geometry and gives spaces a "feeling" that only a good architect can do. He has designed everything from "great camps" to humble cabins always interpreting the past with authenticity. He is a good communicator excellent listener and gets what it is the client wants. His plans are detailed and clear, both rustic and elegant and he is prompt at getting the job done. He is well connected with the best artisans, knows good sources for top materials throughout the region and has a most impressive portfolio of projects. I highly recommend Michael to anyone in love with adirondack design!! Signed, A happy client

We recently added a garage to our lake house with two bedrooms and a bathroom above. Michael Bird helped design, bid the contract and supervise construction for us. He was excellent, no complaints at all. He had great vision, very detailed in all aspects of the job and a pleasure to work with. He helped us select the best contractor for the job and we could not have been more pleased with his selection.

I worked with Michael Bird on my camp in the Adirondacks. I found Michael and his whole team to be highly professional and responsive. Michael has an unique gift to utilize space, and work with existing structures to maximize the full potential of a home. I would highly recommend Michael Bird to anyone that is looking to improve their property. Tom Conrad

We have worked with Michael, and Adirondack Design, as civil engineering project team members for more than 15 years. Michael creates great architectural teams to tackle unique and challenging designs for his clients. We have been fortunate to work with Adirondack Design on some the best new home and renovation projects in the area, and been able to work with Michael on truly spectacular boat houses that weather the harsh environment of the Adirondacks. We enjoy working with Michael and all the folks at Adirondack Design. They are true professionals and develop cool designs to meet their client’s expectations. Peter Gibbs PE VP Engineering Ventures PC

Design and supervision of a 5,000 sq. ft. home in the Adirondack Style. Cooperation and interaction with the owners and the building contractor were very good which made changes easier and facilitated logistics and preparation. Frequent onsite visits were helpful and promoted a good working relationship. Follow up with craftsmen and sub-contractors eliminated possible construction delays. Above all, the design and its adaptation to the owners' individual needs made the process a pleasure and the owners are extremely excited about occupying their spectacular new home and welcoming friends and family to enjoy it with them.

Michael Bird is technically savvy, detail-oriented, historically knowledgeable, and has a keen sense of aesthetic design providing extraordinary qualities to realize the fulfillment of our project, including a complete floor plan redesign, remodel, and rebirth of a Victorian mansion. Michael was considerate of our goals, solution-oriented, responsive, pro-active, checked-in regularly on status, and followed up with timely responses to contractor questions -- a rare blend in an architect, and a great pleasure to work with!

I can not say enough about the professionalism and talent of Michael Bird and his Team at Adirondack Designs. Every project I have been on where they were involved ran smooth with plenty of "hands on" and an amazing outcome that the clients were thrilled with. I highly recommend them. Great communication and planning with an eye for detail.

It was literally a "dream come true" for me to work with Michael Bird and Adirondack Design, in several respects - as a professional interior designer, as a homeowner in the Adirondacks, and as a longtime fan and follower of his work (well before I actually had the opportunity to work with him). Adirondack Design was my first choice when the time came to design and build an authentic rustic-style, Adirondack home, in 2007. I had a definite house plan, layout and details in mind - roughly drawn out on a piece of paper, and then left it to Michael to make it a reality, while also filling in with all the special touches that came with his knowledge, experience and background. He was always willing and able to take an idea or suggestion and come back with even more and better. He and his staff were a pleasure to work with - every detail was covered in all respects. A thorough project manual binder with all architectural and engineering drawings was provided, covering all the specifics involved - with materials lists and schedules noted for every last item. Michael's supervision of the construction phase included many on-site visits, and he worked seamlessly with the builders who were also excellent. He always maintained a calm and competent attitude, being available to solve problems or discuss any details with me and/or the builders. It was wonderful to work with Michael on both levels -as the homeowner, and an interior designer. He understood and interpreted all of the personal design requests that I asked for, and made suggestions that tied in perfectly with my end goals. Collaborating with him was a totally enjoyable, enlightening process that resulted in such a beautiful and unique home that is eminently livable and comfortable throughout the seasons. I would absolutely recommend Adirondack Design to those who are seeking a premier, beautiful rustic home that perfectly reflects the spirit and feeling of this unique area.

Michael Bird is one of the top names in Adirondack Architecture, and it was a pleasure to work with him! We built a log home as well as a wood sided boathouse, both of which he was well versed in, not only the unique architecture of each, but in the codes and limitations we needed to be aware of in building on the lake.. Michael was available, on time, and always professional. We hope to work with him again!

Michael Bird has had great ideas and recommendations for me for many years. The most recent job, while relatively small, involved designing a replacement wall on one side of our house, that had to be different in order to provide proper support, yet had to look of a piece with the existing house. It was a terrific, attractive design and well executed by the builder he suggested.

We have a very unique situation in that our Architect, Michael Bird, and his staff at Adirondack Design have a long distance relationship with us as we complete a two year humanitarian project in Belize, Central America. We first approached Michael over two years ago with the idea of asking him to not only design our dream retirement home but, also, to oversee the actual construction with the goal of creating a "turnkey" Adirondack Camp for us while we were in Central America. After meeting with Michael a few times we were convinced that he and his organization was more than up to the task. We are now over six months into the building project and have absolutely no concerns whatsoever. Our property is situated on a very beautiful lake in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State. After the old, existing structure was removed our major concern was the extensive site engineering needing to be done before the foundation could be laid. Michael sent us email descriptions and designs of how the site would be engineered to make the best use of this idyllic location. We clearly understood how the water drainage and grade of the land would be modified and, with that, construction began. Ground was broken in July, 2014 and Michael set the tone with the goal of having the building up and enclosed by the onset of winter...which comes early in that part of the world! Michael has been really great about sending regular emails and detailed photos of our project. We are particularly pleased with the precise attention to detail, the frugal use of building materials and the skill level of each of the workers involved. We can clearly see on a week-to-week basis the progress being made. Furthermore, the project is right on schedule and on budget. Our general contractor, Gristmill Builders out of Stow Vermont, was chosen by Adirondack Design to build our camp. We met with our contractor and Michael Bird while returning briefly to North America and were impressed with the shared vision of the two companies. We looked at different material options and the whole process of picking roofing, siding, windows etc. was painless and fun! The excellent working relationship between our contractor and architect put our minds at ease and continue to give us great peace of mind. Our building project is being paid for in a series of installments over a period of one year. Prior to receiving an invoice from our contractor, Adirondack Design visits the site to validate and approve the itemized, completed work as described in the invoice which is typically several pages long. Only after Adirondack Design approves the completed work do we receive the invoice for payment. We have never had to ask for clarification of any work and have always been impressed with the detail contained within the invoices. William and Marcia Gilbert San Ignacio, Belize Central America

Michael Bird designed and supervised the building of a three bedroom, three bathroom guest house on our property on Upper Saranac Lake. We asked him to replicate as closely as possible the house that had been there before on the same footprint. Our camp was built in the 1920's and Michael successfully built a house that looks like it has always been there but includes all of the modern conveniences! We are thrilled with the outcome and would highly recommend him.

Michael Bird and his team designed a beautiful home for my family near Lake Otsego of Cooperstown. I was specific in what I wanted and they gave it to me, but also challenged me with constructive suggestions. They managed to make Adirondack style with Russian Dascha feeling. He was also available as needed and a real collaborator. We wanted a guest house/study and have gone back to him and his staff for a new design. Isn't the best report is that we have returned back to them.

Michael Bird and his colleagues at Adirondack Design are a pleasure to work with because of their attention to detail and their quickness to providing answers. Michael really focuses on his client's likes and dislikes when designing these beautiful homes. Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to work on many homes with Michael and I look forward to working with him on future projects.

Adirondack Design was engaged for the design and blueprints of our house expansion and provided excellent documentation for our contractor. Michael Bird was able to architect everything we wanted especially given the constraints of the existing structure and landscape. We were and are now more than pleased. He also connected us with a contractor who also exceeded our expectations.

Excellent eye for making design unique and breakthrough. Staff works well together in supporting the design and construction of the project. Work was on time and on budget

Adirondack Design provided architectural design services for the remodel of my boathouse on Lake George. Michael Bird's approach and design were outstanding. They provided an Adirondack style while keeping within the general layout and design of the existing structure. Michael had also provided the complete design and construction overview for the rebuilding of the old house on the property in 1997. Then too, his designs brought in the Adirondack style while keeping some of the historic features of the home. He does truly beautiful work.

Michael Bird is a very talented and knowledgeable Architect specializing in Adirondack style homes. He designed our home and garage, obtained all permits, hired top contractors and supervised the entire construction and landscape project. The finished product is amazing. His attention to detail is impeccable. He and his staff are a pleasure to work with. They kept us up to date with progress reports and photos and met all deadlines. We are so very happy with the way our home turned out and would highly recommend Michael Bird and Adirondack Design. We will be working with Michael in the Spring of 2014 on a boathouse.