Our practice is small by design. When you engage us, you work directly with architect Michael Howells.

Michael Howells
Architect
Professional Credentials & Affiliations
American Institute of Architects (AIA) member
US Green Building Council LEED accredited professional (LEED AP)
Practice History
In 2008, I started Howells Architecture + Design in Portland, Oregon, with a desire to make beautiful, livable spaces that express the west but also benefit from a global sophistication.
Working with older homes
Renovation is my specialty because it’s a personal passion. My love of older houses goes back to a childhood spent moving around the country with a single mom who loved Florida kitsch, collected Fiestaware, and could turn an ordinary house into something special.
After graduate school and an internship at Michael F. Bauer in Santa Fe, I moved to New York City, where I learned the subtleties of residential renovation at AD100 architect Alan Wanzenberg. I continue to draw on that experience here in Portland, a city with a rich stock of vintage homes.
I divide my work time between my desk and job sites. I enjoy taking photos of buildings and landscapes I spot while on the road. You can follow me on Instagram (@howellsarc).
Education
I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of New Mexico in 1989, and a Master of Architecture (with Distinction) from the same in 1999.