Mike Bader, AIA is the face behind fuse57 architecture – the top dog behind fuse57 is a yellow lab named Lola, but that is another story. Mike is a licensed architect with over 15 years of experience. He worked at firms in Seattle and Minneapolis that focused on residential, retail and interior design before starting fuse57 architecture in 2005.
Mike doesn’t believe in convoluted mission statements packed with jargon (you know, the ones that are full of words like ‘unique’ because shouldn’t all custom design projects be unique?) but he does believe in the following:
Collaboration is king: Well of course Elvis is the real king, but when it comes to client relationships and the design process, a strong partnership trumps all. For any design project to be successful, clear and ongoing communication is vital. At fuse57, every project is approached as a partnership based on shared ideas.
Thoughtful design is well, thoughtful: When it comes to your home, one size does not fit all. Your space should be a reflection of your personality and how you live your life. By approaching every project as a process in which design solutions fulfill more than just space requirements, the end results are customized to how each client lives, works and plays. And since each project is imprinted with the client’s vision, fuse57’s work covers a range of functions and tastes.
Egos are checked at the door: At fuse57 you will find big ideas, not big egos. The perception exists that working with an architect can be intimidating and although Mike has designed award-winning projects and creates impressive work, he isn’t presumptuous and still puts his pants on one leg at a time.
Budget – everyone as one: Whether it is a souped-up Home Depot project or a super turbo custom project, everyone has a budget and it is especially true in this economy.
Sustainable design is part of the puzzle: Sustainability means different things to different people. From using solar panels to sourcing locally harvested lumber, there are many ways to incorporate environmental benefits in a project. At fuse57, it isn’t about being green just for green’s sake – it is about thinking of best practice solutions to make the world a better place while solving client’s needs.
Home is where the heart and the drafting table are: One of fuse57’s advantages is that Mike works out of his home which eliminates the extra overhead costs required of an office space not to mention that it is one less car on the freeway. The disadvantage is that his wife sometimes asks him to put in a load of laundry.