M Valdes Architects

We have an unusual one-word answer when asked about our favorite home style: "simple". We believe that simple, straightforward design is the key to making beautiful, inviting homes that minimize unnecessary square footage and excess cost. When their daughters grew out of the swing set the family decided to replace it with a Pavilion for summer use.

The "A" frame with a low "skirt" roof is a response to the owner's desire for a compact cabin in close contact with nature in a clearing in the woods on Gull Lake, WI. The 1,700 square feet structure fits a family of four in summer and in winter, including pets and guests. Located on a ridge in a forest in Boone, IA, this house was inspired by a kid's teeter-totter.

Making enjoyable, amazing homes while cutting back on unnecessary square footage and cost is the bottom line of what we do as home designers. The More Home Less House design philosophy is based on the twofold purpose of designing beautiful spaces for a home while minimizing costly inefficiencies.

Here is a list of the basic "rules of thumb" that define our design philosophy that can be used by anyone looking at building or remodeling their dream home.All homes have a heart. Think of a house you enjoy and you will most likely find a place that stands out for being inviting and welcoming. We can visualize this place as having the magnetic quality of gathering people around it.