Michael Gustavson Architecture

Bio:
Michael received his BA from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota, where he played hockey and majored in Fine Art and English. Childhood memories of his grandmother’s pottery studio moved Michael towards the “functional arts” and a Master’s of Architecture Degree from the University of Minnesota. In school, Michael took every opportunity he could to study abroad. He learned about planning

walkable cities while living in Venice, Italy. He began thinking about “order and meaning” while sitting next to rock gardens in Kyoto, Japan. He learned why some buildings withstand the centuries in ancient Chinese farm towns, and he learned how light makes it all happen in the courtyards of Oaxaca, Mexico. His professional career began at SALA Architects (famous for starting the “Not So Big House Movement”). He then moved to Maui where he designed and built everything from high-end vacation homes to affordable “cottage” housing for residents. His affordable housing experience led Michael to Louisiana, California, and eventually Haiti. He worked full-time designing and building with Habitat for Humanity for two years. In his (limited) spare time, Michael can be found cycling around Southern and Central Wisconsin. He grew up bike racing and has ridden his bicycle across the United States twice.