geoff sumich design

Geoff Sumich is a Very Talented and creative. Every single project is a unique piece of art, that is very Rare..

I met Geoff a few years ago when I acquired a listing in Laguna Beach. Geoff came to my property and we discussed the potential of the property in terms of development. His knowledge about building and development was extensive. He provided gorgeous renderings of "what could be" built at my location. He is extremely professional and his vision is leading edge,

Geoff uses his creativity and innovation to create a great project for us (a beautiful 14000 sq ft house). He does an excellent job of communicating and creating a positive working environment. He makes sure that there is always progress being made on the project to achieve his scheduled time line. I am very proud to be working with him.

Geoff is a wonderfully creative talent, who, even when presented with a previously-established spatial program and strict neighborhood development constraints introduced touches of brilliance set in a ground-breaking design context that in my opinion illustrate how he sits apart as a true designer versus a technician.

The best designer you can have! Thinks "outside the box" Thinks " green" He designs as if the project it is his own.

While still living in Boston, we bought a home in Laguna Beach that needed major remodeling. We learned of Geoff from someone on Laguna's Design Review Board who'd been impressed by his creativity. What a lucky find Geoff turned out to be. He listened to our needs and wants and came back with ideas that really maximized the potential of our oceanfront site. He saved the day for us right from the beginning, when the first builder we chose dropped out, and Geoff found us a great substitute. While Geoff had strong points of view about what concepts were right for our home, he was flexible when budget or timing led us to seek alternative ideas. It was a pleasure to work with someone who was as nice as his was creative. And years after our project was complete, he graciously gave us (for free) some recommendations when we were considering some exterior modifications to our property. We'd certainly use Geoff again and enthusiastically recommend him to others.

We came to Geoff with a specific idea for a house and artist's studio. Geoff utilized our difficult hillside lot by designing a beautiful structure that fits well within the terrain and neighborhood. He has a great sense of scale and use of materials that sets him apart from other architects. He was a pleasure to work with and we appreciated his attention to detail.

We had a very cordial relationship with Geoff for several years before the actual design drawing phase ensued. During this time, we explored various style alternatives and desires we had for our home, and we found Geoff to be receptive to our desires and anxious to elicit our thoughts on materials and structure of what saw as our "dream home". He developed a very collaborative relationship with us, where we could discuss concepts and design as partners, not as professional vs. client. The project was a difficult one, on a large but steep slope with very restrictive ordinances on lot coverage and building envelope heights, construction in Coastal Commission review zone, and restrictive access to the site (flag lot). Geoff's approach was to view these restrictions as challenges rather than obstacles, and designed a residence which met all ordinances on the initial submission to design review. It was also a project which created positive comments on its design from all members of the Design Review Board, which was a virtually unknown occurrence. More important, however, from a livability standard, his design expertise created a simple, timeless design, both exterior and interior, which is as striking and livable for us over 15 years after we moved into the home. It is a design which responds to its environment in overall massing, and makes skillful use of interplaying of piano curves of the exterior walls to create a constant playing of sunlight on the exterior to change its appearance. He has used a limited palette of finishes on the interior and exterior to blur the division between inside and outside, enhancing this feeling with skillful location and sizing of windows and patios. As with Geoff's other projects, our home is a project which has been developed in response to its location and our specific desires; it is truly a unique design and a joy to live in ever since we moved in in February of 1999.

Geoff was very attentive during our entire project. Prior to the conception he visited with us on several occasions and listened to us describe our desires, lifestyle and budget. He produced a phenomenal design that exceeded our expectations. He provided assistance to the engineering staff and was always available for the contractor. Geoff has a very clear vision but also has the capability to be flexible when design/function/geography or budget get in the way. He is great fellow, easy to deal with, a true artist and a partner for the duration of the project. Our home is located in Coto de Caza, Orange County, California. Thanks Geoff-you are the best! Steve, Chris and Family

After interviewing 5 of the best know "name" architects in the Los Angeles/Orange County area, we chose Geoff Sumich to design our home. Geoff respected our thoughts and wishes and along with his expertise and exceptional vision, designed the home of our dreams.

Geoff designed our home in New Zealand in the late 1990’s and we have now lived in it for 15 years. It has served our family of five well and as our children have grown it has continued to meet our needs. The home has so many unique features that it looks as good today as when it was built – a “timeless classic design”. We still get comments from visitors on the styling and design of the home. Geoff is extremely passionate about his work, very easy to work with, he kept within our budget and was happy to go that extra mile. We would love to work with him again when its time for a new house for us.

Geoff Sumich is an outstanding architect. There are three things that set him apart from his contemporaries: 1. He listens to his clients and designs them a house that fits them and their lifestyle. This may sound simple. It is not. When we were interviewing architects, the others asked us about the style of home we wanted and provided fine plans. At our first meeting with Geoff, he essentially interviewed us then pulled out books and photos to gauge our reaction. Then, he designed the home we wanted. The home we needed based on how we live. Not just the home we asked for. 2. He's an expert at situating homes on lots. He sees attributes of lots that are not immediately evident. Our home is known in the neighborhood because of its curb appeal. The serenity when entering the home is in large part because of how it's situated on the lot and interacts with the surrounding nature. He has a rare gift. 3. He creates a narrative for the home. By giving it a back story, he can borrow elements from the past and blend them with his minimalist modern approach. Perhaps the best endorsement we can give for Geoff is our plan to use him again for property we own in another state.