HOLAH Design + Architecture

Libby Holah designed for us a beautiful, functional addition that took in to account our style and preferences. She gave sound advice and feedback. We were impressed by her attention to detail and creativity. We are extremely happy with our new space.

Holah helped me reimagine the kitchen and adjoining family and utility rooms, a master bathroom and a patio addition for my 1986 home. They saw possibilities that I never could have imagined and created such lovely spaces with a fresh, clean and modern/transitional feel. The original design were outstanding with only minor tweaks. I worked with this architect/design savvy couple on layout, materials, textiles, colors, etc. Even despite COVID, they helped things go smoothly through the build. LOVE my new home spaces and am so grateful for the amazing work Holah did!

We have used HOLAH Design + Architecture for a number of projects: attic renovation (1930's tudor to make it into a primary suite), plans for a 1911 second floor redesign to include an additional bathroom and primary suite, and a backyard studio. Libby and Greg are wonderful partners to work with. They are prompt in their responses and design, and listen to their clients' needs. You truly feel part of the process and trust that they will advocate for you with contractors. They also are able to adapt to different styles of architecture and produce beautiful designs that are in keeping with the style of each home. I'm a real estate agent in OR & CA and am constantly referring clients to them because I believe in their work and in working with them.

We just completed a garage conversion to an ADU and modernized garage space in a very old structure, and I partnered with Holah Design & Architecture to oversee the process. First of all, the team at Holah Design was the best part of the whole experience. Libby is a great designer and has a really solid understanding of the city permitting process, including recent updates to the ADU process that were instrumental in getting my project through the permit process. Libby and Greg worked up very comprehensive drawings and worked with me very closely to get the project permitted, which was a multi-month process that overcame many challenges. Throughout everything, Libby was very transparent, and in the end was able to avoid having to pursue multiple exemptions with the city's development office, with significant cost savings as a result. After the permit was approved, Libby worked hand-in-hand with my general contractor and his team, in a very constructive arrangement where Libby would check in as-needed. The terms of the contract were very fair, broken into phases that allowed for multiple ways to bring them into the process (which I strongly encourage others to take full advantage of). Greg is a true, licensed architect, meaning that the drawings didn't need to be farmed out for signatures by other experts, and they could be submitted to the city as-drawn, with the appropriate level of rigor given to the details. The Holah team was instrumental in getting this project both off the ground and throughout the surprise moments. In particular, when we hit a challenge during demolition, Libby very quickly got additional structural drawings completed using her extended network of specialists, which saved tons of time and prevented us from making bad decisions about the construction plan. The Holah Design detail drawings were very comprehensive, and the contractors had no problem using them to complete the project. They were also very accommodating of my suggestions, and worked my ideas into the overall design in a way that was really stunning. Once we got to the fit and finish stage, Libby had excellent suggestions about supplier networks, which we took full advantage of. Knowing who to call, right down to specific individuals at the appliance store, was such a huge help and timesaver, and we ended up getting some great deals on those fixtures based on her contractor discounts. We were really pleased with her modern sense of style, and the recommendations she gave about materials and lighting options. Overall, we could not have completed this project without the Holah team. I consider their work to be the best investment of the whole effort, because when you work with them, you've got great allies in your corner that can help with everything from design and style guidance through technical expertise, and even advocacy with the city to make sure your project gets done on time.

They might have nice designs, but I had a truly strange and devastating experience working with them. The communication did not work for me at all. Months passed and hardly anything got done. We also had asked them to handle a permitting process for us with the City, which they agreed to but clearly had no familiarity with --- we were totally misled by them, and it ended up setting us back many months in our project. It was unclear if it was just terrible communication, or if they were actually concealing something. A home remodel is already a hugely stressful and expensive process, which is why the team you choose is so important. Working with Holah ended up adding a ton of stress. With so many options in Portland, there have got to be better options out there.

As a person who appreciates well-designed homes, I can't help but admire my neighbors' home designed by HOLAH. Every time we go over to say 'hi' or to have dinner, I find something new to appreciate about that house. It's probably the best in our whole neighborhood!