About

The Details Matter…

It is relatively easy to satisfy the typical short list of big ideas every client presents — it is all the layers of little things and the numerous details that distinguish the best designs and often present the bigger challenges…

— Mark Elster, AOME Architects

Collaborating and creating since 1986

Since 1986, AOME Architects has partnered with our clients to explore and create architecture unique to their needs and dreams. Every project is special. AOME responds with personalized service and individual designs tailored to each client. From concept to completion the work combines creativity, imagination, and attention to detail.

AOME believes in an approach to design that respects both contemporary and historical contexts, while acknowledging the many modern developments that enhance comfort, livability and enjoyment. AOME successfully strives for the best in design by applying an abiding sense of proportion, massing, scale, light and volume, along with rigorous attention to detail and process.

Good design is easy—it takes something more to go to the next level. Clients seeking highly tailored bespoke architectural services find AOME the best value.

AOME also provides low cost feasibility studies during the critical property acquisition phase of projects—the step most likely to produce project failure. Countless owners have found our studies instrumental in selecting the right property, but more importantly, essential in avoiding the wrong property.

Values

AOME’s Four Core + One Values — F.I.B.M. +V.

Fellowship

“In our lives and in business the underlying goal should be fellowship.”

Be your best self, encourage those around you to do and be their best —this will always lead to fellowship in which we value each other and naturally make life better for all those around us.”

Integrity

Trust, Honor, Prudence — Relentlessly pursuing these core values with integrity is how we and our project–team partners deliver our service and ultimately our client’s dream home.

Balance

AOME balances creativity and pragmatism, budget and schedule, utility and delight to create the fresh ideas that we make into the homes that bring daily joy to our clients.

“We are curious, perceptive dreamers. We are visionary pragmatists who love to create and make. We are careful listeners and clear communicators that excel at problem solving.  We love what we do.”

Making

“We make things for people we know”

Our passion for the making of beautiful, functional, fun building environments for our clients is what drives everything we do. Fundamentally, architecture is about making homes for people.

Value

Our four core values create a byproduct of monetary value. By creating value for our clients, we in turn generate new wealth in our community that benefits a host of others who are paid for their own contributions to that value. New value that wouldn’t exist without the spark of creativity that AOME generates to start the whole process off. 

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

  • AOME Architects PS

    1986 - present / Co-founder, Principal

  • Licensed Architect, Washington

    1986 - Present

  • Master of Architecture

    University of Washington - 1981

  • Bachelor of Environmental Design

    University of Kansas - 1975

  • Contact :

    DennisM@AOMEarchitects.com

Dennis Marsh

It’s fun discovering what we can achieve together.

Homes are personal.
Everyone cares. It’s fun discovering what we can achieve together. Creating and designing something so personal is immensely rewarding.

Great architecture exploits an exceptional process to achieve a fantastic result.
The Process: Working together. Listening. Enjoying the interaction. Exploring opportunities. Respecting contributions. Appreciating contradiction. Finding creative solutions. Striving for more… Setting priorities. Balancing objectives. Providing guidance. Educating. Finding what matters. These elements help ignite an exceptional process.

The Result: Creative. Powerful concept. Strong character. Valuing context. Reflecting the Owner: responsive to the Site. Solving the program; managing constraints. Appreciating balance and composition. Rhythmic. Aptly manipulating volume and form. Understandable. Filtering fashion, recognizing substance and achieving presence. Blending both focal and background elements. Comforting while evocative. Spatially engaging. Employing thoughtful materials with extraordinary and attentive detailing. Acknowledging the present vernacular. Respecting our environment. Accepting our roots. These ingredients help produce a fantastic result.

Father/Grandfather. Architect. Friend.
Strengths & Weaknesses: Usually argumentative. Often persuasive. Prefers conversation. Accepts emails or texts. Dislikes paperwork …willing to acknowledge the need it fulfills. Likes humor. Appreciates candor as well as sarcasm. Detailed. Organized. Stays with the big picture. Attentive to the small things. Caffeine addiction…somewhat addicted to most technology… Belief in trust, respect and teamwork. Values competition through hard work. Wishes common sense was more commonplace. Farmkid. Likes urban…but would prefer less traffic. Likes rural…but prefers more choice. Curious. Free time consumed reading and learning from my kids/grandkids. Occasional movie. Skier. Gardener. Would like to hike/backpack more often…

  • AOME Architects PS

    1986 - present / Co-founder, Principal

  • Licensed Architect, Washington

    1986 - Present

  • Master of Architecture

    University of Washington - 1981

  • Bachelor of Environmental Design

    University of Kansas - 1975

  • Contact :

    DennisM@AOMEarchitects.com

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

  • AOME Architects PS

    1992 - present / Full Principal (upon licensure)

  • 1988 - 1992 / Full-time Associate

  • 1986 - 1988 — Co-founder (part-time while moonlighting)

  • NCARB National License in Architecture

    2013 - Present (facilitates reciprocal licensing in all 50 states and Canada)

  • Licensed Architect, Washington

    1992 - Present

  • Able to work in all 50 states, British Columbia and Great Britain

  • Licensed Architect, Montana

    2014-present

  • Master of Architecture

    University of Washington 1983 - 1988

  • Certificate of Historic Preservation

    University of Washington - 1985

  • Bachelor of Environmental Design

    University of Washington 1979 - 1983

  • Contact :

    MarkE@AOMEarchitects.com

Mark Elster

It is all the layers of little things and the numerous details that distinguish the best designs and often present the bigger challenges…

Philosophy:
There is no doubt that the most important home in the world is yours. Elster relishes the challenge of designing to that high ideal and the very personal journey that client and architect embark on together. On the way, Elster carefully probes the client’s requirements, wants, and needs and those aspects that separate their current and their preferred lifestyle. It is through that journey and the incorporation of these elements that he makes the home truly become yours. With his refined detailed approach, designing your own custom home should be one of the most positive experiences of your life.

Process:
Elster finds that it is relatively easy to satisfy the typical short list of big ideas every client presents — it is all the layers of little things and the numerous details that distinguish the best designs and often present the bigger challenges — solving both simultaneously is what leads to the homes his clients cherish.

Professional Development:
From the beginning, Elster vision has led the firm to achieve ever higher standards of design, both technically and aesthetically, while simultaneously fostering ever better communication with our consultants, clients and the contractors we collaborate with. By setting an ever-higher bar for himself and his colleagues, AOME has earned a reputation for relentlessly striving for excellence. Over time Elster’s role in the firm has emerged as its managing director, leading the firm toward future expansion and growing prominence in the design community.

Personal:
Ultimately, Elster simply enjoys applying his artful eye and inquisitive mind to the creative process and the discoveries that come with each unique project and client. Producing pleasant surprises, uncovering opportunities, solving problems, reassuring and guiding his clients through the potentially intimidating process of designing and building a custom home, while inspiring all the myriad people who will collaborate with him to do better than they’ve done before — all of these aspects and more continue to stir his passion for residential design. When not working, Elster enjoys spending time with family and friends, actively volunteering in the community, and doing things for others. He has numerous hobbies and interests including photography, book making, woodworking, painting and sketching, model ship building, railroad modeling, mineralogy, gardening, mountain climbing, biking, history, movie making, magic performance and teaching, and — very occasionally — sitting around and doing nothing! He takes time each day to celebrate the moments that happen while pursuing all of the above with family, friends and peers alike.

Interesting Personal Projects:
Elster occasionally engages in interesting design and construction projects outside of his professional life, both large and small scale. For example, he built a timber framed roof for his brother, and also works on an on-going kinetic architecture project involving a secret compartment within a fireplace mantle in their home.

  • AOME Architects PS

    1992 - present / Full Principal (upon licensure)

  • 1988 - 1992 / Full-time Associate

  • 1986 - 1988 — Co-founder (part-time while moonlighting)

  • NCARB National License in Architecture

    2013 - Present (facilitates reciprocal licensing in all 50 states and Canada)

  • Licensed Architect, Washington

    1992 - Present

  • Able to work in all 50 states, British Columbia and Great Britain

  • Licensed Architect, Montana

    2014-present

  • Master of Architecture

    University of Washington 1983 - 1988

  • Certificate of Historic Preservation

    University of Washington - 1985

  • Bachelor of Environmental Design

    University of Washington 1979 - 1983

  • Contact :

    MarkE@AOMEarchitects.com

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

  • AOME Chief Designer -Production

    1990 - Present / multiple roles

  • Contact :

    WillB@AOMEarchitects.com

  • Bachelor of Architecture

    California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California

Will Beilharz

Will has been a part of the AOME Architecture team since 1990 and has over 33 years of experience working as a professional architect in multifamily and single family residences.

  • AOME Chief Designer -Production

    1990 - Present / multiple roles

  • Contact :

    WillB@AOMEarchitects.com

  • Bachelor of Architecture

    California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

  • Project Manager

    2022- present

  • Contact:

    MichaelK@AOMEarchitects.com

  • Bachelor of Architecture

    Washington State University in Pullman, WA

  • Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies

    Washington State University in Pullman, WA

Michael Krause

Michael has over 30 years of experience working professionally in residential and commercial architecture.

  • Project Manager

    2022- present

  • Contact:

    MichaelK@AOMEarchitects.com

  • Bachelor of Architecture

    Washington State University in Pullman, WA

  • Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies

    Washington State University in Pullman, WA

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

  • Administrative Assistant

  • Contact

    MandeepB@AOMEarchitects.com

Mandeep Bhumber

I enjoy helping others and it's a joy to work with the AOME Team!

  • Administrative Assistant

  • Contact

    MandeepB@AOMEarchitects.com

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND

  • Marketing Assistant

  • Casa Grande La Plata National University

    Graphic Designer and Visual Communication

Heydi Veintimilla

I am an artist 24/7; I paint and work with resin material and paint murals on my free time.

  • Marketing Assistant

  • Casa Grande La Plata National University

    Graphic Designer and Visual Communication