ABOUT AOME
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.
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
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 luxury 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 for luxury homes find AOME the best value.
AOME also provides low–cost high–value 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.
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, Canada, Australia and New Zealand)
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
Managing Director, Co-founder
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.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
AOME Chief Designer -Production
1990 - Present / multiple roles
Bachelor of Architecture
California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California
Contact :
WillB@AOMEarchitects.com
Will Beilharz
Title
Quote
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.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
AOME Project Manager
2022- Present
Licensed Architect, Washington
2004 - Present
NCARB National License in Architecture
2004-Present
Bachelor of Architecture
Washington State University in Pullman, WA
Bachelor of Science in Architectural Studies
Washington State University in Pullman, WA
Contact:
MichaelK@AOMEarchitects.com
Michael Krause
Project Manager
Quote
Michael joined the AOME Architecture team in 2022 and he has over 30 years of experience working professionally in residential and commercial architecture.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
AOME Project Architect
2024-Present
Licensed Architect, Washington
2021-Present
NCARB National License in Architecture
2021-Present
Masters of Architecture
Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI
Bachelors of Science in Architecture
Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI
Contact:
JoeyO@AOMEarchitects.com
Joey Osborne
Project Architect
Quote
Joey joined the AOME Architecture team in 2024 with nearly 10 years of experience working professionally in high-end residential architecture.
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
AOME Admin Assistant
2023- Present
Bachelor of Science
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Contact:
MandeepB@AOMEarchitects.com
Mandeep Bhumber
Admin Assistant
I am passionate about helping others and it's a joy to work with the AOME Team!
Mandeep is currently on maternity leave with her second child…
EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUND
AOME Marketing Assistant
2023-Present
Bachelor in Communication Science
UBA - University of Buenos Aires
Contact
NoeliaP@AOMEarchitects.com
Noelia Pirsic
Marketing Assistant
I'm passionate about communication in all its forms, always looking for ways to promote understanding among people.
Bio Goes here.
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 bespoke 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 luxurious 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, luxurious 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.
Fellowship produces the best collaborators
OUR VALUES
Fellowship produces the best collaborators
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 bespoke 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 luxurious 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, luxurious 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.