company
The acronym MGDB simply stands for Michael Greco Design Build. The name will change in time when the company grows more, but for now it is an effective way to express what this business is. It is me, Michael Greco designing and being heavily involved in the construction and on site build of the projects I design. The goal is to create a dedicated team who can carry out the entirety of the projects from architectural design through construction with quality control and a healthy work environment.
For now it is just me on the architectural drafting and design end. I have yet to hire my first employee, though I do receive quality input from all parties involved in the projects as well as trusted mentors.
On the construction end are the various local contractors and subcontractors I have worked with previously and who bring me the majority of the work I accept. These are professionals who I have a collaborative, communicative, and trusting relationship with. I am always open to working with new builders, and do so regularly, but I prefer projects to have a general idea of the construction team so communication and collaboration is possible early on.
background
I was raised in Southern Rhode Island spending much of my time working for my family’s construction company surrounded by building projects, valuable maintenance, and never ending landscaping. Based on that exposure and experience I chose to pursue architecture. This allowed me to stay in the industry I knew and loved but also take it in a direction I found fit me better by offering the potential for more creativity as well as more intention, planning, and general control over the things that would be created.
I attended Wentworth Institute of Technology and received a Bachelors and then Masters degree in Architecture. While in Boston I worked at The S/L/A/M Collaborative, a multi-office, 250+ employee architecture firm doing mostly large scale institutional or higher education projects. After that I worked at The Harvard Business School for their planning department overseeing the design and construction of various projects on the campus. These were both great experiences but I wanted to be back in my home state of Rhode Island. I wanted to be working within my community at a more personal scale; directly with the clients, builders, and projects.
I moved back to Rhode Island in 2016 and began working part time in various construction trades while also beginning to take on small architectural design jobs. I have been working since then to gain experience and knowledge and slowly but continuously increase the scale and quality of the projects I deliver as a designer while I work to collect my required hours for NCARB Architectural Licensing.
design theory
Nature and site set the stage. Materials, local design motifs, and tried and true construction methods developed to suit the climate fill the spaces in between.
Site and Environment: Where it all begins. Location is paramount. How can we design a building to integrate itself into its home landscape in a harmonious and thoughtful way?
Client involvement: This is huge. From personal tastes,to habits, patterns, and idiosyncrasies, all these choices and behaviors answer questions throughout the design process. Understanding the clients needs is the framework of the whole process.
Construction Clarity: Efficiency and practicality as a guide to creativity is how I often try to approach design exploration. Finding a simpler, clearer, more straightforward solution is always preferred to additive or reactionary design. Keeping the construction methods and feasibility in mind during early design is critical for me. This is a big reason I prefer to have the construction team in place early on.
Project selection
I am open to all scale projects but tend to shy away from very large projects. As I am just a one person operation they become very consuming. I enjoy few things as much as an honest design challenge to solve. The kind that forces creativity, resourcefulness, and exploration over straightforward opulence. Some of my favorite successful design moves are hidden in the most down to earth projects in ways never to be noticed. I gravitate towards choosing projects with clients that find me through referrals. This usually speaks to an existing communal connection and initial trust. That said, I am interested in meeting all potential clients.
client selection
I appreciate a client that has clarity on what they are looking for with their project and can provide opinions, share preference, and make decisions to help direct and progress our efforts. I prefer a project with a realistic or better yet relaxed schedule. I don’t find the best work happens when people are rushing.
Overall I aim for an understanding, compassionate, and friendly working relationship where the project can be something both exciting and enjoyable that we are all invested in creating something successful together.