Principal

 

Michael Diani

Principal Architect  ·  26 Years Experience  ·  Licensed in TX, NY & NJ

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Bio

Michael Diani founded mad works architecture + with a straightforward belief: that good architecture should be accessible, honest, and deeply connected to the people it's built for. After more than two decades in practice, that belief still shapes every project he takes on.

 

Before establishing mad works in Austin, Michael worked on a wide range of projects in New York City and New Jersey — gut renovations and additions throughout the NYC metro, and small to mid-size mixed-use developments in the rapidly evolving Asbury Park market. That early experience across project types and scales gave him a practical fluency that's hard to teach– he knows how buildings actually get built, what goes wrong, and how to keep a project on track when it doesn't.

 

Over the course of his career, Michael has deliberately chosen to work at smaller firms, and eventually to run his own, so he can stay hands-on with every project from the first sketch to the final walkthrough. That level of direct involvement means faster decisions, fewer surprises, and a final product that actually reflects what was designed.

 

Michael brings the same energy to a 575 sf backyard casita as he does to a 46,000 sf mixed-use development. He thrives on complexity, enjoys the problem-solving that comes with difficult sites and tight budgets, and is at his best when a project demands both creative thinking and technical rigor.

 

Areas of Expertise

Schematic Design   ·   Budget Management   ·   Value Engineering   ·   Construction Management

Building Code Review   ·   Complex Problem-Solving   ·   Project Management   ·   Sustainable Design

 

Areas of Practice

Custom Homes

New construction & spec homes

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Multi-Family

Urban infill & residential development

 

Mixed-Use

Residential/commercial combinations

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ADUs & Casitas

Pre-designed & custom secondary dwellings

 

Commercial & TIs

Tenant improvements, restaurants & retail fit-outs

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Renovations

Adaptive reuse & additions

 

Our Commitment

Pro-bono work for low-income families

We believe good design should be available to everyone. We offer pro-bono architecture services to low-income families who need design guidance but can't afford it.

 

Reduced fees for people in the arts

Creatives deserve great spaces too. People working in the arts receive reduced fees as a standing commitment.

 

Low-commitment consultations

Not sure if your project is feasible? Our LCC is the lowest-risk way to get expert architectural guidance and find out if we're the right fit for each other.

 

Ready to start a conversation?   hello@mad-works.com  |  (512) 829-7295