"My mother used to say that 'your home is where your history begins,' so with that in mind, I intently began my search for the architect who could create four walls worthy of this honor. After seemingly endless interviews, tedious portfolio gazing, and eye-glazing presentations, I finally found an architect who truly listened when I spoke. Soft-spoken and rather shy, his name is Jim and our journey starts here....

The clock read 8:00 a.m. and there Jim sat with pencils, rulers, and tracing paper at the ready in a neat little pattern on the table in front of him. Jim was slightly overwhelmed as I blew into the room and unloaded an armful of tattered, dog-eared magazines stuffed to the brim with ragged photos and stacks of sticky post-it notes covered with the scribbles and the undisciplined drawings of a woman who had been dreaming of this moment for over ten years. Several deep breaths later, Jim smiled, unearthed his pencils and rulers, and we began the task of sorting through my hopes and dreams that were piled on the table in front of him. Jim listened earnestly as I described in detail the home of my dreams. Quietly he recognized that he had no easy task ahead of him. I had entrusted him with the responsibility of creating a home that would be worthy of holding the history and memories of my family.

A year later, as I walk through our finished home, I smile and feel content because I am surrounded by all of the details, designs, and dreams that Jim so carefully made into a reality. An intent listener, Jim knew that this would be the place that my husband and I would grow old together as we sit on the farmer's porch watching the Sandhill cranes call to each other as the sun sets every evening. He knew that this would be the place that I spend hours cooking and baking to my heart's content as the fireplace crackles and casts a warm glow over the handmade brick walls of my colonial kitchen. He knew that this would be the place that my daughter would walk down the beautifully paneled stairway amid a sea of floral garland in her wedding dress. He knew that this would be the place where my husband would escape to his cherry-paneled library for some peace and quiet (and most likely a football game) while my daughter and a handful of her sorority sisters snack on cookie dough and catch up on ‘girl talk.’ He knew that this would be the place where on Christmas Day, the great room would be host to the family Christmas tree and be littered with toys, laughter, sugar cookies, and sticky fingerprints from grandchildren with perhaps a pet turtle, goldfish, or a puppy thrown into the mix for good measure.

If my mother was right and 'your home is where your history begins,' then our new home is a testament to the living history of a family whose lives are blessed and well lived - and all because of an architect named Jim who truly listened."

- Tarianne B.

"I have known Jim Pitzen for several years, and if ever I have a building or design question, I know I can trust his opinion and integrity. Someday, my wife and I want to put a country-style porch on the front of our Dutch colonial home. Jim will have my business, and I know that we will not be disappointed! Jim is a very gregarious person. But when it comes to his professional ethics and knowledge, he is 100% percent serious."

- David G.

"Over the past six years, Carmel Builders has had the pleasure of working with Jim Pitzen on numerous remodeling projects. Jim consistently displays the utmost professionalism with clients. His ability to listen and connect with homeowners results in design work that often exceeds their expectations. Jim is wonderful to work with. He consistently does what he says he will do, promptly and thoroughly, and has the ability to combine humor with expertise. I readily recommend Jim to any individual looking for high quality architectural design work."

- Barbara Weiher
Carmel Builders

"It was such a pleasure working with you, and we really appreciate your help with our project. Sometimes I am amazed that we are actually living in the space we had envisioned as our home for almost an entire year now!"

- Kathleen T.

"Prior to our company hiring on-staff designers, I worked with Jim on a wide variety of construction projects. He is detail-oriented and knows how to listen to the client. I highly recommend Jim for construction design."

- Tony Rink, CR, Renovators, Ltd.

"Your business card reads 'James Pitzen, Registered Architect.' At first glance, it doesn't tell someone considering using your service that you are not only an architect, but the ultimate gentleman.

You listened to our dreams and then implemented them even better than our thoughts. You kept to the size of the requested square footage and continued to improve our new home at every meeting. Our planned meetings were informational, your accuracy continued, and the discussed fees remained consistent. All of your research was beneficial, and you provided us with current choices. And, you were always available for an idea 'whizzing through my mind' discussion. We enjoyed your personality and love the new house!

You know our motto: interview the rest, then choose the best - Pitzen Design."

- Sherry & Dave B.

"When we began looking for architects to design plans for adding a bonus room on top of our garage, we were lucky to land Jim Pitzen. He was personable, professional, and very easy to work with. He included some great ideas to improve on our vision of the addition. The project turned out better than we imagined.

Here's a haiku...

Plans, blue prints, soil stacks
A new room where there was sky
Pitzen Design rocks."

- Mindy H.

"Jim recently completed a new remodel masterplan for our home. We found the process far superior than what we have experienced when we were dealing with remodelers in the 'No Fee' approach. He listened to our ideas, came up with great solutions and pulled together exactly what we were looking for. We consider it money well spent."

- Greg B.