Meet Mark Williams of Mark Williams Design Associates in Peachtree Hills and Buckhead

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mark Williams.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
After studying at the Georgia Tech College of Architecture, I went on to study at Ecole d’Architecture, Tolbiac in Paris for about a year. Upon returning to Atlanta, I worked for small and large Architectural and Interiors firms until I opened my first practice providing both architectural and Interior Design services almost 20 Years ago at the corner of 10th and Monroe in Midtown, right next to what is now The Beltline. After 9 years there, we moved the office to Studioplex in the Old 4th Ward, which is a re-purposed cotton warehouse full of live/work creative spaces next to Krog Street Market. While we loved the neighborhood, as we grew, and the neighborhood grew more congested, we moved our office to ADAC, the Atlanta Decorative Arts Center, which is the southeastern regional hub for our profession.

Our firm has grown to be known largely for luxury single family residential design and interiors, and luxury multi-family interiors. We design single family homes wood from the ground up, renovations, and additions. With our multi-family work we’re always working alongside a larger architecture firm, selecting all of the finishes and fixtures for the homes, and consulting on the home layouts themselves. We’ve also been asked by condo boards in aging buildings to re-do things like corridors, lobbies, and club rooms to keep them looking fresh and up to date.

I’ve lived in Midtown between Ponce and 14th Street for the last 30 years, so being a part of its renaissance has been particularly fulfilling. We’ve worked on many single family homes, condos, and condominium buildings from the ground up, and older building updates, that I feel like I’ve been able to be a part of the neighborhood growing in to its full potential. Our most recent new construction projects in Midtown include 7th Midtown at the corner of 7th and Peachtree, One Museum Place, and a new apartment tower called Lilli, across the street from the Fox Theater.

Has it been a smooth road?
We’ve had a lot of great breaks along the way, but the road has been anything but smooth… We were about 9 years old when the recession hit, and you can imagine what happened in the world of luxury design and construction. Multi-family construction loans stopped flowing, and so did multi-family construction. In addition, most of our single family clients put their jobs on hold while they tried to weather the storm.

I think because our business base is so diverse, we always had just enough work to keep going, even if it meant an extra week or two from time to time without a paycheck. Since the economy has rebounded our biggest challenge has been keeping up with all of our new opportunities.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Mark Williams Design Associates – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
First and foremost we are architectural and interior designers. But along with that, by necessity, we also end up being therapists, accountants, and diplomats. We specialize in, and are primarily known for, luxury single family architectural design, both renovation and new construction, luxury single family interior design, and luxury multifamily interior design.

I think the thing that we are most proud of as a company is also the thing that sets us apart. While it sounds a little counterintuitive, we are proud not to have a “signature style”. We tend to find ourselves working with clients who want to explore a little and look at different opportunities before defining a personal direction. We have a very systematic process that helps us metaphorically walk with our clients for a while to find out who they are and what they like, before we take the lead and begin guiding them down a path to something that suits their own personal style, delivered to them in the most tailored and elegant way possible.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I like how vibrant and exciting our in-town neighborhoods are becoming. When I moved to Atlanta in the late 80’s I saw so much potential in Midtown and other surrounding neighborhoods. It’s great to see small retail strips from the 1920’s being populated by small local businesses, alongside new transit oriented mixed use developments that our breathing new life in to some long beleaguered areas.

I don’t think I’m alone when I say traffic is probably my biggest dislike. But on the up-side I can see and appreciate all of the strides the city is making to improve the pedestrian and bicycle experience.

Contact Info:

• Website:www.mw-da.com
• Phone:678-539-6886
• Email:info@mw-da.com
• Instagram:@markwilliamsdesign
• Facebook:Mark Williams Design Associates
• Twitter:@designmwilliams

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.