Sidekick Architects
Modern Homes, Impeccable Design, and Technical Expertise
We are a husband-and-wife design team, who co-founded Sidekick Architects in 2019. Our ambition is to make beautiful spaces accessible to clients with smaller construction budgets. We specialize in new or conversion Accessory Dwelling Units (also known as ADUs) throughout Los Angeles and Santa Monica. We also offer the full range of architectural services in a variety of project scales and typologies.
With over 30 years of combined experience working for boutique design firms in Los Angeles and New York, we bring the same attention to detail that is demanded in multimillion dollar homes to your small-scale, cost-effective project. Whereas smaller projects often ‘fall between the cracks’ for architecture firms with greater overhead, Sidekick Architects has intentionally structured itself to excel in developing projects with a more modest budget.
We tailor the form of your project to your specific site; develop thoughtful details; coordinate an experienced team of engineers and consultants; and meticulously manage the design, permitting, and construction administration processes required to efficiently deliver your project.
Your home should tell your story. We are your advocates, but ultimately the space we will help you achieve should be the culmination of your personality and your priorities.The most successful spaces materialize directly out of the productive collaboration between client and architect. We support you in achieving a new or renovated space that harmoniously satisfies your program, your schedule, and your budget. We want to add value to your project, not just cost. We will be your Sidekick every step of the way...
MICHAEL H. MARSH, AIA, CPHC PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT
Michael has over 25 years of experience designing and managing new construction, addition, renovation, and historic preservation projects for high-end architecture firms in New York City and Los Angeles. He serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the California Architects Board, is an active member of the American Institute of Architects, and is licensed to practice architecture in California, New York, and his home state of Virginia. His passion for architecture began as a child, when he would join his father in exploring (which in hindsight was really trespassing upon) construction sites just after the builders had left for the day.
In 2001 Michael earned a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Virginia, and in 2012 he earned a dual Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Historic Preservation from Columbia University. He has been invited to document historic and vernacular structures throughout Rome, China, Scandinavia, and the Middle East; experiences which continue to inform his design sensibilities.
As a Certified Passive House Consultant (CPHC) credentialed through the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS), Michael is trained to design buildings that achieve exceptional energy efficiency, superior indoor air quality, and year-round comfort through rigorous building science principles. Michael has a unique approach to practicing architecture, which is rooted in a fundamental, hand-drafting-based methodology of developing initial design concepts, yet fueled by a proficiency in cutting-edge architectural and building-science technology. He specializes in delivering high-quality residential design that successfully balances both budget and program.
MEGAN MARSH, NCIDQ
PRINCIPAL DESIGNER
Megan brings a highly-unique range of experiences to her role as Principal Designer and co-founder of Sidekick Architects. She was born in New York City and grew up in Bermuda and Canada. Her experience living in these various countries has informed her sophisticated design aesthetic. By Megan’s 21st birthday, she had lived in 21 different homes. Watching her parents 'fix-and-flip' properties throughout her childhood instilled Megan with a deep appreciation for both the travails and rewards of living through construction projects.
Megan holds a Master of Science in Interior Design from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. She has worked for prestigious designers and boutique architecture firms in New York and Los Angeles and has extensive experience in both residential and commercial interiors. Her balanced approach to coordinating complex schedules and budgets has earned her the respect of contractors and clients alike. Megan brings a refreshing enthusiasm to each new project and believes that the most successful spaces inevitably arise from dynamic collaboration.