MTAI Architects
We had the chance to sit down with Michael Taylor, owner of MTAI, Michael Taylor Architects. They are a Prescott based architectural firm. They design custom homes and commercial projects. They have a lot of commercial kitchens as well as residential kitchens on their resume.
AA; Michael, thank you for taking the time to chat with Arizona Appetite. Tell us about your background and where you hail from.
MT; I was born in Maryland but have been in Arizona for 50 years.
AA; When did you realize you wanted to be an architect.
MT; At a pretty early age. I had good spatial awareness and enjoyed seeing how things went together.
AA; Where did you attend school and your training leading to owning your own firm.
MT; I went to Yavapai College and apprenticed for a local firm gaining registration in 1990. After a brief partnership I decided to strike out on my own in 1996.
AA; Give us some background on your firm.
MT; I formed my firm, MTAI in 1996. We are known for our commercial work including schools and churches. We also do custom residential design, it accounts for approximately 15% of our clients.
AA: What are some of the projects you have been involved with.
MT; Founders Bank on Gurley now Compass Bank, Fann Contracting's new headquarters building, Yavapai Accommodation School in Centerpoint East, Findlay Subaru, Toyota and GMC dealership buildings, Mike and Tammy Fann's custom residence, Summit Plaza now National Bank building in downtown Prescott, renovations to Washington School for the PUSD district offices, Legend Aviation FBO at the Prescott Regional Airport, M&M Eye Institute, Prescott Christian Churches new sanctuary, Advanced Plastic Surgery in Prescott Lakes, CYFD Fire Station 58 in Prescott Valley. The one that always elicits the most comments is Kidzaam Dentistry in Prescott Valley.
AA; Any commercial kitchens on your resume.
MT; Several. Most recently the new County Seat Restaurant in the Burmeister Building in downtown Prescott.
AA: (One of the new restaurants by the Vivili Restaurant Group by Skyler Reeves.)
AA; Give us some insight on how you help others create their visions.
MT; Design to me is about listening and reflecting back to our clients what we've heard. Our responses include creative ideas borne of our expertise with a specific project type. Years of experience gives us a broad spectrum of ideas that we can bring to bear on any new project. Engaging owners or stakeholders and allowing a free flow of ideas ultimately yields a good design that everyone can take ownership in.
AA; All of us have heard that the kitchen is the main gathering area of a home. Would you agree and is it the focal point of the design phase.
MT; Kitchens have become the most complex areas of the homes and the social center as well. A well placed and designed kitchen can really make a home and, conversely, a poorly executed kitchen can hinder the overall experience within the home.
AA; With all the new technology has the demand for higher end kitchens become the norm or has it stayed the same.
MT; In our practice we have seen a move towards more specialized appliances, fewer kitchen cabinets with storage provided in larger pantries and larger islands, but really no move towards technology.
AA; Do you see kitchen design changing in the near future.
MT; I don't see huge changes coming. I think esthetics will continue to cycle with ever-changing tastes but overall function remaining the same.
AA; Having worked with you on many projects, we see the kitchen and the exterior the main focus of design meetings, give us your feeling on this.
MT; Overall floor plan and exterior esthetics seem to take the majority of time in design, but the kitchen is certainly a major part of that.
AA; OK Michael, lets get some personal insight. What is your favorite kind of food.
MT; Probably Mexican or Italian.
AA; What is your thought on the dining and food scene in the Quad-city area.
MT; It is improving. New restaurants like the County Seat are really changing the dining scene here.
AA: Who cooks in the Taylor home.
MT; My wife does most of the cooking and she is really good at it
AA; What are some of your favorite food memories.
MT; My favorite food memories usually center around an activity. Great pizza after an epic day of skiing, a good steak after a long back country motorcycle ride or a fabulous burger following a day on the mountain bike.
AA; Do you have a favorite recipe.
MT; My wife's chicken enchiladas.
AA; Who was the cook in your home growing up and what are some of your memories of that time.
MT; Mom always cooked. Favorite memory was her making special meals for anyone celebrating a birthday.
AA; Michael, again thank you for your time and all the great information.
MT; My pleasure.
We had a great time with Michael and getting the inside story on what it takes to design and create and also some personal food stories. We have had the pleasure to work with MTAI on many projects. If you are in need of architectural design services we suggest giving them a call. You can reach them at 928-445-0626 or check out their website at MTAI.net. Tell them Arizona Appetite recommended them.
