The Origin Story of Evermere Architectural & Interior Design

“Your home should tell the story of who you are and be a collection of what you love, brought to life with creativity; a space that inspires and brings joy with every detail!"

- Mark

On a pleasantly crisp November day in Southwest Michigan, I found myself driving my car down an unbelievably beautiful bucolic drive with washes of every warm autumnal color painting my route. I was headed towards Mark Scott Homes, with a slightly nervous heart, this was going to be my first interview out of grad school.

My graduate year - the final year- of my Masters Degree in Architecture at Andrews University had just started that September and I was eager to step into the professional world.

A small cheerful dog greeted me at the door, jumping up to me like we were long lost companions in another life. I was then introduced to Mark Scott, the owner of Mark Scott Homes. Enamored by the rustic elegance of their home office and gorgeous riverfront surroundings, I instantly felt a sense of belonging. This was a place where creativity could grow.

After exchanging details about my design background and interest in entering the profession of architectural design, Mark furthered our conversation with insight to his and the company's background:

“My passion for design began back in high school, where I dreamed of becoming an architect. However, it’s hard to believe that a vocational drafting teacher once discouraged me from pursuing this path, citing his belief that most architects made little money. Instead, he steered me toward mechanical engineering, which I explored as a Junior and Senior, even working as an intern at General Motors Tech Center in Warren, Michigan. After graduating, I continued down this path, attending Michigan Technological University.

My career eventually led me into the field of special machine design, where I thrived, ultimately advancing to the position of Vice President of Sales & Service. While I loved the work, my territory spanned the globe, which meant I was away from home. This lifestyle grew increasingly difficult as I was married with two young children and a third on the way. I knew I needed to make a change to be present with my family.

A close friend who had entered the construction trade right out of high school was doing exceptionally well, and his success inspired me to consider building homes. The synergy between designing special machines and constructing homes made the transition logical, and by God’s grace, one opportunity after another opened up.

Within a few years of building, I encountered a pivotal moment with a unique client. This client, who had relationships with four different builders, decided to contract each builder with a designer/architect to compete for his project. The builder whose design he liked best would win the job.

After six months of collaboration with our client and the architect, we hit a roadblock. At breakfast one morning, the client informed me he was pulling the plug on the project because none of the four designs resonated with him. That same day, determined not to let the opportunity slip away, I bought a roll of paper from Kinkos, drew a quarter-scale grid on it, and created a schematic for his first floor. I returned to Kinkos to have the drawing copied and brought it to his home.

The client wasn’t home that evening, but by Sunday, he called me, asking where I had gotten the plan. When I explained I had drawn it after our breakfast, he told me, ‘This is the plan.’ My very first design, in 2000, turned into what was at the time the highest construction cost project we had ever worked on—a $3.5 million, nearly 15,000-square-foot home.

Since that defining moment, our design capabilities and business have grown and evolved. Without a doubt, being a builder has made us better architectural designers, and being architectural designers has made us a better builder.”

Mark's incredible journey inspired me to pursue the role of architectural designer even more enthusiastically. Within a week I had received a job offer and started working as an architectural design intern under Mark Scott's supervision.

My first year working as an architectural intern at Mark Scott Homes was a whirlwind of learning the design build process and soaking up as much construction knowledge as I could. Working with a wide array of custom design requests enabled me to rapidly push my design skills to a higher echelon.

With Mark's practical construction knowledge and pursuit of excellence and commitment to design excellence, my creativity was able to flourish in a highly efficient atmosphere.

Three years after starting at Mark Scott Homes, Mark and I began discussing the idea of investing into a dedicated Architectural & Interior Design firm. We envisioned a company that reflected excellence, creativity, and a narrative based design approach. We wanted our clients to feel heard, understood, and see their stories translated into tangible designs. My love for ideation immediately latched onto the idea and I began brainstorming and researching just what this could become.

This became the origin landmark of Evermere Architectural & Interior Design Firm.

As we look to the future, Evermere Architectural & Interior Design is proud to announce the expansion of our expertise beyond the construction of custom homes. Our design unit, a collective of visionary architects and creative minds, is branching out to offer a suite of design services that stand at the intersection of aesthetics and functionality.

This strategic move is inspired by the evolving needs of the modern homeowner and the dynamic landscape of the construction sector. The integration of our design unit into the broader market is a response to the growing demand for holistic solutions that encompass every aspect of living space creation.

Our design unit’s philosophy is grounded in the belief that every space tells a story, and our role is to translate that narrative into reality.

With this expansion, Evermere Architectural & Interior Design reaffirms its commitment to narrative based design, adaptability, custom design, and building foundational trust with our clients. We are poised to set new benchmarks in the industry, ensuring that our legacy of master craftsmanship continues to thrive in new realms.

We invite you to be a part of our story, as we're all about crafting truly unique tiny retreats and stunning showcase homes that reflect your individuality. Our approach is selective and deeply rooted in the relationships we build with our clients. We understand that designing a home is a personal journey and it is one that requires us to take an up close and personal look into your dreams, values, and lifestyle. Are you ready to transform your ideas into reality? Don’t hesitate to reach out! Let’s collaborate and create a space that truly reflects you. Contact us today to start your design journey!