Mike Owens is a problem solver. In fact, he might not be able to stop himself from solving your problems. It’s a bit of a curse. He seeks to understand everything around him. Replacing an outlet will draw his eye to mistakes in the wiring and the next thing you know, he’s checking every electrical connection in his whole house.

He takes pride in his ability to distill complicated ideas into key concepts that can guide a design process. This ability allows him to excel with complex projects that would have others in tears. Before coming to Noll & Tam, he worked on an art gallery/tile sales showroom/Buddhist religious shrine/indoor waterfall. (Yes, all in one project.) Lately he’s been working on the Oakland Zoo California Trail project, designing for visitors and grizzly bears of all ages.

Mike’s wife Emily also works at the firm, and they are used to being “the Owenses.” Like Mike, Emily is a fixer. “We’re always pushing each other to make something that much better,” Mike says. It’s ingrained in their lives and work. Noll & Tam benefits from their efforts to improve things every day.