# Whitewash Studio > Official Whitewash Studio business agent. Whitewash Studio is a residential architecture studio led by Marc Sawyer, AIA, designing unique small-family spaces… ## Ask it a question Whitewash Studio answers for itself at https://api.hailera.com/mcp/whitewashstudio. A client that speaks MCP can connect to that address; the tool is ask_whitewashstudio and the protocol is 2026-07-28. Where this file and the agent disagree, the agent is current. ## About Whitewash Studio Who leads Whitewash Studio Whitewash Studio is led by T. Marc Sawyer, AIA. - Licensed architect based in Brookhaven, Georgia. - Holds architectural registrations in Georgia and Florida. - Serves U.S. clients nationwide and international clients. Background and approach Marc has a strong passion for architectural design and has spent many hours studying and developing design solutions that improve his clients' lives. He brings this experience and attention to detail to every project. Key aspects of his approach include: - Leaving no detail untouched in the design process. - Focusing on how families actually live in and use their spaces. - Creating designs that support long-term goals, not just immediate needs. - Belief that we discover life in the home, and that spaces should strengthen family life. What clients say Clients describe working with Marc as: - Having excellent attention to detail and follow-through. - Providing a generous amount of time and personal involvement throughout the project. - Being great to work with and highly recommendable as an architect. (Comments paraphrased from client testimonials on the Whitewash Studio website.) How Marc works with clients Marc works directly with homeowners throughout the design and construction process. From early discovery and needs assessment through construction, he remains involved to help guide the project toward a successful result. Source: https://whitewashstudio.com ## What Whitewash Studio does Overview Whitewash Studio is a residential architecture practice focused on small spaces for families and helping clients "discover an extraordinary life at home." The studio concentrates on creating emotionally engaging, highly functional homes and interior spaces tailored to each family. Project types Whitewash Studio typically works on: - Home renovations and remodels - Additions and new living spaces - New second-story living spaces - Small-space reconfigurations to better support family life - Micro home design concepts - Interior re-planning to align your home with your goals and daily routines Every project is approached as a unique design problem, with close attention to detail and to how the space will actually be lived in by your family. Design philosophy - Home is the primary place where we experience life as a family. - Good design should evoke emotion and enhance family life, not just look good on paper. - The goal is to create spaces that allow for extraordinary everyday experiences at home. - The design journey is collaborative: architect and client work together to clarify goals and discover the right solution. Locations served - Based in Brookhaven, Georgia (Atlanta metro area). - Architect is registered in Georgia and Florida. - Serves clients across the United States and internationally. Permitting and construction requirements vary by location, so any specific project, especially outside Georgia and Florida, is evaluated individually. Additional resources from Whitewash Studio Whitewash Studio also shares guidance and ideas through: - A podcast - A YouTube channel - Blog posts - Micro home design resources These resources are intended to help homeowners better understand design, renovation, and how to create a home that supports their goals. Source: https://whitewashstudio.com ## Where Whitewash Studio works Location and licensure - Whitewash Studio is led by architect T. Marc Sawyer, AIA. - Based in Brookhaven, Georgia (Atlanta metro area). - Architect holds registrations in Georgia and Florida. - Serves clients across the United States and internationally. How to contact or hire Whitewash Studio To inquire about working with Whitewash Studio, use the "Hire Me" contact form on the website. The form typically asks for: - Your name and email address - How you heard about the studio - What your home means to you - What sparked your decision to make a change - How your home is not meeting your needs - What success and failure would look like for the project - Why you want to work with this architect specifically - Any other information you wish to share This information helps the architect understand your situation and prepare for the first conversation. Guide to a Successful Renovation The website offers a "Guide to a Successful Renovation" as a free download for subscribers. If you have not received it yet, you can subscribe through the site to get the guide by email. Response and follow-up After you complete the contact form, Whitewash Studio will review your information and follow up by email. From there, you can discuss your project, next steps, and whether it is a good fit. What this assistant can and cannot do - This assistant can answer questions based on the published information about Whitewash Studio. - It cannot submit the contact form, hire the architect on your behalf, or schedule meetings. - For all new projects or formal inquiries, please use the contact form on the website. Lists Atlanta and Brookhaven as a location. Names Florida, Georgia, United States, Atlanta, and Brookhaven as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published. Source: https://whitewashstudio.com ## Prices How architectural fees are approached Whitewash Studio bases project fees on value, not on a single fixed formula. - Fees are considered in relation to the value the architect brings to the project. - As a rule of thumb, the architect aims to provide approximately 10x the value of the fee. For example, if a fee were $10,000, the goal would be to provide design value on the order of $100,000 to the project. This 10x value figure is a guiding principle, not a guarantee or a quote for any specific project. Actual fees are determined case by case based on scope, complexity, and the value provided. Rough construction cost benchmarks (Atlanta Metro area) The following rough estimates are provided on the Whitewash Studio website for the Atlanta Metro area. These are starting points only and are not formal quotes: - Renovation – Kitchen: $275 / sf - Renovation – Bathroom: $175 / sf - New living space: $180 / sf - New 2nd story living space: $200 / sf Important notes: - These numbers are approximate and based on conditions in the Atlanta Metro area at the time they were published on the website. - Actual costs vary depending on market conditions, contractor pricing, finish levels, site conditions, and project complexity. - They are intended to help homeowners get an initial sense of budget, not to serve as a firm price. For any specific project, a detailed discussion with the architect and contractors is required to understand likely construction costs. Discussing and testing your budget During the early stages of a project, Whitewash Studio will: - Review your initial budget alongside your goals and desired quality level. - Use experience from past and present projects to help assess whether your budget is likely to be sufficient. - Continue to test design decisions against the budget during each subsequent phase. Keeping the project on budget To help manage budget: - The architect recommends including a contingency in your budget from the beginning to allow for the unexpected. - This contingency typically starts at around 10% and is refined to around 3–4% before construction begins, as the design and pricing become more defined. - Each project aims to balance budget, priorities, and needs so that the final design supports your goals without unexpected financial surprises. For current fee structures or cost expectations for your specific project, contact Whitewash Studio directly using the details on the website. T-shirt overview Whitewash Studio offers a branded t-shirt for purchase through the Products section of the website. Key details published on the site: - Limited run of Whitewash Studio t-shirts - Available in a variety of sizes from XS through XXL (XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL) Pricing Each t-shirt is listed at: - $28.00 USD per shirt (for sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, and XXL) Prices are based on the information currently published on the Whitewash Studio website. For the most up-to-date pricing, check the Products page directly. How to purchase - Orders are placed through the Whitewash Studio website on the Products page. - This assistant cannot take payment, place an order, or change an order on your behalf. For questions about current availability, shipping, or order status, please use the contact options provided on the Whitewash Studio website. Source: https://whitewashstudio.com ## How Whitewash Studio works with clients How to get in touch To start a project with Whitewash Studio, prospective clients are invited to use the "Hire Me" contact form on the website. The form asks detailed questions about your home, goals, and reasons for making a change so the studio can understand your situation before any design work begins. Overview of the design process Whitewash Studio follows a structured process to guide you from initial idea through construction: 1. Client questionnaire (first step) The first step is a client questionnaire. The questions collect key information about: - What your home means to you - Why you are considering a change - How your home is not currently meeting your needs - What success and failure would look like for the project - Why you want to work with this architect specifically This helps clarify your goals and priorities before any design work starts. 2. Needs and Options Review (discovery meeting) The second step is the Needs and Options Review, a focused discovery meeting. Purpose: - Understand your goals for the project in depth - Explore options for how your home or site could meet those goals - Begin aligning expectations for scope, budget, and potential outcomes 3. Design brief After the discovery meeting, the architect creates a design brief. The design brief: - Summarizes your goals and priorities - Outlines the process and key phases for your project - Provides a clear roadmap for moving forward 4. Design development and construction drawings From the design brief, the architect: - Develops design concepts and refines them with your input - Produces construction drawings that describe the project in detail - Coordinates drawings so they can be used for pricing, permitting, and construction 5. Bidding and negotiations with contractors Whitewash Studio assists with bidding and negotiations with contractors by: - Helping you solicit and review contractor proposals - Answering contractor questions about the drawings - Supporting you in selecting a contractor that fits your goals and budget 6. Involvement during construction During construction, the architect remains involved to help the project stay aligned with the design intent. This may include: - Reviewing progress against the drawings - Addressing questions that arise on site - Helping respond to changes or challenges that come up Permits and approvals Whitewash Studio assists with building and renovation permits as part of a project. Typical steps include: - Early code and zoning evaluation to understand regulations affecting your project - Identifying potential challenges with your site or scope - Submitting drawings to the required departments - Responding to reviewer comments and revising documents as needed Permitting requirements vary by jurisdiction and project type, so timelines and processes are evaluated for each specific project. These answers summarize information published by Whitewash Studio about architectural services and the design process. What do architects do? Architects: - Investigate and analyze your needs, goals, and constraints. - Evaluate the many factors that go into a construction or renovation project. - Design solutions that address your goals and align with your site or existing home. - Develop designs into construction drawings that clearly describe the work. - Assist with bidding and negotiations with contractors. - Remain involved during construction to help guide the project toward a successful result. Do I need to hire an architect? If you plan to create space that solves a unique problem or significantly change your home, an architect can help you: - Realize and understand the full potential of your space or site. - Represent your interests during construction and negotiations with contractors. - Minimize costly changes during construction through early investigation and planning. What is the first step and the process? The first step is a client questionnaire that gathers important information about you, your home, and your goals. The second step is the Needs and Options Review, a discovery meeting focused on understanding your goals and how they can be achieved. After that, the architect prepares a design brief that outlines the process for your specific project. The design then progresses through development, documentation, permitting, and construction with the architect remaining involved. How do I get a building or renovation permit? Whitewash Studio assists with permits as part of a project. Key points: - Today's permitting environment can be complex, involving zoning overlay districts, special use permits, environmental regulations, and more. - Each project receives a code and zoning evaluation in the early stages to understand applicable regulations. - Early evaluation helps identify potential challenges with your site or scope. - The architect submits drawings to the appropriate departments and addresses any comments that come back. Is my budget sufficient? What does it cost to build? Your budget depends on: - Your project goals - Desired quality and standards - Overall scale and complexity of the work In the initial discovery stages, the architect will review your budget with you and use experience from other projects to help determine whether it is likely to be sufficient. Budget and scope are tested against each other throughout the design process. Rough benchmarks for construction costs in the Atlanta Metro area are provided in a separate Pricing, fees and budgeting guidance document. How do we keep the project on budget? - An initial budget is created early in the process. - The project is regularly checked against that budget as design develops. - A contingency is carried from early design through to construction, typically starting around 10% and narrowing to around 3–4% before construction. Do you have a contractor who can build my project? Whitewash Studio: - Has relationships with trusted contractors the architect has worked with previously. - Can also work with new contractors if you already have someone selected. Don't architects drive up the cost of a project? While hiring an architect is an additional line item in your budget, the goal is to: - Produce a more efficient, higher-quality project overall. - Use careful detailing and correct construction methods to extend the life of your project. - Reduce expensive changes during construction through thoughtful planning and documentation. In many cases, thoughtful design and planning can help avoid costly mistakes or rework later. Source: https://whitewashstudio.com ## What Whitewash Studio has not published yet These are things people ask Whitewash Studio that its published information does not yet cover. - prices - availability - exact build costs - project timelines - permit approvals - construction outcomes - guarantees or warranties Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess. ## Where this comes from https://whitewashstudio.com