3 Lights Design

I worked with Austin and his team to finally bring to light a renovation at my home in Lafayette. The whole team (Austin, Donatella and Luisa) where extremely personable, talented and really took the time to understand me and what I wanted to accomplish with the remodel.
They worked fast and where almost below the low end of what they had quoted for the job!
I would recommend them in a heartbeat, they where such a pleasure to work with and everything went incredibly smoothly.

Crazy that I haven’t written a review of Austin’s work yet. Wow! He designed my entire chiropractic office, from beginning to end, 2 years ago. It featured in his photos.
I am so thankful for Austin for two reasons; one, his vision and ability to see the project all the way through to the end, and two, his incredible personality. I thought I was a great listener… well, I met my match. This guy spent SO MUCH TIME asking me questions about chiropractic, it’s philosophy and what about it was important to me. He can take you through a tour of the office and tell you at least two or three aspects of every room that directly apply to those conversations. I felt very taken care of throughout the entire process. And what a process it was! There were so many challenges that this space provided for Austin. For example, mysterious leaks into the space, city zoning laws, and awkward placement of electrical and water structures. Austin kept a cool head through it all. He stayed positive and only focused on possible solutions. Finally, all you have to do is look at pictures of my office and I’m sure you’ll be confident to at least give Austin a call and have a conversation about your project.

Austin and his team were great! They helped me with a 10,000 sf office TI in Oakland and the whole process went very smoothly. They took care of final programming, schematic drawings, permit submittals, and construction RFI’s & revisions. I appreciated their high-​quality drafting abilities, building code knowledge, punctual turnarounds, and sincere interest in the project. They are now one of my top go-​to teams for architectural services.

My name is Vivian Nguyen, am the owner of nails by Vivian. At the time I needed an architect I looked around for different estimates, and to make sure I could get a good feel for each ones character. Many architects that I contacted before Austin did not seem invested or professional. They would take long periods of time to contact me back and would add questionable charges. Then I found Austin on Unilocal,he had great reviews so I contacted him, he was very prompt on a response. He immediately came to my salon gave me a very straight forward and honest estimate and has been great to get the job done on an agreed deadline. He is very professional and I’m great full I found such a stand up honest person who truly invests himself with his clients. If you come across him when you need an architect look no more, he is your guy.

Austin’s designs for my house were creative and innovative, and he was a joy to work with.

Austin’s design and efficient use of space in converting what was once a garage into the Village Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Montclair (Oakland) is commensurate to a Salvador Dali creation, i.e., highly imaginative, emotionally rewarding, the closer you look the more you discover. Austin’s work, as guided for his love of client and project, is clearly manifested in the offices of Dr. Matt Green, DC (worthy of a look).

Just yesterday I had the pleasure of visiting the NEW office of my favorite chiropractor at Village chiropractic in Montclair. OMG the place is a Zen oasis sent from heaven!!! Then I found out that Austin was the vision and designer behind this amazing space. I want him to design my home, my office, my life… Talent is an understatement. Visionary is more appropriate.

The space I found for my acupuncture practice was a clean slate. It required a buildout and I realized that I needed to find myself an architect. I could not have found a better architect, design consultant, and aesthetic artist than Austin HIll Shaw!
Austin is not your average architect. Ok, I’m not sure what an average architect is, but my first meeting with Austin was magical. We spent over two hours talking about my business and my personal goals related to the space. I expected to sketch some walls and treatment tables. Instead, I wound up having one of the most profound conversations I have had in a long time.
Austin has a depth of personal practice that you can feel when working with him. He really listened to my needs and concerns. I realized that he was listening to ME and not just the project, how much he could make, etc. He was there to support me and my business the way I could only hope that someone I hired to help me would.
Our initial and subsequent talks and meetings were focused on how this space could serve my goals and allow me to express myself and my business fully. I can’t say enough about how important this process was for me at the threshold (he named his business well) of opening a new space.
Part of what Austin does is help you evaluate if the space and design are in alignment with your deepest values. This was an unexpected, but incredibly valuable asset to designing a space. He is resourceful and generous with his time and connections within the design, construction, and larger community to help get your project done.
Austin is a creative thinker, a thoughtful designer, and a talented architect. Do yourself a favor and use him for your project. You can’t do better.

It has been such a pleasure to work with Austin! As a contractor I have worked with many architects before but I have never met anyone so committed to work in such a deep and personal way with the client, contractor and the vision as whole. His commitment to serve the vision as a whole, while staying clear and strongly behind his values is quite refreshing.
If that was not enough, another things that makes it such a joy to work with him is the fact that along side his experience he brings child like curiosity and willingness to look things from a new prospective and to constantly learn and expend. He believes that every single person that is involved in a project has something valuable to add, from the owner, to the contractor and every one in between, everyone has something to bring to the project and that it is essential for everyone to work together for creating and completing that project, from creating the vision to bringing to life.
I wish all architects take that approach to their business.
If you are looking for the right architect for you I think you can end that search now!

It is with pleasure that I can recommend Austin Shaw as an architect and design consultant. I worked closely with Austin on the design and implementation of a retreat and wellness center in Los Cabos, Mexico, and feel that he made invaluable contributions to the eventual success of our project.
Austin created the design and architectural plans for four of our buildings, as well as our pool and deck area, and associated structures. He also revised our existing fifth building in order to integrate it functionally and aesthetically with the rest of the retreat center.
Austin offered both practical problem-​solving acumen and nuanced creative insight to synthesize function and form in a harmonious whole. We get comments everyday from guests who notice and appreciate the unique touches and attention to detail that he infused into our resort’s design.
Austin proved himself committed to meeting important deadlines and delivering an exceptional product that balanced many competing variables. He has a talent for distilling the essence of an idea and using that as a cornerstone that informs and integrates with the project as a whole.
I am confident that he would be a valued contributor to any creative endeavor that seeks to synthesize aesthetic sensibilities with practical realities.
I would welcome the opportunity to work with Austin again on future projects — and, in fact, have done so when we added a second yoga studio to our facility — and recommend him without reservation.

When my part of my back deck was destroyed when a tree fell on it, I was really upset. I didn’t know at the time that the loss of my favorite part of my house could lead to an opportunity for something better, something different, and something more affordable than I’d originally thought.
When Austin came out and looked at the house he asked a lot of questions and listened to all my concerns he suggested that I scale it back from the original deck so that I could so that I could save on materials, avoid the possibility of another tree falling on it, and, best of all, so I could see the river better. My old deck extended so far out it gave me a great view from the edge, but blocked out the river everywhere else. He also suggested are really beautiful way of making a railing that was sleek, safe, and didn’t block the view.
It was a real pleasure working with Austin. He is patient, well informed, and has great ideas. I highly recommend Austin Shaw.
Sincerely,
Therese Kells