Amanda and Brian Scheuzger own Medomak Design, an architecture and design firm in Waldoboro. The business opened in March. (Alexander Violo photo)
A Waldoboro couple has started a business that combines their years of experience in the architecture industry with other interests and talents, like graphic design and web design.
Amanda and Brian Scheuzger, owners of Medomak Design, offer residential and commercial architecture services, ranging from design consultations to full architectural design in the Midcoast and beyond.
“We primarily focus on architecture and architectural design, but we also do graphic design and website design too,” Brian Scheuzger said. The Scheuzgers established the firm in March.
Brian Scheuzger said the partners have complementary strengths.
“We’ve found it is really useful when we both meet with clients because we bring two different perspectives to a project. It is not just one person carrying the ball,” he said.
Brian Scheuzger is a Maine-licensed architect and a member of the American Institute of Architects and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.
He said the couple is passionate about careful and thoughtful design and, as owners of their own business, they are able to bring these ideas to their clients.
“We like the idea we are representing ourselves when we talk to people, sharing our own ethos and ideas. There is no facade; it is just us,” he said.
Amanda Scheuzger said it has been exciting and rewarding to be their own bosses.
“It is different. Part of it was working from home and making the adjustment, how to structure the day to allow yourself time to take care of the kids and still get work done,” she said.
The couple has spent the past 25 years working in New England, in addition to areas around Chicago and New York.
“These are things we have done for years and now we are finally doing it for ourselves,” Brian Scheuzger said.
The business is based out of their home in Waldoboro, near the Medomak River.
Brian Scheuzger said his parents retired to the area in 1992 and the couple has spent the past 11 years in Waldoboro. They met in Chicago, then moved to Connecticut before their move to Maine.
Upon moving to Maine, Brian Scheuzger first worked at an architectural firm in Portland, while Amanda Scheuzger worked at an architectural firm in Rockport.
Amanda Scheuzger then took a job at a firm in Rockland, ARS Architecture P.A., where her husband later joined her.
Brian Scheuzger said that working together in Rockland, the couple realized they could start their own business.
“Often we were the only two team members and we thought we could do it on our own, while supporting our community,” Brian Scheuzger said.
The company is currently working on a couple of website projects, a reconstruction of a guest house in Waldoboro, and an apartment renovation in Augusta.
“We are keeping busy, which is great,” Brian Scheuzger said. The Augusta project reminded the pair of the reasons why they started their own business.
“I left the meeting and just felt it was great. Finally we were able to say what we want to say and represent ourselves,” Brian Scheuzger said.
Brian Scheuzger said a big goal for Medomak Design is to “remove the mystique” of working with architects.
“Sometimes people can be intimidated by an architect and the expense of it, thinking they don’t need one, and for residential projects and remodeling they don’t, but I think we are hoping to bridge that gap, let people know we are available to give consultations and work with them,” Brian Scheuzger said.
He said commercial projects in Maine require a licensed architect.
“Because we have a licensed architect, I think we attract commercial projects, and I expect that to be about two-thirds of our workload going forward,” he said.
In addition to her work with Medomak Design, Amanda Scheuzger runs Handmaine Knits, a company that creates original designs for hand knitters.
Regarding web design, she has experience designing websites from her past jobs.
“I have a knitting business where I sell patterns online and I did the website for that and it kind of snowballed as I got more experience,” she said.
The pair enjoys doing graphic design too.
“For our profession, we had to do a lot of presentations incorporating it, and we got really good at it,” Brian Scheuzger said.
Amanda Scheuzger said her favorite part of her job is doing what she loves every day.
“My favorite part is I get to draw all day long. It is hard to complain too much because I get to draw so much,” Scheuzger said.
One recent project Medomak Design worked on was an addition to the Westport Center for Senior Activities in Westport, Conn., a connection the couple developed when they were with ARS Architecture and continued with their new business. Brian Scheuzger said the project basically followed them.
“It’s very rewarding and a good example of our style and work ethic,” he said.
He said the couple is looking forward to their future in Waldoboro.
“It makes such a difference talking to people, representing our own values and own desires to help them, versus working for someone else. We so want to be able to help people, people of different backgrounds. We want to help and support them,” Brian Scheuzger said.
He said that in spring 2020 he plans to get his commercial drone license and offer drone photography to real estate agencies looking for photographs of properties and structures.
Medomak Design is at 786 Main St. in Waldoboro. For more information, go to medomakdesign.com.
