ML Design Studio
what we do:
Helping Chefs & Property Owners open temporary & permanent food spaces around the world through our hands on experience and end user involvement.
Services
Food Space Architecture, Interiors & MEP+FP Design
Foodservice Equipment Commissioning
Urban Food Forest Development
Pre & Post-Disaster Architecture + Inspections (Fires, Hurricanes & Floods)
the team:
Michael Lawrence, Principal Architect & Chef
Michael capitalizes on his different skill sets, from working the cook line, managing food operations, to designing food spaces in order to help food businesses succeed. His hands on experience as a Chef informs his design methodology as an Architect.
Project types he has helped include hotels, resorts, restaurants, events, grocery stores, convenience stores, food trucks, food halls, gastro parks, company cafeterias, breweries, mixologist bars, cottage food establishments in homes, outdoor kitchens, etc.
In order to create meaningful interior & exterior spaces, he works closely with his in-house Landscape Designer and Engineering Team. Together, they address unique challenges that come with each project.
When Michael is not designing, you can find him cooking, creating music mixes or playing sports.
Licenses + Specialty Certifications:
- Licensed Architect - Colorado, Hawaii, Ohio & Washington State
- International Citizen Architect - Caribbean Community (ICA-CC)
- Certified Foodservice Professional (CFSP)
- Certified Food Protection Manager (CFPM)
- Foodservice Energy Efficiency Expert (Fe3)
- Rational Certified Chef (RCC)
- Fire Prevention Specialist (FPS)
- Registered Building Safety Evaluator (BSE) - California - ID No. 92210
Professional Memberships:
- American Institute of Architects
- Resilience and Disaster Response Committee
- American Culinary Federation
- Culinary Consulting Cooperative
- Barbados Institute of Architects
As Seen On:
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Ready to Book a Call?
What Our Clients Say...
Mr. & Mrs. Taylor
Bride & Groom
"You all killed it. We had the time of our life."
Executive Producers
Eat This TV Network
""Le Culinarian Kitchen" is an engaging culinary show featuring Chef Mike, a seasoned chef with 18 years of experience in the kitchen. Born to Jamaican parents, Chef Mike's passion for cooking was ignited at an early age through the rich culinary heritage of his upbringing. Now, as the host of "Le Culinarian Kitchen," Chef Mike showcases his diverse culinary skills and cultural influences, bringing a unique twist to classic dishes.
In this episode, Chef Mike takes viewers on a flavorful journey as he prepares his signature dish: jerk chicken pizza. Drawing inspiration from the bold flavors of Jamaican cuisine, Chef Mike combines traditional jerk seasoning with the familiar elements of a pizza, resulting in a mouthwatering fusion of flavors.
Throughout the episode, Chef Mike shares insights, tips, and anecdotes from his culinary journey, highlighting his love for cooking and his commitment to creating memorable dining experiences. With his warm personality and expert culinary skills, Chef Mike captivates audiences and inspires viewers to explore new culinary horizons.
"Le Culinarian Kitchen" with Chef Mike offers a delightful blend of cultural exploration, culinary expertise, and culinary creativity, making it a must-watch for food enthusiasts and aspiring chefs alike. Join Chef Mike as he brings his passion for cooking to life, one delicious dish at a time."
Pilar Proffitt
Interior Design Principal / Bristow Proffitt Studio
"Thank for being so good, so patient and so detailed!! Feeling grateful to have you on our team!!"
Jordan Flowers
Owner / Tacos Flores
"I really appreciated Michael's Insights, helpfulness, and grace throughout this process. He was a fantastic partner on this journey."
Michelle Anderson
Owner & Designer / Flourish Landscape Design Build
"Michael is wonderful to work with."
Drew Goodman
Property Developer
"Michael and his team did a great job and the result was definitely what I was looking for."
Aaron Demaw
Owner / All Star Mechanical
"Michael is a wealth of knowledge"
Helene Godin
Founder, CEO, Pastry Chef / By The Way Bakery
"It was a pleasure to work with such a dedicated professional."
Ms. Bozzelli
Owner / Bozzellis Deli
"If you are looking for a design expert, go with Michael and his design company! He impressed us with his sharp eye with only fuzzy videos to go off of. He created a functional and beautiful drawing for our restaurant renovation. His prior experience as a chef was invaluable to the project. He has helped us optimize our kitchen and the work has yet to begin. A pleasure to work with!"
John Mills, PE
Director of Engineering / Commercial Services Realty
"I've seen Michael go above and beyond during the years we have worked together. Because of his 'student for life' mindset, he's also eager to learn new design techniques and skills. After seeing his online portfolio, we hired him to work with us as a building designer and he has been collaborating with my team for a couple of years since then. Michael's ability to handle multiple projects under critical deadlines was unlike any I've seen before and made a dramatic increase in the productivity level of our developing projects. No matter how tense a meeting, Michael made sure everyone left with a smile. Michael's skills would be an asset to any company. I'm happy with the fine design work Mike has done for us on several critical projects in multiple jurisdictions, and I would highly recommend him and his team to others looking for a design services."
Jesse Downing
Homeowner
'ML Design Studio did excellent work to really understand the brief, be communicative, and be a thought partner in the revision process. They provided beautiful 3D renderings to help us visualize the project as well as detailed 2D layouts for the contractors to use.'
Derek Ryan
Landscaping Contractor
'Wow... I was really impressed with ML Design Studio's design and the details they captured... This was exactly what I was hoping for...'
Omar Lalani
Restaurateur
"Michael is an excellent designer and great communicator. He is easy to work with and adheres to deadlines."
Dennis Patel
Hotelier
"I recommend Michael so much. He did an amazing job for bar/kitchen floorplans inside of my hotel, including fully spec'd out appliance plans and DD set. I will work again with Michael in the future."
Sherry McGann
Registered Sanitarian
"...high quality drawings and very thorough..."
Hans Hansen
Registered Architect
"...great asset to the project team... Michael takes pride and excellence in his work. He has a great deal of knowledge in the building and design industries."
Robert Bristow
Registered Architect
"Michael is thorough, knowledgeable, careful and deliberate. He organizes projects extremely well."
Carmelle Phillipe
Home Owner
'Michael and his team were highly professional and reliable. I loved the fact that they communicated with me and my husband throughout the process so there were no surprises. I would recommend them to anyone looking for professionals to service their property.'
Darryl Lecours
Nursing Home Administrator
"Michael is very dedicated and conscientious in his work. He consistently strives to provide a high level of customer service and is passionate about his work."
Daniel Bruno
Chef
"...Very reliable... Profound knowledge and cooking experience. Michael is also willing to learn and adapt to new ideas."
Christopher Zieler
Chef
"Michael is very reliable. I cannot wait to work with him on another event."