Over a long period of time, the main force in favor of greater equality has been the diffusion of knowledge and skills.
Thomas Piketty, Capital in the Twenty-First Century
The architects who benefit us most may be those generous enough to lay aside their claims to genius in order to devote themselves to assembling graceful but predominantly unoriginal boxes. Architecture should have the confidence and the kindness to be a little boring.
Alain de Botton, The Architecture of Happiness
Computers will make it possible to live really anywhere we like. Any businessman or executive could live almost anywhere on Earth and still do business through a device like this.
Arthur C. Clarke, 1974 Interview
Peter started his first firm IDEA in late 2000 while completing architecture and engineering studies at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. He has lived and practiced in 6 countries, worked in several more, served as president of 3 firms, and designed more than 500 projects, including over 300 custom homes across three decades of architectural practice.
IDEA was created from the belief that architecture should combine quality design, cost control, contractor knowledge, client service and practical execution. It is not about big egos, excessive intellectualism, or producing drawings and walking away. It is about tasteful, solidly constructed, affordable, psychologically uplifting environments for living.
Peter designed plans for the extensive remodel of our home. He worked with us every step of the way during the process and created a design which mirrored exactly what we were looking for. I would make the strongest recommendation to use his services.
Ed Kavanagh
Peter was a delight to work with. He was courteous & professional & a very nice person. He designed our addition to suit not only our tastes but to fit our budget. Our contractor found the plans very detailed & easy to follow. Peter came out to check the work & said that our construction company was doing everything correctly. The addition is almost completely finished. We love the way this looks!! It is exactly how we imagined it! Actually it is better than we imagined it!! We highly recommend Peter!!!!
ALLEN GREEN & MARY LAUNDER
Peter did an excellent job working with our budget and making the addition match our 100-year-old house. For example, brick veneer was used to match the existing brick and the arches above the windows match the original windows. Peter's design even corrected some of the mistakes made by previous owners. Interacting with Peter was very pleasant and professional. The drawings were very well done.Peter cut a small hole in the ceiling to make sure that there wouldn't be any plumbing surprises. I thought that was very thorough.
CHAD HANEY & DIEP TRUONG
Peter listened to my requirements and provided a solution that exceeded my expectations. Remodeling a vintage building from the 1920s presented some unanticipated challenges as the work progressed. However, Peter and his team were continually in contact to assist and resolve the issues I faced. The communication was excellent throughout the project, from concept to permitting to final checks that the work was performed correctly. Now that it's finished, I continually get rave reviews of my finished kitchen and new family room. The project significantly increased the livability and value of my property.
RUSSELL NEEDHAM
The porch is more beautiful than we'd hoped. It has completely changed the look of our home, and we could not be happier with Peter's design. He listened to our input and considered the examples we showed him of what we liked and did not like, and created plans that met our wishes.
MARK RICHMAN
As a lawyer, I am in the service business and am always really excited when I meet other professionals who really understand first class service and think of ways of saving their clients money. I am highly impressed with Peter Dreier and his firm, IDEA LLC. I have found Peter to be very thorough, very responsive and have a great ability to think outside the box for projects. He was able to customize a job that required research and thinking into a great package for us. I have found his billing for services rendered very fair and reasonable. If you need architect services, I would really recommend Peter.
DAN & ANDREA RUBIN
Peter was very responsive and worked with us to design a space that did not look like every other house on the block. He listened to our needs and was open to our feedback as well. We had interviewed other firms who were, shall we say, a bit full of themselves, so Peter was a refreshing change of pace! Peter takes pride in his work and sticks around to deal with issues. I would work with Peter again any day.
LOLITA SERELEAS & CIAN O'MAHONY
Peter was a delight to work with. He was courteous & professional & a very nice person. He designed our addition to suit not only our tastes but to fit our budget. Our contractor found the plans very detailed & easy to follow. Peter came out to check the work & said that our construction company was doing everything correctly. The addition is almost completely finished. We love the way this looks!! It is exactly how we imagined it! Actually it is better than we imagined it!! We highly recommend Peter!!!!
ALLEN GREEN & MARY LAUNDER
Peter did an excellent job working with our budget and making the addition match our 100-year-old house. For example, brick veneer was used to match the existing brick and the arches above the windows match the original windows. Peter's design even corrected some of the mistakes made by previous owners. Interacting with Peter was very pleasant and professional. The drawings were very well done.Peter cut a small hole in the ceiling to make sure that there wouldn't be any plumbing surprises. I thought that was very thorough.
CHAD HANEY & DIEP TRUONG
Peter listened to my requirements and provided a solution that exceeded my expectations. Remodeling a vintage building from the 1920s presented some unanticipated challenges as the work progressed. However, Peter and his team were continually in contact to assist and resolve the issues I faced. The communication was excellent throughout the project, from concept to permitting to final checks that the work was performed correctly. Now that it's finished, I continually get rave reviews of my finished kitchen and new family room. The project significantly increased the livability and value of my property.
RUSSELL NEEDHAM
The porch is more beautiful than we'd hoped. It has completely changed the look of our home, and we could not be happier with Peter's design. He listened to our input and considered the examples we showed him of what we liked and did not like, and created plans that met our wishes.
MARK RICHMAN
As a lawyer, I am in the service business and am always really excited when I meet other professionals who really understand first class service and think of ways of saving their clients money. I am highly impressed with Peter Dreier and his firm, IDEA LLC. I have found Peter to be very thorough, very responsive and have a great ability to think outside the box for projects. He was able to customize a job that required research and thinking into a great package for us. I have found his billing for services rendered very fair and reasonable. If you need architect services, I would really recommend Peter.
DAN & ANDREA RUBIN
Peter was very responsive and worked with us to design a space that did not look like every other house on the block. He listened to our needs and was open to our feedback as well. We had interviewed other firms who were, shall we say, a bit full of themselves, so Peter was a refreshing change of pace! Peter takes pride in his work and sticks around to deal with issues. I would work with Peter again any day.
LOLITA SERELEAS & CIAN O'MAHONY
