The bucolic rolling hills of Pennsylvania, dotted with dairy farms and occasional large custom homes, served as the backdrop for Michael Raphael’s adolescent upbringing. The contrast between his humble childhood Sears house and the purposeful barns and new unique homes sparked an interest in learning how to build and design these intentional homes. Each new construction project created a learning environment. The agricultural buildings’ iconic forms, combined with the houses that captured historical nostalgia, worked together to create an authentic sense of place within the hills and valleys of Bucks County.

Lured away by educational opportunities in Boston, and subsequent practice in San Francisco, Michael relished the opportunity to explore extraordinary buildings designed by master architects of the 20th century, including Aalto, Wright, Maybeck and Greene and Greene. These buildings express a truth about intended use, while capturing some whimsy to stretch the notion of ideal architecture.

Inspired to return to Bucks County, Raphael started his architecture practice by designing and building a highly crafted Not-So-Big House. That first house won the local American Institute of Architects annual design award. Through thirty-five years of practice, our highly accomplished staff has continued to design award-winning houses for discerning clients. Our goal remains to create homes of character, responsive to the setting, reflective of our clients’ aspirations and respectful of our natural resources. The daily joy our clients experience is testament to Raphael Architects quest to create homes that nurture and delight.