Alexander Ellis - Architect.

We’re a licensed architecture studio creating impactful, style-driven designs with a remote-tech process.
For busy professionals and families
ready to reimagine your home with clarity, creativity, and expert guidance.

Alexander Ellis Architect

We’re a licensed architecture studio creating impactful, style-driven designs with a remote-tech process.
For busy professionals and families
ready to reimagine your home with clarity, creativity, and expert guidance.

Our aproach.


A Remote-First Architecture Studio Built for
Real Life, Real People & Real Families

We offer complete remodel strategy and leadership on one of your biggest investments. Our remote-first model is built for busy professionals and families who want thoughtful design, practical solutions, and confidence that they’re making the right long-term decision for their home and their life.

Our Ethos >

  • We start with one thing: listening.

    We want to know how you live. Where your house frustrates you. What your daily routines look like. We ask questions, then listen again - because your remodel is about more than just square footage. It’s about clarity, relief, and possibilities you may not even realize yet.

    We take the time to understand your needs, but also your wants. Because with smart design, budget is rarely the true limitation. The real constraint is poor planning.

    When the design is right from the start, everything else flows. You avoid costly revisions, eliminate scope confusion, and create a space that feels right and performs optimally. This is your chance to get it right.

    Great design pays for itself. In time saved. In mistakes avoided. In money better spent. And in the lasting value of a home that truly fits you. This is how expectations are exceeded.

  • We know how hectic life can be. Your remodel should be exciting, empowering, and on your schedule, not a burden or a second job.

    That’s why we’ve built a remote-first process using advanced technology other firms simply don’t. You’ll receive recorded 3D walkthroughs of your design options, complete with voiceover commentary and screen markups. You can review everything at your convenience - whether that’s at 11pm after the kids are asleep or between meetings on a busy day.

    No more missing work for weekly in-office meetings or crowding around your table at 7pm trying to squeeze in a design discussion in the middle of running your household. Our tools allow you to:

    • Review updates asynchronously

    • Add comments and markups directly to plans

    • Join short, focused Zoom calls only when needed

    10 out of 10 past remodel clients interviewed say they prefer this method over traditional meetings. It makes the design process more enjoyable, more accessible, and dramatically more efficient - without sacrificing creativity or detail.

  • We think beyond aesthetics. Because we are more than just licensed architects - we’re also developers, licensed real estate brokers, and licensed construction lenders - we bring a 360-degree perspective to your remodel.

    Our process includes:

    • ROI-focused decision making

    • Remodel vs. move strategy guidance

    • Value engineering

    • Budget feasibility

    • Lending and financing support

    We guide you through the big-picture questions: Is this the right move? Are you making the smartest decision for your family’s future?

    You’ll know exactly what’s strategic, achievable, and worth investing in - before you commit to building.

  • We can offer more than architectural design and documents:

    • Interior and exterior design strategy

    • Landscape and hardscape integration

    • Procurement assistance for finishes and materials

    • Contractor matching and bidding support

    • Scope review and negotiation guidance

    • Advisory help during construction when needed

    We love full-spectrum remodel planning and execution, centered around your life, goals, and values.

    *some services above are optional services. Not required or included. Schedule a call for more detail.

UP

OUT

OVER

ADU

Which of these impactful value + space adding
addition types is right for you?

Who we are.

“Your life defines your home. Your past experiences, present lifestyle, and future dreams. This is your chance to bring your story to life. We’d love to be a part of it.”

I’m Alex - licensed architect, real estate broker, construction lender, and developer. I’ve spent the last 20 years helping homeowners make smart, holistic, design-led decisions about how they live, remodel, and invest in their homes.

I live in a family of 5 - I know firsthand what it’s like to balance career, family, and the daily demands of life - and the positive impact a well designed home has on everyone that lives, works and plays within it’s walls & yard. Whether you’re raising kids, managing a full professional load, or simply ready to rethink how your home supports your lifestyle - I’m right there with you. And I’ve learned that great design isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about ease. Order. Flow. When your space is functional, organized, and beautiful, it’s proven to lift your mood, reduce stress, and improve the way you live - every day of your life. It’s what we all deserve.

That’s why I started this studio: for professionals and families who want to better their lives by bettering their homes - who need remodel guidance, without the overwhelm and lack of transparency of traditional remodel methods. We lead with clarity, stay unbiased, and tailor everything to your life, your budget, and your vision.

Our process combines architecture, construction logic, tech, and remote-first efficiency to help you remodel once, do it right, and enjoy the results for years to come.

– Alex Patsavas
<Licensed Architect, Licensed Real Estate Broker, Licensed Construction Lender & Developer>

  • “Alex gave us the clarity and confidence to move forward with our second story addition and kitchen remodel. It’s a no brainer the way they break the project apart to get answers. So helpful in connecting the dots between financing, design and building. It was truly an easy and fun process.”

    K & J - Glen Ellyn, IL

  • “On our third project with Alex and team. We wouldn’t ever consider anyone else! The remote process makes things so easy as busy professionals with a family. Can’t say enough good things.”

    J & E - Evanston, IL

  • “After consulting architects and renovators who wanted large upfront fees and pressured us to sign build contracts without even having all the details figured, we didn’t know if an addition was the right choice. Alex resolved this by providing multiple design options, financing insights, and analyses on listed homes vs our own renovation before having to commit fully. His dedication to helping homeowners is evident. We highly recommend.”

    A & V - Laguna Niguel, CA

  • “We had no idea we could keep our current mortgage rate and finance our addition until speaking with Alex. We went from thinking we had no options to an attainable addition because of his knowledge. Thank you!”

    Jonathan - Chicago, IL

  • “Everyone there is so FUN to work with. My husband is in the design industry and was blown away with what they came up with. We can’t believe it’s the same house.”

    Lisa - Glenview, IL

How it works.

A Clear 7-Step Process. Built Around You.

Step 1: Project Discovery

Start by answering a few questions about your remodel or addition and we’ll get back to within 24 hours to schedule your discovery call if we’re a good fit.

  • 30-minute call to discuss your home, your goals, and how we can help.

  • We’ll develop a high level strategy with transparent upfront & fixed pricing.

  • Agreement will be sent to you within 48 hours to begin.

Step 2: Feasibility and Strategy

We begin by assessing the parameters, feasibility, limitations of your property and home against your goals to begin developing the right scope.

  • Our pro measure team documents your entire space using lasers, 3D digital twin lidar and good old tape measures to prepare as-built drawings and assess the current conditions

  • We address zoning and code requirements and feasibility limitations such as structural elements

  • Verify homeowner scope against feasibility - green light !

Step 3: Schematic Design

Design your home, from your home! Meet remotely with a PRO Architect and see multiple custom design options to solve your home pains.

  • 2-3 + custom floor plan options iterated rapidly to the perfect version including a 3D massing model

  • Meet on Zoom & recorded video walkthroughs to watch when convenient for you - perfect for busy families and professionals.

  • General budget outlines of various options to stay on target

Step 4: Design Development & Immersive 3D Visualization

Finalize the desings and produce 3D photorealistic views to fully understand your design.

  • Finalize floor plan layout, elevations and scope

  • Produce 3D cinematic visuals of exterior and interior (optional)

  • Furniture layouts to plan the right room sizes

  • Begin to coordinate with surveyors, engineers, consultants if needed

Step 5: Build Budget Check & Financing

Drawings are advanced enough to test the market price with builders and lenders yet still agile to make changes if needed.

  • Connect you with vetted general contractors that can provide a preliminary price range to validate your budget (if needed)

  • Match you with remodel specific lenders that can provide 100% financing options that don’t touch your current mortgage, in many cases (if needed).

Step 6: Construction Documents & Permit Drawings

As licensed Architects, we handle what’s needed for permit drawings and create build-ready plans & specs.

  • Technical architectural construction documents, specifications and notes.

  • Structural engineering for most additions is included.

  • Coordinate solar, fire sprinkler and civil engineering, if required, on an as-needed basis

Step 7: Build Support, Bidding & Procurement (Optional Add-Ons)

For clients who want next level support and value through construction, we offer:

  • Contractor bidding & negotiation to ensure competitive pricing

  • Interior finish selections and purchasing with access to our trade discounts skipping the builder/interior designers double markups

  • Ongoing construction guidance for change orders, payment issues, and contractor coordination - saving you from costly markups and mistakes

READY FOR REMODEL ANSWERS?

 FAQ’s.

  • Concept /schematic designs generally take 2-4 weeks depending on the complexity of your project with another 1-3 weeks in design iterations based on your feedback.

    Blueprints/Construction Drawings typically take 3-6 weeks.

    Contractor bidding and negotiating typically takes 3-4 weeks.

    Plan for a total of approximately 2-6 months depending on your project complexity and your availability.

    In a rush? Let's talk. Expediting can be offered for additional fees. Subject to availability.

  • Projects range based on type, complexity and services needed. It’s best to schedule a call to discuss your specific project where we can understand your scope and therefore give you an accurate price.

    Fill out our form and if we’re a good fit we’ll typically schedule a call within a day or two.

  • After signing up we send our measure team to document your space top to bottom. Process typically takes between 1-2 hours and that’s it!

    We use top tech and digital 3D scanning to know your home inside and out.

  • Start with a wants and needs list and don’t be shy! Let’s talk about it all.

    A Plat of Survey (aerial view) of your lot which shows your lot lines and home footprint. Often provided with your closing documents. Used to determine zoning requirements.

    Any sketches, inspiration pictures/links or ideas (Pinterest, IG, Houzz, etc.)

    We'll set you up with your personal Project Board that guides you step by step as your project progresses.

Time to reimagine what’s
possible at home.

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