Our Story
A lineage of building in the Southwest.
Backdrop (1920s-40s)
Back in the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s along Route 66 in eastern New Mexico—that’s where it all began, years before I was even a thought. My family was building roadside service stations and cafés—Cline’s Corners, the Flying-C, the Half Moon.
The can-do attitude of that generation—their work ethic and approach to problem-solving—wasn’t just talked about. I grew up watching it modeled and expected.
Early Years (1970s-1990s)
Some of my earliest memories are of my dad building our family’s home in the early 1970s. I was five years old. By high school and college, I was right there alongside my family building homes—something I truly loved.
As a young adult, I learned CAD while working for a heavy equipment manufacturing company. I later expanded those skills through airport development projects and heavy commercial 3D coordination modeling.
Today (2005 - Present)
In 2005, I launched a small business providing CAD services to those same industries. Today, I’m grateful to leverage more than 30-plus years of CAD, design, and construction experience to serve our clients through architectural design. The same work ethic and problem-solving mindset passed down through generations still guide the way we approach every project.
How We Work
Our Values and Design Philosophy
Our Values
Our craft is guided by principles that shape both our design and our relationships with clients. We believe great architecture grows from partnership—built on integrity, trust, clear communication, and a shared purpose. By listening carefully and engaging clients directly in the design experience, we create a collaborative environment where ideas are explored openly and decisions are made intentionally.
Our Design Philosophy
Our design philosophy bridges timeless architectural tradition with the practical needs of modern living. Each project begins with understanding our clients and the natural character of the site, then developing a thoughtful balance of scale, proportion, and function. Through disciplined design, natural materials, and carefully crafted drawings, we shape homes that tell a story—rooted in history, responsive to their setting, and enduring in both beauty and purpose.
Owner Bio
Meet Mike Cline: Lead Designer and Founder
As you probably gathered, I am from New Mexico, born and raised in Albuquerque. I first learned CAD in East Texas working for a heavy equipment manufacturer. Building upon this beginning and using AutoCAD and Revit, I expanded these skills across a wide variety of industries such as airports, hospitals, data centers, semi-conductor plants, and my favorite — residential architecture.
I enjoy cooking, photography, and architectural history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Residential Design & Process FAQ
GETTING STARTED
What is your process?
Our design process includes five steps: Pre-Design Assessment, Massing Study, Schematic Design, Design Development, and Construction Documents. Services
Each phase is a standalone engagement, with its own Scope of Work, budget, deliverables, and completion date.
The process begins once our client signs our Service Agreement and Scope of Work. From there, the project progresses through the remaining phases as desired. Full payment for any given phase is required before that phase is scheduled and started.
How long does the design process take?
Each design phase comes with an estimated timeline. Here’s a general range, more complex projects may take longer:
- Pre-Design Assessment: 1–2 weeks
- Massing Study: 2–3 weeks
- Schematic Design: 4–6 weeks
- Design Development: 2–3 weeks
- Construction Documents: 8 to 12 weeks
We recommend allowing at least six months to complete all five phases.
What is your availability?
We’re often able to begin new projects within a couple weeks of engagement. The initial Pre-Design Assessment typically takes 1–2 weeks to complete, allowing for a quick project start. From there, we collaborate with you to schedule subsequent design phases. Once we commit to a timeline, we strive to meet it—we pride ourselves on responsiveness; and carefully manage our workload to reflect that.
Do you farm out your work overseas?
No. All of our work is completed in-house by our staff. We stand behind the quality of our services.
We are proudly—Made in the USA.
COSTS
How much do your services cost?
Our fees are based on the hourly rate listed in our Service Agreement. Additional services may be available on a time-and-materials basis at the same rate. Each design phase is offered as a standalone service with a Flat Fee, based on a written scope of work.
Costs vary depending on complexity—typically ranging from $2,000 to over $7,000 per phase. As a general benchmark, a full five-phase design package (resulting in a builder-ready architectural drawing set) usually falls in the range of 3% to 4% of total construction cost. For example, for a $650,000 custom home, total design fees would typically range from $19,500 to $26,000.
How much will my project cost to build?
The most accurate construction estimates come from your local builder or supplier. Our process is structured to deliver valuable early design documents, which can be used to obtain reliable bids and fine-tune your construction budget—before you commit to building.
How do I pay for your services?
We accept personal checks made out to Applied Virtual Technology, LLC and ACH bank transfers.
RESOURCES
Do you work with any good builders?
Yes. We’re happy to refer you to trusted builders. We also provided a list of recommended professionals on our Resources page. We suggest that you contract with a builder soon after starting the design process to help with early cost insights and expert input.
Can you recommend an engineer or surveyor?
Absolutely. We maintain a current list of recommended engineers and land surveyors, available on our Resources page. We’re also happy to provide personal referrals.
Can we conduct meetings and work online?
Yes. While we enjoy meeting our clients in person, we also work with customers across the U.S. through virtual on-line meetings. Our design process is well-suited for remote collaboration.