Testimonials for Bioarchitectural Design Service

“Taliesin is housed in an innovative healthcare establishment supporting adults with Asbergers Syndrome and other mental difficulties.   Nua Healthcare is a residential and day service provider to individuals with Autism and Learning Disabilities.   We pride ourselves on quality environments for our service users, particularly those which promote senses of tranquillity, freedom and space. 

Michael Rice designed and developed such a building, which we now occupy, - called Taliesin.  Taliesin is a 7 acre complex of buildings comprising of a central residential centre with an independent living complex recently built on site.   We would regard Taliesin as our flagship project in Ireland, unparalleled in the disability sector terms of design & healing environment. 

We would have no hesitation in recommending Michael as an architect for any related healthcare projects”.

Edward Dunne 

”For the past 20 years I have taught self help / personal growth workshops around the world.  Whenever I have taught in Ireland I have sought out the property developed by Michael Rice, ‘Namaste’, in Portlaoise to use as a venue for my workshops.  


I have found that presenting my work in a space that has been built according to the principles of BioArchitecture and Sacred Geometry allows both me, and those participating, more support to go deeper into the 'clearing' work.  Always good to have a space that supports my work and feels good for all attending and Michael certainly offers that” 

Eric Dowsett 

"The thing that struck us about Mike at our preliminary meeting is his innate positivity. We had been through the mill up to that point in trying to get a set of house plans which met our wishes to be as ecological as possible. We both love wood and trees and had already done a large amount of tree planting in the area surrounding the house. But we had been running up against a brick wall with planning and the architects we had met.  So Mike's quiet conviction that it would work out to our satisfaction was reassuring and warm and calm...he had enthusiasm for a non-linear idea and with a minimal amount of ground work he delivered a set of plans which met and exceeded our expectations.

The build process was - contrary to general experience - a very enjoyable time for us. We had the usual concerns with regard to finance but the unusual design seemed to interest and enthuse everyone who worked on the project. We were receptive to suggestions and ideas as all Mike's ideas are worth listening to. Mike's plans were open to interpretation and seemed to allow room for everyone to be creative and we found people to work extremely hard in delivering their best work.

We love our house. It is an oasis of calm and peace in our busy active lives and those of our family. The curves are soothing to be around and allow a lovely closeness and natural flow from space to space. There is a wonderful satisfaction in having one's consciousness elevated to allow one to fully appreciate the advantages of living in a 'nature related' design. It was in large part through contact with Mike that we came to have an appreciation of natural architecture."

Jeremiah and Margeret

”Harmony hall is a Michael Rice space designed for us in 2004. The centre offers treatment for mental health and physical stages of illness. Because of the fundamental geometry of the healing rooms, we have had results that keep both gps and dentists referring patients to us, mainly as a last resort. We have also facilitated considerable training in energetic medicine here and a forward-looking think tank - the Conscious Community, who meet regularly there.  It’s been a fantastic place to do this work.  Many people report a significant relief from symptoms as they approach and get to within a 5 mile radius of it”.

Franc Micklem, Director and Healer 

"We have been living in a Michael Rice designed home for 18 months now. We wake up in the morning to sunshine at our breakfast table and light filled rooms. Even at the greyest, darkest time of year our open plan area seems to capture whatever rays it can and brighten the days with them. Our floor to ceiling windows give us the best view of the surrounding countryside and, as we watch the seasons change, we feel at peace with the elements. Our open plan living area, with its vaulted ceiling, lends a wonderful degree of liberty and is so atmospheric in the evenings.  Actually, there is a dramatic change in our house from day to evening, it’s almost like having two homes, the colours and features seem to change and become more prominent. It’s equally perfect for our wee ones to play and for entertaining our guests.

Every room is different, no standard box shapes or rectangles here! Lots of little nooks and crannies we can put to good use as bookshelves, wet rooms or walk in closets. Our imaginations can run riot... Our kids have plenty of freedom to play and can roam indoors on wet days. They spend hours playing hide and seek with their cousins.  This isn’t just a house; it’s the home we feel we were meant to live in.

Anyone who wants a home that uses light and space to its greatest advantage and maybe something a little out of the ordinary should definitely contact Michael. If you have ideas that perhaps you thought would be impossible or others told you couldn’t be done (as we did), he is the right architect for you. In a world where original ideas and thoughts are few, Michael seems to have a head full of them.  He will design you a home that you won’t want to leave. Thanks for our wonderful home Michael!"

Colin, Lynn, Luke and Erin Wallis

“The Cuisle Cancer Support Centre has often being described to me as a second home. This is due to many factors, but most notably the shape of the building - (based on a pentagon) as well as the beautiful ten sided inner open area in the middle of the building.  In addition the various healing spaces and support rooms radiate out from the hallway which wraps around the central open area.  The light and heat that fills our building emanating from this heart space is wonderful.  The materials used to build the structure as well as the colours of the walls generate a deep sense of peace and calmness throughout, which we know is a fundamental requirement in any healing environment.
On numerous occasions people visiting the centre have often expressed to me that the atmosphere generated by the building is one of calmness and tranquility. The stress of the world seems to evaporate upon entering and people say that their troubles seem to feel less significant. 
Overall, our building supports us on so many levels and we believe it creates a very positive influence on our visitor’s health and well being”

Ms. Cathriona Dempsey

“It is true that buildings speak to people and what Portlaoise Parish Centre says from its Foyer and throughout the building is 'welcome' - it exudes an air of calm and wellbeing, much appreciated and commented on by the many caring groups who use it”

Manager

“Since first being introduced to Michael Rice’s work by physicist Dan Winter, I have been enthralled with his approach to design, as an architect, and approach to life as a human.  Michael’s passion for design and capability to spontaneously sketch out a new wing to a house, or an entire new city, have been consistently impressive.  In every interaction I have observed between Mike and his clients, contractors and builders there has been a light heartedness that seems almost out of place in the architectural arena and a borderline mischievous humour in the way he conveys new ideas to his colleagues.  Michael Rice’s designs, attention to the environment and holistic approach to creating enclosed spaces are a breath of fresh air to be enjoyed time and time again.” 

Jesse Krieger