The White House of Costa Rica

Michael Poirier

Principal, Poirier Design

Michael Poirier has a diverse practice built on more than eleven years of experience in architectural design, interior design and urban planning. His most recent projects include several ground-up houses and residential renovations in Silver Lake, as well as a number of beachfront homes on Costa Rica’s Pacific shore. His work has been featured in magazines and journals internationally, including Architectural Record, GA Houses, The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times. 

Poirier received a Bachelor of Architecture from the California Polytechnic State University at Pomona in 1996 and studied in Florence, Italy with noted Italian architect Cristiano Toraldo di Francia of Superstudio. Poirier began his career at Moule and Polyzoides Architects, where he specialized in urban design and contributed to the restoration of an historic Gordon Kaufman estate. In 1999, he joined Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects. As a lead designer, he managed and designed several award-winning homes including a renovation of a Neutra residence. After four years, Poirier moved to Clive Wilkinson Architects, serving as lead designer of the Toy Factory Lofts—where he now runs his practice.

After years of study with some of the worlds leading designers and theoreticians, Michael Poirier began working independently from his studio in Los Angeles starting in 2003.  Since then, he has completed several residential projects internationally, for a very creative and progressive group of clients and developers.

Michael Poirier is also a DJ on KXLU radio in Los Angeles and an active member of the local music and design scenes. As a Los Angeles native, he has a deep respect for the city’s innovative history, inspiring diversity and mercurial spirit.