HISTORY
2009
Michael Tchouaffé founded the firm under the name MICHAEL TCHOUAFFÉ ARCHITECTS, INC in 2009 from his apartment on Garden Walk in College Park, Georgia, USA. In that same year, he became a LEED AB – Building professional, a member of USGRC, and obtained his license to practice in the state of Georgia.
2012
In 2012, Michael began teaching a project management class at ITT Technical Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. During this class, he met a student named Melvin E. Carter Jr., who expressed a strong interest in architecture and a desire to become a licensed architect. Melvin showcased his skills in Revit and rendering, which impressed Michael. Recognizing his potential, Michael offered Melvin an internship, and he subsequently became the first intern at MICHAEL TCHOUAFFÉ ARCHITECTS, INC.
2014
In response to the firm’s need for an office, Michael teamed up with the Riverdale Development Authority, led by its Director, to spearhead an adaptive reuse and renovation project for an abandoned school. As part of this initiative, Michael renovated an old classroom, establishing the first office of MICHAEL TCHOUAFFÉ ARCHITECTS, INC in 2014.
2016
Driven to better serve its clients, the firm relocated its operations to the heart of downtown Atlanta at 260 Peachtree St. NW in 2016. With this more accessible location, the firm rebranded from MICHAEL TCHOUAFFÉ ARCHITECTS, INC. to TCHOUAFFÉ ARCHITECTS, INC. In that same year, Michael also obtained his license to practice in both South and North Carolina.
2020
Michael Tchouaffé had become the AIA President of Georgia
2021
In 2021, as the firm grew and sought to build a core staff, Michael offered Melvin a full-time position, making him the first employee of TCHOUAFFÉ ARCHITECTS, INC. In the same year, with plans to expand into international projects, Michael joined his native country's Ordre National des Architectes du Cameroun (National Order of Cameroonian Architects).
2022
As the firm continued to grow—with a dedicated employee now supporting projects—Michael obtained his license to practice in Tennessee, Florida, and Mississippi in 2022. Additionally, aligning with our global aspirations, Michael joined the AIA Global Practice Committee
2023
With operations expanding both domestically and internationally, the firm needed a dedicated headquarters. In 2023, we relocated to the Hurt Building on the 12th floor, where we renovated and remodeled the existing office space using our own design to serve as the new headquarters of TCHOUAFFÉ ARCHITECTS, INC. Additionally, we welcomed two new team members, Jobain Happeness Ntfu and Fabrice Nguepdjouo, as we plan to open a regional office in Cameroon.
2024
In 2024, with the move into the new headquarters and the addition to the staff. Michael sought out an office space in Cameroon for our regional office. During that year, the firm was able to move into an office space. With a staff and an office space, the firm was able to start operations in Cameroon under the name TCHOUAFFÉ ARCHITECTS SARL. With the growth of the firm ongoing, Michael obtained his license to practice in Washington, D.C. We were able to add another person to the staff. Carys Anderson, a student from Savannah College of Arts and Design, had become an intern. With her hard work and dedication. She became an important part of the staff.
PRESENT DAY
While our name, TCHOUAFFÉ ARCHITECTS, INC, may be challenging to pronounce and goes against conventional business and marketing wisdom, we have chosen to retain it. Our name honors Jean-Baptiste Tchouaffé, the late father of our founder, Michael Tchouaffé. He instilled in his son the values of strong character, hard work, good work and exceptional results.
At TCHOUAFFÉ, we uphold his legacy by embodying these same principles in all that we do, including our commitment to outstanding design. Our firm's name serves as a daily reminder of our dedication to our clients and our unwavering pursuit of good design work and excellence.