PRESS

VILLA CASTELLAMONTE

We met Eric Urbahn in a casual situation but were immediately impressed with his visionary approach to architecture, particularly as practised in the Caribbean where materials are different and climate requires a whole new attention to detail.  We were vacationing in the Dominican Republic at the time and were contemplating developing a high end vacation home for our extended family.  With Eric's guidance we were able to take this rather typical idea and turn it into a truly idyllic vacation retreat we now call Villa Castellamonte.

Eric listened to what we had in mind for our home and was able to rapidly grasp those elements we truly desired while completing those we hadn't thought of as yet.  His ability to listen to ideas and convert them into highly accurate pencil renderings and then on to architectural blueprints is a true godsend.  He worked tirelessly with us on details large and small to ensure we understood and agreed with how the plans were developed.

Eric worked enthusiastically with our builder to help resolve all those little issues that always pop up between architecture and construction.  He is creative, incisive and truly a joy to work with on such a project. We highly recommend him to anyone!  The results speak for themselves, our luxury vacation home has won many accolades from home magazines, travel magazines, travel writers and was even highlighted on MSNBC's "On the Money".  Most of all, our family truly loves the house...the greatest accolade of all.

Jason R. Matthews, owner
Villa Castellamonte

LUPERON OCEAN ESTATES

LOE group LLC is a real estate developer based in New York City currently developing a 77 acre parcel in the Luperon Region of the Dominican Republic’s North Coast called Luperon Ocean Estates.  In our search for an architect and master planner, we developed a short list of the island’s best architects with specific skills required.  EMU Architects was selected well above the other firms based on their experience, local/regional knowledge, methods and philosophy for design and building.  Our goal was and is to develop a core team that reflects the same ideals as our resort community of luxury homes.  EMU epitomized our brand philosophy and has provided incredible insight and practical knowledge through his years of experience building luxury villas and resort-like structures on the North Coast where we reside.  

Learning as you develop a project is akin to maturing as an adult.  You hope to make good decisions and not make the old mistakes over again. EMUArchitects brought a strong sense of practical applications but at the same time were a strong creative member through all manner of challenges, while understanding branding and application of the site, buildings and fine tuning our directives and fulfilling our goal of always evolving our brand.

Peter Williamson

LOE Group LLC, Co-Executive Director

VILLA LAZY HEART

Real estate purchases are commonly long processes.  Pros and cons, location, and a thousand other factors commonly draw out the decision process for weeks.   We have been in real estate for 30 years and we rely on this process just as countless others do.  It is a process that is needed.  Never buy on impulse.

Lazy Heart, designed by architect-owner Eric Urbahn, had us in about 30 seconds.  From the moment we walked through the arched entrance our process began to break down.  The soft green lawn disappears magically into the gentle ocean waves.    The unique layout sets this luxurious Caribbean masterpiece sprawling along the property's 10 acres.  Eric Urbahn’s use of space and sight lines assure that there is not an inch of this property where you cannot see and hear the ocean.   His choice of design and materials combine beachfront luxury with a warm Caribbean rustic feel.

Eric Urbahn’s masterpiece has been used by the likes of Abercrombie and Fitch offering stunning backdrops to their catalogs. We highly recommend Eric Urbahn.  Eric’s sense of design, knowledge of materials, and deserved reputation are unparalleled.

Ian Shopsis
General Manager, Caribbean Vacation Properties
Owners Villa Lazy Heart
Orchid Bay, Dominican Republic

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF SOSUA

Our entire school community feels extremely fortunate to have benefited from the vision, support and architectural talents of Eric Urbahn. Throughout a variety of design projects at International School of Sosua, Eric has been consistently delightful and easy to work with, listening patiently to our needs, raw ideas, and vision, and gently nurturing us through the development process to ensure that our vision is realized in the design of our campus, that continuity is maintained with existing structures, and that our project is accomplished within budget.

His ability to explain architectural concepts and principles have led us to expand our vision and make more informed decisions with regard to positioning of structures, utilizing existing natural elements, and the possibilities of landscaping to enhance our environment. We feel that Eric has taken our ideas and successfully converted them into functional and efficient learning spaces that optimize space, wind flow, and lighting – thereby improving the learning environment for all our children. International School of Sosua is an extremely satisfied client of Eric Urbahn. Come take a look at us!

Craig Selig
Director
International School of Sosua

HACIENDA VERDE

Hacienda Verde, our beautiful 200 acre farm, rests in the last mountain range behind the seaside village of Cabrera. To say this  verdant piece of land presented a challenge is a bit of an understatement. Originally, it was little more than a cow path on a precarious ledge .  This was part of its exceptional charm.  One saw only luxurious stretches of dips and hills, and royal palms and mangoes all the way to  the clear  ocean view.

Eric Urbahn, an architect of unparalleled  understanding of land and sea, connected to our farm’s virtues and challenges, in a way that very few would even begin to see.  Working with the land’s stresses and orientation to the wind, the Villa was superbly positioned  and built.   Not least was his reverence and ability to translate our input,  which reflected our lifestyle and  philosophy.  Eric Urbahn brings Architecture to a true exalted height. As an artist,  and a sailor, he covers the foundation  for building on land and sea and anything  in between. For this reason among many he is THE architect for exquisite natural  locations, with an exceptional eye for beauty, detail, focus, and most of all function.

Iris and Hymie Gitelman

owners, Hacienda Verde

DOGS AND CATS OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC (DCDR)

We are close to being able to expand Coconut Hound Haven (Designed by our architect, Eric Urbahn, of EMUArchitects), by adding a much needed Quarantine and Isolation Building. All new animals coming in need to be quarantined to make sure they are healthy before we can move them into our main facility to mingle with our other pups. We also need this spot to treat animals that become sick as well as for animals brought in by locals with issues that can be treated and then returned to their owners. It will have a small clinic, grooming room, decontamination area, storage, and more.

A big thank you to our architect, Eric Urbahn of EMUArchitects, who donated all his time and talent to put together the plans for this facility. Gracias!

Mark Diekmann, President

Dogs and Cats of the Dominican Republic

BERMUDA VILLA

Eric Urbahn was our architect in the Dominican Republic. We had a good idea of the size and style of home we wanted and Eric made that dream come true. We explained that we wanted a single level design with an open concept. The house would contain 3 bedrooms, 3 ½ baths and one 1/2 bath by the pool area.  We also wanted a large, open living area with chef’s kitchen, separate laundry room and fantastic outdoor area with a pool.  Eric understood our wishes perfectly. The details in the house were amazing. Eric explained many possibilities and was very helpful showing us where to pick tile, furniture, etc...

The outside of the house was as important to us as the inside. He created a beautiful lounging area outside with an outstanding infinity-edge pool. He also created  a large covered terrace and an outside kiosko with a small kitchen and gas grill, dining table and comfortable chairs for reading.  He even designed an area for our horses. It was a perfect dream. The pictures of the villa will be a testimonial in itself.

Dee Milligan and Garrett Wood

Owners, Bermuda Villa

THE BEACH CLUB

When our beloved Beach Club, an icon here in the Sea Horse Ranch residential community, was destroyed by fire, we selected Eric Urbahn and EMUArchitects, to design and supervise construction of its replacement. The new building was to be technically a thoroughly modern structure and still, it had to retain the essence of the old club. Eric put his heart and soul into the renovation and the result is fantastic! Our residents and many friends in the Cabarete area love how the new Beach Club retains the feel of the old one while providing a totally upgraded experience. The community is indebted to you,,,Thank you!

Jennifer Kirkman

General Manager

Sea Horse Ranch resort community

THE DREAM PROJECT

 I asked Eric Urbahn to help the DREAM Project with the design of a new library facility in Abreu, a small town on the Dominican Republic’s North Coast. The public school was running out of room and if we wanted to keep our library program going in the school, we needed to build a space and we had no budget for it. Getting the designs donated was key! Eric enthusiastically agreed to help us and joined me for several visits to the site. He designed an ariy, high-ceilinged space that maintains its coolness in the Dominican sun and was exactly how I imagined it.  Eric was a joy to work with and we really could not have offered the school a high quality space otherwise. You rock, Eric!

Catherine DeLaura

Director, Dream Project

VILLA FRANGIPANI

We met Eric and soon became friends. Impressed by Eric’s architectural portfolio, experiences, testimonials and especially because of his openness for personal ideas, we were glad to commission him to design of our new vacation house in the mountains above Cabarete. In Europe we spent much time living indoors. Here we could fullfill our dream having an open designed house with lots of space, beautiful lush gardens and sceneries in all directions. We give our house the name « Villa Frangipani ». the perfection and well scented flower resembles the beauty of our house and its design. We thank Eric for his patient efforts and empathy towards us by making a design with compassion, so that a dream came true for us.

We just enjoy every moment being here!

Owner, Villa Frangipani