Jerold Axelrod established his own architectural firm specializing in residential design in 1972. Almost 35 years and 35,000 housing units later, his designs, which include town houses and apartments, as well as single-family residences, have won numerous awards and have been built throughout the United States, Canada and abroad.

Axelrod holds a Bachelor of Architecture degree from Pratt Institute. He is a licensed architect in eight states and holds a certificate from the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards. He holds dual membership in the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Institute of Building Design (AIBD), and is also active in National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) activities. He is a Life Spike as well as a Life Director of his local Long Island Builders Institute. He is also a past President of the Council of Publishing Home Designers.

Axelrod's professional articles are widely published, and he has written three books, including the recent Time saver Standards-Plans for Adding on or Remodeling, published by McGraw Hill, which includes a disk full of design ideas for remodeling older homes. His home designs have appeared in virtually every publication devoted to home design.

Jerry refers to his design philosophy as the "three F's": functional, flawless, 'furnishable' floor plans that are exciting to live in and readily furnished, something overlooked all too often.

A successful home design considers the needs of the ultimate homeowner, including their likely furnishings. The ability to furnish can often conflict with exterior design as concerns window placement, especially in formal, traditional homes. Compromise is often necessary, but in a small home, Axelrod's credo dictates that the ability to furnish cannot be compromised, which creates a huge challenge to the architect. Smaller homes, Axelrod believes, call for uncomplicated, well-organized designs, that efficiently utilize all the space provided. Such designs should visually stretch existing space, and, as such, his designs provide open, inter-connecting spaces that make rooms look and function larger than they really are. Hallways are minimal in such a home, thus further freeing square footage for living. Even his larger custom homes employ these design concepts, as well as providing dramatic volume with high ceilings plus stunning window designs, luxurious kitchens and baths and sumptuous master suite.

Axelrod does not create new designs in any one single style - a function of his region, where no one specific style governs; country, neo-Victorian, post-modern, European and even contemporary co-exist side by side amongst his custom and builder clientele. "Our designs provide great-looking, eclectic exteriors in virtually every style", Axelrod says. "We do not dictate taste, but cater to our clients' varied preferences; we endeavor to take those preferences and create designs that are absolutely sound, uniquely attractive and highly marketable."

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