Born in Reading, PA in 1959, Mr. Kautter is a 1976 graduate of Governor Mifflin HS in Shillington. After five years of study at RISD in Rhode Island and Italy, he worked for eight years in New York City, obtaining his professional registration in 1986. During his tenure in NYC, Michael worked on a variety of high profile projects and with many noteworthy clientele including: the Whitney Museum of American Art - Red Grooms Retrospective Exhibition with Oliver Lundquist; St. Luke’s & Roosevelt Hospitals for SOM; Equicor Corporate Headquarters at 195 Broadway for Jacobs | Nicolaides; and multiple American Broadcasting Company interiors for Koulbanis Brandreth Associates.

Mr. Kautter returned to Pennsylvania in 1989. He consulted with William Kirkpatrick on the first of two of the most recent restoration projects for the Reading Pagoda. K&KA would later be selected to oversee the second comprehensive restoration of that landmark structure. In 1991 Michael began working with Richard Levengood in Lancaster. By 1994 the two formed a new corporation, Levengood Kautter Architects. The firm was restructured in 1999, purchasing the corporate interest of Mr. Levengood, adding new shareholders Steven Kelley and Amy Laughlin and was subsequently renamed KAUTTER & KELLEY ARCHITECTS.

Notable commissions at K&KA for which Mr. Kautter has been lead principal include Amanda E. Stout Elementary, Reading Pagoda, West Reading Main Street, Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center, The Highlands Cottages, Heat & Control, RWSC Competition, and City Crossings. In 2009, he received “Citizen Architect” recognition from the Eastern PA Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for his involvement with community outreach and civic engagement. Mr. Kautter is National Council of Architectural Registration Boards Certified and is an active member of the AIA.