ABOUT US

  • WHAT WE DO

    We are a residential architecture firm with an emphasis on low-energy design. Everything we do is custom and tailored to you and your project’s specific needs.

    We offer architecture services for new construction homes, ADUs, interior renovations, exterior renovations, additions, energy retrofits, or anything else your home may need.

    In addition to whole project architectural services, we offer individual architectural services such as residential HVAC design, energy modeling, CPHC consulting, passive house design, renderings, feasibility studies, and subdivision master plans.

    We also work with contractors and developers to provide full-package design services for their residential and multi-family projects.

  • SERVICES

    There are a lot of moving parts that need to be considered and coordinated when undertaking the construction or alteration of a building. All of these things can be overwhelming and stressful for a homeowner, especially if you’ve never undertaken a large home project before. We offer a comprehensive architectural package that includes everything you need to take your project from concept to construction. This means you get none of the headache and all of the fun of your new project.

    If you have a project that doesn’t require a full architectural package, such as HVAC design, we do individual services too. If you have hired someone else to work on your project but they don’t offer full architectural services and you need someone to provide those missing services we are able to do that as well.

  • OUR PROCESS

    In a standard project this is how the process looks- we start the project by evaluating the site and making sure your project is allowed in your area. We research your zoning restrictions and let you know what requirements your project must conform to. We do all of this so that there are no surprises later on. From there we design your project entirely in 3D using a program called Archicad. This program is on the cutting edge of project visualization technology and it allows us to export models to your smartphone, desktop, or tablet so you can walk through it like a video game. Once the design has been fully developed we take care of all the technical aspects like energy modeling, creating city required documents, creating contractor required documents, coordinating structural engineering, etc. The next step from there is getting the required permits. For some projects this is a standard process of applying, responding to comments, paying fees, and then receiving the permit. For other projects, such as additions and ADUs it can be a more lengthy and complicated process filled with city meetings, extra applications and extra documentation. We take care of all of that for you. Lastly, we provide all of the documentation that the contractor needs and we answer any questions that they may have.

    Of course, every project is different, so whatever your project needs to make it from idea to construction we will work to make that happen.

  • WHERE WE WORK

    We are based in Seattle, Washington and Denver, Colorado. We serve the mountain west with projects across Utah, Arizona, and Colorado, and Washington.

  • WHO WE ARE

    ALEXIS SUGGS. PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT. CERTIFIED PASSIVE HOUSE CONSULTANT

    Alexis has been fascinated with architecture ever since she was 10 when she designed her first floor plan. She loves the mountain west and can’t get enough of any activity that lets her explore the mountains, alpine lakes, red rocks, or the desert. She studied architecture at the University of Utah where she received both her bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. She is passionate about research, teaching, community outreach, passive design, and residential design.

  • LOW-ENERGY DESIGN

    Low energy design is designing buildings that have significantly lower energy needs than your average building, think a $25 energy bill for a house when the average for a neighborhood is $500 per house. These kinds of energy differences are possible through the use of passive house principles which push architects and contractors to have more thoughtful detailing, more careful construction, and more intentional design. These types of buildings are more comfortable because they have more uniformity in their internal temperatures and aren’t susceptible to large temperature swings like many homes can be. They are also more resilient in the face of things like power outages because they are better at maintaining comfortable temperatures through passive means instead of active systems. Lastly, they have smaller energy bills which makes life easier, especially in more extreme climates that typically have large energy bills. Even if you aren’t interested in pursuing full Passive House certification the passive house principles can be applied to your project to increase the quality, comfort, and to lower your energy bills.