All my projects are the synthesis of two streams of information and inspiration: my clients vision and dreams for the future, and their existing house and its history from the past. My role is dedicated to listening well to my clients as well as analyzing the house where they now reside. My designs transform the old restricted patterns of the current house into the new healthier patterns for the next phase of my client's lives.
A new house is a unique opportunity to customize your environment to reflect how you really live, cook, eat, entertain, bathe and sleep. Working with a designer who takes the time to understand your lifestyle priorities results in a singular design for your new home. The other major factor in new home design is understanding the site: slope, view, access, and land use regulations like set backs and lot coverage. Together these two aspects should combine to create the house of your dreams.
Kitchen
Active Retirement House (Kirkland 1994)
This new house for a retired couple is set back from the street. It features a partial second-story with a two-story overlook and a main-level master bedroom suite. At the street is a detached garage with a studio above for a home business. This house uses the design approach of Christopher Alexander, incorporating traditional people-oriented design patterns in modern construction.
Kitchen
600 Square Foot Mother-In-Law (Bellevue 1997)
Added 'mother-in-law" unit to existing house on a tight site. Compact living arrangement on one level in 600 square feet. Features cathedral ceiling, sunny kitchen with laundry area, front porch and side deck.
Exterior
Not-So-Big Getaway (Lopez Island 2003)
This new house for a family is the first part of a master plan for a five-acre property on Lopez Island. The workshop/ apartment will allow the Owners to live on the land while planning a master house for vacations and retirement. Total house is 2000 square feet with 500 square feet of upper floor decks.
Kitchen
Just Right Size on Phinney Ridge (Seattle 2005)
This new house for a couple is a 'not-so-big' house on a zoning restricted site. Each floor is 793 SF. It features radiant heat on all levels.
The ground floor is gently recessed into the ground and provides a home office and guest bedroom with its own bath. The main floor has a open plan. The commons area is defined by four massive wooden posts holding up beams with exposed oversize joists framed in. The upper floor is a large open master suite with separated front room. Small upper deck offers views towards Greenlake.
Total house is 2355 SF with 75 SF of main deck and a 30 SF balcony upper deck.