Building a vacation home in Lake Chelan, Leavenworth, or Wenatchee requires early attention to site conditions, local permitting, climate impacts, and construction logistics to ensure a well-designed, durable, and low-maintenance custom home that fits both the landscape and seasonal lifestyle.

Fire-resistant home design in North Central Washington combines Class A materials, ember-resistant detailing, evolving WUI code compliance, and Firewise site planning to help protect custom homes in areas like Leavenworth, Chelan, Wenatchee, and Winthrop from increasing wildfire risk.

ADUs and DADUs in Seattle both offer strong investment potential in 2026, but while ADUs typically provide lower upfront costs, DADUs often deliver higher long-term rental income and property value under current city code requirements.

Washington’s upcoming WUI code updates and 2026 WA DNR Fire Hazard Map will formalize wildfire risk classifications across North Central Washington, leading to stricter defensible space requirements and more fire-resistant design standards that will directly influence how homes are sited, built, and landscaped.

Seattle’s 2026 zoning updates are upzoning key neighborhoods to allow greater density, taller buildings, and more flexible Lowrise and Midrise development—creating new opportunities for townhome and multifamily projects in high-demand areas.

A model and matrix showing fire resilient materials and their application.

How we use AI tools to enhance our residential design process, from creating lifelike visualizations to streamlining code research — all while ensuring that every project is thoughtfully designed and managed by a real architect.

Thinking about building an ADU or Mother-In-Law unit in your Seattle backyard? Well, it just got easier and here's why.

Wondering how to navigate the building permit process in Seattle? Look no further, we've got you covered.

Love looking at the stars? We do too, so we make sure to design homes that preserve our dark skies. Here's how!

Wondering what materials would look best on your home? Check out our thought process for designing with the natural environment and choosing materials that reflect the surroundings.

Thinking about designing a snowy cabin getaway in the mountains of Washington? Let's breakdown our thought process when designing a home in a snowy climate!

On the fence about using a standing seam metal roof in your snowy climate? Here's exactly why you should!

Fire-resilient homes are becoming more and more important in today's climate. Here's how we are designing fire-resistant homes in eastern Washington.

Curious about what a rainscreen is and if you should use it on your home? Check out this article and we'll tell you why it's important in places like Seattle!

Designing a custom home is a rewarding process that allows you to create a space perfectly suited to your lifestyle and preferences. By following these steps and working with a team of skilled professionals, you can navigate the complexities of custom home design and bring your dream home to life.

EUI and Custom Homes

This post explores some of the sustainability practices that are being implemented in the architectural industry. Looking to make your project more sustainable? Find out how!

Augmented and Virtual Reality in Architecture, Engineering and Construction.

In this post, we will explore the great big world of insulation with you. We will provide what may be surprising answers to questions like: Why do we insulate? How much insulation do you need? How do we know what to do?

We experience architecture every day, sometimes it even subliminally evokes a memorable feeling. This post explores the importance of designing specifically for the building's inhabitants.

Not sure what an architect can do for you? Find out here!

The Future of Sustainable Urban Farming: Techniques and Their Implications for Architecture and Planning

There are 5 phases we follow throughout the design of a project. This post outlines our process and what you can expect. Learn more here!