places back to life we found it useful to consider the original builders and their point of view. How would they have responded to current conditions and plans? Clients agreed that changes to their houses should be appropriate. No one ever suggested we make new work contrast with the original design, or reflect the latest fashions.
By the early 1980s, many of Pasadena's surviving Arts & Crafts houses had been remuddled. Other than Greene and Greene's Gamble House, there were few examples fully intact. We typically restored lost features like eaves and rafter tails, but also brought back period lighting and deep-hued color palettes that evoked the original atmosphere of these houses. Our clients were sometimes amazed by the transformation, not anticipating that serenity and harmony could also be restored.
Everyone loved the restorations, and embraced them as if we had not done a thing! Since we avoided telltale signs, our work was often only apparent by comparing before and after photos. We preferred that when people encountered one of our projects their attention was on the experience, instead of us.
At that time it seemed only celebrity architects who overcame design traditions and developed a signature style were considered noteworthy. Yet, when these guys renovated historic buildings they usually did more harm than good. Fortunately times have changed. Traditional architects like us have shown that historical designs are still possible, and people no longer buy the Modernist view that opposition to the past is the engine of progress.
We realized a Hippocratic "First, do no harm" approach to preservation could be applied more broadly, and to new buildings as well. If we developed with clients a common vision or historic model to emulate, design decisions would not be so subjective. This allowed us to draw upon everyone's ideas and experience, and share successes. Despite a lifelong consumer indoctrination, we began to see maybe it's not "all about you."
Our practice moved from Pasadena to Seattle in 1989, and since then most projects have been in Washington State. Our design approach remains the same, to work empathetically with our clients and building traditions. More recently, emphasis has shifted from renovations and additions to designing new traditional houses and cottages.
Client services we provide
New houses and cottages
We provide clients full architectural services for new traditional houses and cottages. What have lately been described as "new old houses" are ones skillfully designed from authentic building traditions. They have the look and feel of historic homes, but are adapted for life today. They are made with substantial materials and techniques that have withstood the test of time. In our designs for new buildings we strive for a Shaker-like clarity of purpose, simplicity and grace, and to pare each design to essentials.
Renovations and additions
We also provide clients architectural services for renovations and additions to existing houses. Our homes are at once a practical background for daily life, a refuge and often the biggest investment we make. We expect a good fit. Our houses must function well, reflect our values and create an atmosphere in which we truly feel at home.
Construction costs for home renovation and additions continue to rise. In many regions of the country the middle ground has dropped away, and polarized options to high end or do-it-yourself extremes. In established cities with generations of development there is little available land to build new houses. For better or worse, most homeowners are compelled to work with the houses they have. Home improvements can be accomplished through sweat equity if you have the skills and time to spend. An alternative strategy is to develop a master plan for your house, and implement it over time as funds become available.
Getting started
We offer homeowners a variety of services to help identify what changes will make the most sense for their house and situation, and how best to accomplish what they want within their resources. Our recommendations will be appropriate and consistent with the character of your house, and we will emphasize the ones least intrusive. Call or email if you would like to discuss your plans, or set up an appointment.
Design consultations
For homeowners in the Seattle area we offer three design consultation packages to bring home renovation tasks into focus and clarify options. Packages vary, depending on what you want to accomplish:
Package One, $180.
For those considering a small or limited home renovation project, we will:
a. Discuss and review your objectives or wish list prior to meeting
b. Meet with you at your house to assess project and identify options
c. Sketch possible designs with you, and discuss their implications
Package Two, $360.
For those considering a major remodel or addition to their home, we will:
a. Check parcel data for your site to determine feasibility and limits
b. Discuss and review your objectives or wish list prior to meeting
c. Meet with you at the site to assess project and identify options
d. Discuss priorities, phasing and implications of various schemes
e. Prepare and send a summary of our initial design recommendations
Package Three, $540
For those considering a long term renovation master plan and/or additions, and who seek help clarifying their objectives and priorities, we will:
a. Review your list of concerns, and check parcel data if relevant
b. Meet with you at the site to assess project and identify options
c. Discuss priorities, phasing and implications of various schemes
d. Take quick as-built dimensions, and sketch possible layouts with you
e. Discuss design options we identify, and evaluate their suitability
f. Prepare and send a summary of our initial design recommendations
For those who would like to arrange a design consultation, but live outside the Seattle metro area, we can work with you to minimize travel expenses.
Master plans
If you decide to go ahead, the next step would be to prepare a master plan for renovation. The process will bring clarity to what you ultimately want to accomplish, and an overall vision for the house. This service is more involved (50-60 hours), and will result in a well-developed preliminary design adequate for builders to estimate project costs. Service includes discussion with you of your renovation program, project scope, options and phases, preparation of as-built drawings, sketches to jump-start design process, meetings with you to design and develop the scheme, and measured plans, sections and elevations of design.
Whatever the scope of your project, our special expertise includes knowing how your house was built and where it fits within design traditions. It will not be difficult for us to anticipate implications of changes since we have had years of experience working on houses like yours. We are adept at working with all participants in the building process, and translating your desires into seamless renovations and additions.
We provide personalized service, and will work together on your project from start to finish. Our clients typically have high standards for their homes and the people they work with, and are planning to stay.
Tim Andersen
