Blue Collar Architects

The house is sold and Wally and Leslie are settled into the condo. Our focus now shifts from finding land to building.  Where does that process start?  For us, it started with choosing an architect. 

Our approach might not be textbook; in fact, we didn’t even consult the web for advice on how to choose an architect.  We decided to choose based on personal recommendations, review of built work, and chemistry.

Over the last 18 months, we reviewed dozens of websites and magazines (mainly Mountain Living, Fine Homebuilding, and Timber Frame); toured three completed homes with either the architect or owner.   In the built homes, we looked at how the interior spaces flow, how they feel to be in; also technology and utility systems, functionality, and attention to detail.  In magazines, we sought images that appealed for some reason, such as the use of materials, construction methods, exterior elevations – lots of things can be found in magazines and the web.  All of these images went into a “Look Book,” and together with a thumb drive of photos, went to the architects to get started.

Two of the three architects we interviewed came along after we purchased the site, so they got to see the property and we got to see how they are on the site.  I think this turned out to be the best technique we used.  It gave them a chance to see how exciting the house could be.  We got a chance to see how they are on the ground and how freely they ideate.  In the end, it was the chemistry in that type of conversation that led us to choose Denny Svetlik Architects.

Bill Denny and Steve Svetlik have worked together since 1997; their offices, located on Stone Way in Seattle, are guarded by Shiner the Blue Heeler.  The duo has completed a number of mountain homes at Suncadia, and a number of more modern residences, including Steve’s home in West Seattle.  We’re looking for a blend of mountain and modern – I guess you could call it Modern Mountain.  

We first heard about Denny Svetlik through our daughter Barrie.  Her firm supplied the windows to a couple of their projects and the team at Washington Window & Door recommended we look at their work.  Their Urban Farmhouse in West Seattle, Steve’s home, popped up in web searches and stuck with us; when we toured it, we saw what we were looking for.

Urban Farmhouse is a custom home that includes all the bells and whistles we are looking for and innovative ways the house lives much larger that its 2200 square feet.  And it was built for $180/sf.  Right on.  

In our first interview with the guys, they explained their approach to designing the home from the inside out.  They design the interiors, and spend a lot of time getting rooms right.  So in the end, isn’t how it feels to be in a space the sum total of the effort?

It turns out that Steve and Bill get their hands dirty, too.  They fabricated all the concrete counters in Urban Farmhouse and they’re beautiful.  Bill designs and builds furniture.  Steve’s an artist (and probably the only man we know who knows how to use a sewing machine). Leslie suggested they call themselves Blue Collar Architects and they busted out laughing, because that’s what they call themselves.

So Blue Collar Architects it is.  Off we go to schematic design.

Here are Steve and Bill making the concrete countertops for Steve's house