--- title: "Heliotrope Architects — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/heliotrope-architects-pfvwus-pf~126129584 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~126129584.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Heliotrope Architects" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/81437540013e1509_7589-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "5140 Ballard Avenue NW, Suite B, Seattle, Washington 98107, United States" latitude: 47.6701 longitude: -122.3763 phone: "(206) 297-0442" website: http://www.heliotropearchitects.com rating: 5 review_count: 3 best_of_houzz_awards: 8 followers: 387 last_updated: 2026-08-30 --- # Heliotrope Architects Original Houzz profile: [Heliotrope Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/heliotrope-architects-pfvwus-pf~126129584) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Seattle, WA - **Serves:** Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Shoreline, Bothell, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mercer Island, Bainbridge Island, Kenmore, Inglewood-Finn Hill, Mountlake Terrace, Port Orchard, Lake Forest Park, Woodinville, Kingsgate, Brier, Manchester, Esperance, Suquamish, Indianola, Clyde Hill, Medina, Kingston, Beacon Hill, Yarrow Point, Woodway, Beaux Arts Village, Hunts Point, Ballard, Cedar Mill, Fairmount Park, Gatewood, North Beacon Hill, Portland, Rainier Valley, Riverview, Rollingbay, Troutdale, West Slope - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (3 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 8 awards (2014–2025), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - 50,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Locally owned - Eco-friendly Founded in 1999, Heliotrope has gained acclaim for a portfolio of residential and commercial commissions. Named after the heliotrope flower of myth, which orients itself towards the sun, we turn towards the idea that there is an intangible something that makes an exceptional place. This intangible quality begins with a commitment to what is deeply human. It starts with the context of you. What will being here mean? What will being here connect you to? For us, this work also demands a promise to do right by the land. We seek design solutions that are low-impact, sustainable, and improve the sites where they exist. Lastly, an exceptional place must be rooted in the present and committed to the future. We strive for lasting resonance. Quality that weathers. A sense of heritage that is built in from the beginning. Exceptional places change us. And that’s exactly why we set out to make them—in commitment to the land, in service to the future, and in ongoing conversation with you. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Sustainable Design - Energy-Efficient Homes - Floor Plans - 3D Rendering - Bathroom Design - Green Building - Space Planning - Guesthouse Design & Construction - Universal Design - Multigenerational Homes - Pool House Design & Construction - Drafting - Home Restoration - Historic Building Conservation - Handicap-Accessible Design - Outdoor Kitchen Design - Basement Remodeling - Barn Design & Construction - Mudroom Design - Attic Conversion - Basement Design - Tiny House Construction - Staircase Design - Deck Design - Garage Design - Site Preparation - Laundry Room Design - Passive Solar Heating & Cooling - Home Gym Design & Construction - Prefab Houses - Rooftop Deck Installation - Construction Drawings ### Areas Served - Seattle - Bellevue - Kirkland - Redmond - Shoreline - Bothell - Edmonds - Lynnwood - Mercer Island - Bainbridge Island - Kenmore - Inglewood-Finn Hill - Mountlake Terrace - Port Orchard - Lake Forest Park - Woodinville - Kingsgate - Brier - Manchester - Esperance - Suquamish - Indianola - Clyde Hill - Medina - Kingston - Beacon Hill - Yarrow Point - Woodway - Beaux Arts Village - Hunts Point - Ballard - Cedar Mill - Fairmount Park - Gatewood - North Beacon Hill - Portland - Rainier Valley - Riverview - Rollingbay - Troutdale - West Slope ### Typical Job Cost $500,000 - 5 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Heliotrope Architects | | Address | 5140 Ballard Avenue NW, Suite B, Seattle, Washington 98107, United States | | Phone | (206) 297-0442 | | Website | http://www.heliotropearchitects.com | | Followers on Houzz | 387 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/heliotropearchitects - X (Twitter) — https://www.instagram.com/heliotropearchitects/ - LinkedIn — https://www.instagram.com/heliotropearchitects/ - Blog — http://heliotropearchitects.com/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Heliotrope Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/heliotrope-architects-pfvwus-pf~126129584) - **Website:** http://www.heliotropearchitects.com - **Phone:** (206) 297-0442 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - AIA, AIA Seattle - AIA NW & Pacific Honor Awards, 2011 - Best of Houzz Design Award Winner, 4 Years in a row - **Best of Houzz:** 8 awards (2014–2025), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) - [AIA Seattle](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/aia-seattle-pfvwus-pf~596784090) - [LEED AP](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/professionals/schools-and-organizations/leed-ap-pfvwus-pf~1386238498) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 3 reviews** ### All 3 reviews **★★★★★ — Jonathan Loop, May 2019** > Hiring heliotrope architects was one of the best decisions I made, I > Already knew Joe Herrin in Seattle and friends I knew also thought he was a great choice and the project was a bit unusual. The site is a fabulous west view in the San Juan islands with many American and > Canadian islands captured in the view corridor, uninterrupted and about 400 ft above the water with Vancouver island as the backdrop. > Secondly as a manufacturer in the wood industry serving architects > With high end interiors and retiring it was important that I was going > To perform a good deal of the finish work on site. Joe took all this and > Our likes and preferences and produced a fabulous island retro NW > Style that still amazes visitors every year and living here year around > All the trouble we went to involving systems has paid off and worked > Perfectly. Hot water in floor heating, gas cooking, generator to cover > Outages and a well fed water cistern to guarantee water in the event > Of storm damage or outages and all underground and connected has > Worked out perfectly and all were necessary, Joe’s details are elegant > And timeless and highly creative and a number of other customers > Have toured the house and then hired joe as well, to me that’s the > Ultimate recognition, I’d hire joe again, no question for any project **★★★★★ — Dovetail General Contractors, Aug. 2015** > It's always a pleasure working with Heliotrope. Their designs are site-specific, thoughtful, creative, and beautiful. The architects are good listeners and great collaborators. It's fun and inspiring to build their projects and we love the opportunity to partner again and again. **★★★★★ — Quantum Windows & Doors, April 2014** > When the opportunity has arisen for us to work with the professionals at Heliotrope, there has been great anticipation for the outcome. The architects at Heliotrope prove themselves time and again to be unique and cutting edge. These are projects Quantum is proud to put their mark on. ## Selected projects - [Suncrest](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/suncrest-pj-vj~265351) - Location: Orcas, WA - Photos: 29 - Description: Suncrest This new residence is located on a pristine site comprised of a mature douglas fir and pacific madrone forest, with occasional rocky clearings and several small ponds. Our clients desired a work of architecture that minimized site impacts while creating a work of architecture that utilized their favorite materials (wood and concrete) and connected them intimately with the land and the view. The home is situated where the forest gives way to a large rocky clearing with views to the sea.… - [Portage Bay](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/portage-bay-pj-vj~783860) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 23 - Description: Tucked into a small city lot along the water’s edge, the house was designed to live like a studio loft for a bachelor who values privacy, a central location to reside in the city, and a convenient spot to park the float plane. Hidden from the street, the building is a protective shell of zinc and aluminum – a refined version of the maritime industrial sheds found throughout the waterfronts of Seattle. Water-side, the house becomes more transparent, with prospect-views over the houseboats of Port… - [View Ridge](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/view-ridge-pj-vj~6415040) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 20 - Description: Located on an eastern sloping parcel above Lake Washington, our primary design directive was to capture abundant lake and mountain views – taking into consideration possible future down-slope home construction with potential to impede the view. The design solution places living spaces on the top floor, guaranteeing the view in perpetuity, and shifts the upper and lower level floor-plans in order to create a roof terrace off of the living and dining spaces. Garage and support spaces are placed be… - [Collector's Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/collector-s-retreat-pj-vj~5701561) - Location: Orcas, WA - Photos: 41 - Description: Conceived as a minimalist retreat, the marching orders for this project were as follows: “when I arrive and sit my bags down, I want to feel as though I’ve stepped into a modern art gallery”. The design response strips the material palette down to black metal cladding, white stucco, carrara marble and gray concrete. The owners, both dedicated art collectors and creators, desired a flexible space easily reconfigured over time. The home is situated at the top of a steep hill, with southwest views… - [Lone Madrone Retreat](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lone-madrone-retreat-pj-vj~1367642) - Location: Orcas, WA - Photos: 29 - Description: Located on a rocky, wind-swept south facing shoreline; this 1,600sf retreat home nestles into the landscape in order to harmonize with it’s surroundings and minimize exposure to weather. Designed with retractable wall panels to protect from punishing winter storms, the house nevertheless opens up completely to the outdoors when the weather is fair — allowing the owners to fully interact with the landscape and view. The site is within the San Juan Islands National Monument, with extremely sensiti… - [Outward Bound](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/outward-bound-pj-vj~5980530) - Location: Orcas, WA - Photos: 12 - Description: Heliotrope was engaged to re-imagine an existing home situated on a remote Orcas Island property with unique, panoramic views. The owners were not in need of more space, rather they desired an improved experience. The existing home lacked a coherent character and turned its back on panoramic views of the Salish Sea, the Cascade range and Mount Baker. Our design solution built upon what the home appeared to want to be, a simple farmhouse, while improving interior spatial relationships, solar acce… - [North Beach](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/north-beach-pj-vj~264935) - Location: Orcas, WA - Photos: 44 - Description: The design brief called for a very low-impact, easy to maintain summer home that provides necessary programmatic functions with minimum distractions from the land and the view. The design response situates the structure among mature fir trees located directly between the beach and an upland meadow, with walls of glass opening out to both. Steel columns minimize visible structure from the interior, while metal-clad wall elements provide a bold form when seen from the exterior. The roof is vegetat… - [Friday Harbor Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/friday-harbor-residence-pj-vj~5701549) - Location: Friday Harbor, WA - Photos: 2 - Description: A new residence nestled into an upland property overlooking the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The house blurs the line between interior and exterior living space and focuses it’s attention on a stunning view. It is currently under construction. - [Bunny Lane](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/bunny-lane-pj-vj~260995) - Location: San Juan Islands, WA - Photos: 17 - Description: Our clients were interested in exploring an ‘island vernacular’ expression for their retreat house – a look and feel that would fit comfortably and timelessly on an island that they have been visiting regularly for over 40 years. The design solution integrates a contemporary open-plan residential program within a building form reminiscent of a typical island farm structure - a “barn with a lean-to”. The shed-form structure houses the living and entertaining functions, while the gable-roof struct… - [Artist Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/artist-residence-pj-vj~5731037) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 17 - Description: Artist Residence Designed for an artist and an engineer, the residence is located mid-block in a downtown neighborhood surrounded by common Seattle cottages and bungalows. The design brief called for a work studio central to the layout of the house, ample white walls for a growing art collection, a strong connection to the gardens and to the life of the street, and lots of natural light. The house is scaled to fit discreetly into its surroundings, and seeks a non-fussy clarity in it’s detailing… - [Madison Park](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/madison-park-pj-vj~5980584) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 7 - [Paul Kirk Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/paul-kirk-remodel-pj-vj~5701555) - Location: Mercer Island, WA - Photos: 10 - Description: This home was designed by the noted Seattle architect Paul Kirk in the mid-sixties for his brother, who also acted as builder. It was photographed by the famous photographer Julius Shulman and featured on the cover of Living Now magazine. Heliotrope was hired by the new owner to undertake a complete renovation of the home, which had fallen into disrepair. The renovation scope included all new systems, new exterior envelope (windows, doors, cladding and re-built decks), the conversion of an atriu… - [Palm Desert](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palm-desert-pj-vj~274164) - Location: Palm Desert, CA - Photos: 11 - Description: A new residence for the Architect’s parents located in a country club development with strict design guidelines governing many of the exterior characteristics of the building (pitched roof required, etc.). The house found its inspiration in the classic west-coast ranch house style – a single story structure with low-pitched sloped roofs and an open, asymmetrical floor plan centered around the backyard pool and patio. The house is clad in a protective layer of stone cladding and zinc roofing agai… - [Doe Bay Cabin](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/doe-bay-cabin-pj-vj~5980594) - Location: Orcas, WA - Photos: 11 - Description: Our clients for this project have been traveling regularly to Doe Bay Resort on Orcas Island for two decades. Now with two young children they have formalized their affection for the place by purchasing property located a short walk from the resort. We were challenged to design a modest cabin in size and cost (but not in character) that captures the spirit of this place while reflecting the Japanese and Chinese heritage of the owners. Our design solution combines simplicity and economy through t… - [Eight Bells](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/eight-bells-pj-vj~6186701) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - Description: Sun, wind and light - these elements are central to our design work, however our response to them differs from place to place. This project, situated on an ocean-front site at 25 degrees N latitude, is exposed to extreme ocean winds and intense sunlight. Additionally, the building site is 12 feet above sea level, subjecting it to potential coastal storm surge. These site factors greatly influenced our design response for this retreat home, to be built for an American family of five. Our design s… - [Beach House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beach-house-pj-vj~7141638) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 29 - [Cascade Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cascade-residence-pj-vj~6422539) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 8 - Description: This new residence for a young family currently under construction in north Seattle, is nestled into a private, heavily wooded site minutes from downtown. Organized as three, connected, wood-clad, pitched-roof pavilions, the layout gives every room in the house a direct and immediate connection to the landscape. The design seeks a comfortable and understated elegance in support of the family life well-lived. Location: Seattle, Washington Interiors: Amy Baker Interior Design Landscape: Land Morph… [See all 17 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/heliotrope-architects-pfvwus-pf~126129584) ## Community Q&A **Q: what is this grey cladding please** *(in Photo Questions)* ?? A: RHEINZINK **Q: Simple but beautiful garage door.** *(in Photo Questions)* Would you mind sharing the type of material on the garage door and mfg, even if custom? A: Thank you for your interest in our work. The Garage door is custom clad in steel sheetmetal. **Q: what is the pitch of the roof?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Thank you for your interest in our work. The pitch is 1:12 **Q: manufacturer of soaking tub** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Thank you for the question. The soaking tub is a custom 'Hinoki-style' tub made by Sea Otter Woodworks out of Haines, Alaska. **Q: What material is the garage door made out of?** *(in Photo Questions)* It looks like any industrial styled garage but the doors hint at something a little more domestic. I like how you've designed this unit. Does the home use similar design cues? http://www.arochadesignbuild.com/commercial.html A: Thank you for the question. The garage door is a commercial grade clear anodized aluminum service door manufactured by Raynor. **Q: Question** *(in Photo Questions)* What is this tile that's in the kitchen it's beautiful A: Thank you for the question. The floor tile is marble. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-30.*