--- title: "Cathy Schwabe Architecture — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/cathy-schwabe-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1417747749 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1417747749.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Cathy Schwabe Architecture" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/a7d35b050e78d216_0950-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "Portland, Oregon 97222, United States" phone: "(510) 306-0264" website: http:// rating: 5 review_count: 7 best_of_houzz_awards: 5 followers: 2109 last_updated: 2026-09-20 --- # Cathy Schwabe Architecture Original Houzz profile: [Cathy Schwabe Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/cathy-schwabe-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1417747749) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Portland, OR - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (7 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 5 awards (2013–2017), for Design. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 100,000 Ideabook Saves Cathy Schwabe Architecture is now closed. For information re: plan sales for the Russian River Studio + the Mendocino County House please contact cschwabe@earthlink.net. PLEASE NOTE: A web link for Cathy Schwabe Architecture that includes a logo with an s added to Cathy and contact info tied to cathy schwabe architecture.com (no spaces) is not my website and will not provide a way to reach me. The former practice focused on residential work that was rooted in the special blend of the Craftsman and Modernist, linked with a clear response to site and climate that many refer to as the Bay Area Modern Tradition. ### Services Provided - Architectural images for reference only. The practice is closed. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Cathy Schwabe Architecture | | Address | Portland, Oregon 97222, United States | | Phone | (510) 306-0264 | | Website | http:// | | Followers on Houzz | 2109 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Cathy Schwabe Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/cathy-schwabe-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1417747749) - **Website:** http:// - **Phone:** (510) 306-0264 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - AIA, LEED AP, Certified Green Building Professional (Build It Green) - former memberships that ARE NO LONGER active. - **Best of Houzz:** 5 awards (2013–2017), for Design. **Affiliations** - [The American Institute of Architects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/the-american-institute-of-architects-pfvwus-pf~1350720471) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 7 reviews** ### All 7 reviews **★★★★★ — Full Circle Construction, June 2019** > Your work looks great, keep at it and I'll be following, thanks for sharing and I wish you success! Best of luck. **★★★★★ — mbuilderb, June 2014** > We have worked with Cathy on a number of projects over the past 20 years. Cathy is a creative, organized, energetic, and focused individual who demands much of herself and works hard to get the most out of a project. Her attention to details both large and small are what make her such a strong leader of a construction team. She takes the time to answer questions and problem solve and these qualities make the construction process workable for the builder and ultimately satisfying for the client. She has a keen sense of design and a commitment to finding solutions that are environmentally sound and technology up to date. I would highly recommend Cathy for any project. **Comment from Cathy Schwabe Architecture:** > This is funny -- I just learned that mbuilderb is Mike Burton of Young & Burton who of course I know really well as yes, we have worked together for even more than 20- years now. I should have been able to figure this out -- oh well. anyway - thanks Mike for the lovely review. I would highly recommend Young & Burton for any project as well! **★★★★★ — mbt13jp, Dec. 2012** > Timeless, inspired + responsive design ... and, a joy to work with! These are how I would describe Cathy's work, and what it's like to undertake a project with her. A former client and soon to be a repeat client, I turned to Cathy to remodel my kitchen; mine is the Craftsman Kitchen on her Houzz webpage. > > I bought my 1914 Craftsman house knowing I would be re-doing the kitchen. While most of the house retained the original wood paneling + detailing, the kitchen had been horribly + shoddily tinkered with over the years. I had a simple but, as is so often the case, challenging goal - to create a kitchen that was modern yet sympathetic to the rest of the house. I believe Cathy achieved that. > > Cathy brings intelligence, sensitivity + creativity to her work in addition to being highly responsive to a client's goals, desires, budget and level of knowledge. She is insightful and highly collaborative, asking thoughtful + provocative questions, and fully enjoying the interests + skills a client brings to a project. In my case, I have a good sense of color and a heightened interest in materials; Cathy encouraged and drew from these, making the whole process all the more enjoyable for me. > > I've had the good fortune of being able to tour several of Cathy's projects - from modest renovations to large, new homes. Each is different, clearly reflecting the uniqueness of each client, site and budget. Some spaces are serene, others playful; all are comfortable, functional and beautifully detailed. Cathy has a special gift, I think, in working with light (balancing natural and man-made) and in creating special indoor/outdoor connections. > > Someday I'd love to have her design a new home for me. In the meantime, thanks, Cathy for a wonderful kitchen. I'm looking forward to working with you again! **★★★★★ — Arterra Landscape Architects, June 2012** > Cathy Schwabe was the architect on a recent project of ours -- a green point rated house in Palo Alto. Cathy brought us in as the landscape architects on a multi faceted design team. It was a great pleasure collaborating with Cathy on many architectural features that blended indoor living with the exterior spaces. From the outdoor shower, bath, and lounging area, to the below grate patio, the seamless integration of architecture and landscape would not have been realized without Cathy's intuitive design instinct and ability to lead a synergistic design team. We look forward to working with Cathy again to create beautiful and sustainable homes. **★★★★★ — Nellie Ingraham, Nov. 2011** > Cathy is great to work with! I'm a structural engineer who have worked with her for over 20 years on many high-end challenging residential projects. > > Cathy brings me in early in the design process. This early interaction ensures the architectural and structural design progresses in a direction that allows for efficient structural systems and controls construction costs. Her thorough, well-detailed drawings make my work easier and construction go smoothly. Working with Cathy is a lot of fun and very satisfying. > > Cathy's house designs are creative, functional, and very liveable. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for an architect who listens to their needs and desires to help them create their perfect dream house. **★★★★★ — Jean-Yves Mesnil, Nov. 2011** > the north californian spirit for me :-) really simple, really perfect for a retreat :-) **★★★★★ — savorsmith, Nov. 2011** > As one of the owners of the Russian River Studio featured. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to recommend Cathy for your future architectural projects. It was an amazing process to envision this building with Cathy. We wanted a studio/workspace/guesthouse when needed. Our primary residence sits 40 feet away. She spent time with us exploring our needs and desires and took such great care creating a remarkable space for us. I am the writer and my husband is a photographer. We also wanted a place to daydream. Be inspired. The building was sited perfectly for the latter taking in the views and bringing the green countryside in. An aspect of our space that we truly enjoy is the psychological impact when you enter. Immediately you are surprised by the volume, and combined with the view, you have the sensation of being safely perched in a tree looking into a forest. Sharing our space with others was equally important. I like to cook big and we have a long wooden table that we place in the middle of the space. It seats twenty and it will again be the location of our friends and family Thanksgiving this year. It has been used for writing and drawing workshops, a memorial and a classical guitar concert. We are imagining more uses. The couch shown in the photographs makes into a comfortable bed and the alcove becomes a cozy place for a sleep over allowing our guests to enjoy the stars before nodding off. It is meeting all of our needs and continues to inspire us. Not only do we have this lovely building, but a friendship with Cathy developed along the way that we continue to enjoy. ## Selected projects - [Palo Alto Green Point Rated House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-green-point-rated-house-pj-vj~19360) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 30 - [Addition and Remodel of Historic House in Palo Alto](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/addition-and-remodel-of-historic-house-in-palo-alto-pj-vj~19425) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 22 - [Russian River Studio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/russian-river-studio-pj-vj~19420) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - [Woodside Guest House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/woodside-guest-house-pj-vj~23517) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - [House in Santa Lucia Preserve, Carmel Valley](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/house-in-santa-lucia-preserve-carmel-valley-pj-vj~19427) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [Mendocino County House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mendocino-county-house-pj-vj~19323) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - [Woodside House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/woodside-house-pj-vj~45331) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [Pescadero House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/pescadero-house-pj-vj~19423) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Craftsman Kitchen, Oakland.](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/craftsman-kitchen-oakland-pj-vj~35946) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 4 - [Marin County House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/marin-county-house-pj-vj~19429) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [Lantern House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/lantern-house-pj-vj~321240) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 13 - Description: This GreenPoint rated house elegantly weaves many green building design elements through the fabric of its urban landscape setting. A green roof is incorporated into the master deck surrounding an outdoor shower, bath, and lounging area. A green wall is the focal point of a below grade patio that provides access to light and plantings on the lower floor of the family home. A grey water system is used to offset potable water use in the garden of mostly California native and climate-appropriate pl… - [Palo Alto 1 - A Green Demonstration House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/palo-alto-1-a-green-demonstration-house-pj-vj~20061) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 [See all 12 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/cathy-schwabe-architecture-pfvwus-pf~1417747749) ## Community Q&A **Q: what is the stain on the siding, please** *(in Photo Questions)* My present stain is too red. What can I do to make it more brown? A: If the issue is completely tied to the stain - adding a little more brown can do the trick. As with anything like this - try it out on another piece of the same kind of stained wood as your finished siding. Or - try this out in a more concealed area. If the issue is the wood itself - as in the wood is more red than what you’d hoped for - there are a couple of strategies. The web site woodworkly.com offers 3 different approaches. Good luck - **Q: type of range hood** *(in Photo Questions)* Cathy, wh at kind of range hood is this? looks so sharp! A: Of course. **Q: Can you tell me the exterior paint color - love it! Thank you!** *(in Photo Questions)* This paint color is so fun - can you tell me manufacturer and color? Much appreciated! A: Hi, The bluish gray color began as a stain by Cabot’s: Slate Grey/semi solid. We needed a 2nd coat in parts but the shingles took this very unevenly. So we had a paint color prepared to match and this was used over the stain. The painter liked Kelly Moore so if memory serves this would have been the manufacturer. The files are in storage so this info is put together from an answer to a previous question and my memory of this painter who did the painting on all the projects I’ve done with Young & Burton. I always specify Benjamin Moore and this painter always preferred Kelly Moore. The memory of that has stuck. I hope this helps, Cathy **Q: western red cedar wood siding** *(in Photo Questions)* I’m building a house in Idaho this summer and plan on using board and batten wood siding with corrugated metal siding. Is the western red cedar and we’re both the wood and metal easy to obtain? A: Hi, Yes the wood is Western Red Cedar, 1 x 8 boards and 2 x 2 battens. It has been easy to obtain in the locations I have used it in. The metal siding was either a narrow rib and or corrugated - the owner selected this with the builder during construction and the very limited services provided during the construction phase did not include my being a participant in that selection. I am guessing that it was easy to obtain and quite affordable too - given the budget concerns on the project as a whole. I hope this gives you the information that you need. Cathy **Q: floor plan** *(in Photo Questions)* This is my Dream House. May I see the floor plan please. Thank you! A: Thanks for the compliment. Unfortunately, other than the two plan sets I have made available, I don’t share more than what us already available on Houzz. I appreciate your interest. Thank you, Cathy **Q: Do these doors only work with new construction?** *(in Photo Questions)* I see there is a build out to house the pocket doors. Is that essential? I have a historic home and want to place these in the part of our house that is stucco presumably covering concrete block. Maybe the entire wall would need to be rebuilt? A: If you want to conceal the doors in a pocket you can set/frame the pocket to the inside of, outside of or within the wall plane. Within the wall plane would require making an opening large enough. This door set the pocket to the exterior of the wall. --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-20.*