--- title: "microhouse — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/microhouse-pfvwus-pf~218178493 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~218178493.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: microhouse category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/3ea3ed880e260758_5096-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "114 N 42nd Street, Seattle, Washington 98103, United States" latitude: 47.6734 longitude: -122.3426 phone: "(206) 428-8599" website: http://www.microhousenw.com rating: 5 review_count: 16 best_of_houzz_awards: 5 followers: 171 last_updated: 2026-08-20 --- # microhouse Original Houzz profile: [microhouse](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/microhouse-pfvwus-pf~218178493) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Seattle, WA - **Serves:** Seattle, Shoreline, Mercer Island, Beacon Hill, Ballard, capitol hill, fremont, magnolia, Mazama, queen anne, Rainier Valley, ravenna, wallingford - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (16 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 5 awards (2014–2018), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Star Houzzer - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 25,000 Ideabook Saves Microhouse is an award winning collaborative passionate about the design of ADUs, small houses and their communities. We take pride in creating innovative designs that are closely tailored to our clients needs. ### Services Provided - Building Design - Custom Homes - Sustainable Design - Universal Design ### Areas Served - Seattle - Shoreline - Mercer Island - Beacon Hill - Ballard - capitol hill - fremont - magnolia - Mazama - queen anne - Rainier Valley - ravenna - wallingford ### Typical Job Cost $300,000 - 500,000 ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | microhouse | | Address | 114 N 42nd Street, Seattle, Washington 98103, United States | | Phone | (206) 428-8599 | | Website | http://www.microhousenw.com | | Followers on Houzz | 171 | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/microhousebackyardcottages/ - Blog — http://www.microhousenw.com/, http://seattlebackyardcottage.blogspot.ca/ ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [microhouse](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/microhouse-pfvwus-pf~218178493) - **Website:** http://www.microhousenw.com - **Phone:** (206) 428-8599 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - Aging-in-Place Specialists - **Best of Houzz:** 5 awards (2014–2018), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 16 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Danny Sayah, June 2026** > I've worked with Bruce on many DADU projects over the years and can't recommend him highly enough. He's really knowledgeable, responsive, and easy to work with. His plans are well thought out, and he does a great job balancing design, functionality, and constructibility. From a builder's perspective, Bruce is a team player who collaborates well with owners, consultants, and contractors to keep projects moving forward. It's always a pleasure working with him. **★★★★★ — Handy Dandy Construction, Oct. 2017** > Bruce was great to work with on my detached additional dwelling unit ( DADU). He has many projects under his belt and know how the system works. He was on time, on budget, and contacted me when needed. Microhouse also has a online review tool which was helpful. They can take care of surveying, engineering and design. I strongly recommend Bruce and Microhouse. **★★★★★ — User, Sept. 2017** > If you want someone who will guide you professionally through the design, review, and permit approval process of a backyard cottage, Bruce is your man. He knows the code backwards and forwards and listened carefully to me as we went through iterations on the cottage design. > > The cottage is under construction now, finishing up framing. I look forward to continue collaborating with Bruce and collaborating with him and my contractor as we enter the finishing stages of the cottage. **★★★★★ — nope12345, March 2016** > Bruce and Geoff delivered plans for a backyard cottage (DADU), and handled the entirety of the permitting process. From the beginning, I intended to do a fair amount of the construction myself (I'm not a construction professional). Other architects I interviewed seemed derisive of this idea--probably because working with a professional builder makes their lives easier. But Bruce and Geoff were supportive and helpful. They listened to my objectives and their listening was reflected in the plans. The whole process was smooth and uneventful, which is exactly what I was hoping for. **★★★★★ — jeannebalog6, Aug. 2015** > Bruce Parker was recommended to us by our general contractor to collaborate on our new house project--demolition of the existing structure and rebuilding a larger one on the lot. > > Our vision was to retain the character of a 1911 craftsman, with sustainable, energy-efficient features and to appear, in the end, as if it had always been part of the neighborhood. > > Bruce kept us involved in the process, and made recommendations that elevated our design. He managed our construction drawings and permits, and contributed great ideas with enthusiasm and sensitivity. His philosophy about sustainability and 'right-sizing' a home was absolutely in line with ours, and we feel very fortunate to have been able to work with him. **★★★★★ — snowlis, March 2015** > We contacted Bruce Parker at Microhouse to explore the possibility of building a backyard cottage in Seattle. In our research, we found Bruce's name consistently mentioned as being on of Seattle's resident experts on DADU development. From the first contact, Bruce was prompt, knowledgeable and enthusiastic. He assisted us in navigating the applicable codes, suggested a number of properties to visit and provided sketches of possible options for our site. For personal reasons, we are putting this project on hold for a time, but we hope to revisit it soon and work with Bruce and Microhouse to make it a reality. We highly recommend Bruce Parker. **★★★★★ — gaboca72, Feb. 2015** > Bruce is a great architect to work with. He had great ideas for the design of our house. He has carefully incorporated our needs and ideas into the final plan. We feel very lucky to have worked with him. **★★★★★ — Fivedot, Jan. 2015** > I have worked on multiple projects with Microhouse and have always found them to be creative, engaged and professional. Bruce is excellent to work with and dedicated to his clients. I would highly recommend him and his firm. **★★★★★ — petebitty, Dec. 2014** > I have and will be building several back yard cottages with Bruce and Microhouse. He has an excellent eye for detail and creates unique and beautiful designs. Bruce is very respectful of the wishes of the homeowners as well as the builder. He is very easy to work with. **★★★★★ — LCM Builders, Dec. 2014** > I've had the good fortune to work with Bruce Parker several times as a General Contractor and I have only great things to say. Beyond his clear expertise in the area of Micro Houses and all the applicable city codes, his skill and patience in the design process makes for a smooth experience for me and the client during the build period. I highly recommend him to anyone looking to tackle a small house project, though I would hire him myself to design a larger residence. **★★★★★ — kato d inc, vintage restoration and remodeling, Nov. 2014** > I hired Bruce at Microhouse to help me through the permitting process and very initial design phases for a building site in Seattle. He has a super aesthetic and is experienced working with the Seattle Department of Planning and Design and knew people there. He clearly has a wide range of experience of the entire process from permitting to finishing touches. Some of my specific issues that he was knowledgeable about included building on a slope, zoning requirements for Multi-Family projects and wetlands landscaping & environmentally critical areas. He is responsive and great to work with! He took me to see a finished multi-family development that he designed that had slope challenges similar to mine as well as an ADU in progress for inspiration. We shared common values like living small, using green technologies, and bicycling. I really enjoyed working with him. He got all my permitting done which was complicated by the environmentally critical areas I highly recommend Bruce. Sadly, I've had to put my lot on the market, so I'm sorry not to be actually getting to do a build with him at this time. I would absolutely hire Microhouse again (and I hope I do) in the future. **★★★★★ — higleyl, Aug. 2013** > Bruce Parker from Microhouse designed our backyard 760 sq foot cottage. The design is beautiful and light-filled. Bruce really knows his stuff when it comes to the permit process and because he collaborates with builders, he is able to design not just a gorgeous space, but also with an eye for cost-savings. I highly recommend Microhouse! ## Selected projects - [DADU Tangletown](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/dadu-tangletown-pj-vj~1934787) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 10 - Description: Natural light was a driving factor in the design of this small backyard cottage in Seattle's tangletown neighborhood. Now that their children are grown, the cottage owners wanted to downsize from their beautiful but too large house but they didn't want to leave their neighborhood and friends. So they contacted Bruce Parker of microhouse to assist in the design of their new small dream home behind their current house. The lot is small, less than 4,000 sq ft and the cottage had to take advantage o… - [Backyard Cottage Recording Studio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-cottage-recording-studio-pj-vj~1940451) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 6 - Description: Jon and Rita wanted to build a recording studio that would also serve as a guest cottage for friends and family. We worked with them and an acoustical engineer to create a simple yet elegant backyard cottage. The cottage contains the recording studio, a kitchen, bath and a loft like bedroom. - [Backyard Cottage Ballard](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-cottage-ballard-pj-vj~2233720) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 7 - Description: Ballard Backyard Cottage Completes an Intergenerational Family Home Last year Ballard residents Drew and Jacob decided to tear down their "scary little garage" and build a backyard cottage. Fast forward to this week and they are now living in an intergenerational family compound, sharing their property with Drew’s parents. We chatted with Drew to find out about creating a backyard cottage for “one big family living in the heart of Seattle.” Microhouse: What first got you thinking about building… - [Fremont ADU](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fremont-adu-pj-vj~285683) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 8 - Description: This owner built ADU provides everything they need in 400 sq. ft. plus room for table tenis. https://www.microhousenw.com/\#/skyline/ - [Backyard Cottage Madison Valley](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-cottage-madison-valley-pj-vj~1343224) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 20 - Description: Austin and Patti created this wonderful backyard cottage together stripped down to the essence of what they value most. Their new dream house just happens to be located in the back yard of Austin's long time residence. This cottage lives large providing an open floor plan with a 2nd floor master suite and office and a gracious kitchen for Austin, a former restaurateur. A rooftop deck looks out over the treetops giving a sense of connection to the outdoors where they are often to be found when th… - [Backyard Cottage Broadview](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-cottage-broadview-pj-vj~1650183) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 9 - Description: This backyard cottage features a garage designed to be convertible into a ground floor bedroom if mobility becomes an issue for the owners. The kitchen features exposed wood joist with fir car decking serving as the ceiling and doubling as the finished 2nd floor. - [Backyard Cottage Portage Bay](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-cottage-portage-bay-pj-vj~1263960) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 3 - Description: While the mayor and city council debate ways to lower housing costs homeowners building backyard cottages are benefiting from the tight housing market. Higher property values make financing easier to obtain. For the owners of rental properties, rising short term and long term rental rates offset increasing construction costs. The real estate axiom, location, location, location, does apply to backyard cottages. Those in close in neighborhoods command the highest rent while construction costs are… - [Backyard Cottage Capitol Hill](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-cottage-capitol-hill-pj-vj~1242964) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 8 - Description: This backyard cottage serves as a vacation residence for the mother of the owner and a sometime rental. The cottage is 400 sq. ft. and features one bedroom, bath, kitchen living room and a loft. - [Backyard Cottage Magnolia](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-cottage-magnolia-pj-vj~288396) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 7 - Description: Ben and January live in Seattle's Magnolia neighborhood and were excited when a new Seattle ordinance allowed them to build a backyard cottage behind their home. "We wanted to build a place for my father to live when he retired, so he could be closer to his grandchildren Leo and Francis", Said January. In the near term they planned to rent the cottage and ultimately decided to use it as a vacation rental through VRBO. This has proven to be quite successful helping to fund the construction. - [Backyard Cottage Crown Hill](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-cottage-crown-hill-pj-vj~2234669) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 6 - Description: A backyard cottage with a one bedroom apartment unit over an art studio. - [Beacon Hill Cottage Housing](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/beacon-hill-cottage-housing-pj-vj~277564) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 12 - Description: A unique take on cottage housing, this new development use an elevated walkway to connect these four houses. The walkway provides a unique opportunity to have public circulation on one level passing over private yards below, resolves a difficult sloping site, and reduces the apparent scale of the houses while increasing natural light and views. Houses A and B have a footprint of a mere 16ft x 24ft. We used vaulted ceilings, abundant glazing and positioned the houses to take advantage of solar ac… - [Houzz Kitchen of the Week](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/houzz-kitchen-of-the-week-pj-vj~16678) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 4 - Description: This kitchen was featured as one of the first Houzz Kitchen of the Weeks. Our goal was to come up with a design that would bridge the gap between the needs of contemporary living and the 1920s Craftsman house. Two of our strategies we employed were the extensive use of reclaimed materials and a stripped down aesthetic that would echo the more utilitarian kitchens of the 1920's. http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/620742/list/Kitchen-of-the-Week--A-Warm-and-Eco-Friendly-Update - [Backyard Cottage - Lake Washington Cabin](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-cottage-lake-washington-cabin-pj-vj~403644) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 10 - Description: This backyard cottage features vaulted ceilings in the living room to that take advantage of southern light and expansive views. - [Backyard Cottage Rainier Valley](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/backyard-cottage-rainier-valley-pj-vj~747948) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 8 - Description: This Rainier Valley backyard cottage takes advantage of solar access and territorial views. The design of this cottage was intentionally simple to keep construction costs down and to make it easier for the owner who operated as the general contractor for this project. At the beginning of the design phase we staged a design charette with the cottage owner's whole family, our design team and the contractor. Around the kitchen table with scones and coffee, we had an opportunity to establish the par… - [Garage Conversion to ADU](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/garage-conversion-to-adu-pj-vj~281372) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 1 - Description: Mark and Alice converted their existing garage in to a backyard cottage to add more room for their growing family. The family placed a high priority on sustainability. To this end, we worked to maintain as much of the existing structure as possible. The result is a 440 sq. ft. one bedroom 1 bath cottage suitable for someone with poor mobility - [colorful west seattle addition](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/colorful-west-seattle-addition-pj-vj~1264036) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 7 - Description: This colorful house is the result of what happens when a planned backyard cottage becomes part of the primary residence. Barb and Vi wanted to create a backyard cottage for family to stay in while visiting. After careful consideration decided that what they really wanted was to have everyone under one roof. They transformed their small dark existing house with the addition of a great room off of the kitchen with a new master suite above. - [Greenwood ADU](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/greenwood-adu-pj-vj~911965) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 12 - Description: This ADU features 3 bedrooms and 1 bath. Large enough for a family of four it takes advantage of its large lot to nestle in an amazing garden. - [Ballard Flex ADU 3](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/ballard-flex-adu-3-pj-vj~3050337) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 13 - Description: This backyard cottage features an open floor plan on the ground floor with a kitchen, living and powder rooms that open with accordion doors onto a patio with a gas fireplace. Upstairs is a master bedroom complete with a kitchenette, and a bath with laundry room. The overall strategy with this backyard cottage, as it is with most of our designs, is to keep the structure simple allowing a larger percentage of the budget to be spent on finishes. The height and size of DADUs is limited based on the… - [Laurelhurst DADU](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/laurelhurst-dadu-pj-vj~5933055) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 10 - Description: 575 sq ft total with a 390 sq ft footprint. This Laurelhurst ADU features a green roof, open web trusses, a compact kitchen, and a ship’s ladder to the bedroom below (also accessible via stairs from outside). This project had the challenge of limited access for machinery to dig - requiring the owners to move the dirt and soil by hand instead - a true labor of love . - [Detached ADU Eastlake](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/detached-adu-eastlake-pj-vj~5492085) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 12 - Description: This 800 sq. ft. detached ADU is unique in that it features three floors and a split level entry. The cottage will be used as a short term rental in this rapidly growing neighborhood. In a few years the owner's will downsize into the ADU and rent out the main house. [See all 27 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/microhouse-pfvwus-pf~218178493) ## Ideabooks - [plywood ceiling](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/158689186/list/plywood-ceiling) — 1 idea - [DADU Condominium](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/154957014/list/dadu-condominium) — 11 ideas - [siding](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/79868308/list/siding) — 6 ideas - [A Backyard Cottage Completes an Intergenerational Family Home](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/79028309/list/a-backyard-cottage-completes-an-intergenerational-family-home) — 7 ideas - [madison valley backyard cottage](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/74870551/list/madison-valley-backyard-cottage) — 16 ideas - [lake washington cabin](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/21258527/list/lake-washington-cabin) — 11 ideas - [Backyard Cottage Ceilings and Floors](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/78912252/list/backyard-cottage-ceilings-and-floors) — 11 ideas - [backyard cottages - coming to a neighborhood near you](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3589135/list/backyard-cottages-coming-to-a-neighborhood-near-you) — 8 ideas - [Rain Gardens: Designing with Nature](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/2959336/list/rain-gardens-designing-with-nature) — 7 ideas - [wallingford backyard cottage](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/13044955/list/wallingford-backyard-cottage) — 5 ideas - [microhouse photos](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/3006075/list/microhouse-photos) — 14 ideas - [More backyard cottages](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5036173/list/more-backyard-cottages) — 10 ideas [See all 12 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/microhouse) ## Community Q&A **Q: What kind of heater or cooler is that?** *(in Photo Questions)* I am looking for a neat, nicely designed ac/heat unit just like this!! A: A convectair. **Q: What flooring is in the kitchen and tile in the closet?** *(in Photo Questions)* Is it concrete in the kitchen? And, please, can you provide the tile brand used in the closet? Thank you, A: The floor is concrete. I don't have the tile info as it was selected and purchased by the owner. **Q: Fold-out weight rack** *(in Photo Questions)* Can you provide source? A: The weight rack was provided by the owner and I don't have the make. **Q: Love the backsplash** *(in Photo Questions)* Would you please provide the information regarding the backsplash? A: Thanks Diane, I don't have the tile info as it was selected and purchased by the owner. **Q: Beautiful kitchen! Is that a soapstone countertop?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: Countertop, absolute black honed granite **Q: Love the cup pulls. Who is the manufacturer?** *(in Photo Questions)* A: revjuvenation --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-20.*