--- title: "Walker Architecture — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/walker-architecture-pfvwus-pf~630779237 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~630779237.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "Walker Architecture" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/9253004305d1f4c2_8836-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "59 Mill Hill Rd, Woodstock, New York 12498, United States" latitude: 42.0348 longitude: -74.112 phone: "(845) 679-4217" website: http://www.walkerarchitecture.com/ rating: 5 review_count: 9 best_of_houzz_awards: 3 followers: 27 last_updated: 2026-09-27 --- # Walker Architecture Original Houzz profile: [Walker Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/walker-architecture-pfvwus-pf~630779237) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Woodstock, NY - **Serves:** Kingston, Saugerties, Woodstock, Hurley, Port Ewen, Lake Katrine, Lincoln Park, Glasco, Saugerties South, West Hurley, Shokan, Ruby, Palenville, Hillside, Zena, Rhinecliff, Malden, Malden On Hudson, East Kingston, Malden-on-Hudson, Barrytown, Bearsville, Boiceville, Chichester, Connelly, Elka Park, Glenford, Lake Hill, Lanesville, Mount Marion, Mount Tremper, West Camp, West Shokan, Willow - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (9 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2018–2022), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 1,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Locally owned - Family owned Walker Architecture is a full-service architecture office realized through the collaboration of father and son, Lester and Jess Walker. Both partners have been practicing architecture as a functional art form for many decades with work that has been widely publicized and won several national and New York City awards for innovative design. While focused on a modern, refined aesthetic, the Work of Walker Architecture strives to reference the local vernacular vocabulary, history and culture in a contemporary way. The place created by the work attempts to capture both the spirit of the time using modern building methods, details and materials, while respectfully connecting the architectural aesthetic and user experience to the specific site through an understanding and respect for what makes that location unique. This understanding often comes from researching the local history and meeting with friends, neighbors and officials. The intent is to embody each project with localized character but do so with contemporary techniques enabling the expanded architectural vocabulary available to us today. Walker Architecture will not produce themed work but is eager to respectfully reference history. Their combined portfolio ranges from large commercial and multi-family residential, hospitality and municipal buildings nationwide, to iconic single family houses throughout the American Northeast. Walker Architecture is a small office that enjoys offering personalized services. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - House Plans - New Home Construction - Home Additions - Home Extensions - Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Energy-Efficient Homes - Floor Plans - 3D Rendering - Green Building - Bathroom Design - Space Planning - Universal Design - Drafting - Historic Building Conservation - Barn Design & Construction - Structural Engineering - Basement Design - Tiny House Construction - Deck Design - Site Preparation - Laundry Room Design - Landscape Plans - Passive Solar Heating & Cooling - Prefab Houses - Rooftop Deck Installation - Construction Drawings ### Areas Served - Kingston - Saugerties - Woodstock - Hurley - Port Ewen - Lake Katrine - Lincoln Park - Glasco - Saugerties South - West Hurley - Shokan - Ruby - Palenville - Hillside - Zena - Rhinecliff - Malden - Malden On Hudson - East Kingston - Malden-on-Hudson - Barrytown - Bearsville - Boiceville - Chichester - Connelly - Elka Park - Glenford - Lake Hill - Lanesville - Mount Marion - Mount Tremper - West Camp - West Shokan - Willow ### Typical Job Cost $20,000 - 50 million ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | Walker Architecture | | Address | 59 Mill Hill Rd, Woodstock, New York 12498, United States | | Phone | (845) 679-4217 | | Website | http://www.walkerarchitecture.com/ | | Followers on Houzz | 27 | ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [Walker Architecture](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/walker-architecture-pfvwus-pf~630779237) - **Website:** http://www.walkerarchitecture.com/ - **Phone:** (845) 679-4217 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 3 awards (2018–2022), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 9 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 5.0 - Communication: 5.0 - Value: 5.0 ### All 9 reviews **★★★★★ — sbarach, Aug. 2021** > We bought a lovely small modern home with a bedroom addition that Les Walker had designed in the 1990's. We were thrilled that Les and his son Jess were available to create a kitchen and dining addition for us, renovate and add new bathrooms, modernize and update the electric and plumbing systems, and create a new flow for the house. Our one request was to bring the beauty of the natural setting into the home, and the design succeeded beautifully. Les and Jess were available when needed for detailed design selections, advice about challenges along the way, and they brought a great contractor to the project as well. We are so fortunate to live in a Walker Architecture home. **★★★★★ — James Moglia, April 2018** > As a dedicated student of architecture and a hobbyist home designer, I have met and tried to collaborate with many architects. I haven’t always found that easy, enjoyable or valuable. Walker Architecture, led by Les Walker and his very accomplished son Jess, were easy and enjoyable to work with and their contribution was very valuable to me and the project. > > Les had the main role in helping me to draw and execute a mountain top house in Woodstock, New York. His design sense is excellent, but he distinguishes himself with maintaining the human being within the professional. He thinks practically about the occupants and the life of the house. He is not driven by his ego or preconceptions. He “democratizes” architecture by making it approachable to the layman. His books on the subject (I have five) are focused in the delight of houses and their design. His audience for those books include parents, children, novices, students and amateur home designers. His affinity for the “real person” and his childlike love of the craft comes through in his work as an architect. He is also a specialist in the economy of space. This makes his designs more affordable, sustainable and easily experienced. > > Les is old school and still draws with the hand. Many of my favorite buildings were drawn that way, including Fallingwater, so I have no problem here. In fact, I feel that hand drawing is very important in playing back the creative energy without translation loss through the computer. That is not to say that computer assisted design is not a critical tool for architects. This is where the partnership with his son Jess works wonderfully. > > Jess brings to the practice the very modern tools and design exposures he needed to run the studio of a prestigious New York Architectural firm. While one can see Les Walker’s work hiking the roads of Ulster County, New York, they can experience Jess Walker’s architecture walking along the New York City Highline. > > Architecture is frozen music. Some architects grab on to what becomes intellectually appealing and their structures, often wonderful, are like complex atonal jazz interrupted by some petition for a cause. Les and Jess are capable of such composing, but realize that real people need a real house which, for the owner, can be dance music. > > In my new house, I dance. **★★★★★ — gay leonhardt, March 2018** > I hired Les Walker due to his deep knowledge of architectural history. I asked him to design an artist's studio in the style of Philip Johnson via Mies van der Rohe. > Les came up with a good plan and made a model. He worked with the contractor on changes that came up. He designed a beautiful building that is a glass box that sits in a field. **★★★★★ — Dawn Ladd, Jan. 2018** > Dear Houzz Reader, > > I have hired Jess and Les Walker of Walker Architecture to design a small studio for me in Woodstock, NY. I went with this firm because they have an excellent reputation and collectively the father and son team have decades of experience. Les Walker has been called the 'grandfather of the tiny house movement' and has written numerous books including: Tiny Tiny Houses: Or How To Get Away From It All -- and American Shelter: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Amercian Home. > > It was a great choice of architects. They are both very attentive to details and collaborative...they really know how to listen to their client. They were eager to come out to my site and have been ever so patient with me as I try and make design decisions - even constructing a model for me to better understand their drawings. > > They have a wealth of information at the fingertips and are literate in various styles of architecture as well as all aspects of construction. Not only can they come up with great concepts, but they know how to execute their designs and understand their associated costs. > > When it came to the building department, Jess was very adept at communicating with town officials and securing the permits! > > I highly recommend Walker Architecture. **★★★★★ — User, Jan. 2018** > I have worked with Les and Jess Walker professionally, and I would highly recommend them for all your architectural needs. **★★★★★ — Nels Leader, Jan. 2018** > Walker Architecture is a hands-on, professional, and experienced father/son team. I worked with them on a ~$250k expansion of a retail store during Fall 2017. The project was completed on-time and on-budget. The finished product is beautiful and exceeded all of our expectations. Walker Architecture was helpful, prompt, and professional throughout my experience working with them, and I recommend them without qualification. **★★★★★ — Sanjay Rawal, Jan. 2018** > I worked with Jess on a very unusual project - building a private, personal sculpture garden on a mountain property I own. I realize that many prospective clients won't be seeking this type of specific acumen, but from start to finish, Jess has provided a brilliant sense of design, architecture, project management and risk mitigation. The sculpture garden includes a piece of art that stands nearly 40 feet tall and is perched on the side of a mountain on my property. Installation included building a nearly 1 km road with an acceptable grade that allowed construction vehicles to traverse it. > > The construction and logistics were a profound achievement. A road was etched into the mountain, mirroring an archaic logging road. Jess worked with a team of consultants and engineers to secure the proper environmental impact assessments and to ensure a low to minimal impact on Nature. In essence, no one off the property would even know this road and garden existed. > > The creation of the underlying infrastructure of the project was an intense exercise in creativity and ingenuity. Jess proved over and over again his capacity to execute totally unique, one-of-a-kind projects. I would guess that most clients, while not seeking his assistance on a project like mine, would expect their dream homes to be unique and special as well. In that concern, Jess would be an incredible partner to fulfill those aspirations. > > I would work with him again in a heartbeat and know that I will that chance very very very very soon! In fact, I am intending to hire him to build my dream home on this property as well. **★★★★★ — Niall Grant, Sept. 2017** > We hired Walker Architecture to build our restaurant from scratch. It was a gut renovation and included a lot of engineering work and a complete new commercial kitchen. > I was extremely happy with the outcome and found working with Jess and Les to be very enjoyable and professional. The restaurant is beautiful and functions extremely well and that is in no small part down to their hard work. **★★★★★ — Judy Steinfeld, Aug. 2017** > The best, most experienced, creative, innovative architects in Woodstock! Father and son team have worked so well with us on many different projects - large and small, commercial, residential and for our own home - and always been delighted with the results. They are well known and respected in town, able to make things happen and transform our visions and dreams into realty. ## Selected projects - [Eagles Nest House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/eagles-nest-house-pj-vj~7374885) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 18 - Description: Built at the edge of an escarpment overlooking family farmland in Hurley, New York, this 3,400 square foot, three bedroom house was built for a couple expecting to host large family gatherings. Conceived as a modern interpretation of a traditional ramble, the series of smaller spaces individually address the spectacular view. An outdoor pool and large deck with hot tub compliment the exterior. - [Mountain Top House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mountain-top-house-pj-vj~2918934) - Location: Woodstock, NY - Photos: 5 - Description: Completed in 2017, this 2,200 square foot, three bedroom, single family house is built at the highest point overlooking the Hudson Valley. The living space is on the second floor maximizing the view with an open plan living area with an artist studio and loft in the back and oriented up the mountain top. The light interior palette consists of white oak and concrete tile and counters. Large windows with traditional munitions emphasize the new while maintaining the local aesthetic. - [Painting Studio](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/painting-studio-pj-vj~2918637) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 2 - Description: Built in Willow, New York in 1998, this 480 square foot studio was built for a local artist who wanted a private, detached place to make art. As a child, she grew up in the famous Leonhardt Residence designed by Philip Johnson, on Long Island Sound' She wanted to emulate this building in a new art studio, thus, the late modern detailing with full glass walls and steel diagonal tie rods. The building sits in the center of a pristine grassy meadow. - [Cooper Lake House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cooper-lake-house-pj-vj~7374891) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 3 - Description: This 1,650-square foot, two bedroom guest house is described by the client as a “fairy-tale home”. The exterior has a flagstone base, raked, stained cedar siding, and a metal roof, collectively, in a British racing green palette. The front is expressed as a group of four separate volumes, centering around a linear, open-plan living space. The rear facade is unified by an expansive glass wall facing a stream and natural woodland. The siding, wide-plank oak floors and custom fireplace are locally… - [Tal Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/tal-residence-pj-vj~7374898) - Location: Saugerties, NY - Photos: 15 - Description: A run down 1,600 square foot, 1960s modern single-family house was gut renovated into a two-bedroom home for a visual artist. Rich local materials were incorporated into a minimalist interior. Stained natural cedar siding compliments the flat roof and large picture windows. Outdoors, a large terrace is planted with local flora. Owner and designer - Efy Tal - [Walsdorf Residence](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/walsdorf-residence-pj-vj~7375176) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 14 - Description: Situated in a field with an expansive view of Overlook Mountain, this 2,700 square foot, three-bedroom, three bath single family home was built as the vacation home of the New York City based Walsdorf family. Oak floors and a rich palette of local materials compliment the open plan. Owner and designer - Brian Walsdorf. - [California Ranch House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/california-ranch-house-pj-vj~1256030) - Location: Zena, NY - Photos: 8 - Description: This California Ranch House is a 1,750 square foot single family home renovation completed in 2014. The design references the late modernist 1950s sub-urban architecture while amplifying the modern language of the current, minimalist finish and detailing of contemporary residential architecture. The all American 1950s style of the front of the house was retained while gutting the back to accommodate a more contemporary “all glass” facade. The House is now lived in by Architect Lester Walker and… - [Farmhouse](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/farmhouse-pj-vj~2492286) - Location: Woodstock, NY - Photos: 3 - Description: Built in 2003 this 2,300 square foot single family home was built for a client who had just purchased a twelve acre site with a huge red, English style barn. The design approach was to provide a home similar to the nineteenth century American farmland. Outside, the building has American farmhouse articulation such as porches, double hung windows, novelty siding, panelized doors, brick chimneys etc. Built into the side of a hill, the major spaces of the home are planned to take advantage of south… - [Glasco House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/glasco-house-pj-vj~2922279) - Location: Woodstock, NY - Photos: 4 - Description: Completed in 2011, this modest 1,400 square foot, 2-1/2 bedroom house is designed to compliment an existing, historic writers cabin. The writers cabin was renovated and kept as a separate guest house. The main house is clad with gray stained pine siding with a dark metal roof and windows. The interior is rich with warm stained oak floors and trim throughout. The front porch is inspired by early American cottage design. - [Mountainside House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mountainside-house-pj-vj~1855231) - Location: Woodstock, NY - Photos: 4 - Description: Built in 2005, this 2,400 square foot single family home is built on the side of a mountain with a spectacular view of Woodstock, New York, far below. Like the Streamside House, this house also has an aesthetic dichotomy. A cottage-like entry facade and a modern glass facade facing south down the mountain. Since the house is built on bedrock, passive solar energy is easily stored and spread throughout the house. The living room has a huge stone fireplace and a fourteen foot high glass wall focus… [See all 10 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/walker-architecture-pfvwus-pf~630779237) ## Ideabooks - [Wish List](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52792815/list/wish-list) — 6 ideas - [walkerarchitecture's ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52792883/list/walkerarchitecture-s-ideas) — 10 ideas [See all 2 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/walkerarchitecture) ## Community Q&A **Q: love this. can you tell me the dimensions on the kitchen?** *(in Photo Questions)* Super efficient, beautiful but doesn’t seem cramped! A: That kitchen is 7’ wide x 11 ‘ long. Very efficient… --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-09-27.*