Images by Nic LeHoux Designed as a home and studio for a photographer and his young family, Lightbox is located on a peninsula that extends south from British Columbia across the border to Point Roberts. The densely forested site lies beside a 180-acre park that overlooks the Strait of Georgia, the San Juan Islands and the Puget Sound. Having experienced the world from under a black focusing cloth and large format camera lens, the photographer has a special fondness for simplicity and an appreciation of unique, genuine and well-crafted details. The home was made decidedly modest, in size and means, with a building skin utilizing simple materials in a straightforward yet innovative configuration. The result is a structure crafted from affordable and common materials such as exposed wood two-bys that form the structural frame and directly support a prefabricated aluminum window system of standard glazing units uniformly sized to reduce the complexity and overall cost. Accessed from the west on a sloped boardwalk that bisects its two contrasting forms, the house sits lightly on the land above the forest floor. A south facing two-story glassy cage for living captures the sun and view as it celebrates the interplay of light and shadow in the forest. To the north, stairs are contained in a thin wooden box stained black with a traditional Finnish pine tar coating. Narrow apertures in the otherwise solid dark wooden wall sharply focus the vibrant cropped views of the old growth fir trees at the edge of the deep forest. Lightbox is an uncomplicated yet powerful gesture that enables one to view the subtlety and beauty of the site while providing comfort and pleasure in the constantly changing light of the forest.

A luxurious en suite bath was created within this classic 1925 Portland bungalow by reconfiguring the second story’s original small bedrooms and tiny half bath. In this welcoming new urban boho space, eclectic finishes mingle harmoniously, integrated through subtle repetition of shapes and materials. A furniture-style vanity sets the tone for this luxurious space, introducing materials, colors, shapes, and textures that repeat throughout. Individual walnut hexagons join to create distinctive vanity doors, offset beautifully by horizontal-grain drawers. Topping the cabinetry is a simple concrete countertop with integral sinks. An expansive framed mirror above enlarges and brightens the room. Within the mirror, sconces float, their globes a nod to the hexagons below. Champagne bronze fixtures reflect the warm walnut glow. Nestled into the back corner, a stunning shower features waterjet tiles in a double herringbone pattern, each precisely cut and laid to maintain design integrity at every surface transition. Teak floor tiles and a pebbled niche hint at the classic spa experience. Across from the shower, a large hexagonal window provides a treetop view from the free-standing tub below. The gentle oval of the tub and the beaded chandelier above provide a pleasing contrast to the strong lines surrounding it, as do the softly-shaded pebbles in the full-length niche. Shiplap wainscotting wraps the room, creating an illusion of height in the compact space. Subtle flooring and soft green walls create an understated backdrop for the bold mix of materials, unifying them into a serene oasis. Asking a century-old home to accommodate a modern luxury bath is a tall order. Asbestos-laden plaster and flooring had to be abated. The subfloor had to be leveled and reinforced to increase strength and prevent deflection. Water lines and multiple electrical circuits had to be brought across and up without disturbing a beautifully-paneled ceiling, something we accomplished by firring out stair walls to hide the chases. Our client had visions of a leafy view from her tub, but the new layout eliminated existing windows. Placing a new window was complicated by deep eaves and flat soffits. By pushing the header into the roofline, however, we were able to accommodate a picture window. The flat soffit was replaced by an inverse hip lined with stained tongue and groove cedar, tying it to the bathroom finishes. Bringing materials up a narrow staircase became truly challenging when it was time to install the big items. However, strategic removal of drywall around the landing got the job done. Our attention to detail is showcased in the shower tile, where precise cuts were required at surface transitions to maintain the integrity of a complex double herringbone lay. The project was delivered on time. Savvy layout choices minimized spending on structural changes. Because we were dealing with dormer space, head height was an issue. Raising the ceiling would have been complex and expensive so our design accommodated the constraints – tub on the low outside wall, shower on the full-height interior wall. The vanity spanned the spread, accommodating our petite client on the exterior side and her taller husband on the interior side. An under-eave closet was closed off to create room for both a freestanding tub and a separate shower. Rather than building replacement storage elsewhere, we simply added a new door into the closet from the primary bedroom. This was made possible by absorbing the short hallway separating the existing bed and bathroom into the primary bedroom. This new layout also created an en suite relationship between the primary bedroom and the new bath. We saved additional dollars by selecting a furniture-style vanity rather than using custom cabinetry, and the countertop with integral sinks provided a cost savings over a more traditional quartz countertop with undermount sinks. Affordable shower tiles allowed us to put more money into a dynamic tile layout. The project was delivered within budget.

A 6,000 square foot 2-story new home complex in Milpitas was designed to facilitate the owners’ large business parties and gatherings, to have rooms for the kids to come back to upstairs, and a ground floor master suite with a huge walk-in closet. Several separate structures make up the dwelling: The main house, 3-car garage with carport for overflow parking, and a separate entertainment and recreation building separated by a courtyard from the main house. The business activities include gatherings in the hundreds of people, so parking was maximized and guests can flow in through a separate gate to party in the courtyard and recreation building. Inside this structure is a wet bar, billiard room, workout gym and home theater. The main house ground floor has formal and informal living rooms, open kitchen and master suite with views and expansive windows in every direction. The house is sited on the crestline of a hill with views of the San Francisco Bay and private golf course below. The indoor-outdoor aspect of the house is further accentuated with outside living and dining areas. High ceilings and expansive glass walls dissolve the sense of enclosure taking advantage of the site’s openness and privacy. The owner’s suite is downstairs in anticipation of aging-in-place, and upstairs there are three bedrooms and four bathrooms plus a sitting area lounge and casual TV loft area. The house sits on one acre at the top of a low hill range overlooking Milpitas. The city was very cognizant of the importance of keeping a low profile at this crestline and required extensive story poles and photo evidence of the proper height and siting so as not to be seen from certain selected vantage points. GENERAL CONTRACTOR: JCD Builders Inc. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Morf Chang Landscape Architecture / ODS Architecture PHOTOGRAPHS: Paul Dyer Photography

To bring this semi-freestanding curved wood staircase to life at the Forest House, we explored the balance between digital precision and traditional craftsmanship. Working alongside Otis Construction, Jessica Helgerson Interior Design, and Yianni Doulis was a masterclass in collaboration, resulting in a custom architectural feature that feels like it’s floating through the space. To achieve the design intent for this modern luxury staircase, we married 21st-century digital fabrication techniques with age-old traditional hand-carving. Beginning with a full-site 3D scan, we drew each component individually to match the precise locations of the framing and finished materials. We started the fabrication process by using a CNC machine to handle the complex geometry and structural math, ensuring the foundation of the white oak staircase was mathematically perfect. However, the true soul of the project emerged when we turned the machines off. We spent countless hours hand-sculpting every transition to ensure the custom oak tread and handrail didn't just meet the steel structural elements, but flowed into them organically. A special thank you to Tice Industries for machining the custom steel newel posts and minimalist balusters in solid steel. Finished with a custom blackened steel patina, they transform this architectural installation into a piece of fine furniture. In the end, this curved silhouette bridges the gap between modern digital design and old-world craftsmanship. It was an honor to be part of the Pacific Northwest design team that brought this ambitious residential build to life.

From a modest East End bungalow to a striking three-storey custom home — our Dundas St E project was anything but straightforward. When we began demolition, we discovered the house sat on a former landfill site, which created serious structural challenges. Instead of seeing a problem, we saw an opportunity to apply innovative engineering. Our team designed and installed a foundation system using helical piles and structured footings, creating a rock-solid base for the new build. This project proves that no matter how complex the site conditions, smart design and skilled construction can transform challenges into stunning results. The proof? This home sold within two days of hitting the market.

From a modest East End bungalow to a striking three-storey custom home — our Dundas St E project was anything but straightforward. When we began demolition, we discovered the house sat on a former landfill site, which created serious structural challenges. Instead of seeing a problem, we saw an opportunity to apply innovative engineering. Our team designed and installed a foundation system using helical piles and structured footings, creating a rock-solid base for the new build. This project proves that no matter how complex the site conditions, smart design and skilled construction can transform challenges into stunning results. The proof? This home sold within two days of hitting the market.

The homeowners had a vision of building their quintessential mountain valley complex, complete with enough room for both their family and toys. The property ended up including multiple structures. While each structure has it’s own individual use, the use of our natural wood materials throughout multiple applications tied the design of all the buildings together.

A 6,000 square foot 2-story new home complex in Milpitas was designed to facilitate the owners’ large business parties and gatherings, to have rooms for the kids to come back to upstairs, and a ground floor master suite with a huge walk-in closet. Several separate structures make up the dwelling: The main house, 3-car garage with carport for overflow parking, and a separate entertainment and recreation building separated by a courtyard from the main house. The business activities include gatherings in the hundreds of people, so parking was maximized and guests can flow in through a separate gate to party in the courtyard and recreation building. Inside this structure is a wet bar, billiard room, workout gym and home theater. The main house ground floor has formal and informal living rooms, open kitchen and master suite with views and expansive windows in every direction. The house is sited on the crestline of a hill with views of the San Francisco Bay and private golf course below. The indoor-outdoor aspect of the house is further accentuated with outside living and dining areas. High ceilings and expansive glass walls dissolve the sense of enclosure taking advantage of the site’s openness and privacy. The owner’s suite is downstairs in anticipation of aging-in-place, and upstairs there are three bedrooms and four bathrooms plus a sitting area lounge and casual TV loft area. The house sits on one acre at the top of a low hill range overlooking Milpitas. The city was very cognizant of the importance of keeping a low profile at this crestline and required extensive story poles and photo evidence of the proper height and siting so as not to be seen from certain selected vantage points. GENERAL CONTRACTOR: JCD Builders Inc. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Morf Chang Landscape Architecture / ODS Architecture PHOTOGRAPHS: Paul Dyer Photography

A 6,000 square foot 2-story new home complex in Milpitas was designed to facilitate the owners’ large business parties and gatherings, to have rooms for the kids to come back to upstairs, and a ground floor master suite with a huge walk-in closet. Several separate structures make up the dwelling: The main house, 3-car garage with carport for overflow parking, and a separate entertainment and recreation building separated by a courtyard from the main house. The business activities include gatherings in the hundreds of people, so parking was maximized and guests can flow in through a separate gate to party in the courtyard and recreation building. Inside this structure is a wet bar, billiard room, workout gym and home theater. The main house ground floor has formal and informal living rooms, open kitchen and master suite with views and expansive windows in every direction. The house is sited on the crestline of a hill with views of the San Francisco Bay and private golf course below. The indoor-outdoor aspect of the house is further accentuated with outside living and dining areas. High ceilings and expansive glass walls dissolve the sense of enclosure taking advantage of the site’s openness and privacy. The owner’s suite is downstairs in anticipation of aging-in-place, and upstairs there are three bedrooms and four bathrooms plus a sitting area lounge and casual TV loft area. The house sits on one acre at the top of a low hill range overlooking Milpitas. The city was very cognizant of the importance of keeping a low profile at this crestline and required extensive story poles and photo evidence of the proper height and siting so as not to be seen from certain selected vantage points. GENERAL CONTRACTOR: JCD Builders Inc. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Morf Chang Landscape Architecture / ODS Architecture PHOTOGRAPHS: Paul Dyer Photography

From a modest East End bungalow to a striking three-storey custom home — our Dundas St E project was anything but straightforward. When we began demolition, we discovered the house sat on a former landfill site, which created serious structural challenges. Instead of seeing a problem, we saw an opportunity to apply innovative engineering. Our team designed and installed a foundation system using helical piles and structured footings, creating a rock-solid base for the new build. This project proves that no matter how complex the site conditions, smart design and skilled construction can transform challenges into stunning results. The proof? This home sold within two days of hitting the market.

From a modest East End bungalow to a striking three-storey custom home — our Dundas St E project was anything but straightforward. When we began demolition, we discovered the house sat on a former landfill site, which created serious structural challenges. Instead of seeing a problem, we saw an opportunity to apply innovative engineering. Our team designed and installed a foundation system using helical piles and structured footings, creating a rock-solid base for the new build. This project proves that no matter how complex the site conditions, smart design and skilled construction can transform challenges into stunning results. The proof? This home sold within two days of hitting the market.

The homeowners had a vision of building their quintessential mountain valley complex, complete with enough room for both their family and toys. The property ended up including multiple structures. While each structure has it’s own individual use, the use of our natural wood materials throughout multiple applications tied the design of all the buildings together.

Porch and terrace repaired, redesigned, and revived for sunny, year-round space. These homeowners had an existing porch in their home, but it was failing. Both the porch and adjoining terrace were over the garage, which added technical complexity to building this project. The terrace had been redone and the structure was fine, but the porch structure was failing. It needed to be completely repaired. Since the space needed to be completely redone, the homeowners decided to not just recreate the old space, but redesign it and make it the bright year-round space they dreamed of. The final design choices include floor heat, to keep the space warm and cozy year-round, and full windows, to keep the bitter winter winds outside. What the homeowners most love about the room is that while the rest of the house is traditional and a bit darker, this room is always bright and cozy, with lots of light, year-round. The windows can open up during the summer season to let the sounds of the birds and scents of the grills in, or stay closed to enjoy bright sunlight during the winter. Year-round sunlight - without even needing to wear socks!

A luxurious en suite bath was created within this classic 1925 Portland bungalow by reconfiguring the second story’s original small bedrooms and tiny half bath. In this welcoming new urban boho space, eclectic finishes mingle harmoniously, integrated through subtle repetition of shapes and materials. A furniture-style vanity sets the tone for this luxurious space, introducing materials, colors, shapes, and textures that repeat throughout. Individual walnut hexagons join to create distinctive vanity doors, offset beautifully by horizontal-grain drawers. Topping the cabinetry is a simple concrete countertop with integral sinks. An expansive framed mirror above enlarges and brightens the room. Within the mirror, sconces float, their globes a nod to the hexagons below. Champagne bronze fixtures reflect the warm walnut glow. Nestled into the back corner, a stunning shower features waterjet tiles in a double herringbone pattern, each precisely cut and laid to maintain design integrity at every surface transition. Teak floor tiles and a pebbled niche hint at the classic spa experience. Across from the shower, a large hexagonal window provides a treetop view from the free-standing tub below. The gentle oval of the tub and the beaded chandelier above provide a pleasing contrast to the strong lines surrounding it, as do the softly-shaded pebbles in the full-length niche. Shiplap wainscotting wraps the room, creating an illusion of height in the compact space. Subtle flooring and soft green walls create an understated backdrop for the bold mix of materials, unifying them into a serene oasis. Asking a century-old home to accommodate a modern luxury bath is a tall order. Asbestos-laden plaster and flooring had to be abated. The subfloor had to be leveled and reinforced to increase strength and prevent deflection. Water lines and multiple electrical circuits had to be brought across and up without disturbing a beautifully-paneled ceiling, something we accomplished by firring out stair walls to hide the chases. Our client had visions of a leafy view from her tub, but the new layout eliminated existing windows. Placing a new window was complicated by deep eaves and flat soffits. By pushing the header into the roofline, however, we were able to accommodate a picture window. The flat soffit was replaced by an inverse hip lined with stained tongue and groove cedar, tying it to the bathroom finishes. Bringing materials up a narrow staircase became truly challenging when it was time to install the big items. However, strategic removal of drywall around the landing got the job done. Our attention to detail is showcased in the shower tile, where precise cuts were required at surface transitions to maintain the integrity of a complex double herringbone lay. The project was delivered on time. Savvy layout choices minimized spending on structural changes. Because we were dealing with dormer space, head height was an issue. Raising the ceiling would have been complex and expensive so our design accommodated the constraints – tub on the low outside wall, shower on the full-height interior wall. The vanity spanned the spread, accommodating our petite client on the exterior side and her taller husband on the interior side. An under-eave closet was closed off to create room for both a freestanding tub and a separate shower. Rather than building replacement storage elsewhere, we simply added a new door into the closet from the primary bedroom. This was made possible by absorbing the short hallway separating the existing bed and bathroom into the primary bedroom. This new layout also created an en suite relationship between the primary bedroom and the new bath. We saved additional dollars by selecting a furniture-style vanity rather than using custom cabinetry, and the countertop with integral sinks provided a cost savings over a more traditional quartz countertop with undermount sinks. Affordable shower tiles allowed us to put more money into a dynamic tile layout. The project was delivered within budget.

From a modest East End bungalow to a striking three-storey custom home — our Dundas St E project was anything but straightforward. When we began demolition, we discovered the house sat on a former landfill site, which created serious structural challenges. Instead of seeing a problem, we saw an opportunity to apply innovative engineering. Our team designed and installed a foundation system using helical piles and structured footings, creating a rock-solid base for the new build. This project proves that no matter how complex the site conditions, smart design and skilled construction can transform challenges into stunning results. The proof? This home sold within two days of hitting the market.

Porch and terrace repaired, redesigned, and revived for sunny, year-round space. These homeowners had an existing porch in their home, but it was failing. Both the porch and adjoining terrace were over the garage, which added technical complexity to building this project. The terrace had been redone and the structure was fine, but the porch structure was failing. It needed to be completely repaired. Since the space needed to be completely redone, the homeowners decided to not just recreate the old space, but redesign it and make it the bright year-round space they dreamed of. The final design choices include floor heat, to keep the space warm and cozy year-round, and full windows, to keep the bitter winter winds outside. What the homeowners most love about the room is that while the rest of the house is traditional and a bit darker, this room is always bright and cozy, with lots of light, year-round. The windows can open up during the summer season to let the sounds of the birds and scents of the grills in, or stay closed to enjoy bright sunlight during the winter. Year-round sunlight - without even needing to wear socks!

A luxurious en suite bath was created within this classic 1925 Portland bungalow by reconfiguring the second story’s original small bedrooms and tiny half bath. In this welcoming new urban boho space, eclectic finishes mingle harmoniously, integrated through subtle repetition of shapes and materials. A furniture-style vanity sets the tone for this luxurious space, introducing materials, colors, shapes, and textures that repeat throughout. Individual walnut hexagons join to create distinctive vanity doors, offset beautifully by horizontal-grain drawers. Topping the cabinetry is a simple concrete countertop with integral sinks. An expansive framed mirror above enlarges and brightens the room. Within the mirror, sconces float, their globes a nod to the hexagons below. Champagne bronze fixtures reflect the warm walnut glow. Nestled into the back corner, a stunning shower features waterjet tiles in a double herringbone pattern, each precisely cut and laid to maintain design integrity at every surface transition. Teak floor tiles and a pebbled niche hint at the classic spa experience. Across from the shower, a large hexagonal window provides a treetop view from the free-standing tub below. The gentle oval of the tub and the beaded chandelier above provide a pleasing contrast to the strong lines surrounding it, as do the softly-shaded pebbles in the full-length niche. Shiplap wainscotting wraps the room, creating an illusion of height in the compact space. Subtle flooring and soft green walls create an understated backdrop for the bold mix of materials, unifying them into a serene oasis. Asking a century-old home to accommodate a modern luxury bath is a tall order. Asbestos-laden plaster and flooring had to be abated. The subfloor had to be leveled and reinforced to increase strength and prevent deflection. Water lines and multiple electrical circuits had to be brought across and up without disturbing a beautifully-paneled ceiling, something we accomplished by firring out stair walls to hide the chases. Our client had visions of a leafy view from her tub, but the new layout eliminated existing windows. Placing a new window was complicated by deep eaves and flat soffits. By pushing the header into the roofline, however, we were able to accommodate a picture window. The flat soffit was replaced by an inverse hip lined with stained tongue and groove cedar, tying it to the bathroom finishes. Bringing materials up a narrow staircase became truly challenging when it was time to install the big items. However, strategic removal of drywall around the landing got the job done. Our attention to detail is showcased in the shower tile, where precise cuts were required at surface transitions to maintain the integrity of a complex double herringbone lay. The project was delivered on time. Savvy layout choices minimized spending on structural changes. Because we were dealing with dormer space, head height was an issue. Raising the ceiling would have been complex and expensive so our design accommodated the constraints – tub on the low outside wall, shower on the full-height interior wall. The vanity spanned the spread, accommodating our petite client on the exterior side and her taller husband on the interior side. An under-eave closet was closed off to create room for both a freestanding tub and a separate shower. Rather than building replacement storage elsewhere, we simply added a new door into the closet from the primary bedroom. This was made possible by absorbing the short hallway separating the existing bed and bathroom into the primary bedroom. This new layout also created an en suite relationship between the primary bedroom and the new bath. We saved additional dollars by selecting a furniture-style vanity rather than using custom cabinetry, and the countertop with integral sinks provided a cost savings over a more traditional quartz countertop with undermount sinks. Affordable shower tiles allowed us to put more money into a dynamic tile layout. The project was delivered within budget.

The homeowners had a vision of building their quintessential mountain valley complex, complete with enough room for both their family and toys. The property ended up including multiple structures. While each structure has it’s own individual use, the use of our natural wood materials throughout multiple applications tied the design of all the buildings together.

The homeowners had a vision of building their quintessential mountain valley complex, complete with enough room for both their family and toys. The property ended up including multiple structures. While each structure has it’s own individual use, the use of our natural wood materials throughout multiple applications tied the design of all the buildings together.