grouparchitect

In Washington, Grouparchitect designed a contemporary home with aging in place in mind, creating a layout that emphasizes accessibility and energy efficiency. Another homeowner worked alongside Grouparchitect to transform their living space and create an expanded, all-season outdoor area directly connected to the kitchen level. The WoodBee House was nominated for Best Patio in the 2024 NanaAwards Project & Design Competition, while the Laurelhurst Porch was nominated for Best Porch/Deck. Through public voting, the architectural and design community recognized both projects with Silver Awards in their respective categories. Congratulations to Grouparchitect for their innovative use of NanaWall systems in these two spaces!

We worked with Scott LaBenz on a home and DADU design, and the process was delightful. Too boot, we did this from another state, but Scott was super patient and available, and the distance posed no barrier. The stress we've heard people talk about when telling stories of home design and materials selection just never happened, and I largely credit Scott's calm demeanor for that. As well, it helped greatly that Scott was thorough and in no hurry during design conception. Scott LaBenz proved easy to work with, was nothing but professional and personable, and we have no hesitation in recommending him (Grouparchitect). See our beautiful home and DADU at the Grouparcitect website, listed as Madrona DADU and Madrona residence.

Brian and Julie were great. Preliminary meetings, status updates, coming to make all the needed measurements, connecting us with a structural engineer and assisting with permits... we couldn't have done it without them. So glad we chose to use GroupArchitect. We're looking forward to MANY years in our new addition! Thanks Brian & Julie!

Working with Group Architect was an A+ experience. From design ideas to jurisdictional expertise to setting and maintaining a realistic schedule, the team at Group Architect was pleasure to work with. If you are looking for an architecture firm that can accurately project a budget, communicate openly are are easily accessible, this is the firm you want to work with. I can't recommend strongly enough to contact Group Architect for your next construction project.

We were fortunate to have Scott LaBenz and his team design our prefabricated modular home, which was based on a collaborative series by builder Method Homes and Grouparchitect. Scott and his staff intently listened in drafting plans that perfectly fit our needs and continued to be helpful during the permit process. In addition to compliments on the overall exterior and interior aesthetics of the home, we have received positive feedback on features required by the City of Seattle that were integrated impeccably as a product of Grouparchitect's superlative design solutions. With sincere gratitude, we thank Scott and everyone at Grouparchitect for making our design dreams a reality.

GroupArchitect has been the architect for multiple projects in which my company was the general contractor, we have worked together on residential remodels, as well as residential custom homes. The whole GroupArchitect team is easy to work with, and provides information quickly, as well as helping come up with creative solutions to problems when they arise. They are very professional and I look forward to working with them a lot more in the years to come.

This firm has terrific staff with great vision. I've done 2 projects as a Contractor with them and they are truly 5 star.

Downsizing from our family home, we were looking for a centrally located home in which we could still entertain our friends and family. We found a home with a remodel already in progress. We wanted to move towards a more modern design with warmth, all the while making sure the design worked with our lifestyle. We hired GroupArchitect because we felt our needs were heard and they came back with ideas which exceeded our expectations. And they made it happen. They worked with the contractor and made things easy for us. Making tile, granite slab, and other materials decisions were hard for us to envision, but Emily was forever patient and guided us through. She helped us make choices (on-time), which came together beautifully, maintaining clean lines and a consistent look. They recommended we change how the entry was situated and it worked out perfect. Guests feel welcome, yet maintained privacy. The entry way carries wood from the outdoors into the entry, with relaxing lighting making for a prominent yet casual (almost island casual) feeling. The warmth of wood was carried into the home with beams, trim, and flooring. The wood types varied, so we got some depth. The folding doors from the dining room to the entertainment deck really gave an al fresco feeling and expanding our space to allow guests to roam. The kitchen is designed so that those who want to hang out in the kitchen can do so, without getting in the way of the cook. It's a wonderful social space and is flexible for so many uses. Tons of storage and island seating area, in addition to great work spaces. We also love the barn doors! Although this home could function as the home we grow old in (with wide door openings, master bedroom/bath on main floor, lots of open space), it's doesn't look like it was designed to be that way - it's gorgeous. The downstairs has a master suite with living room, and large doors to close off the space for privacy and can easily work for longer term guests (because our kids keep threatening to move back in with us). We'd never seen anything so inviting and practical. The contractor has also been wonderful and responsive.

We have now worked with Emily twice, and would enthusiastically recommend her to anyone looking to strike the perfect balance between creative flair and family-friendly function. As an independent architect, Emily designed our Laurelhurst home from the ground up and had a flawless relationship with our GC. As Grouparchitect, she led the expansion and remodel of our wine cellar from the original 550 to now 1,750 bottles -- working in conjunction with Inviniti Cellars and Harjo Construction. Emily rocks.

It started with an idea and an auction. We had wanted to update our kitchen for quite a while; winning the auction for design consulting hours was the catalyst for starting a relationship with grouparchitect. We initially met with Brian Palidar for a preliminary master plan of the main level of our 50's mid-entry home. Our kitchen is the core of our home and any change would affect all major areas. Brian was very attuned to what we were looking for and after a couple of meetings to rough out the major concepts he developed a bid and explained the process the whole project could follow. We were excited and agreed now was the time. Scott LaBenz took over the actual design, honoring the unique personality of the house in the process. Our general contractor rounded out the team in a true partnership and a few months later it was finished. The few challenges that came up along the way were addressed cost effectively without sacrificing creativity. Simple suggestions made impactful visual and functional differences. It is hard to imagine what it looked like before. The design lines, materials used, and openness create a constant harmony. From the beginning to completion it was a very satisfying experience, and we wholeheartedly recommend grouparchitect and Scott LaBenz. Would we do it again if we knew then what we know now? In a heartbeat.

Group Architects simply did an outstanding job with our remodel. Scott worked closely with the general contractor and came up with a wonderful design. The whole process was smooth as silk and I couldn't be happier!

We worked with Group Architect on severl projects most recently a second story Master Suite addition to a mid centery modern home and the design is outstanding. They are great to work with and very talented archtiects.

Group Architect did a remodel of our 60's split level. It was our 'love the neighborhood' house. It's now the home we love in a great neighborhood. Brian and his team were very focused on the things that were important to us and brought design ideas exceeding our expectations. Brian went above and beyond to stay engaged through the entire project. This really helped as a homeowner unfamiliar with the building process. Of course, budget is always a hard conversation, but GroupArchitect worked very hard to create solutions within our overall budget and made helpful recommendations on where to save on costs and where to spend a little more.

We hired Group Architect for our major remodel/2nd story addition of our mid-century modern home and worked with the two owners, Brian and Scott. We were extremely impressed by their knowledge of building codes (our house is in an ECA zone), design and material ideas, communication skills (with ourselves and our contractor) and professional manner. They were very responsive to our ideas, requests and many questions. It was very important to Brian, Scott and ourselves that the completed home maintain some of its original character and style and not look like it was an add on, while adding many modern elements. The project was a huge success. We would highly recommend Group Architect.