
Departure l Architecture
Architects
5x Best of Houzz winner
References available
Eco-friendly
About Us
Greater Portland & Surrounding Area Architect | 2X Best of Houzz!
Departure is an architectural practice located in the Portland area servicing the city and surrounding region. The goal for each project is to create authentic and sustainable architecture that responds directly to each unique design opportunity. While working collaboratively with each Client and the General Contractor, we ensure that our personal touch and professionalism carry strong design ideas through to great results while ensuring we create meaningful relationships.
Mainly specializing in residential new construction and renovation work, Departure also works occasionally on small commercial projects. Residential projects range from the design of new custom homes to compact adu's (accessory dwelling units).
Services Provided
Architectural Design, Custom Homes, Energy-Efficient Homes, Green Building, Home Additions, Home Extensions, Multigenerational Homes, Sustainable Design, Tiny House Construction, Universal Design, Accessory Dwelling Units
Areas Served
Lake Oswego, Portland, Tigard, West Linn, Portland 150 mile radius
Awards
Sustainable Home Professional (SHP) LEED AP accreditation (US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
Credentials
5 Houzz Awards
5 Houzz Badges
Write a Review
















9 Reviews for Departure l Architecture

Jonquil Moser
Relationship
Client
Dan was a great partner through a renovation of our 1940’s ranch that included a gut kitchen remodel, all new windows, addition of a walk-in closet and removal and moving of structural walls. He also spent considerable time helping us prioritize our broader vision/goals into what was feasible within this remodeling phase with our budget in mind. We are very grateful to have worked with him and would gladly hire his services again.
He wisely keeps a long-term mindset and his two goals are that, when the project is over, his clients are 1) entirely satisfied with the result and 2) don't think there are any "could have been" ideas. Which means the planning process can be exhaustive (we went through dozens of variations of plans), but he is so pleasant to work with that it was never exhausting. We collaborated well with the big ideas; and then he brought a lot of the little details that really helped improve the quality of life (widening an entryway here by a few inches, adding another door there, etc.). He doesn't estimate materials/work budget, so it's essential to work with the contractor to keep ideas scoped properly; but he's the first to tell you that. We're very satisfied with the end result and thankful for being able to work with Dan.
March 2, 2020Last modified:March 2, 2020

Nan Duffly
Relationship
Client
Dan designed our 800 sq. ft ADU so that it would fit within and respect the landscape, and be light-filled. It accomplished all that and more - it is a stunning home that feels spacious, and though there are lots of windows, it feels private. His integrity and thoughtfulness helped to navigate construction delays (none caused by him). He was by our side until completion and we would hire him again for any project requiring an architect. Nan and Paul
February 27, 2020

Richard Sagor
Relationship
Client
We were remodeling a vintage cabin in Welches, Oregon that is located on a challenging site near a river. This involved special permits, etc. As we are snowbirds, much of the work was done while we were gone. We needed an innovative architect but also someone who was savvy with sustainable construction and project management skills. Dan was highly rated and our interview with him seemed to confirm that he was creative, relatable and knowledgeable. All of those qualities have been borne out in our construction experience. Not only did he listen carefully and create a design that reflected our unique needs, he also provided expertise about the latest building strategies that were valuable to us and to our general contractor. Part of the package that Dan provided was onsite project oversight. This was invaluable to us as we were physically removed from the work site. If you hire Dan, you will find someone who is at the top of his game aesthetically. But even more importantly, you will benefit from his easy rapport, constant communication and follow through and suggestions. He made what could have been a complicated process a true delight. We would give him our highest recommendation!



June 3, 2019

Andrew Kroger
Relationship
Client
I can't say enough about Departure Architecture and Dan. Dan helped us build a beautiful home from start to finish. Dan invests a lot of time to really understand his clients needs and desires and then comes to the table with ideas to share and build upon. Dan really took the time to understand our family needs and helped us produce an ideal home. I would highly recommend Dan to anyone who is looking for professional, knowledgeable, and easy to work with architect that always puts your needs in front of his.
April 23, 2019

Richard Sagor
Relationship
Client
My wife and I recently hired Dan to oversee a house remodel--adding a separate addition to a rustic cabin near Mt. Hood. This project was a bit complicated as the ultimate design had to meet numerous code requirements (due to its location near a river), and it also had to link a new, modern wing with an existing historical cabin. Dan has been invaluable throughout the entire process: initial design concept; working to secure permits; assistance with interviewing contractors; guiding decisions for energy efficiency, responding to suggested design tweaks and interior finishes advice. His responsiveness, attention to detail , follow-through and extensive architectural knowledge have been on display throughout the process. Our new home is slated to be finished later this summer, and we could not be happier!

November 17, 2017Last modified:June 27, 2018

Stone Creek Building
Relationship
Colleague
Daniel is a wonderful architect and designer. I am working on a few integrated design projects with him and it has been fun working with him. He isn't just creative and innovative, but he also relational and gets to know our clients on a personal level. He is a great listener and has fabulous ideas. I highly recommend Daniel!
May 12, 2017

ms_lillywindle
Relationship
Client
We were looking for an architect to design our new tiny (250 sf) and energy efficient backyard ADU. Our backyard is small and we wanted to locate the new adu so that it faced a small dogwood tree in the corner of the backyard. This also provided us with the needed privacy between the new adu and our home. Daniel Lajoie with Departure Architecture was great to work with. The design that we came up together located a small sleeping loft above the living spaces. Most of the windows face the dogwood and along with the overall volume created in the space, our little adu feels so much larger than it actually is. Daniel also showed us how we could design and build an extremely energy efficient adu with our given budget and helped us to hire the right contractor. For others considering projects, we would highly recommend working with Departure Architecture.
April 22, 2015

petenlee
Relationship
Client
Here is all you need to know:
Dan is the best architect you could dream of or be blessed with. Boom. No more needs to be said --
--but I will anyway -- He is just amazing.
We had a HUGE job -- new construction and 3/4 of the house taken down to studs. We are out at the beginning of the Gorge and traveling here was not a big deal for him. That was so helpful and refreshing!
Our project took a long time, and Dan was never-wavering and consistent in his constant shepherding.
Above and beyond only begins to describe Dan. Dan takes the time to get to know you, how you live and what your space could look like for you. He is daring, but structurally diligent and sound. He is cutting edge on sustainability and eco-efficient houses. His designs have grace, beauty, simplicity, and strength.
See his website, but trust me: Dan is the best advocate and dream-maker you could hope for if you are going to remodel.
One of (the many) things I love about Dan is how he loves projects big and small. It is the people he bases his choices on for who he works for. If he likes you and what you are all about, he will take you on. Don't be put off with that -- it just means he will take your project PERSONALLY because he cares about YOU. (Renz, the Jack Terrior, will probably have to like you too. He goes everywhere with Dan.)
And if you can "let go and let Dan," he will exceed all the smart ideas you thought you had for your space. I thought I knew all the solutions and neat things for our project. HA! Never in my wildest dreams could I have thought up what he did. Every day I walk around our house and think: I would have never thought of this or this is just so perfect.
You are welcome to come see my house... but you should be forewarned: you will not want to go with anyone else once you see what he has done and once I get through smothering you with my accolades for him.
One more thing: listen when he tells you who the good construction companies are in Portland.




April 6, 2015

marhchamb
Relationship
Client
Departure came out to our property after the 2013 Build-It-Green tour and talked to us about potential of building an ADU. A year later, we decided to move forward with building an ADU and again, contacted Dan Lajoie. He came out to our property with the notes and ideas discussed the previous year and was willing to spend a long time discussing our hopes for our ADU. He was able to take our ideas and create a beautiful space that works perfectly for us and our property. Throughout the beginning of the process Dan was available to answer our questions, he spent time sharing pictures and showing us ideas as well as meeting with us regularly to look at his progress. He always took our perspective into account and reworked some of the drafts to ensure we were getting what we wanted; but he also had fantastic ideas that we had not thought of and did a great job inserting his personal character into the project. Overall, we have been really impressed with Dan's patience and his ability to turn a small space into something so functional and beautiful.
April 4, 2015
12 Ideabooks
11 Comments
Commented: Love it , dimensions?Hi Angel. This very efficient little space off of the Kitchen is just 3' wide (to fit the stackable washer/dryer on one side and the refrigerator on the other side) and 9'-0" long with an etched...
January 3, 2018
Commented: what is the shower door made of, what material?The shower door is just blue tinted tempered glass!
September 8, 2017
Commented: Great use of spaceThe floor slopes towards the long side wall where a long perimeter drain collects the water!
August 18, 2017
Commented: Would you mind sharing the dimensions of this room please?Hi Ryan! This LR is 18'x 14'.
April 19, 2017
Commented: materials?Hi Jane! The cabinets are a cherry wood with a light stain, the countertops are honed black granite. The main upper portion of the island is 5'x7.5'. Hope this helps you out!!
January 5, 2017
Commented: Where can I get this railing?Hi Anthonyvera1. It's just a regular, off the shelf, cable rail system with a steel tube handrail. (http://stainlesscablerailing.com/?rkw&gclid=CjwKEAjwxruuBRC9lLGslqjs-HISJAAkq21slYMJ22oAtjFzNs...
August 15, 2015
Contact Departure l Architecture
![]() | Departure l Architecture |
143 John Adams Street
Oregon City, OR 97045
Oregon City, OR 97045
License Number Or Architectural Licence #4633
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