Drager Architecture

Best, most talented architects in the Puget Sound area. The firm is lead by a patient and talented architect who believes that how the client lives in a home should drive the program for design.

Bret Drager designed a new home on a beachfront lot. He needed to consider view, steep drop in elevation from street to waterfront, usage by large number of children, potential resale market. Together we agreed to produce a contemporary, with Asian flair, structure. Bret was knowledgeable, very responsive, helpful in selecting a general contractor, and designed a very distinctive livable home. It is currently under construction so I do not have photos of the completed house.

It has been our pleasure to work with Drager Architecture on our recent home remodel. Bret Drager's knowledge and experience were evident in the way he was able to take our likes, dislikes and a few of our ideas and transform them into plans for an absolutely beautiful lodge-style home. Bret's meticulous attention to detail resulted in designs being on schedule, without issues and within budget. Bret's friendly personality and genuine interest in our project made the nine months from start to finish enjoyable for both the builder and us, the homeowners. We now have a beautiful home which we are proud of and will enjoy for years to come. Thank you, Bret, for a fantastic job! Ted and Jannie

Our experience with Drager Architecture was wonderful. Bret walked us through everything, he helped us craft our bad ideas into good ideas and our good ideas into great ones. We had a huge remodel, at least 90% of the house was redesigned. After we were done with our project our neighbors were so impressed that two of them contracted Drager Architecture to work on major projects for their homes. We couldn't be happier with how our home turned out. Sherri Woolworth

We had spent years researching the literature and driving through residential neighborhoods in pursuit of our dream house. We knew that we wanted a distinctive house in the craftsman style that was well detailed and perfectly suited to the site we had selected on the North Olympic Peninsula. We became aware of Bret’s work through our research and were impressed with what he had done for others. It was clear from the examples of his work that he was experienced and talented in the type of structure we were envisioning. During our initial meeting, Bret listened carefully as we described our project. As we spoke, it was clear that Bret was building enthusiasm for our project when he reached for his sketch pad and started presenting some possible solutions. One of the sketches served as the basis for what eventually became the construction documents for our dream home. We had some very specific requirements for our home which we provided to Bret at the start of the design process. We were also actively involved during the design process. Bret was a pleasure to work with. Bret’s design for our home skillfully addressed all of our requirements. We are absolutely thrilled with our new home and cannot recommend Bret highly enough.

We built a summer home on Filucy Bay in Pierce County and Bret was the very knowledgeable and creative architect that we were fortunate to have found to work with. He started by listening to the long list of our "requirements", and then produced some widely differing concept sketches that we used to figure out what we wanted. Since we lived at some distance to the project, each meeting with Bret was very important - Bret has a great ability to quickly product concept sketches on top of the plans which really helped to refine the plans. The home was constructed by a wonderful builder that Bret recommended, and we felt that we were losing some good friends (both Bret and the builder) as the project came to a close. When we decided to build a detached garage on the summer property, there was no question that we would hire Bret and the same builder for that project too. Bret's style of design and the quality of construction were equal to the main house, and we are extremely satisfied with the wonderful results.

Drager Architecture remodeled our 1950's waterfront home in 2005 after moving out for 13 months while our 4000 sq ft home was almost entirely remodeled. Bret designed a new wing to include a family and dining room, along with new kitchen, pantry, new baths and bedroom design, large waterfront deck, back aggregate patio, and new radiant floor heating with tiled and hardwood floors. Our house is perfect for entertaining but mostly we feel happy here--beautiful products, friendly design, and stylish Asian motif. Bret was professional, timely, and very pleasant to work with. Thanks, Drager Architecture

Bret worked with us (patiently) over the course of a couple years, taking our desire to change our 1970's PNW Contemporary on Fox Island and transforming it into a craftsman inspired beachfront home. In the end, shed roofs became gable ends and eave overhangs. Sheeted siding became stained lap cedar and double reveal shingles, 4 brick fireplaces removed and a sunken living room raised to level with the rest of the house... all to give rise to first and second floor continuous floor plans and the removal of disjointed rooms. 64 new windows and doors, new electrical, heat and plumbing with a new Master Bedroom beyond our expectations... Bret delivered the plans and coached us along the way to make a brand new home from an uncorfortable dated and structurally concerning house. A house in a place where we did not want to leave and now never will. Great vision and again...patience with his customer.

How do you add on to a log house? We asked Bret Drager to design a three story addition with a tower between an existing log house and a three car garage taking our view of the mountain into account. He listened to our ideas and concerns, assessed the situation and came up with a fantastic design giving us our own mountain lodge retreat. Bret worked with us to stay within our budget and he helped us through the permit process. I am still amazed at how the angles, windows and beams come together to create a rustic elegance.

Being a custom home builder, Drager Architecture has been a major part of my business creating unique homes, remodels and additions. I have no reservations recommending and/or working on Drager Architecture projects. Homeowners are always very satisfied with the results from design to final completion of a project.

Bret Drager was my late wife's and my architect for a very contemporary design home we built on Whidbey Island in 2003-2004. He was personable, sensible, and creative throughout the process, and did not cost an arm and a leg. He asked us provocative questions to begin the process and came forth then with five design concepts. After we choose one, he involved us a lot in the process, but still directed us well and saved us from a number of bad mistakes we would otherwise have been attracted to. He welcomed the involvement of our contractor before construction drawings were finished, which again saved a number of headaches. When most of the last of our sweat equity -- and the house -- was finished, he visited with several of his staff to kick back and savor the result. We have kept in touch since.