
About Us
I now focus exclusively on consultations, which are great for:
•Initial feasibility
•Cost estimates
•DIYers
The consultation includes:
•Research your property online.
•Review land use codes and building codes pertaining to your project.
•For interior layout designs, I will measure up the interior measurements of the floor plan of your house. I ask that the floor be uninhabited while I will measure up.
•Based on your dimensions, I will draw up the floor plan by hand or on CAD.
•For additions or DADUs, I will draw up the site plan on CAD.
•Sketch up a design plan showing a possible solution to your project.
•One hour of design time with me over Zoom.
- I will discuss your questions about your project.
- I will revise the design sketch in real time to respond to your concerns.
•Recommendation of selected architect/designers/design-builders who can carry your project forward for blueprints, permits and construction.
Cost is $690.00. A non-refundable $100.00 deposit is required.
Each consultation begins with a short phone call at no charge: 206-323-6677.
Services Provided
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), Architectural Design, Basement Design, Building Design, Green Building, Space Planning, Sustainable Design
Areas Served
Bellevue, Kirkland, Lake Forest Park, Seattle, Shoreline
Awards
Licensed Architect. Finalist Award for the NW EcoBuiilding Guild 2005 Green Design contest.
89 Projects
Write a Review













17 Reviews for Ten Directions Design, Architects

diana williams
Relationship
Client
From start to finish, Alan was very helpful in designing our finished basement. He gave us simple solutions and was available for any questions we had. He worked with the contractor to be sure what we wanted was what we got. We would hire him again for future projects.
October 23, 2018

Comment from Ten Directions Design, Architects:
Thanks for your lovely review. I am glad everything went smoothly and to your satisfaction!


Jen Polaski
Relationship
Client
Alan designed an addition to our 1920 Craftsman comprising a garage with master suite above, and some alterations to the existing main floor. He listened carefully to our wishes and needs, was extremely knowledgeable, and patient in explaining options and process to us. Alan designed many floorplan options for us to choose from. He helped us find a contractor to complete the work (no small feat to find someone who was available!) and performed site visits during construction. At each site visit he made valuable suggestions to improve function or aesthetics as necessary. I can't imagine the project going any more smoothly.
October 2, 2018

meredithselfon
Relationship
Client
Alan is designing our four-seasons sun room addition. He created a design that met all of our expectations and we can't wait to see the finished product! Alan is communicative, reliable, and organized.
September 30, 2018

Susan Andersen
Relationship
Client
We've been working with Alan on a remodel. Okay, remodel makes it sound as though we're redoing something that was actually finished at one time, when this will actually be the first thing to be done to our draconian basement. Alan has been a delight, however. He's responsive, professional and easy to work with. He listens, takes care of the permits and had access to a structural engineer, someone for whom my husband and i wouldn't have even known where to begin looking during that aspect of the building. Alan also has suggestions for craftsmen and contractors he believes we might enjoy working with. The project itself is still in the early stage: we're waiting on the bid from the contractor we picked from the list Alan supplied. Will take photos soon of the basement as it is now, then again when the project is finished.
May 17, 2018Last modified:May 17, 2018

Chris
Relationship
Client
Working with Alan was wonderful. Our project was demolishing the craftsman home my Grandmother bought in 1956 and sold to us a couple years ago, and replace it with a new, larger craftsman - no pressure!
Along the way, we always felt Alan was truly listening to us and doing everything he could to work in all our ideas, as well as bring up new ones. He was easy to talk to, responsive by email and phone, professional, accountable and joyful to work with. He always had a smile on his face and a positive attitude, even when we didn't!
There were a few times were we came to him with ideas that we thought "were the best", and he patiently listened, then tactfully showed us what we were overlooking, but always came back with new ways of incorporating our ideas that were better than anything we had thought of.
Roadblocks and curve-balls are a given working on a big project inside a big city. Something is not going to go as expected at some point. Inevitably, things would come up that no one had experienced before, but Alan was there to do the research and find the solution. It was so comforting knowing someone with Alan's experience and knowledge was there to solve whatever problem came up - cause they will come up!
Alan's recommendations were also great. His referrals to other contractors/vendors/stores were always spot on. His network of other professionals he's worked with is impressive, and gave us a lot of confidence. Those connections alone are worth working with Alan as it's so hard to truly know the quality/accountability of referrals.
We had a funny/sad moment half way through the project when a friend approached us who knew Alan. He asked how it was going, and we said "great!" Our friend was doing a similar project, but trying to do it on his own and having lots of problems. The last thing he said to us as he walked away was, "I should have called Alan."
We are so grateful for Alan's help and would recommend him to anyone in a heartbeat.
December 12, 2017

Bakstad Construction
Relationship
Colleague
This is the second project I have worked with Alan Ness on & I have to say Alan is a very thoughtful, good listener. He has always been available for questions and always looks for a great answer.
He joins our team instead of trying to run the show.
I have also notice his designs stick to the clients needs and not to his own ego & my clients enjoy his Ideas and love working with him.
Alan Ness at Ten Directions is tops in our book!
March 30, 2017

Herbert Bee
Relationship
Client
We used Alan as architect for our whole house remodel. We had a great team of architect, engineer (Eric Rice) and GC (Jeff Loy) and Alan worked very well with his counterparts. He was very responsive and a good communicator to work through the many different issues that come up in a large scale remodel process.
February 21, 2017

shelly smith
Relationship
Client
We selected Ten Directions Design for our kitchen remodel. Alan prepared drawings and assisted with the design work for our project. During his initial consult, he took time to explore our entire house and understand our long term plans for the home, even though the scope of this project was limited. Alan was well organized and reliable, clearly communicated his role, and met all deadlines on time. His manner is the perfect blend of casual yet highly professional. As someone new to the Pacific Northwest, we relied heavily on Alan’s expertise and recommendations, and found all his advice helpful and on point.
December 7, 2016Last modified:December 8, 2016

linneakw
Relationship
Client
We highly recommend Ten Directions Design! We hired Alan to design the plans for an addition. Right off the bat we liked the way he listened to us and made very helpful suggestions. Alan is very efficient in his work and he met and beat all of his deadlines on our project. We also appreciated that he kept nudging us forward when we got stalled and he offered his expertise in person, over the phone and via email. Best of all, he's a genuinely nice guy.
October 13, 2015

jonprotas
Relationship
Client
Alan consulted and drew plans for a complete basement finishing project. He was quick, efficient, affordable, and drew up a simple yet flexible plan that we used to convert an unused raw space into a very comfortable living area. We enjoyed working with him, and would recommend him highly.
January 12, 2015

Brendan Lanctot
Relationship
Client
We did a design consultation with Alan regarding the possibility of adding a small dormer to our second floor. The consult entailed exactly what is specified on the Ten Directions website and was highly informative. Regardless of how we move forward on the project, we feel substantially more prepared to ask questions and make decisions that may cost a whole lot of money and change our home in big ways. Alan was affable and a very good listener.
December 30, 2013

adamwoog
Relationship
Client
Alan designed and oversaw the construction of a major change to our 100-year-old house. He turned an unused and nearly inaccessible attic space (you could crawl through a trap door to walk around on the ceiling joists) into a beautiful second floor, popping up two dormers. Perfect! He listened well to our needs, had excellent suggestions of his own, was always well prepared, held our inexperienced hands through the entire process...plus, he was (and is) a nice guy and a pleasure to know. In the dozen or so years since, we've recommended him to others whenever possible.
October 18, 2013
4 Ideabooks
14 Comments
Commented: Would you select a light or dark countertop?I also agree - it would be nice to select a countertop that will pick up the floor color: warm off-white, with the veining or speckling mentioned above. In your photo I notice that the cabinetry has a...
November 16, 2020 in Design Dilemma
Commented: What choice would be bestSeems like the copper flecked countertop would go well with your copper pulls!
November 11, 2020 in Design Dilemma
Commented: We need thin storage cabinets for our bathroom that resembles the doorA good cabinet maker should be able to help you. Possibly a shoji maker would do better at the Japanese look.
June 9, 2016
Commented: What type of wood are the kitchen cabinets?I believe these are a white oak.
January 11, 2016
Commented: Where did you get that awesome door? (we live in Vancouver, BC)This awesome door was made by Mike Kennedy in Seattle: mike@kbmnorthwest.com. He said: I made
the barn door myself from Tennessee Red Cedar and condition and treated
it with Tung Oil finish which all...
September 2, 2015
Commented: Could you please tell me the trim color? Thx!I believe the trim is Benjamin Moore Acadia White AC-41.
May 11, 2015
Contact Ten Directions Design, Architects
![]() | Ten Directions Design, Architects |
2502 N. 40th Street (by appt.)
Seattle, WA 98103
Seattle, WA 98103
Typical Job Cost $150,000 - 1 million
License Number 10449
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