Summer 2026 Newsletter
Life on (and above!) the Water
It's been nearly a year and a half since we first stepped into an empty space on Portage Bay. Today, the DA Seattle Studio feels like home—full of energy, light, and collaborative spirit. The shifting weather, changing light, and constant motion on the water outside our windows offer a quiet, steady source of inspiration. Fittingly, several of our current projects occupy waterfront sites. Read on to learn more about them, and about what's new at DA.
Enjoy these long summer days and stop by to say hi if you're in the neighborhood!
Geiger Grade
We're excited to begin design on a new custom home in the Virginia Range above Reno. Perched on a saddle-shaped ridge with sweeping views of downtown, Mount Rose, and a striking rock outcropping, the site feels remote despite being minutes from town. We're working closely with the owner to create a contemporary home that celebrates its surroundings by responding thoughtfully to shifting solar patterns, existing trees, seasonal weather, and the site's complex topography.
Green Gate Lane
On Orcas Island, we're helping clients realize a long-held dream—a wooded retreat designed for family and friends. The site is magical but hard to capture in a photo-- a ridge of moss-and-lichen-covered rock overlooking a sun-lit clearing with a pond.
Multi-Generational by Design:
Architecture, Wealth Planning, and Legal Strategy for Family Legacy Properties
When a family builds a custom home or private retreat, they're rarely just thinking about next summer. They're thinking about Thanksgiving twenty years from now, about which child might want to raise their own kids nearby, about what they want to leave behind. Projects designed for generations carry emotional weight—but increasingly, significant financial and legal weight too. In a recent blog post, John and Brett spoke with Jim Falcone, Co-founder and Managing Director of Fulcrum Wealth Advisors, about how thoughtful design and careful planning can create a lasting legacy. Read more here.
Good Bones on Shaw Island
Nestled in a quiet cove on Shaw Island, our Neck Point remodel is officially under construction! Working with two great clients, we were fortunate to inherit a strong existing design—allowing us to focus on thoughtful interior interventions that better connect the living spaces to the waterfront. The material palette draws from the home's natural surroundings and our clients' love of Japanese and Scandinavian design. We can't wait to watch it take shape.
DeForest Architects | Seattle Studio | John DeForest, Riley Coghlan
Contractor | Wilson Construction LLC
Structural | Swenson Say Fagét
Hands-On: Full-Scale Mockups
Mockups have long been part of our approach to design and collaboration.
Using real materials at full scale helps us refine ideas in three dimensions and engage the entire team. For this project, we collaborated with the mason, metal fabricator, and carpenters to refine stone layout, finishes, fastening, waterproofing, and transitions like stone meeting the metal scupper. The result is a shared reference that clarifies decisions and reduces surprises before construction begins.
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1. Clover – Kirkland Remodel – Kirkland, WA
2. Koda – Green Gate Lane – Orcas Island
3. Sparkle – The Quincho – Burien, WA
4. Luna – Stonegate – Sun Valley, ID
5. Roxy and Atlas – Seagate House – San Juan, WA
6. Viggo – Catskill View Preserve -Claverack, NY
7. Milo
AIA National Conference
Beyond AI: The Essence and Future of Residential Design
John recently organized and took part in a panel at the AIA National Conference in San Diego exploring creativity, authorship, and communication beyond automation. Amid rapidly evolving tools—including AI—architects face new opportunities and challenges. Rather than focusing on technical demonstrations, the forum encouraged big-picture conversation about how architects use diverse tools to communicate intent, explore ideas, and engage clients. Speaking to an audience of three hundred, John argued that even as tools become faster and more accessible, the architect's role as author, editor, and interpreter of design intent remains essential.
Welcome Hieu!
We're excited to share that Hieu Le is joining the DA team! Hieu earned his Bachelor of Architecture in Vietnam before completing dual Master's degrees in Architecture and Construction Administration at the University of Oklahoma. He brings 18 years of experience across high-end residential, affordable housing, commercial, and mixed-use projects. With a background in architectural photography, Hieu is drawn to the interplay of light, space, and context—and is equally passionate about building science and the design-build process.
Fun Fact: Hieu played soccer in the Fort Worth Adult Soccer Association League and is eager to find a new team to play with in Seattle.
ICYMI—DA in the News
Keystone Cottage in Portrait of Seattle
Boomerang House in Contemporist
Neurosensory Article featured in Seattle Times
The Quincho featured in Houzz and Seattle Times
Happy Solstice! Thank you from all of us at DeForest Architects for following along.