Best Residential Architects | Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is known for homes that blur the line between indoors and out. Framed by forests, mountains, and water, residential architects in Seattle, Portland, and across the Pacific Northwest have developed a style that emphasizes natural light, modern materials, and strong connections to landscape. The result is a body of work that feels distinctly regional yet internationally admired.
Among the most respected names are firms like Scott Edwards Architecture, Olson Kundig, and Heliotrope, whose custom houses combine thoughtful design with everyday livability. Whether it’s a glass-walled retreat on the coast, a sustainable urban dwelling in Portland, or a mountain cabin tucked into the Cascades, the best residential architects in the Pacific Northwest share a commitment to craft, comfort, and timeless design.
Olson Kundig
- Firm Location: Seattle, WA
- Scope of Services: Custom residences, cultural and commercial projects, interiors, product design and adaptive reuse
- Location of Projects: Pacific Northwest and international commissions
- Style of Work: Expressive, tectonic, craft-forward architecture often engaging landscape and mechanical ideas
Scott Edwards Architecture
- Firm Location: Portland, OR
- Scope of services: Custom single-family residences, multifamily, institutional, commercial, interiors and planning
- Location of Projects: Oregon, Bend, and the greater Pacific Northwest
- Style of Work: Contemporary Northwest design with an emphasis on livability, refined craft, and strong connections to the natural landscape
Miller Hull
- Firm Location: Seattle, WA (and San Diego presence)
- Scope of Services: Residential and multifamily design, civic and institutional buildings, workplace and sustainable design consulting
- Location of Projects: Pacific Northwest and national/international projects
- Style of Work: Regionalist, performance-driven architecture prioritizing sustainability and place
Cutler Anderson Architects
- Firm Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
- Scope of Services: Custom residences, remodels, site-sensitive residential planning, occasional civic and commercial projects
- Location of Projects: Pacific Northwest, with select national commissions
- Style of Work: Contextual, craft-driven, landscape-integrated residential design
Skylab Architecture
- Firm Location: Portland, OR
- Scope of Services: Custom residences, modular/prefab design, mixed-use, cultural and commercial projects
- Location of Projects: Pacific Northwest and national projects
- Style of Work: Experimental contemporary design emphasizing narrative, craft and innovation
Suyama Peterson Deguchi
- Firm Location: Seattle, WA
- Scope of Services: Custom residences, interiors, cultural and commercial projects, in-house fabrication/construction services for select work
- Location of Projects: Pacific Northwest and select national work
- Style of Work: Minimal, quiet Northwest contemporary with strong craft traditions
MWWorks
- Firm Location: Seattle, WA
- Scope of Services: Custom residences, remodels, interiors, small commercial projects
- Location of Projects: Seattle and Pacific Northwest
- Style of Work: Modern, understated, craft-oriented residential design
Allied Works
- Firm Location: Portland, OR (also Brooklyn, NY presence)
- Scope of Services: Custom residences, cultural and institutional projects, urban design, interiors and objects
- Location of Projects: Pacific Northwest and national/international commissions
- Style of Work: Poetic, crafted, material-rich architecture focused on light and place
About Northwest Residential Architecture
Residential design in the Pacific Northwest is inseparable from its setting. Architects in Seattle, Portland, and across the Pacific Northwest often work with expansive windows, open layouts, and natural materials to create homes that frame views of forests, mountains, and water. In a climate where natural light is precious, daylighting strategies have become central to the region’s residential architecture.
Many firms combine contemporary style with livability. In Portland, Scott Edwards Architecture is known for homes that feel understated yet deeply connected to daily life, balancing clean-lined contemporary design with livability and comfort. This emphasis on craft and practicality is a hallmark of Northwest homes, setting them apart from other regions in the U.S.
“Northwest residential architecture balances modern design with livability – homes that are as comfortable as they are striking.”
