home architects

Your home architects, start to finish.

A black and white image of a custom home residence

At Refine Design Architecture, we are home architects who guide you from the very first conversation through the final nail. As licensed residential architects in Washington, we collaborate closely with each client to craft site-specific homes that honor your lifestyle, meet local permitting requirements, and elevate the experience of everyday living. Our work goes beyond producing drawings—we choreograph light, views, and circulation to create memorable architectural moments that make you pause, reflect, and feel genuinely at home. With high-caliber design, detailed documentation, and personalized service, we shape spaces your family will cherish for generations. Whether you are building a custom home from the ground up or breathing new life into an existing space, Refine Design Architecture is ready to lead the way.

Meet our Residential Architect Team

What can we do for you?

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01. Pre-Design

This is where we get on a first-name basis. Our home architects collaborate with you to understand your project vision and goals, then verify and navigate the legal requirements to build.

02. Design

This is the good stuff. Drawing on your ideas and our design expertise, our team develops several design options—exploring floor plans and reviewing your home in detailed 3D renderings.

03. Permits

At this point, the design is ready to be submitted to your local jurisdiction for the necessary building permits. We can lead this effort entirely or step in to assist you along the way.

04. Construction

We provide you with construction drawings detailed enough to hand directly to a general contractor. We can also help vet builders and coordinate during construction to keep your project on track.

Don't just take our word for it.

Here's what our clients have to say.

"RD's team provided us with a very special creative process designing our home...If you are seriously looking to elevate your next project, work with Refine Design!"

Shy F.

Mountain Lodge

"Stone and Julia were very professional and extremely helpful in designing our project. Their patience and attention to detail were integral in configuring a change of use building."

Dustin D.

Ballard DADU

"They not only helped bring our vision to life, but offered a point of view we had not thought of. I highly recommend this duo - they are incredibly easy to work with."

Kendall F.

Gig Harbor Remodel

"No words can describe how exceptional Julia and Stone are at their work...Not only did they research extensively into the building codes but they poured so much thought into the design."

Yu Chi S.

Seattle Bathroom Remodel

"It was great working with Refine Design Architecture for our cabin expansion. They listened to our requirements, offered feedback and produced designs that fulfilled our vision"

Antonio G.

Leavenworth Cabin Addition

"Their work was on schedule, on budget, and their ideas were very helpful. If you're searching for an architectural team that can fit the bill, look no further."

James M.

Accessibility Retrofit

Have questions?
We have answers.

At Refine Design Architecture, we believe that working with home architects isn't a one-size-fits-all process—every project is as unique as the family behind it.

What is the process when working with home architects?

Working with home architects typically moves through four key phases: pre-design, design, permitting, and construction. During pre-design, we listen closely to your vision and research the legal and zoning requirements for your property. The design phase is where ideas take shape—through floor plans, design options, and 3D visualizations. Once the design is refined, we prepare and submit permit documents to your local jurisdiction, then deliver a complete construction drawing package so your builder can break ground with confidence.

Do I need licensed home architects for my project?

In Washington State, hiring licensed home architects is not always legally required, but it is highly recommended—especially for custom builds, complex renovations, or projects with challenging site conditions. A licensed architect brings design expertise, code knowledge, and permitting experience that can save you significant time, money, and stress over the life of your project. For projects that involve structural changes, additions, or energy compliance, an architect's stamp may also be required by your local jurisdiction. Investing in professional architectural services from the start helps ensure your project is done right the first time.

What does construction cost when working with home architects?

Construction costs vary widely depending on the scope of your project, the materials selected, the complexity of the design, and current market conditions. Custom homes generally carry a higher per-square-foot cost than standard production builds, reflecting the tailored nature of the work. Your home architects can help you think through budget considerations early in the process so design decisions align with your financial goals. While we do not provide contractor bids, we can help you understand the relationship between design choices and overall project cost.

How long does the home architects process take?

The timeline for working with home architects depends on the size and complexity of your project. Typically, the design phase takes two to four months, covering everything from initial concepts to permit-ready drawings. Permit review times vary by jurisdiction and can add additional weeks or months to the schedule. Once permits are secured and a builder is under contract, construction on a custom home generally takes six to eighteen months—though larger or more complex projects may take longer. Your architect will help you set realistic expectations from the very beginning.

How much do home architects cost?

Architectural fees for residential projects typically range from eight to fifteen percent of the total construction cost, though the exact amount depends on the scope of services and the complexity of the design. Some home architects charge a flat fee, while others bill hourly or on a percentage basis—each approach has its advantages depending on your project. At Refine Design Architecture, we work to be transparent about fees from the outset so there are no surprises. Investing in skilled home architects often pays for itself through smarter design decisions, smoother permitting, and better coordination with your builder.

Why hire home architects for your residential project?

Hiring home architects means more than getting a set of drawings—it means having a skilled advocate for your vision throughout the entire building process. Architects bring a trained eye for how space, light, and proportion come together to create homes that feel right the moment you walk through the door. They navigate permitting requirements, coordinate with contractors, and catch costly issues before they become problems in the field. Most importantly, thoughtful architectural design elevates daily life in ways that go far beyond aesthetics, shaping how you move through, gather in, and connect with your home for years to come.