ISSAQUAH, NORTHBEND & SNOQUALMIE

RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTS

REFINE DESIGN ARCHITECTURE

What is an Issaquah, North Bend & Snoqualmie residential architect?

Custom home exterior designed by residential architect in Issaquah, Washington with modern lines and natural materials.
A residential architect in Issaquah, North Bend, or Snoqualmie specializes in designing custom homes that respond to the terrain, zoning, and permitting conditions of the Cascade Foothills. At Refine Design Architecture, we guide homeowners through every phase of the custom home process—from first sketch to final inspection—with clarity, creativity, and deep local knowledge.

Whether you’re building on a wooded site in North Bend, designing a hillside residence in Issaquah Highlands, or planning a family home near Snoqualmie Falls, we help you navigate permitting, setbacks, slope regulations, and environmental constraints with confidence. As licensed residential architects, we go beyond drafting plans—we choreograph light, views, and circulation to create homes that support the way you live.

Eastern King County brings its own set of design challenges—stormwater reviews, steep slope overlays, native growth protection zones, and detailed energy code requirements. Our experience with King County DPER and local jurisdictions means we understand how to move your project forward efficiently while designing a home with long-term value and architectural integrity.

Explore our architectural services for custom homes in Issaquah, North Bend, and Snoqualmie →
Read our guide to working with a licensed residential architect →
Contact us to start planning your foothill custom home →

What can we do for you?

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01. Pre-Design

This is where we get on a first-name basis. As your trusted residential architect in the Cascade Foothills, we work closely with homeowners in Issaquah, North Bend, and Snoqualmie to define your vision and guide you through every permitting step. With a strong understanding of King County zoning, steep slope regulations, and rural infrastructure requirements, we make sure your project starts on the right foot—with clarity, confidence, and a strategy tailored to your site.
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02. Design

This is the good stuff. As licensed residential architects, we help clients in Issaquah, North Bend, and Snoqualmietransform their ideas into thoughtful, custom home designs. From precise floor plans to immersive 3D renderings, we give you the tools to visualize your future home with clarity and confidence—long before construction begins
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03.  Permits

At this stage, your custom home design is ready for submission to the local jurisdiction—whether in Issaquah, North Bend, or Snoqualmie. As your residential architect, we coordinate directly with King County and local city planning departments to manage submittals, revisions, and approvals. We can lead the entire permitting process or support your team as needed to keep your project moving forward.
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04. Construction

Finally, we deliver detailed construction drawings that your general contractor can build from with confidence. As local residential architects serving Issaquah, North Bend, and Snoqualmie, we help you evaluate builders, coordinate with consultants, and stay involved throughout construction to ensure your custom home is built exactly as designed—on schedule and within budget.

Don't just take our word for it.

Here's what our clients have to say.
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"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!"
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"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.
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"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."
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"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
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"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"
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"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

Got questions?
We have answers.

At Refine Design Architecture, we believe that building or renovating a home isn't a "one size fits all" process. To explore the diverse services we offer to help you realize your vision, discover more about using RDA as your trusted residential architect.

What is the process of building a home?

01 — Idea Generation. We begin by getting on a first-name basis. We work with you to define the vision for your custom home—whether you're planning a hillside retreat in North Bend, a legacy home near Lake Sammamish, or a craftsman-style residence in Snoqualmie. We review inspiration images, material preferences, and how you want your home to feel and function. This is where the creative process begins.

02 — Design the Project. We assess your site, navigate zoning and permitting codes in jurisdictions like Issaquah, Snoqualmie, and unincorporated King County, and consider topography, solar access, and views. As experienced residential architects, we develop floor plans, schematic studies, and 3D visuals that reflect your lifestyle and the unique terrain of the Cascade foothills.
Explore our architectural services →

03 — Secure Your Funding. If you’re applying for a construction loan, most Washington lenders require plans prepared by a licensed residential architect. We’ll provide the floor plans and supporting materials needed to move your financing forward with clarity and confidence.
See how we support custom home planning →

04 — Permit the Project. Next, we coordinate with the relevant permitting agency—whether it's the City of Issaquah, the City of Snoqualmie, or King County. Our local knowledge as residential architects helps prevent delays and ensures that your submittals, corrections, and approvals stay on track.
Read more about our permitting approach →

05 — Find a Builder and Start Construction. With your construction drawings complete, you can collect bids or move forward with your selected builder. We help vet contractors, coordinate with engineers and consultants, and stay involved during construction to ensure your custom home is built true to the design.

Get in touch with our team →

Want a deeper look at what it’s like to work with a residential architect in King County? Read our full blog post →

Do I need to hire a licensed architect?

In Washington State, the legal requirement to hire a licensed residential architect depends on the size and type of your project. For single-family custom homes in Issaquah, North Bend, Snoqualmie, and Lake Sammamish, a licensed architect is not legally required unless the project includes four or more dwelling units. However, all multifamily (4+ units), commercial, and institutional projects do require a licensed architect under state law.

Still, many homeowners choose to work with a licensed residential architect for single-family projects—and for good reason. Licensure ensures professional oversight, detailed code knowledge, and design accountability that reduce risk, prevent costly construction errors, and streamline the entire process.

To earn licensure in Washington, architects must graduate from a NAAB-accredited architecture program, complete 3,740 internship hours under the supervision of a licensed professional, and pass six national exams totaling more than 33 hours of testing. Washington also requires 24 hours of continuing education every two years to stay current with codes, materials, and best practices.

At Refine Design Architecture, we bring this expertise to every project—whether we’re designing a hillside retreat in Snoqualmie, coordinating permit approvals in Issaquah, or guiding construction near Lake Sammamish. When you work with a licensed residential architect, you gain peace of mind knowing your home is designed for long-term performance, durability, and lasting value.

Learn more about our architectural services →

Still wondering if your project requires a licensed architect? Read our blog post →

Get in touch with our team to discuss your goals →

What is the cost of construction?

Construction costs in Issaquah, Snoqualmie, Lake Sammamish, and North Bend can vary significantly based on local market conditions, site slope and access, home size, design complexity, and level of customization.

As of 2025, most custom home projects in this area fall within the $400 to $900 per square foot range. A well-designed home with standard finishes and average site conditions typically falls between $400–$600/sf. Higher-end homes—with large windows, steep hillside siting, smart systems, and upgraded materials—can range from $800–$1,200/sf, particularly where excavation, drainage, or permitting is more complex.

The $1,500+/sf range generally applies to ultra-custom homes with advanced mechanical systems, structural engineering, and premium detailing—more common on Lake Sammamish waterfront lots or remote hillside properties in North Bend.

Every site in East King County is unique. As licensed residential architects, we help clients in Issaquah and the surrounding foothill communities develop realistic budgets, optimize design for long-term value, and produce precise construction documents to keep your build on track.

Explore our full list of architectural services →

Get in touch with our team →

Read our blog post on designing and building with a residential architect →

How long does it take to build a house?

Timelines for designing and building a custom home in Issaquah, Snoqualmie, Lake Sammamish, or North Bendvary depending on your project's scope, site complexity, and local jurisdiction.

For clients with a clear vision and defined scope, the design and permitting phase typically takes 4–6 months. If you're exploring multiple design options or moving at a more flexible pace, this phase can extend to 8–12 months.

Permitting timelines depend heavily on jurisdiction. Homes within city limits of Issaquah or Snoqualmie tend to follow predictable review processes. However, projects that fall under King County jurisdiction—especially in unincorporated areas or near critical areas like steep slopes, wetlands, or shorelines—often face significantly longer review timelines. King County permitting can take 12 to 24 months, and once submitted, it is extremely difficult to expedite.

Once permits are issued, construction timelines are shaped by contractor availability, site access, and weather conditions typical of the Cascade foothills. A well-planned, 2,000-square-foot custom home in the region generally takes 12 to 18 months to build, with longer timelines for hillside or remote sites requiring specialized excavation or infrastructure upgrades.

As your licensed residential architect, we guide you through every step—from first concept through final inspection—with proactive coordination and detailed planning to keep your custom home project on schedule.

Explore how we guide clients through the design and permitting process →

Get in touch with our team →

Read our blog post on the custom home process →

How much does an architect cost?

Architectural fees can vary based on an architect’s experience, reputation, location, and how involved you want to be throughout the process. In Issaquah, Snoqualmie, Lake Sammamish, and North Bend, our fees as licensed residential architects typically range between 5% and 15% of the total construction cost.

Some residential architects charge hourly with an estimated project total, while others offer a fixed-fee structure. At Refine Design Architecture, we tailor our pricing based on your home’s size, site conditions, and overall complexity—always with transparency and clearly defined expectations.

Whether you’re planning a custom home near Lake Sammamish, a hillside build in North Bend, or a renovation project in downtown Issaquah, we’ll walk you through an architectural fee structure that aligns with your vision, budget, and timeline.

Explore our architectural services and pricing approach →

Want a better idea of what your project might cost? Contact us for a consultation →

Read more about how architectural fees work and what they include →

Why Hire a Residential Architect for Your Custom Home in the Cascade Foothills?

Hiring a licensed residential architect is an upfront investment that adds lasting value at every stage of your custom home project. For homeowners in Issaquah, Snoqualmie, Lake Sammamish, and North Bend, working with a residential architect ensures your home is not only beautifully designed—but also functional, efficient, and built to endure the challenges of the Cascade foothills.

Designing in this region often involves steep slope overlays, tree retention standards, sensitive areas, and complex drainage requirements—especially when working within King County permitting or the Cities of Issaquah and Snoqualmie. A local residential architect understands these jurisdictional hurdles and incorporates durable materials, energy-efficient strategies, and hillside-appropriate systems from the start.

Beyond the design itself, a licensed residential architect manages your entire project team—engineers, consultants, and contractors—while navigating permits, site development review, and building department coordination. This minimizes delays, reduces change orders, and creates a smoother construction experience from start to finish.

Most importantly, a residential architect creates a custom home that reflects how you live—not a stock plan. That level of care enhances long-term performance, appraisal value, and personal satisfaction.

Explore our architectural services for Eastside homes →

Read our guide to choosing the right residential architect →

Contact our team to get started →

Good design goes a long way.

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