Guides
Hiring an architect to tear down and rebuild in Seattle and on the Eastside
Tearing down and rebuilding? The architect’s first job is what your lot allows. Free feasibility check, about a day. Fixed fee for design and permit.
David Meade · October 8, 2026
Getting a house demolished for a rebuild in Seattle and on the Eastside: permits, asbestos and the order of work
What it takes to demolish a house for a rebuild in Seattle and the Eastside: permit, asbestos notice, utilities, trees and the order that avoids an idle lot.
David Meade · October 7, 2026
Home elevators in Washington: how to design one into a custom home
Planning a home elevator in a new custom home in Washington: who permits it (L&I or Seattle SDCI), ASME A17.1 rules, shaft, pit, drive types, cost drivers.
David Meade · September 27, 2026
Shoreline exemptions in Washington: building or remodeling a waterfront house without a substantial development permit
Building or remodeling a house on Lake Washington or the Sound? You likely need a written shoreline exemption, not a full permit. How it works in 2026.
David Meade · September 27, 2026
How do I finance a custom home build in Seattle or on the Eastside?
How construction-to-permanent loans, draws and land equity work, and what a lender needs from the design side before it will fund a custom home in Washington.
David Meade · September 26, 2026
Should I remodel my house or tear it down and rebuild?
Remodel at $300 to $550 a sq ft, add on at $350 to $650, or rebuild at $400 to $900? The code threshold that often decides it, and a scorecard for your house.
David Meade · September 26, 2026What Seattle’s tree ordinance means for building a house
Seattle's tree code for new homes, teardowns and additions: tiers, Tier 2 removal, protection areas, permit plans and in-lieu fees, as of 2026.
David Meade · September 26, 2026
What the 2021 Washington State Energy Code means for your new home
The 2021 Washington State Energy Code for a new Seattle or Eastside home: credits by size, heat pump vs gas, walls, windows, air testing and the EV circuit.
David Meade · September 26, 2026
Lakefront home design on Lake Washington
Shoreline rules, buildable area and real cost per square foot for a Lake Washington home. Custom homes run $400 to $900 per sq ft.
David Meade · September 17, 2026
Custom Home Architect in Seattle, WA
Custom home architect in Seattle, WA. From modern infill to view lots, Piper Cole Architects delivers full-service design. Architect since 1996, 20 to 30 projects a year.
David Meade · July 3, 2026
Waterfront Architect in Kirkland, WA
Waterfront architect in Kirkland, WA. Piper Cole Architects designs lakefront homes and additions within shoreline regulations.
David Meade · July 2, 2026
Custom Home Architect in Kirkland, WA
Custom home architect in Kirkland, WA. Piper Cole Architects designs Northwest Contemporary and lakefront homes with local permit expertise.
David Meade · July 1, 2026
Custom Home Architect in Bellevue, WA
Modern custom home architect in Bellevue, WA. Piper Cole Architects designs contemporary Eastside residences with full permit service. free feasibility check.
David Meade · June 27, 2026
Luxury Home Architect on Seattle’s Eastside
Estate residences in Medina, Clyde Hill, Hunts Point and Mercer Island. Waterfront and difficult sites. Principal led. Call David Meade direct.
David Meade · June 24, 2026
Wood vs Steel vs ICF: Choosing a Structural System
Wood vs steel vs ICF: how to choose a structural system for your home, with pros, cons, and cost. Architect guidance from Piper Cole Architects.
David Meade · June 22, 2026
Multigenerational Home Design in Seattle: Designing for Extended Family
Designing a Seattle home for multiple generations. In-law suites, dual primary suites, ADUs, and privacy strategies for extended family living.
David Meade · June 1, 2026Mass Timber Architecture in Seattle: CLT, Glulam, and the Case for Wood
Mass timber architecture in Seattle: CLT, glulam, structural performance, sustainability, and cost premium for homeowners and developers.
David Meade · May 30, 2026
Modern Architecture Design Styles in Seattle: From Northwest Contemporary to Minimalist
Modern residential architecture styles in Seattle: Northwest Contemporary, Mid-Century Modern, Scandinavian, and Minimalist: how to choose what fits your.
David Meade · May 30, 2026
What It Costs to Build a House in Seattle
Seattle build costs by tier and finish for 2026, the full budget beyond construction, and an estimator for your own house size. Call David on 425 753 6452.
David Meade · May 27, 2026Small Lot House Design in Seattle: Maximizing Every Square Foot
Building on a small lot in Seattle? Architects share strategies for maximizing space, using Seattle zoning rules, and creating homes that live large.
David Meade · May 27, 2026
How Long Does It Take to Build a Custom Home in Seattle? A Complete Timeline
How long to build a custom home in Seattle? Phase-by-phase timeline from design through move-in. Realistic 2026 estimates by Piper Cole Architects.
David Meade · May 25, 2026Form vs. Function in Architecture: How Great Design Balances Both
Form vs. function in architecture: how the best buildings achieve both simultaneously.
David Meade · May 25, 2026
Waterfront Home Design in Seattle: Architecture for Lakes, Bays and Shorelines
Designing on Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish shoreline lots: buildable area, view corridors, setbacks and grade. Call the architect direct on 425 753 6452.
David Meade · May 25, 2026
What Is a Foyer? Entry Design Ideas for Seattle Homes
What is a foyer and how should it be designed for Seattle homes? Entry design ideas, sizing, and storage solutions from Piper Cole Architects.
David Meade · May 25, 2026
Modern Home Architecture Trends in Seattle for 2026
Modern home architecture trends in Seattle for 2026: the materials, forms, and features shaping new homes, from Piper Cole Architects.
David Meade · May 22, 2026
Next step
Have a project in mind?
Call David Meade directly. The first feasibility check is free and usually takes about a day.
Free feasibility check
Send the address and what you have in mind. David replies within one business day with what the site and the code are likely to allow.