APPROACH
Our approach to design is rooted in Scandinavian modernism, refined over four decades in service to hundreds of clients throughout the United States. We approach every project with inquisitive minds, in-depth conversations with our clients, and collaborative spirits. Our goal is to align with our clients' needs and aspirations in pursuit of a strong, shared vision.
PRINCIPLES
We consider abundant LIGHT to be a magical quality of joyful living, endearing and memorable spaces to be an essential quality of PLACE-making, and TIME-less design to be the key to lasting value. These qualities, when combined with an eye toward innovation and sustainability, result in modern, happy homes that serve our clients well.
STORY
Born and raised in New York, David Coleman, FAIA, studied fine arts and environmental design at Pratt Institute before taking up architecture at the Rhode Island School of Design. He completed his studies at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, School of Architecture. David founded his studio in Vermont in 1986, and in Seattle in 1996.
NOTEWORTHY PRESS
WEB
ArchDaily, Archello, Archidir, Archinect, Architects List, Architectural.com, Architecture 4 Us, Architizer, Contemporist, Curbed, DesignBoom, Design-Milk, Design Boom, DigsDigs, Dwell, glo.msn, House Design Idea, Inhabit, Materialicious, Mocoloco, Nonagon.Style, Seattlelite, Spectacular.com, Trend Hunter, Uncrate, Yooko.fr, etc.
"Angles of Repose"
Field House
2021
"Bayview Modern"
Bay View Residence
2021
Luxe Magazine Publication from 2019 for high design
"Canopy & Glass House"
Inside Outside House
2020
"Living With Light"
View Ridge
2019
"At Long Last"
Bay View Residence
2019
"Make Noise & Music"
Inside Outside House,
Bear Run Cabin,
Meditation Pavilion
2019
"Living Well"
Buffham Residence
2019
"Residential Architecture Award"
Bear Run Cabin
2017
"Hillside Heaven"
Bear Run Cabin
2015
"Quantum"
Inside Outside House
2015
"Visions of Seaside"
Obelisk Pavilion
2013
"Heart & Home"
Hill House
2013
"A Vision, With Views"
Tower House
2012
"Design a Flanc de Montagne"
Nuler-Cudahy Residence
2012
"Modern Home Opportunities"
Nuler-Cudahy Residence
2012
"New and Improved"
Nuler-Cudahy Residence
2011
"Light, Place and Time"
Zig Zag,
Hill House
2011
"Urban Oasis"
Broadmoor Residence
2015
"Members in the News"
AIA College of Fellows
2011
"Inside Out"
Inside Outside House
2017
"A House on a Hill"
Hill House
2016
"The Evolution of Methow Modern"
Hill House
2016
"Contain The Comfort"
Queen Anne Residence
2009
"Northwest Home"
The Top Architects in the Northwest
2008
"Pivotal Idea"
Madison Park Residence
2008
"David Coleman"
Zig-Zag House,
Nuler-Cudahy Residence
2008
"Casas De Descanso"
Meditation Pavilion,
Loney Cottage
2007
"Design Achievement Awards 2006"
Obelisk Pavilion,
Meditation Pavilion,
Stowe Residence
2007
"David Coleman's Hip & Habitable Modernism"
Queen Anne Residence
2006
"East By Northwest"
Madison Park Residence
2006
"Geometry In Action"
Nuler-Cudahy Residence
2006
"Jewel Box Kitchen"
Magnolia Terrace
2006
"Your Style"
Magnolia Terrace
2006
"10 Year Anniversary"
The Rendering
2006
"Double Exposure"
The Magnolia Terrace
2005
"Streamlined Design"
Buchter Residence
2005
"Into The Bold"
Orcas Island Retreat
2005
"Relative Comfort"
Orcas Island Retreat
2005
"Flexible Finesse"
Madison Park Residence
2004
"In the Clear"
Magnolia Terrace
2004
"II Vilino / Studio di un Architectto"
Queen Anne Residence
2004
"Kitchen & Bath" Portfolio
Orcas Island Retreat,
Madison Park Residence
2004
"Nature's Embrace"
Stowe Residence
2003
"AIA Home of the Year"
Nuler-Cudahy Residence
2003
"Cradled by the Land"
Orcas Island Residence
2002
"Bringing Outside In"
Madison Park Residence
2002
"Vacation Pavilions"
Orcas Island Residence
2002
"Simply Seattle"
Queen Anne Residence
2000
"Updating The Roman Bath"
Buffham Residence
2000
"Beyond the Basic Bath"
Buffham Residence
1999
"Northwest Passion"
Queen Anne Residence
1999
"Summer Camp: On the Shores of Seymour Lake"
Loney Cottage
1999
"Country, Sea & City"
Loney Cottage
1998
"A House of Invention"
Queen Anne Residence
1998
"Delicate Obelisk Shimmers Above Seaside"
Town Center Pavilion
1998
"Forward & Familiar: Modern Cottage Named AIA Home of the Year"
Queen Anne Residence
1998
"Designer Dreamscapes"
Stowe Residence
1997
"The Best Little Houses of Summer"
Loney Cottage
1996
"The Quest for Community"
Seaside Pavilion
1995
"AD-At-Large: A Seaside Pavilion"
Town Center Pavilion
1995
"Dream Bedrooms"
Stowe Residence
1995
"Contemporizing A Cape"
Blair House
1992
"Danish Modernized"
Adirondack View House
1992
"Making a Town in America"
Seaside Pavilion
1991
"The AD 100: A Guide to the World's Foremost Architects"
Church House
1991
"15 Ways to Save Vermont"
An Architect's Manifesto for Growth
1991
"Architectural Detailing"
Blair House
1990
"In Search of Community"
Herfolge Master Plan
1989
"Seventeen One-Of-A-Kind Homes"
Blair House
1989
"Tradition Under Transformation"
Blair House
1989
"North Star: A Shining Presence in Woodland Vermont"
Church House
1987
"Architecture: The Church House"
Church House
1984
"Town Plan for Herfolge"
Herfolge Master Plan
1982
NOTEWORTHY RECOGNITION
AIA Seattle Home of Distinction, 2019
View Ridge Residence
“The clerestory windows become apparent, flooding light into the house from the west, so it undeniably creates this dynamic and exciting quality from the moment you arrive.”
-Jennifer Pinto
Gray Award for Residential Architecture, 2017
Bear Run Cabin
“The house and studio respond to and echo the dramatic landscape in which they sit. A compact site strategy creates distinct spaces that are nestled together. All of this was achieved on a modest budget. It’s a beautiful house.”
-Deborah Berke
Northwest Design Awards, 2017
Inside Outside House
AIA Seattle Home of Distinction, 2016
Hill House
Northwest Design Awards, 2014
Broadmoor Residence
American Institute of Architects, College of Fellows, 2011
"For significant contributions to architecture and society on a national level."
AIA Northwest & Pacific Region, Honor Award, 2008
Zig Zag House Jury: Peter Bohlin, Cameron Sinclair, Dean Sakamoto, Jean Hara, John Paul Jones
“This modest, contemporary home has been executed with great delicacy and spirit in its plan and details. The architect employed an interesting and innovative pallet of materials.”
Design Achievement Award for Architecture, 2006
The Work of David Coleman
AIA Honor Awards for Washington Architecture, Commendation, 2006,
Zig Zag House, 2006 Jury: James Timberlake, Ed Feiner, Margaret Helfand; Moderator: Daniel Friedman
AIA/Seattle Times Home of the Year, 2003
Nuler-Cudahy Residence Jury: Lane Williams, Sian Roberts, Nancy Satterberg
“We were unanimous in our praise for this house. The architect said he was letting go of the rules in this design, but we think he wrote some excellent new ones.”
AIA/Seattle Times Home of the Month, 2002
Nuler-Cudahy Residence Jury: AIA/Seattle
Seaside Institute, Ceremonial Landmark Competition, Commendation, 2001
The Seaside Observatory
AIA Honor Awards for Washington Architecture, Commendation, 2001,
Lopez Island Retreat Jury: Stephen Ehrlich, Brian MacKay-Lyons, Maryanne Thompson, Doug Kelbaugh
“An elemental economy of means leaves little to add or subtract without detracting from the whole. This sparse residence gives the primitive a modern voice”
AIA/Seattle Times Home of the Month, 2001
Chee Residence Jury: AIA/Seattle
AIA/Seattle Times Home of the Month, 2000
Buchter Residence, Orcas Island Jury: AIA/Seattle
“The strength of this project lies in its meticulous site planning. The overriding theme - absolute simplicity – carries through every decision to great effect.”
AIA Honors Awards for Washington Architecture, Commendation, 1999
Queen Anne Hill Residence Jury: Fumihiko Maki, Raphael Vinoly, Eva Jiricna, Paul Schell
“An interesting use of colliding typologies to resolve an extremely modest program. The economic use of limited resources provides a very rich spatial experience”
AIA/Seattle Times Home of the Year, 1998
Queen Anne Hill Residence Jury: Stewart Silk, Thomas Bosworth, Patricia Brennan
AIA/Seattle Times Home of the Month, 1997
Queen Anne Hill Residence, Seattle Jury: AIA/Seattle
Home Builders Association of Vermont, Design Award, 1996
Buffum Residence
AIA Northwest & Pacific Region Honor Awards, Merit Award, 1996
Seaside Pavilion
AIA Honor Awards for Washington Architecture, Merit Award, 1995
Seaside Pavilion Jury: Julie Eizenberg, Ziva Frieman, Leonard Parker; Moderator: Aaron Betsky
“An extraordinarily simple idea, simply executed, demonstrating good judgment and marvelous geometry. The pavilion establishes an identity for a “place” in a flat landscape. A fine piece of environmental furniture, beautiful both day and night”
Architectural Digest, The AD 100, 1991
Named one of the 100 foremost residential architects
Home Builders Association of Vermont, Commendation, 1988
The Blair House
Better Homes and Gardens National Home Design Competition, Merit Award, 1987
The Blair House
Vermont Council on the Arts, 1984-1985
Design Arts Fellowship
The European Solar Design Competition, Merit Award, 1983
Herfolge Town Plan
American International Women’s Club, Denmark, 1982
Artist-in-Residence
American International Women’s Club, Denmark, 1981
Artist-in-Residence