A Year in Review: 2019 Highlights

The holidays are a natural time for reflection. As we transition from one year to another and end one decade to enter the next, we’re taking a look back at 2019. The pride and gratitude we feel for our accomplishments over the past year have us excited for what’s in store for 2020. 

A Growing Team

Last January, we welcomed Troy Howe as a new Project Architect to our team. Troy has become an integral part of our team bringing his background as a craftsman in wood joinery building as well as 20 years of experience as an architect.

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In addition to his extensive experience, Troy also received certification as a Certified Passive House Consultant this year!

We are also currently looking for a talented, design-firm-experienced, and self-motivated individual to join our team as an Office Manager. The ideal candidate is an insightful people person who is extremely organized, works well with deadlines, and is driven to help grow a small creative design firm. Learn more about the position here: LSA Office Manager job description

If you (or someone you know) are interested in this position and feel you could be the right fit, please send your resume to todd@charrettevg.com with the subject line – Living Shelter Office Position.

Living Shelter Architects in the Press

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We are so delighted to have our Net Carbon DADU featured in both The Seattle Times and Dwell! 

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And our Net Positive Custom Home was featured in Fine Homebuilding!

Project Milestones

2019 was a year of achieving many exciting project milestones. The Dog Towne buildings of our Pasado’s Safe Haven project broke ground; soon to be followed by Kitty City. We’re pleased to have participated in the Green Home Tour again, this year featuring Rainier View Homes, the first cottage development in unincorporated King County. 

Our Yakima Baptist Historic Adaptive Reuse project was completed and opened this fall. Terry co-presented at BuiltGreen19 discussing three groundbreaking communities that are pushing the envelope to Net Zero and beyond. Our Selah Vista project was also presented at the Green Building Slam + Summit in a ten slides in ten minutes talk. 

With so many wonderful things we’ve experienced this year, we are holding space for the new projects, new experiences and new connections that will make 2020 an expansive and transformative beginning to a new decade. Won’t you join us on this journey?

Testimonials

Testimonials

“Living Shelter has been a pleasure to work with on our campaign project. It was clear that they really worked to create a project that was purpose built to our needs, and from a fundraising standpoint, they are always incredibly responsive to updating renderings and drawings that we've needed for donor meetings.”

—Mike Ritter, Capital Manager, Pasado's Safe Haven

“Our experience in working with Terry Phelan was exceptional! Her talents go far beyond what you would expect from a traditional architect. She has a team that truly listens to your goals, and makes them happen! In doing so, they will surprise you with unexpected spaces that impart a very comfortable feel, usually only found in older homes. In addition to designing our primary residence, the Living Shelter team also helped us with conceptual drawings for a coastal property (future build). That was a very fun project, and shows their flexibility to work with various situations. Creative, knowledgeable, professional and a joy to work with - highly recommend!”

—Michele Scaglia, Client

“We can't recommend Living Shelter highly enough. From our initial dreaming, through concept and design, and on into construction, Terry and the LS team were collaborative and creative -- committed to making our new home sustainable, livable, and beautiful. They helped us a create a healthy home that fits the site and our lifestyle.”

—Mary Huycke, Client

“I worked with Living Shelter Design to design and construct my new home in the mountains near Mt Adams in Washington. Their whole team was fantastic to work with! The design ideas presented creatively addressed my aesthetic and space needs, while also fitting within the available budget. Their flexible approach to developing the design made me feel confident that I could build the house of my dreams. The Living Shelter team was also there during construction to help assist the builder and provide the backup support to address all snafus that invariably arise while building a new home. They were so responsive and got the job done for me!”

—Kim Gilmer, Client

“As an interior designer, I have had the pleasure of working with Terry and the Living Shelter team on many projects. They are extremely professional, knowledgeable about sustainable building, and genuinely wonderful people. I highly recommend them!”

—Sandy Campbell, Entero Design

“Terry Phelan is deeply committed to reducing the environmental impact of her buildings, and her work in load bearing straw bale structures is exceptional.”

—Habib John Gonzalez, Director of Sustainable Works

“Did we tell you we love the plans? We do! You really worked magic. Thanks a lot. We are REALLY happy.”

—Judi and Scott Nicolai

“Terry has consistently demonstrated the rare combination of tenacity, caring, and professionalism throughout.”

—Jane Bakken and Jack Fecker