Spring 2025 Newsletter

The cherry blossoms are in bloom, and we’re excited for higher temperatures in Seattle, while the snow has melted in Lake Tahoe and the landscape is coming back to life after winter. At DA, we’re gearing up for a few new projects - in Seattle, San Juan Island, and Hood River, Oregon - and have a couple more that are wrapping up construction in time for summer.

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Seattle Studio

Speaking of locations, we’ve settled into our new Seattle Studio home on Portage Bay near the University of Washington campus. So far, we’ve been loving the neighborhood and the steady stream of boats, barges, and rowers that pass by daily, not to mention the wildlife. Moving to a new office has felt like a ‘creative reset’ for us in many ways. We have some organizing and decorating to do, but the new space suits our firm ethos of engaging, creative design and collaborative spirit!

If you are interested in stopping by, drop us line. We’re happy to show colleagues, clients (current & former!) and collaborators our new Seattle studio.

New project on our website: Sunset Point Retreat

Sunset Point Retreat is a vacation home on the west side of San Juan Island. Designed for owners Julie Massucco Kleiner (principal of Massucco Warner Interior Design) and her husband Mike, it’s a peaceful getaway that’s perfect for both family relaxation and entertaining.

It’s always a compliment when another designer trusts us with their project. The collaboration with Julie and Mike was a creative and enjoyable process, resulting in a special home tailored to their family’s needs.

Location spotlight: Palm Springs & Socal

Casey Jones, an integral part of our California office, has been building relationships in Palm Springs and Southern California - areas renowned for their architectural heritage and vibrant design culture.

With its iconic mid-century modern homes, striking desert landscapes, and a strong market for vacation homes, Palm Springs offers an exciting opportunity for thoughtful, high-quality design. Our expertise in custom modern design aligns seamlessly with the region’s aesthetic, and we’re inspired by the innovation celebrated each year at Palm Springs Modernism Week. Whether you’re envisioning a sleek desert retreat or a mid-century modern home, we’d love to work with you to create your next home in Southern California.

Casey grew up in Palm Springs, CA and earned his architecture degree from UCLA. He previously worked on Project Farsight, a new home nestled at the base of Mount Whitney, and is the project lead on the Big Wood River Cabin in Ketchum, Idaho.

Under Construction - Spokane, Washington Residence

Things are shaping up at our new project under construction in Spokane, Washington, designed with a modern rural-inspired aesthetic. This home blends modern design with traditional forms, featuring a spacious layout with a focus on outdoor living. The project includes an outdoor kitchen, a pool, a pickleball court, and patios that invite both relaxation and entertaining family and friends.

DeForest Team: Rosie Donovan, Julie Kim & Riley Coghlan
Contractor | Gunder Building Group
Interior Design | NB Design Group
Landscape | SCJ Studio Landscape Architecture
Structural | Swenson Say Faget

Promotions

As you may have already heard, we’re thrilled to celebrate Julie Kim, Michael Knowles, and Mark Slivka’s promotion to Associates at DeForest Architects! Their dedication, creativity, and leadership have already made a lasting impact at DA, and we’re excited to see how they’ll continue shaping the firm’s future.

Happy spring! Thank you from all of us at DeForest Architects for following along.

Meredith KellyMarch 31, 2025DEFOREST ARCHITECTS