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design associates architects - copyright 2011
Welcome,
We put this website together to showcase some of our projects and explain how we work.
If you'd like to know more about us, please don't hesitate to contact us (there's a tab for that here on the site).
Enjoy the tour.
Christopher Lee
LEEDS AP
Owner—Design Associates Architects
Design Associates Architects is a small company allowing us to deliver an especially personalized experience.
Our success is the result of a client first approach to architecture. We have literally hundreds of happy clients whose homes were designed to suit their tastes, budgets and expectations.
Our knowledge and relationships in the industry ensure your new home project is designed efficiently and built well.
It’s your home, and our job is to help you realize your dream and to enjoy the process. We look forward to working with you.
We operate out of two lcations; Jackson Hole and Durango Colorado. Our projects are mostly residential, although we have done a few commercial jobs. Kathy takes care of the office and keeps Chris on track, Chris takes care of the Designs and works with the Clients.
Chris works directly with all clients. He involves others as needed to help with the work, but maintains the primary roll in all projects. He's licensed in Montana, Wyoming and Colorado, has better than 50 completed projects and is a LEEDS AP.
We're extremely progressive in our use of the computer as an efficiency tool. As you'll find in the website, we model every project in the computer to thoroughly investigate the design prior to sending it out to the site. We're also able to send virtual buildings out to others to study, incorporate systems and test for efficiencys (something that's just become possible).
Working this way greatly enhances the abilities of our small firm and assures we're delivering top shelf service and designs. We're small but very capable which is the best of both worlds for our clientelle.
When I met the Jim and Carole for this project, they were undecided as to whether to build a home in Jackson Hole, or build a home in West Virginia. They had plans all ready for the other home, it was on a golf course, very traditional and nice.
Inspired by what the Owners told me they liked and the ranch history of their property, I designed a very rough and rustic home on the outside that has a nicely refined interior, something for everyone..
The concept was a hit with the Owners, they scrapped the other project and chose Jackson Hole.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming
5000 square feet
completed in 2007
GC - Peak Custom Homes
Photos - D/A
One of the first things we did when I met Debbie and Jim was tour a home they really liked. It was western in a really enticing brothelesque sence. The lights were dangley and red, the furnishings warm and inviting. The interior was a work of art - but very inviting and engaging.
Debbie and Jim wanted to capture that spirit, along with other period western themes as well as some modernity.
The Solution, a complex of 4 historic (but new) buildings tied together with contemporary links. Each structure with its own idenity, gives the home an "assembled onto over time "character and a very human scale.
completed in 2006
Photos - Roger Wade Studio
We did the first home for Ed in the 80s, and then an addition to it in the 90s. He was then VP of a large American Corporation and was planning his retirement. When he called in early 2K we were surprised to hear from him. It turns out, not only did he not retire, he moved up to CEO.
He'd found a wonderful property on the Snake River and wanted a nice cabin to go with it. We researched lodges that he liked and designed a home that met his hopes and fit the site. It's a Swedish Cope (log on log, no chinking) cabin and is a showcase of exceptional craftsmanship.
8000 + square feet
completed in 2000
GC - Ciulla Construction
My wife and I bought a "fixer-upper" in the Town of Jackson in 2004. It turned out to need so much work, we took it all the way down to the grade under the foundation and started from scratch.
The zoning allowed for three dwelling units on the lot and although we wanted a single family home, we thought to take advantage of the regulations. I designed a home that's actually 3 units, i.e. three kitchens, etc. that is functional as a single home too. The added ameneties are great for house guests, entertaining, and just finding quiet space.
4500 square feet
completed in 2005
GC - MKD Construction
Photos - Roger Wade Studio, Simeon Schatz, D/A
It's important to know that I'm married to Chris Lee. Being married to an architect is no picnic especially when it comes to designing your own home. I can honestly say that through thick and thin, Chris did a great job on our house. It's everything I hoped for and somehow everything he wanted too. The design is both progressive and innovative but does it with a nod to the historic and familiar. Amazing how he got it all in.
Kathy Lee
This is the second home I designed for Mike. While designed as a spec. home, he put extraordinary care into the home and design.
He wanted a log cabin but was concerned about all the extra maintenance, so we clad the building with 1/2 logs. In addition to being easier to maintain, the interior walls are also easier to work with as they're all frame. The log structure inside is all visible and gives the home it's character.
Overall, the house is not so big, but feels spacious and comfortable. I've met many clients through this home, it's a crowd pleaser.
completed in 2001
Photos - JK Lawrence
We met one windy day up at the site which is high up on a mountain top overlooking the Jackson Hole Valley. The drive to the site was something of an expedition, but the reward was well worth it.
Lisa and Aaron had seen the Willow Street residence and liked it alot. They especially likes the simple clean and light nature of it. Adding to the mix, Lisa had been a freestyle skier and loved the Jackson Hole Ski Resort and the culture and aesthetic that comes with the opperation. I designed this home with attention to the hard conditions that a mountaintop can bring, and a simple utility like that seen in the ski industry service structures.
4000 square feet
to be completed in 2010
Photos - D/A, Price
DA is head and shoulders above the rest of the architects we have met with. Chris's brilliant design, intelligent decisions, flexible demeanor and complete commitment to the project has made this process a dream. We only wish we had another house to build so we could have Chris design it. We have a wonderful house with great living spaces and such a warm homey feeling. With no hesitation would I refer anyone to Chris and Design Associates for any project.
Aaron Buffardi and Lisa Price
This Residence is actually an addition. The Nick and Bonnie wanted to keep a small portion of the original residence that had been put on in the 90s. We removed the rest on the home and rebuilt in its footprint. The Addition we put on was significant to say the least at about 7000 sf.
Before we began the design, the Nick invited me out a window in the existing residence and up on the roof. As we stood there taking in the view, he told me it'd be great if this was the floor of his new living room. That's the view he got, the whole design began with that point.
Jackson Hole Ski Resort, Wyoming
GC - D6 Construction
Photos - Richer Images
When I met Bob and Betsy, they were on vacation out at one of the local Dude Ranches. They loved it out here and had decided it was time to make the move. They had acquired a really spectacular property and were ready to design their dream home.
They were from the East Coast, and while loving the ranch buildings, also liked refined millwork. In particular, they loved the work of turn of the century craftsman architects; Greene and Greene from Pasedena.
Pulling from those two themes, we arrived at a stately and traditional western home with craftsman charm.
completed in 2009
Josh had aquired this property and was looking to develop it into commercial spoce. The first design was for one building - but a mix-up at the Planning Department required us to pursue a variance for the square footage. We lost the bid for a variance and went back to the drawing board.
Josh actually had 2 city lots. To simplify things, I designed clone buildings. The entrance to the complex is a bridge that runs between the buildings on the property line. This allows the property to be separated if it ever needs to be without having to modify the structures. They're elevated to allow for the required parking on site, the lower level is apartments.
3900 square feet each
GC - Teton Heritage Builders
This is a project I pulled together from a computer model I'd done as a preliminary design a few years ago that never got developed.
While it's not a real project, it is based on a working plan and isn't far from a working design with some tweaking.
The model represents a home approximately 8000 square feet, approximately 30 feet high. Those parameters came from the Teton County Land Development Regulations, the maximum size and height allowed in Jackson Hole.
It's a "what's possible" in Jackson Hole model. and an opportunity for me to experiment with my modeling.
Plan West is a design firm in Bozeman Montana Owned by a good friend of mine. Some years ago, he came to me and asked if I'd help him model and document one of his projects.
It was a lot of fun and over the years, we did more teaming projects. I really enjoy working with him because his designs are so interesting and great. His style is a better than "traditional" traditional, heavy timbers and stone.
He's been a great inspiration. The Plan West website has some great project, it's worth a visit.
We start every project with an in-depth discussion about you, your needs, history and tastes.
In addition to the fundamental requirements of the project, we want to know what you like and find significant and important.
Your home should be an extension of you and reflect your tastes.
Your history and experiences govern your tastes so knowing you and what it is you like gives us the catalyst for the design.
That'’s why our designs are all different, no two clients are alike.
Each new project we design is inspired by those who will call it home.
Your role in the design is central, you are what makes your new home custom,
Each and every project begins with a “program” or wish list. Your program establishes the layout for your new home and helps us find a concept that pulls it all together.
In many cases, you already know what you want. In others, we need to help you develop your ideas.
An example of the latter is when we ask you to think about your spaces in terms of the amenities and features present.
Does a given room have a fireplace? Does it get morning sun? Is the space private, semi-private or public?
These are questions you'’ve likely never considered —but they contribute to the design and the ultimate success of your home.
Programming is fun and essential. It’s the foundation, where it all begins. It also insures your home is exactly that, your home.
The most successful projects have an underlying theme that guides the decision making process. Starting with clean sheet of paper, the options are practically infinite. A good concept narrows the focus so decisions are easier to make.
It turns out, the best architecture is really an exercise in restraint, not excess. When all options are on the table, a project can easily become too complex and meaningless. Having a filter to help judiciously edit the seemingly endless choices solves this problem.
The concept is generated by all the inputs that make your project unique. We couple decisions based on your likes and dislikes with the site and regional influences to produce an all inclusive theme.
As a tool, not only does the concept pull the project elements together, it simplifies things for the builder and helps answer questions that arise in the field. It helps all involved in the project understand the intent of the design, and ultimately, leads to a well designed and coordinated building.
With a Program and Concept to guide us, we begin asssembling the spaces. It begins with what's called a bubble diagram or sketch of the spaces showing how they relate to eachother.
By this time, we have site data to help us orient the spaces to views, sun, etc. We establish the likely entry point to the property and work with the grade to be sure our design is well suited to the property.
