Every custom residential project begins with a conversation – between architect and client, between design intent and site conditions, between budget and ambition. The 7,831-square-foot Washington residence designed by Kor Architects, with interiors by Barbara Leland Interior Design and construction by TOTH Construction, illustrates how a multi-disciplinary team coordinates dozens of specialists to deliver a cohesive result. Understanding the vocabulary used throughout this process – from schematic design through construction administration – is essential for building professionals and clients alike. A solid grounding in the architectural dictionary with 108 words used by architects helps project stakeholders communicate clearly across every phase of work.
The Architectural Design Process from Concept to Completion
The design of a custom residence follows a structured sequence of phases, each producing specific deliverables that build on the previous stage. For the Washington project, the team moved through the standard American Institute of Architects (AIA) project phases, though the depth of work at each stage was calibrated to the project’s complexity and the client’s expectations for a home of nearly 8,000 square feet on a site with significant views and environmental sensitivity.
Schematic Design and Site Analysis
The schematic design phase establishes the project’s core concepts: building orientation, massing, program allocation, and preliminary material palette. The Point’s design responds to its Washington site by using materials – wood, stone, concrete, and steel – that allow the architecture to fade into the background while nature takes center stage. The house is positioned to capture sea views from one side while presenting a more private face to the front approach.
Design Development and Systems Coordination
During design development, the schematic concepts are translated into detailed drawings and specifications that can be priced and permitted. This is where the structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are laid out in coordination with the architectural intent. For the Kor Architects project, the structural engineer (RSE Associates) worked with the architect to integrate exposed concrete, steel, and wood elements into a coherent structural system that could span the large open living areas without compromising the visual aesthetic.
| Project Phase | Key Deliverables | Primary Collaborators |
|---|---|---|
| Schematic Design | Site plan, floor plans, elevations, massing models | Architect, client, civil engineer, landscape architect |
| Design Development | Detailed sections, material specs, system layouts | Architect, structural + MEP engineers, interior designer |
| Construction Documents | Bid-ready drawings, specifications, permit submissions | Full consultant team, code consultant, envelope specialist |
| Construction Administration | RFI responses, submittal review, site observations | Architect, contractor (TOTH Construction), all subs |
The architectural dictionary terms used by architects during these phases – from “breezeway” to “fenestration” to “reveal” – become the shared language that keeps the project on track across disciplinary boundaries.
Multi-Disciplinary Collaboration in Residential Projects
The consultant team for the Washington residence illustrates the breadth of expertise required for a high-end custom home. Beyond the core architectural and interior design firms, the project engaged specialists in structural engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, geotechnical engineering, landscape architecture, lighting design, acoustical engineering, and building envelope consulting – nine distinct disciplines coordinated through the architect’s office.
Structural and Civil Engineering Coordination
The structural engineer (RSE Associates) and civil engineer (Coterra Engineering) addressed the site-specific challenges of building on the Washington coast. The structural scope included designing foundations for the concrete, steel, and wood structural systems while accounting for seismic loads and wind exposure from the nearby water. The civil engineer managed site grading, stormwater management, and utility connections. These two consultants must share information constantly – foundation locations affect grading plans, and utility trench routes must avoid structural footings.
Envelope Performance and Acoustical Design
The building envelope consultant (RDH Building Sciences) and acoustical engineer (Sparling) addressed two critical but often overlooked aspects of the home’s performance. The envelope consultant reviewed wall assembly details, window installation methods, and vapor control strategies to prevent moisture damage and ensure energy efficiency. The acoustical engineer addressed sound transmission between spaces – a particular concern in an open-plan home with hard surfaces like concrete, glass, and stone that can amplify noise. Programs to diversify the profession, such as the Architects Foundation scholarship for aspiring Black and Latino architects, aim to bring more perspectives into these collaborative design environments.
Material Selection and Structural Expression in Modern Architecture
The material palette for The Point – wood, stone, concrete, and steel – was chosen not merely for appearance but for how each material performs structurally, ages over time, and relates to the surrounding landscape. The design philosophy described by Kor Architects centers on listening “to the materials, to the environment, to the people who will live in the homes we create.” This approach treats material selection as an integral part of the design concept rather than a finish applied at the end.
Concrete, Steel, and Wood as an Integrated System
The project uses a mixed structural system: concrete for foundations and retaining walls, steel for longer spans and cantilevers, and wood for warmth and visual texture. The concrete elements are left exposed in several areas, providing thermal mass that stabilizes indoor temperatures while also serving as a visual anchor for the lighter wood and glass volumes. The steel members are expressed rather than hidden, revealing the structural logic of the building.
Glass Walls and the Indoor-Outdoor Connection
Large glass walls are a defining feature of the design, bringing daylight deep into the living spaces and framing views of the surrounding water and landscape. The living room, captured in project photography by Aaron Leitz and Benjamin Benschneider, has a bright and energetic appearance due to these expansive glass surfaces while maintaining a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere. The fireplace visible from the living room adds warmth – both actual and visual – to the predominantly concrete, glass, and steel space.
Questions about who owns an architect’s plans and understanding copyright and design rights become particularly relevant when custom material selections and structural innovations are integral to the design, as these details require formal documentation and legal protection.
Interior Design Integration with Architectural Vision
Barbara Leland Interior Design worked within the architectural framework established by Kor Architects to create interiors that complement rather than compete with the exposed structure and natural materials. The dining area, finished entirely in wood and cement with a chandelier that echoes the material palette, demonstrates how interior design can reinforce architectural intent through material continuity.
Furniture, Lighting, and Spatial Flow
The living area accommodates multiple seating groups on a generous floor plan, anchored by a large center table and carpet beneath. The kitchen island has a simple design that visually connects to the dining room through aligned sightlines and complementary materials. Each bedroom includes glass walls opening to balconies or views, with modern drapes that can provide privacy when needed. The bathrooms feature wall designs and furnishings that give the spaces an air of luxury while maintaining the minimalist aesthetic established by the architecture.
Lighting Design as a Collaborative Discipline
DePelecyn Studio provided the lighting design for the project, coordinating fixture placement, color temperature, and control systems with both the architectural and interior design teams. Proper lighting design in an all-glass house is particularly challenging because natural light levels vary dramatically through the day, requiring layered illumination strategies: ambient, task, accent, and decorative layers that can be adjusted independently.
The responsibilities and qualifications of the professionals who lead these integrated design efforts are detailed in senior project architects skills, credentials, and career pathways.
Construction Documentation and Interior Wall Systems
Translating a design of this complexity into buildable construction documents requires detailed coordination between architectural drawings and the specifications for each building assembly. The construction documents must clearly communicate how the exposed concrete meets the steel framing, where the wood accents transition to glass, and how the mechanical systems are routed through the structural bays.
Interior Wall Systems in Custom Residential Projects
Interior wall systems for a project of this scale involve decisions about framing materials, insulation, vapor barriers, and finish attachment methods. While traditional wood stud framing remains common, some architects specify aluminum-framed interior wall systems for their dimensional stability, corrosion resistance, and ability to accommodate larger glazed openings within interior partitions. The specifications for aluminum-framed interior wall systems for architects and specifiers provide guidance on when these systems are appropriate and how to detail them correctly.
The Washington residence by Kor Architects demonstrates that successful custom residential architecture depends on three factors working together: a clear design philosophy that guides material and spatial decisions, a consultant team with complementary expertise, and a construction team capable of executing the design as intended. The interplay of wood, stone, concrete, steel, and glass in this project creates a home that recedes enough to let the surrounding landscape take visual priority while providing the comfort and performance expected of a residence at this scale.
Architects face growing questions about the ethical dimensions of their professional work, including debates about which project types are appropriate for the profession. The discussion around why AIA New York is calling on architects to stop designing prisons and jails reflects a broader conversation about the social responsibility embedded in architectural practice.