Your company specializes in everything from design development to construction administration and interior design. What does this variety of experience offer your clients?
As cliché as it may sound, Space Lab is a true one-stop design firm. I’ll dream with you when your vision is just a blank slate, be hands-on throughout construction, and bring the home to life with the interior details I envisioned from the very first sketches.
What is it about the “spaces” of architecture that appeal to you beyond facades and floor plans?
These areas shape experiences, influence emotions, and define how we interact with our surroundings. While floor plans fulfill a client’s needs and facades enhance curb appeal, it’s thoughtful design that creates a true sense of balance, functionality, and beauty. Ultimately, these spaces are the backdrop to a family’s memories and transform a house into a home.
Clients appreciate your attention to detail. How are you able to execute the smallest details during a cascade of decisions?
Some details serve a functional purpose, solving design or construction challenges, while others reflect a client’s personal preferences. I’m constantly evaluating which decisions require client input and which can be executed independently. As the project progresses, the decision-making process becomes more seamless, evolving with trust and making each step more efficient over time.
You specialize in contemporary and modern custom residences; what common themes distinguish your work?
As someone who is naturally drawn to minimalism, I gravitate toward simplicity, clean lines, and a design approach that avoids unnecessary ornamentation or complexity. My focus is always on creating settings where the architecture speaks for itself—letting the form and materials define the character of the design. By utilizing natural light, I aim to enhance the experience by creating an environment that feels open, airy, and calming.
What are some major takeaways from designing homes?
Designing a home is both a complex and a deeply personal journey, often representing the client’s only opportunity to be actively involved in bringing their dream home to life. For me, the key focus is ensuring that clients have a positive experience throughout the design and construction process, as well as after they move into their new home. My goal is to create an experience where they feel fully supported and confident, without regrets about their decisions along the way.
Did your international upbringing influence how you see design and architecture?
Growing up in the former Soviet Union, I was surrounded by utilitarian design, where many apartments and homes shared identical floor plans. With limited resources, the interiors were often functional but predictable. This experience shaped my view of design as both a privilege and an opportunity to create meaningful environments. I see it as my responsibility to shape the places where my clients will live, fostering experiences that will enrich their lives.
Most enjoyable part of the design process?
Witnessing the excitement and inspiration in my client’s reactions in response to a design presentation.
What is your favorite spot in your own home and why?
It’s our breakfast nook in the kitchen. It is probably the most curated room in our home. I love starting my day here with my morning coffee.
How do you prefer to spend a weekend in the Northwest?
With my family, snowboarding in the winter, and zipping around Lake Washington on a Jet Ski in the summer while curiously exploring new builds on the shores.
