sticklab | www.sticklab.com
What is the driving force behind your business?
We are motivated by the challenge of creating enduring spaces that situate themselves within the complicated landscapes of physical location, budget, and programmatic goals. Initially, these are typically in conflict, but the driving force is finding harmony among these elements.
What influenced your design principles?
Growing up in Northwestern Montana profoundly shaped my perspective. That early upbringing taught me to prioritize how light shapes a space. It inspired me to use natural materials in ways that feel honest, while striving for more homes where the outdoors effortlessly flows in.
The firm ethos is “designing spaces that reflect the way your homeowners live.” How does this translate to your projects?
While we certainly have our favorite ways to arrange a space, we reject cookie-cutter layouts. Instead, the unique lifestyle of each client informs the challenges our creative problem-solving will tackle.
You work with a team of talent; how does this influence your general approach to design?
Our team brings diverse perspectives and past specialties to the table. I have a background in fine art and the trades; Jamie Yingwei Chiang transitioned from chemical engineering to interior design and then architecture; and Kellen White focused on music and technical commercial architecture before focusing on custom homes. We deeply respect how this collective specialized knowledge allows each person to approach a design idea from a completely different angle.
Tell us about the benefits of working with a small firm with extensive experience in residential work.
Our firm brings decades of industry experience, but our boutique size guarantees agility. It means the principal Architect, the keeper of the design vision, remains tightly integrated into every facet of your project from beginning to end.
What is a feature you like to incorporate into your projects?
While they come with no shortage of detail requirements, I do love how a correctly located skylight can reflect natural light deep into the heart of a home.
Each project is different and provides unique challenges. How does your knowledge benefit your clients?
Our deep well of experience affords us perspective. When unexpected site conditions or structural challenges arise, we don’t panic, we innovate. We constantly seek to turn constraints into design opportunities, saving clients time and money while maintaining the integrity of the original vision.
You have a reputation for unparalleled customer service; how do you approach problem-solving?
We approach problems with empathy, transparency, and a calm, solutions-oriented mindset. Construction can be stressful, and we act as the client’s advocate. Buildings do not come off an assembly line. If an issue does arise, we want to come to the table with options and a collaborative spirit to keep the project moving forward positively.
What steps are taken to create a seamless experience?
Designing and building a custom home can feel overwhelming. To make it seamless, we intentionally structure our process into a series of manageable, clear decisions, focused only on the details pertinent to that specific stage.
What is a design rule you use again and again?
Keep it simple. It is easy to make something complex; it takes immense rigor to achieve true simplicity.
