Carl Colson Architects

CARL COLSON AR CHITECT

www.carlcolsonarchitect.com

Classic residential design delivered with friendly, personal service by an architect who has been helping people like you create beautiful, enduring spaces for living for over 30 years. Known for his hands on approach to creating living environments that feel like home, Carl Colson has a knack for producing designs that delight residents, not to mention the builders and developers whose single family homes and multi-family residential developments profit from his appealing designs.

capabilities

Carl J. Colson – Architect PLLC was established with the goal to provide each and every of its clients with innovative, insightful, professional, and superb quality architectural services. The firm has been set up and organized to provide each of its client and their projects with the full range of architectural services required to take a project from the client’s initial idea through all of the stages through completion of the construction phase.

The firm carefully analyzes the program, site, and budget for each client’s project in order to fully maximize the clients yield for the site, while developing site planning and building concepts and ideas to show the client the wide range of possibilities and potential character attributes that are possible for each project. The firm assists its clients in selecting and refining the development scheme and once the client has selected a scheme, the firm begins the careful development and refinement of the design concept. This same careful thought and analysis is applied throughout all of the phases required to bring this project to fruition. The firm’s principal has over 31 years of professional architectural experience and this experience and skills gained from designing a wide range of project types is invaluable in assisting each client to realize the goals they have established for their projects.

One of the professional goals that the firm has established for itself is to utilize the latest computer technology and visualization software in order to present the ideas to their clients and the applicable planning authorities, so that all interested parties have a full and thorough understanding of each project before it is constructed.

services

FEASIBILITY STUDIES

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

Does this project make sense for what we are trying to do?

SITE SELECTION & ANALYSIS

Define requirements to guide land purchase, and research into codes applicable to a specific site

CONSTRUCTION ADMINISTRATION PERMITTING

obtaining the necessary permits needed to begin construction

SITE PLANNING & DESIGN

ADA & HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY & DESIGN

requirements

BIM - 3 DIMENSIONAL COMPUTER MODELING

possible configurations of the site based on codes and projec

EXISTING CONDITIONS DOCUMENTATION required in remodel or addition projects

KITCHEN & BATH DESIGN

SELECTED WORKS

56th avenue

mountlake terrace, wa

The opportunity and challenge of this mixed-use project was to design a project that maximized the owner’s functionality and profitability while meeting the city’s detailed requirements. The building contains 123 residential units, nearly 12,000 square feet of retail space, parking for 168 cars, and is oriented around a landscaped courtyard providing many of the units with southern light and pleasant views of the landscaping.

The upper levels have residential detailing that is visually balanced with the lower level construction of masonry block, brick, and large expanses of glass storefront.

renton medical offices & retail edmonds, wa

This 4 story medical / dental office building and adjacent retail center was designed to offer maximum leasing variations, while creating a very visually attractive exterior. The lower level includes a covered drive aisle for patient drop-off and parking in rainy weather.

The adjacent retail space was designed to include 36,000 square feet of retail lease space and a freestanding restaurant building of 3,500 square feet. All buildings share the same types of architectural details and construction that visually tie the project together.

king’s gate edmonds, wa

community planning northwest washington

Carl has created community planning site designs and home designs for single and multifamily residential communities throughout Northwest Washington. These included community developments that range in size from 24 units to those of over 100 units.

These traditional neighborhood developments have classic home designs that with the site layout and landscaping, offer visually appealing streetscapes.

These homes offer classic residential design, complete with modern efficiencies and floor plans that meet the needs of today’s homebuyers.

These homes offer classic residential design, complete with modern efficiencies and floor plans that meet the needs of today’s homebuyers. These neighborhood communities have been designed to include winding trails that connect the community pocket parks providing recreational amenities to the residents.

These trail systems, along with the sidewalks, create very walkable communities. The homes are of various sizes and forms, each providing garages located beneath or behind each home, and containing sheltered porches that add to the visually interesting streetscapes.

abby court

mountlake terrace, wa

bell street condominiums edmonds, wa

nicho wynd lynnwood, wa

ALDERBROOK VILLAGE EVERETT, wa

This project contains 100 detached single family homes, all of which are 3 stories with small building footprints and narrow widths. a greater appeal for first time buyers.

A site plan was developed that provided the required unit density, yet was very visually appealing and created a streetscape of units which was interesting and villagelike in feel. The project has a very strong sense of neighborhood identity and provides a number of distinctive unit designs. Careful use of roof forms, classic exterior detailing, and pleasant proportions have given this project a greater appeal for first time buyers.

cascades cottages edmonds, wa

The project contains 16 detached units, with small footprints, on a corner site that required high density. The design is a 3 story unit that appears to be a two story as viewed from the adjacent streets.

All units have covered garages and they are accessed from interior drive aisles. The roof forms visually reduce the height of the building at the street front and create a small unit with character and detail found in cottage style housing. The exterior trim, landscape pergolas, and fences help emphasize the cottage appeal.

farmhouse

kirkland, wa

The owners wished to construct an addition that greatly increased the size of their home, improved the layout, and improved the visual appeal of the home. The home, an original 1920’s dairy farmhouse had received additions in the past.

The addition nearly doubled the area of the lower level and created a new porch, entry hall, dining room, and master bedroom suite. The exterior remains true to the original farmhouse character while the interior of the new spaces accommodates the owner’s desire for a more formal style trim and woodwork.

queen anne craftsman seattle, wa

The owners of this 1925 Craftsman house required a design that would allow them to add an upper level while maintaining the visual appeal of the original house and working within the constraints of the original layout. An entire new upper level floor including feature stairway, entertainment area, study, and master bedroom suite was created in the design.

The owners have received many compliments on the project with neighbors commenting that “The new upper level floor looks as though it has always been part of the original home�.

COLSON RESIDENCE BOTHELL, wa

This home is tucked into the sloping hillside, creating a series of landscaped terraces that wrap around the front and side of the house and are located adjacent to the living and dining areas, providing pleasant views to the park like setting.

The overlapping gable roofs at the main roof and porch were designed to create a visually appealing appearance. The numerous windows have classic wood trim detailing and provide character and a great deal of light to the extensively wood trimmed interior spaces.

sprague street I edmonds, wa

Designed in a classic “Seacoast� style with stained cedar shingles, siding, and white trim, this home has outstanding views of Puget Sound. Raising the house as high as possible increased these views, while keeping it within the strict allowable building heights as required by the City of Edmonds, WA.

Two large bedroom suites, located within the gable roof shape allow the home to be raised to the maximum height, allowing magnificent views from both levels. A wide deck and large windows provide excellent water views while entertaining or relaxing.

sprague street II edmonds, wa

This home is located at the high point of the original building lot and has excellent views of Puget Sound to the southwest. The living area, with its large windows and bay window, was located at the southwest corner of the home to capture these views.

The large front entry porch welcomes visitors with its dual stone-based columns and arched opening. The porch is accessed by a large stone courtyard which provides a view filled space for outdoor entertaining.

sprague street III edmonds, wa

This home has excellent water views but the site presented a challenge because the site dropped significantly in height at the midpoint. The upper level contains the living and bedroom areas and these spaces take full advantage of the view, while the garage and storage areas are located at the lower level.

The large front entry porch welcomes visitors with its dual stone-based columns and arched opening. The porch is accessed by a large stone courtyard which provides a view filled space for outdoor entertaining.

“Carl has an inherent sense of design elements, functionality, beauty, and precision. His designs are practical, yet innovative. He knows how to maximize a site and how to work positively and creatively within physical, economic, and regulatory constraints. His designs have what I refer to as the “Ahhhh” factor. They are intuitive and pleasing to the eye; they are interesting, but feel natural and “right”.

Rick Gifford Edmonds, WA

“We highly recommend Carl Colson! As homeowners, we truly appreciate Carl’s insight in the design process. We couldn’t be happier with the look and feel of what Carl created. The plans were incredibly detailed and accurate and had absolutely no issues during the construction of the additions. Carl not only has an eye for the design of a project but he also has the practical building process knowledge that makes the construction practical, saving time and material costs. We would strongly recommend Carl for any architectural project.”

Mike and Vikki Byland Woodinville, WA

I’m adesigner who has had the opportunity to know, work, and collaborate with Carl Colson for over 20 years. Carl is an exceptionally talented professional. He not only brings solid experience to his practice but a unique versatility in a far ranging breadth of project types. It’s this versatility that makes him unique among his peers in his ability to blend the best of commercial, hospitality, mixed-use and fine residential design in every project as appropriate for their success. I’m also constantly impressed with Carl’s ability to maximize clients’ return on investment for projects of all sizes, especially those with particularly challenging sites or restrictions. Carl’s patience and easy manner make him ideally suited to educate his clients and be the ultimate advocate their behalf. Carl’s passion for design and attention to detail is not only apparent in the work that has been built over the years but in much of the work currently on the boards. I find myself fortunate to have worked with Carl over the years and am constantly pursuing opportunities for us to collaborate on projects on both coasts well into the future.

Ron Reilly, Principal Reilly Design “In 20 years of developing and building projects, the architect I have enjoyed working with the most has been Carl Colson. His plans are the most complete and extremely thorough. I use Carl exclusively for all of my projects, including a multi-family townhome project of 101 homes, 40 townhomes in Sedro Wooley, and 54 single-family detached homes in a mixed-use community. Carl has always met the project deadlines, is very creative, and open minded about suggestions. Every one of my staff, including the field crews, has spoken very highly of Carl’s work – I have recommended Carl in the past and will continue to recommend him.”

Scott Wammack Grandview Homes Arlington, WA

“Carl designed excellent home plans and the site plan, which far exceeded our expectations in both aesthetic appeal and efficiency for our 18 unit residential development. His construction drawings were clean, accurate, concise and complete in necessary construction detail. His plans sailed through the permitting process with no significant markups or delays. He is a skilled professional who is creative, but also practical. His work is produced on time, and meets the needs of the permitting authorities and the construction crews. He is a pleasure to work with.”

John W. Garbe (Garbe Weller Construction) Seattle, WA

With more than 30 years experience, Carl is an expert in all aspects of architectural design and construction. He has designed a wide variety of buildings, planning, and architectural designs in the greater Seattle area – from office buildings, retail spaces, and hotels, to site planning, mixed-use, multi-family and single family homes – but designing homes of all kinds brings him the greatest satisfaction. This is where he feels his creativity really shines.

Carl is just as passionate about giving his clients what they want and need as he is about design itself. He treats his clients’ needs and goals for a project with great respect. He has a talent for synthesizing seemingly disparate needs and considerations into finished designs that work well, respect budgets, and please his clients.

Carl takes the Building Permit phase seriously. His accurate construction documents get approved more quickly because of his attention to detail. Committed to using technology, he is using Revit, a 3D Building Information Modeling (BIM) system, to present design concepts to his clients and planning authorities.

In retrospect, Carl was destined to become an architect. From an early age, he loved to create fun, useful things from everyday materials. Growing up all over the South, he was fascinated by the developments springing up around him. Scraps of lumber from the construction sites often found their way home, to be transformed into tree houses, go-carts, and forts.

Architecture is more than a job for Carl: he lives and breathes it. Visiting old neighborhoods for inspiration, he is intrigued by the ways communities have evolved around structures and the way buildings influence each other. In his free time – besides touring old houses and neighborhoods – Carl enjoys hiking, reading histories about exploration and discovery, and learning about wooden boats.

carl colson

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON / HOUSTON, TEXAS

Bachelor of Architecture 1978

BOSTON ARCHITECTURAL CENTER / Boston, Massachusetts Advanced Architectural Illustration

NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY / Boston, Massachusetts Accounting Coursework

REGISTRATIONS

NCARB Certified

Licensed Architect in Washington and New Hampshire DESIGN AWARDS

NH AIA “Excellence in Architecture Design Merit Award” 1990

www.carlcolsonarchitect.com

Carl J Colson Architect PLLC 23623 20th Ave. W Bothell, WA 425.806.3703