Ever dream about owning a custom designed home, one that reflects your unique personality? But are you afraid that you can’t afford it? Richard and Kris Swartz of West Sound Design Center, Inc (WSDC) in Kingston, would like the opportunity to show how affordable it can be to build a custom designed home. “Only four percent of the homes built in America are designed by Architects,” reported Kris, “We want to change that.” “Our strategy is to provide a basic yet tailored design for inexpensive housing, as well as intermediate custom designs for the other 96 percent of the people wanting a custom home,” says Richard. “Our difference is in our people; regardless of what you want basic, custom, or fashion design, you’ll be working with a knowledgeable staff member with years of experience, an architecture degree (at the least) and the ability to listen to your dreams and help turn them into reality.”

The Swartz’s purchased West Sound Architects from its previous owner in January 2004 and renamed the business West Sound Design Center, Inc. Located in the Mill Works building at the Kingston Lumber Yard, the Swartz new business enjoys a mutually benefit referral partnership with one of the area’s premier lumberyards. “Kingston is a great place to do business,” exclaimed Kris, “The other business owners are very friendly and helpful. They are constantly sending us new referrals.

A framer and journeyman carpenter for fourteen years and an owner of his own design/build and facilities management firms for ten years, Richard Swartz earned his dual degrees in Space Planning; Architectural and Space Planning; Facilities Manage degrees by attending University of Washington at night. The Swartzs feel that Richard’s background gives him a truly unique perspective in designing homes. Richard’s experience as a framer and journeyman carpenter helps him to understand the complete process of building a new structure, from concept to realization; from the first nail to the last.

WSDC is a full service architectural and design firm. “We can help a client redesign one room or design a structure all the way from concept to completion,” said Kris. Working closely with their clients is something that the Swartzs pride themselves on. “It is all about listening to the client and helping them realize their dreams,” mused Kris. “Richard is really good at listening to a client’s concept and then figuring out how to make that concept a reality the most practical and cost effective manner,” she added.

Currently employing seven people, Kris revealed that WSDC is planning to expand this summer. Kingston Lumber is expanding the building that WSDC is located in which will add an additional 900 square feet of office space for WSDC. “We are really looking forward to the additional space,” said Kris, “Right now we are in each others way a lot.” Designing the addition for Kingston Lumber strengthens the strong bond between the two companies. The expansion is schedule to begin in April and plans call for completion by winter.

Once the expansion is complete Kris revealed that the company would be seeking to hire two additional intern architects. “The problem is it is hard to find intern architects on this side of the water,” said Kris. After completing their schooling a budding architect has to complete a period of internship and then pass a forty-hour exam before they can be called an architect. “Many people don’t realize that it is as much, if not more, stringent to become an architect than a lawyer,” said Kris. “

The future looks bright for WSDC. Recently WSDC won a contract with AMR Environmental, to do the architectural design for a prototype espresso station located at over 300 gas stations for a major supplier in Washington State. In winning the contract WSDC competed against some of the largest firms in Seattle and California. The WSDC design team came up with a plan that was innovative and aesthetically pleasing. Richard credits the design software that they used as one of the reasons they were able to close the deal. “The software package we use allows us to put our design on the client’s site,” said Richard, “We can then give them a 3D walk through of the project, change features such as lighting and color schemes. It allows them to get the complete picture before starting the project. We’ll be doing this for our residential customers soon. Imagine being able to walk into your new home and turn the lights on - before it’s even built!”

West Sound Design Center, Inc
10900 NW State Hwy 104, 2nd Floor
Kingston, WA 98346
360) 297-8233
ks@westsounddesigncenter.com