Building · 2020–

Could product design change how homes get built?

[your one-sentence answer to "why building?"]

Seattle area2020–Built as HU5TLE Studios

The remodelled 1937 house from the air, white siding and black windows between two red maples, with the neighbourhood behind.

1937 Remodel

Structural remodel · West Seattle · [year finished]

Tala Shore

Ground-up home · [city or area] · [year finished]

Why I explored building

The question Draft

After leading design in new categories, from mobile to voice to learning, I wanted to know whether product design holds up in an industry that rarely uses it.

The 1937 house and its lot from directly above, with the yard and neighbouring roofs around it. — FIG. 01 · The lot from above

Why building Draft

Homes are physical, expensive and slow to change. If the process worked here, it would work anywhere.

The entry of the Tala Shore house: a black glass door, white walls and pale oak floors. — FIG. 02 · Tala Shore, entry

What I took on Draft

Architect, general contractor and owner of the client experience, end to end, with my own money and decisions on the line.

The Tala Shore mechanical room: water filtration, a heat-pump water heater and neatly run pipes against the framing. — FIG. 03 · Tala Shore, mechanical room

What held up, and what didn't

[which product habits held up on site, and which didn't.]

The remodelled 1937 kitchen: dark lower cabinets, light oak uppers and wide black-framed windows. — FIG. 04 · 1937 Remodel, kitchen

What I brought back

[why this makes you a better design leader now.]

The view from Tala Shore across the water to the mountains, framed by fir trees. — FIG. 05 · Tala Shore, the view

The approach Draft

General notes

Note 01

Building science first

Decide how the house performs before how it looks.

Note 02

Real budgets before details

Price the whole house early, so no one designs what they can't build.

Note 03

Standard materials, used carefully

Off-the-shelf methods and a few deliberate decisions, not exotic systems.

Projects

Project index

P-011937 RemodelStructural remodel · West Seattle · [year finished]

P-02Tala ShoreGround-up home · [city or area] · [year finished]

Products from the job site

Details

D-01

Sill-O-Matic

A cut-to-fit sill pan that replaces the shims and beveled siding usually pieced together under every window.

D-02

Dust chute extender

A printed extension for the Milwaukee M18 FUEL rear-handle circular saw (2930-20) that throws sawdust away from you.

D-03

Jigs and parts, designed with AI

Fixtures and fittings for problems on site, described to an AI and printed.

Read the case study

What carried over

[what carried over, point 1]
[what carried over, point 2]
[what carried over, point 3]