Business Details
Your Trusted Architectural Partner in Seattle
At Encore Architects, we believe that architecture is fundamentally about people. Guided by trust, collaboration, and accountability, our team of experienced architects has served a longstanding client community for decades. Our practice emphasizes a democratic culture and broad-based ownership model, with over half our staff owning a stake in the firm. Every project team includes at least one owner and licensed architect, ensuring decisions are rooted in on-the-ground expertise. We maintain small, cooperative teams to foster transparent communication and minimize hierarchy, which strengthens client relationships and elevates project outcomes. Our approach prioritizes context-sensitive design, balancing timeless elegance with modern functionality across residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments.With an average of 30+ years of professional experience per team member, we combine technical mastery with creative problem-solving to deliver buildings that enhance communities. Our employee-owned structure ensures long-term thinking, as we treat every client's project as our own. From initial concept through construction administration, we maintain rigorous attention to detail while embracing flexibility in response to evolving project needs. This commitment to integrity and collaboration has made us a trusted partner in shaping the built environment across the Pacific Northwest.
Services
Architecture
Capacity Studies
Site Planning
Programming
Contract Administration
Mixed-Use Development
Residential Design
Commercial Architecture
Affordable Housing
Student Housing
Highlights and features
- We maintain small, cooperative project teams with direct owner involvement
- Our employee-owned structure ensures long-term thinking and accountability
- 30+ years average professional experience per team member
- Transparent communication with no hierarchical decision-making barriers
- Context-sensitive designs that enhance community character
Associations and certifications
- LEED
What people say
Sincere relationships
Better buildings
Thoughtful people
Invested team
Memorable work
Services
Architecture
Our architectural services focus on creating functional, aesthetically pleasing spaces that respond to their environment. We specialize in residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments that enhance community character. Our team delivers comprehensive solutions from concept through construction administration.
Capacity Studies
We conduct detailed capacity analyses to optimize space utilization while meeting zoning requirements. Our studies consider future growth patterns and infrastructure needs to ensure developments remain viable long-term. This informs smarter, more sustainable building solutions.
Site Planning
Our site planning services integrate buildings with their surroundings through careful consideration of topography, existing structures, and community context. We create master plans that balance density with livability while respecting historical and environmental factors.
Programming
We develop detailed program requirements that align with client goals and user needs. Our programming process establishes clear spatial relationships, functional requirements, and budget parameters to guide successful project outcomes from initial concept.
Contract Administration
Our contract administration ensures construction aligns with design intent through rigorous documentation and site observation. We manage change orders, review submittals, and coordinate with contractors to maintain quality control throughout the building process.
People
Andrew Hoyer
Principal
Licensed architect with extensive experience in mixed-use and residential developments. Focuses on creating context-sensitive designs that enhance urban environments while maintaining technical excellence in project execution.
Blair Stone
Principal
Specializes in commercial architecture and large-scale urban infill projects. Brings technical expertise and creative problem-solving to complex developments requiring innovative structural solutions and regulatory compliance.
Brian Schroeder
Principal
Residential design specialist with particular expertise in student and affordable housing. Focuses on creating livable communities that balance density with human-scale architecture and sustainable practices.
Chris Lamb
Principal
Experienced in both historic preservation and contemporary design. Skilled at blending old and new architectural elements to create cohesive developments that respect context while meeting modern needs.
Christine R. Hatcher
Principal
Focuses on institutional projects and campus planning. Brings particular expertise in university housing developments and educational facilities that balance functionality with aesthetic quality.
Questions
What architectural services does Encore Architects offer?
We provide full-service architecture including residential, commercial, mixed-use developments, affordable housing, and student housing projects.
What makes Encore Architects different from other firms?
Our employee-owned structure ensures direct owner involvement in every project with transparent decision-making and long-term accountability.
Do you specialize in specific building types?
We excel in multi-family residential, mixed-use developments, and institutional projects that require contextual sensitivity and community integration.
How do you approach sustainable design?
With 8 LEED Accredited Professionals on staff, we integrate sustainable practices through material selection, energy efficiency, and site-responsive design.
What geographic areas do you serve?
While based in Seattle, we work across Washington State, Oregon, and Michigan with recent projects in Redmond, Bellevue, Portland, and East Lansing.
