Photo: Steve Keating Photography
Foster Loop
Balance Associates
Balance Associates, Architects works throughout the country on unique, finely crafted, architecture and interiors. Our projects range in scope from small cabins and affordable houses, to large and complex custom designed homes. Our strengths include the ability to integrate a building into its site, our attention to detail, and our enthusiastic commitment to attain the best project possible for you. We are small by design. Our firm size allows us to provide our clients with highly personalized service. In addition, we have a strong background in energy efficient, sustainable architecture.
Firm Portfolio
Photo: Balance Associates Architects
Nahahum Canyon
Located north of Cashmere, Washington, in the Nahahum Canyon, this 1500 square foot two story dwelling is set into the hillside with concrete retaining walls that guide the form of the cabin. Its east west longitudinal axis and generous overhangs are designed to take advantage of solar orientation while maintaining panoramic views.
Photo: Steve Keating Photography
Wolf Creek Residence
The Wolf Creek Residence sits in a lightly treed meadow, surrounded by foothills and mountains in Eastern Washington. The home is designed as two interlocking “L’s”. A covered patio is located at the intersection of one “L,” offering a protected place to sit while enjoying sweeping views of the valley. A lighter screening “L” creates a courtyard that provides shelter from seasonal winds and an intimate space with privacy from neighboring houses.
Photo: Balance Associates Architects
Capitol Hill
The Capitol Hill Residence is located on a ridge in Seattle with a 180 degree view of the surrounding lakes and mountains. A majority of the glazing is located on the eastern side of the house to capture the view and to provide privacy from neighbors. The center section of the house is designed as a translucent slot to filter daylight into the core. Sustainable systems include a rain water catchment system in the form of an entry water feature, solar panels, and solar shading.
Photo: Steve Keating Photography
Garden House
Garden House is one of two houses set side by side in a park like setting within a suburban neighborhood. The houses are arranged to take advantage of an extensive garden and a salmon stream that runs through the property.
Photo: Steve Keating Photography
Pine Forest Cabin
In order to meet the client’s budget goals, an efficient plan and cost effective selection of building materials reduced construction costs and led to the simple design. The use of sheet materials both inside and out maximized material efficiency while emphasizing the simplicity of the cabin’s form. Elevating the cabin allowed for unobstructed views down slope and to the mountains beyond, transforming a modest living space from ordinary room to a viewing platform that extends from inside to out.
Photo: Method Homes
M2 PreFab Cabin
M2 is a custom prefab project. It consists of 2 Medium modules from the S-M-L series connected with a suspended entry bridge. The original Medium modules have been redesigned to consist of a living/dining module and a two-bedrooms module. Both modules have cantilevered decks, large glazed end walls, rain screen metal siding, and high levels of insulation.
Photo: Steve Keating Photography
PS House
One of two houses set side by side in a park like setting in a suburban neighborhood. The building and landscape design are intended to blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces.
Photo: Steve Keating Photography
River Bank House
The River Bank House sits along the Gallatin River just outside Big Sky, Montana. The clients love to entertain, so the house was set up to create an open and casual atmosphere with a strong connection to the outdoors.
Photo: Steve Keating Photography
Wintergreen Cabin
The 1,600 square foot Wintergreen Cabin is built into a steep hillside overlooking a stream with a view to the mountains in the distance. The upper floor houses all of the living areas. The south side of the cabin is a single space containing the living/dining/kitchen with large window walls on 3 sides. Decks cantilever off of the concrete base on three sides and allow views into the stream below.
Photo: Steve Keating Photography
Elbow Coulee
Elbow Coulee is a 1,400 square foot cabin located in the mountains of North Central Washington State. Every room has a door to the outside, connecting the house to its exterior surroundings.
