Twelve projects a year
Deliberately few. It is the only way principals stay on every job.
Portland, OR
Design and planning for buildings people keep.
A ten-person architecture studio working on houses, small civic projects, and the occasional stubborn renovation.
Book a consultation
The story
We are a small studio and we intend to stay one.
Ten people means the person you meet at the first consultation is the person drawing your building, and it means we take on roughly twelve projects a year. We work mostly in timber, mostly in the Pacific Northwest, and mostly for people who are planning to still be in the building in twenty years. That last part changes almost every decision.
Why it stands out
How we work
Three things that shape every project we take.
Fixed-fee feasibility first
You find out what is possible before you spend design money finding out it is not.
We stay through construction
Drawings are a means, not the deliverable. We are on site until it is finished.
What we do
Choose the next step that fits.
New residential
Ground-up houses from feasibility through construction administration. We stay involved on site until the certificate of occupancy.
Renovation & addition
The harder, more interesting work. Existing conditions surveyed properly before we draw a line.
Feasibility studies
A fixed-fee study answering whether the thing you want is legal, buildable, and affordable, before you commit to a full design.
From $4,500
Small civic & commercial
Libraries, clinics, and tenant improvements under 10,000 sq ft.
A closer look
See what makes it different.
The path forward
Simple steps. Clear expectations.
- 1
Consultation
An hour in the studio or on your site. No charge, and no drawings yet.
- 2
Feasibility
Fixed fee. Zoning, structure, budget range, and a straight answer about whether to proceed.
- 3
Design
Concept through permit set, with fixed review points where you decide whether to continue.
- 4
Construction
We administer the contract, review the shop drawings, and walk the site weekly.
In their words
Proof, without the sales pitch.
“The feasibility study saved us from buying the wrong lot. That fee paid for itself about forty times over.”
“They were on site every week. Our contractor said it was the smoothest set of drawings he had built from in years.”
“Twenty-year house, and they designed it like they believed we would actually still be there.”
Good to know
Answers before you have to ask.
What does a project cost?+
Design fees run roughly 8–12% of construction cost for residential work. The feasibility study is fixed-fee and tells you the construction number before you commit to the rest.
How long does it take?+
Feasibility is four to six weeks. Design through permit is typically five to nine months for a house, and permitting timelines vary by jurisdiction more than by us.
Do you work outside Oregon?+
We are licensed in Oregon and Washington. Elsewhere we associate with a local architect of record.
Can you work with our contractor?+
Gladly, and we will happily recommend three if you do not have one yet.
Take the next step
Let’s make this easy.
Reach Alder & Vale using the details below, or send a message directly.
Call(503) 555-0133Emailstudio@alderandvale.example
Visit215 SE Morrison Street, Suite 300, Portland, OR 97214
HoursMon–Thu 9am–5pm · Fri by appointment