Celebrating 25 Years of chadbourne + doss
Marking 25 Years in Business
In 2001, Lisa Chadbourne and Daren Doss, newly licensed and newly married, opened the doors of chadbourne + doss. Twenty-five years later, with an AIA Seattle Honor Award, and a spot on Forbes' list of America's Top 200 architecture firms, Lisa and Daren sat down to look back on a quarter-century of building homes and a partnership, from the ground up.
How It Started
Lisa and Daren met in graduate school at the University of Washington (UW), amid the late nights and shared studio desks of the three-year architecture program. They started dating that first quarter, quietly—or so they thought. The secret came out one night when they skipped studio to catch the last screening of Koyaanisqatsi at the Egyptian Theatre. After the film, Daren joked that it was better than a night in studio, then turned around to find their studio instructors sitting right behind them.
Both were drawn to design long before they met, though they took different paths to architecture. Lisa’s interest began during summers spent with her uncle, an architect and Harvard professor, and she started working for architects at 16. She went on to study Interior Design at San Jose State University before earning her Master of Architecture at the University of Washington. Daren’s path was more circuitous, shaped by construction work, a Semester at Sea, a year sketching temples in Japan, and time at SCI-Arc before arriving at UW.
Building a Practice Together
After graduation, Lisa and Daren began their careers at Seattle architecture firms, Lisa at Lane Williams Architects and Daren at Suyama Peterson Deguchi. Both gained experience that would shape their approach to design and practice, while the idea of having a firm of their own was already taking root. In 2001, Lisa took the leap into independent practice, and about a year later, Daren joined her. Together, they began what would become chadbourne + doss architects.
Their first solo project was a studio loft in Capitol Hill, followed by a house in Gig Harbor. Not long after came a small but pivotal bathroom intervention at Alderbrook Station, an early chance to push design ideas as far as they'd go, even with a modest scope and budget.
What Makes chadbourne + doss Different
"We're more like tailors, sewing a one-of-a-kind suit," Lisa says of the firm's approach, one shaped less by a signature style than by a deep understanding of each client's life. A thorough client questionnaire, inspired by Charles Moore's Place of Houses, grounds every project in the specifics of the people and the site.
Collaboration is at the heart of how Lisa and Daren work together. Both are involved in every project, often bringing multiple distinct ideas to the table before testing, discussing, and refining them together. “We don’t always agree,” Lisa notes, “and that’s the point—the best ideas rise to the top, and clients get to choose.” From the first sketch through the final walkthrough, clients work directly with both partners, bringing two perspectives to the process and allowing ideas to be challenged, shaped, and improved along the way.
Additionally, Lisa and Daren invest in an adventurous design process. Daren says, “We make it fun for our clients and bring our personalities and enthusiasm to each project. We’re not formulaic; we’re fresh.”
Themes and Lessons
Across their work, certain ideas keep coming into play: balance, contrast, and the dialogue between opposites—dark and light, warm and cool, background and foreground, inside and out, old and new, textured and smooth. These contrasts create depth, character, and a sense of balance that makes each project feel distinctly its own.
When it comes to successful projects, the couple has learned a few lessons along the way. First, share your budget with your architect right up front. This is critical. It aligns priorities and goals. Second, surround yourself with a talented team, especially a skilled contractor.
25 Years of Milestones
Over the years, the firm has been fortunate to receive recognition from the Seattle AIA and Forbes, along with the opportunity to work on projects ranging from private residences to commercial spaces like Seattle’s Best. But for Lisa and Daren, the most meaningful part of the work is often closer to home. As Daren puts it, “Every day is a highlight. I get to work with my wife and practice an amazing profession.” Designing and building their own home, the Nook House, has been another special chapter—an opportunity to put their ideas to work in a very personal way and learn from the process along the way.
What's Next
Looking ahead, Lisa and Daren are curious about where the practice might go next—from hospitality spaces such as wineries and boutique hotels to multi-family projects that offer new opportunities to explore the relationship between architecture, development, and community. They’re also interested in alternative models of shared living, particularly multi-generational environments that foster connection without sacrificing privacy or individuality. More than a set path, these ideas represent an openness to new collaborations, new building types, and new ways of thinking about how we live together.
Twenty-Five Years and Counting
People are often surprised a husband-and-wife team can work, and build a business, together. "Architecture is so consumptive," Lisa says. "It would be hard not to work together." Daren agrees the process gets feisty at times, but that friction is part of what makes the work stronger. Cheers to the next 25 years.
FAQ
How long has chadbourne + doss been in business? Founded in 2001 by husband-and-wife architects Lisa Chadbourne and Daren Doss, the firm is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
What makes chadbourne + doss' design process unique? Every project is led collaboratively by both partners, who develop multiple design concepts before refining a chosen design together. It’s an exciting, adventurous collaboration for clients looking for a creative process.
What awards has chadbourne + doss won? The firm received an AIA Honor Award for the Woodblock Residence, won AIA Portland’s STITCH Competition, and was recently named to Forbes' list of America's Top 200 architecture firms.