Architectural Experience

Curious. Adaptable. Humble. Open-minded.   Everything begins with listening to you - your vision, your site, your budget. As your architect, our job is to create an experience where we iterate together to develop design solutions that fundamentally meet your goals.  We embrace feedback and believe strongly in a design process that is truly collaborative and gathers the input and experience of all parties involved.

Through a varied career, Peter has developed a knack for developing collaborative relationships with clients, design teams and contractors.   Whether this was leading a large team of architects while working on the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry, or leading a diverse product development team of architects, engineers, builders and manufacturing professionals at Katerra, Peter understands the importance of communication and collaboration.

We see architecture is a diverse practice that includes many different aspects of craft - architectural design, furniture design, art, digital 3d modeling, and construction.   Peter is both an artist and a pragmatist, a builder of fine furniture, a digital designer, and an analytical thinker aiming to provide you with the best solutions for your unique design needs.   

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts  in Music as an undergrad, Peter decided  to switch to Architecture and attend the University of  Washington graduate program where he received a Faculty  Medal for studio work and the Thesis Prize.    The creativity, improvisation and freedom in the craft of music continues to influence his work as an architect today.  Peter's began his career with Seattle-based architecture firms Suyama Peterson Deguchi and Miller Hull - firms known for elegant and highly detailed design.  Peters current work and ethos around craft was highly influenced by these firms and tremendous mentorship he received.  

Learn more about Peter’s passion for woodworking and design here.

Peter has extensive experience working on innovative projects related to sustainability, construction technology, prefabrication, quantity takeoffs and estimating, and digital tools.   While at Miller Hull, Peter worked on the LEED Platinum Cascadia Community College Arts Building and the LEED Platinum San Ysidro Land Port of Entry.   Both projects integrated a variety of sustainable innovations that included optimized building envelopes, active/passive shading, efficient lighting, displacement ventilation, heat recovery ventilation, geo-exchange (thermal) systems, photovoltaic  systems , solar thermal systems, rainwater collection, non-potable water recycling and potable water recycling.   Peter presented the sustainable features of the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry at the Greenbuild Conference in Los Angeles in 2016.    In current work we have integrated grey-water reclamation and re-use systems into residential projects.

While at Katerra Peter directly led product development teams that created pre-fabricated and panelized multifamily building systems.   This involved highly detailed cross-disciplinary design for manufacturing and assembly.   Different systems were prototyped - some were fully enclosed exterior wall panels complete with siding and windows while others were floor panels that included mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.  All of the building systems were developed using unique digital tools to create manufacturing  shop drawings, cost estimates, and permit drawings.

While Spotswood Design is primarily focused on residential work our past experience, creativity and attention to detail allows us to more quickly explore the most effective solutions for your project.  And our digital tools enable faster visualization to help you see the project in advance and material takeoffs to assist with estimating and estimate reviews. 

Our responsibility as your architect is to listen and be diligent with your time, budget, and the investment you have made in our services.  We are committed to providing best-in-class service, while being responsive to local and regional contexts and the environment.

Peter's love of people, architecture and the environment shines through in his work. Having worked on projects in Washington, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, California, and  design-build projects in Mexico, Montana and New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, Peter strives to bring site specific and responsible solutions that meet the unique needs of each community.