Darren Vinci Studio, Shoreline, WA (2026)

The studio is a one-stop shop for design, permitting, construction, and buy/sell.

10/23/2026

This transformation of an existing home in Renton, Washington, draws inspiration from Paul Hayden Kirk and the Northwest Modern tradition, responding to the Pacific Northwest climate through generous shelter and natural light.

Two large covered patios extend the living spaces outdoors. Inside, ceilings follow the roof slopes, creating taller, brighter rooms. Offset roof planes accommodate clerestory windows that bring daylight deeper into the home. Form follows light.

The site presented significant infrastructure challenges. Wetlands and a high water table prevented an upgrade to the existing septic system. A sewer easement was negotiated with the neighboring property owner, providing a path to connect the home to public sewer.

The original material palette paired gray Hardie siding with warm cedar and matte black metal fascia. During construction, the client and contractor revised the material selections, so the completed home shown in the photographs differs from the original renderings.

The project brings together architectural renewal and practical site solutions to improve the home’s livability and add value to the client’s investment.

09/23/2026

Perched on a hilltop in Bellevue, this 5,000-square-foot residence enjoys expansive views across Lake Washington toward the Seattle skyline. What began as an interior renovation evolved into a comprehensive architectural transformation after the limitations of the existing low ceilings became apparent.

To create more generous interior volumes, both floors were reconfigured with higher ceilings. A new flat-roof drainage strategy maximized the available ceiling height while remaining within the limits established by the neighborhood HOA. The outdoor view deck and lower terrace were also redesigned, strengthening the relationship between the home’s interior spaces, landscape, and panoramic setting.

The interiors offer a contemporary interpretation of Asian design principles, expressed through spatial layering, framed views, rhythmic screens, and carefully integrated millwork. Pine and hemlock bring warmth and tactile depth, while large-format stone and porcelain surfaces provide a quiet, monolithic counterpoint. Upholstered walls and furnishings soften the architecture, and concealed linear LED lighting gives the rooms a subtle atmospheric glow.

Throughout the residence, circular openings, vertical wood screens, and continuous ceiling elements establish visual connections between spaces while preserving a sense of intimacy. The result is a cohesive home that feels serene, finely crafted, and deeply connected to its hilltop setting.

07/29/2026

The before-and-after of our 1,500sf addition in Bellevue.

06/10/2026

We designed this eight-unit middle-housing development in Shoreline, Washington, arranged as two parallel rows of four attached townhomes. The project addresses the demand for well-designed infill housing in the greater Seattle area at a neighborhood-compatible scale.

Each unit is three stories, ranging from 1,550 to 1,630 square feet, with a garage and flexible bedroom on the ground floor, living, kitchen, and office on the second, and the primary suite and a secondary bedroom on the third. The stacked organization keeps the floor plate compact while providing the option for Unit Lot Subdivision, therefore clean title for each homeowner.

The exterior palette layers light and dark gray horizontal Hardie siding with vertical light wood siding, dark brown metal cladding, and large-format dark brown Hardie panels — a material strategy that provides tonal depth and articulates individual units within a coherent overall composition. The color palette reminds me of some delicious coffee/pastry.

05/25/2026

Snohomish house remodel concept generation:
Step 1: take a photo of the existing house
Step 2: make a hand sketch on top of the photo
Step 3: instruct AI to generate a rendering
The entire process took about four hours.

05/11/2026

Our clients came to us with a clear vision: a 4,500 square foot home built around their life — warm, comfortable, and efficient, with two large four-legged companions very much part of the household and a future generation already in mind.

The design responds to the site from both directions. The street-facing elevation is composed for curb appeal and presence, while the rear opens generously toward the garden, where dining and living spaces spill outward to a large deck with outdoor dining space and fireside seating. The living experience is extended into the landscape and encourage year-round gathering.

Multiple roof configurations were studied before arriving at a pair of pitched roof forms that best respond to the Pacific Northwest climate. The twin gables efficiently shed rainwater and withstand the heavy debris from the mature trees surrounding the site, while concealed gutters maintain a clean and minimal architectural expression.

On the practical side, an oversized carport on the north end of the house provides full shelter for the clients’ RV — a deliberate accommodation rather than an afterthought.

The project is currently in development.

Address

Shoreline, WA
98155

Telephone

+12065863032

Website

http://www.darrenvinci.net/

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