Stewart Gordon Straus, Architect was established in September, 1985 based on a commitment to provide each client with intensely dedicated personalized service tailored to his individual needs. From his location in Beaverton, he provides services to the Portland and southwest Washington metropolitan area. In addition to traditional architectural services, he offers specialized capabilities in Project Management, Design-Build Project Delivery and Owner Representation. While his extensive experience and creative thinking are important resources for every project, it is understood that the client is the prime decision maker and that the primary role of the Architect is to facilitate sound decision making based on the defined project goals and requirements. He is also dedicated to working with non-profit organizations and offers them a 20% discount from his standard hourly rate.
Stewart Gordon Straus received his Bachelor of Architecture with highest honors from the University of Callfornia, Berkeley in 1970 and has continued his education since then in seminars and classes, including those in construction law, real estate development, design-build project delivery and risk management. He is licensed in Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and California. He served eighteen years on the Beaverton Board of Design Review, including three terms as its chairman.
Prior to starting his own practice, Stewart worked at several firms in the Portland area, having responsibility for notable projects including construction phase architect – KOIN Center and KOIN TV (with ZGF Partnership) and project architect – Portland Public Schools Blanchard Center (with BOORA Architects).
Projects under his practice include:
Hospitality and Recreation – Wingate Inn, Hillsboro; Best Western, Woodland; Red Tail Driving Range, Beaverton
Single and Multi-Family Residential – Fairview Place, Fairview; CenterPointe, Kennewick, Sterling Remodel, Lake
Oswego; Ethridge Remodel, Portland; Lee House and Addition, Honolulu
Commercial and Industrial – Everest Building, Portland; Rose City Cemetery Office, Portland; The Cameo, White Salmon;
Religious, Community Center and Non-Profit Organization – Multnomah Athletic Club Tennis Lounge, Portland; Portland Jewish Academy, Portland; Bahai Spiritual Centers, Portland & Beaverton; Christian Church Multi-purpose Building – Damascus, Orego; B’nai B’rith Camp – Neotsu, Oregon
Telecommunications – Various facilities for Cellular One, US Cellular, GTE Mobilnet and Verizon
Health Care - Dr. John Takacs Clinic Additions, Portland; Dr. Terry Dischinger and Team Orthodontics – Lake Oswego; Clackamas Gastroenterology – Tualatin
A brief summary of the services provided is listed below. A complete project list, resume and other information will be provided after initial contact, along with a description of services specifically tailored to your project.
For those clients who have little or no experience with construction projects, Stewart makes a special effort to help them better understand what may seem to be a very overwhelming task. This is particularly true for homeowners considering a new home or remodeling an existing home. The articles below will provide some useful background information for the first-time client.
Please click the link below to write us a review on Google, we are always looking for feedback from our valued customers
Build Your new Home with the Beaverton Architect
You have always wanted to build a new home. You have dreamt of it for so long that the details are crystal clear in your mind. You can see how the roof slopes and how the windows open to the garden. You know your home inside out. Why not just talk it over with your builder and chart out the plan yourself?
You may wonder if you really need the services of a residential architect. The truth is, a skilled home architect can save you a bundle of cash by professionally designing your home, stepping through the maze of building codes and zoning regulations with the skill of a seasoned professional. If there are differences of opinions between contractors and sub-contractors, an experienced Beaverton Architect can act as referee. The Beaverton Architect will also develop detailed plans to meet all the new home inspection requirements that are mandatory.
Look around you. Almost every building you see has a professional building architect’s hand behind it. The skill of an architect lies in designing and planning the building. This is what construction is based on.
A skilled Beaverton Architect will design you a building that not only satisfies your aesthetic tastes, but also meets safety and structural factors. These factors are important in the construction of any building.
Before creating the design, your building architect will take into account your aesthetic requests and the function of the space. His aim is to combine practicality and efficiency along with visual appeal. The main value that a building architect brings into a housing project is the incorporation of design elements that are appealing to the client into the overall layout, taking into consideration the building codes and standards.
Talk to Your Beaverton Architect
You can talk to a qualified Beaverton Architect about the vision that you have to help them make it come true. Perhaps you want a modern glass and chrome home. Or perhaps you are trying to achieve the look and feel of a log cabin, while you also want all modern amenities. There is no one better that your home architect to consider your vision objectively, calculate how much it should cost and offer you advice on how it can be achieved.
Home architecture magazines provide great sources of information and ideas in the form of layout and floor plan ideas, home events and home tours. If something catches your fancy, note it down or cut the page out to discuss with a professional Beaverton Architect about the feasibility of incorporating it into your home design. An experienced Beaverton Architect will be able to point out how practical it is, the cost involved and perhaps the modifications that need to be made in case they are required.
Private homes may be built within a span of a few months whereas bigger office spaces and public buildings may stretch over years to get completed. Whatever the timeline, a competent Beaverton Architect always keeps a close eye on the project.
How a Beaverton Architect Can Help
If you already have an idea of how your home should look, a residential architect will help you draft an effective plan and walk you through the details. A qualified Beaverton Architect will address all your questions and answer them to your satisfaction. A residential architect will be allocated to your project and will be available to you at all times.
The friendly Beaverton Architect gives you crisp and clear details without trying to talk over your head using technical terminology. Design is the most important aspect of any home, for an architect. It is extremely important that both the homeowner and the building architect know exactly what they are trying to build.
Your Beaverton Architect will finalize the project specifics, budget, proposed schedule, completion date and the fees before the work starts. The Beaverton Architect will help you finalize on a housing plan that suits your needs.
Once you approve of the final design, your Beaverton Architect usually continues to be involved with the project right through the completion stages. Your building architect will be your partner as your dream of a new home slowly takes shape right in front of your eyes. You will get the complete details about the progress and snags in the work, all along the way. The building architect will also navigate through all the building laws and regulations that need to be followed as the house is built. As you enjoy the sight of the home materializing, the reliable Beaverton Architect relentlessly works in the background to ensure everything goes smooth.
Your Beaverton Architect will expect active involvement from you in the work on your home, because it is your dream and you will ultimately be the one to live in it. The task at hand for a BeavertonArchitect is to make it as easy as possible for you and to ensure that the home that you finally move into is plucked right out of your dreams. From the start of the project to its end, your skilled will be eager to consider whatever suggestions you may have about your home.
The Beaverton Architect serves as a part of the team of professionals that includes construction professionals, and works in close collaboration with them. The professional Beaverton Architect has to ensure that the original design and vision are not compromised at any stage during the construction of your home. Even if there are alterations in design or building materials, it will be done in such a way that there are no compromises made on the safety or quality of the building that is finally constructed. And before you know it your brand new house will be ready to move into.
Get in touch with the qualified Beaverton Architect to learn more about how you can build your dream home.