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DRAGGING CANOE

DRAGGING CANOE

LAKE JAMES, NORTH CAROLINA

Located on Lake James in Western North Carolina, this family retreat serves as a beautiful escape into the Blue Ridge Mountains. With a focus on leisure and lake life, the design is integrated into the wooded hillside on every level. Generous porches and screened outdoor rooms extend living spaces into the trees, encouraging year-round use. The uphill landscape flows over onto the vegetated roof of the garage while low, lodge-inspired rooflines and extensive glazing create a strong connection to the surrounding landscape. Framing forest and water views at every turn, the home is designed as a relaxed, inviting getaway rooted in its lakeside setting.

in progress

Modern home with large windows and a courtyard, nestled in a semi-rural landscape in San Francisco.

HONEYBEE HILL – IN PROGRESS

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

CHALET CORDILLERA

VAIL VALLEY, COLORADO

Architectural Services

Modern home with stone and wood design, big windows, and landscaped yard with pathways and greenery

Residential

We tailor our designs to your lifestyle, helping your new home function as a daily habitat, socializing hub, and elevated oasis.

Modern ranch-style home with large windows, wooden exterior, and snow-covered surroundings.

Ranches

We tailor our designs to your lifestyle, helping your new home function as a daily habitat, socializing hub, and elevated oasis.

Large hospitality building with stone and wood design, set in a lush green mountainous landscape.

Hospitality

We tailor our designs to your lifestyle, helping your new home function as a daily habitat, socializing hub, and elevated oasis.

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Ready to realize your vision?

For our expert team, each new challenge is an opening for transcendent solutions. By relentlessly pursuing new architectural possibilities, and prioritizing connections with our clients, we design stunning custom homes, and have fun doing it.

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M. Arch. Founding Partner - Charlotte R. DeChant

Charlotte R. DeChant

M. ARCH. FOUNDING PARTNER

CHARLOTTE@SRIARCHITECT.COM

As a young artist, Charlotte tailored her pre-architecture undergraduate degree at Colorado College, in Colorado Springs, and completed her Master of Architecture at the University of Colorado, Denver. With her fresh eyes, she is an observer, analyst and critic of our processes, and her imagination inspires and contributes to our creativity. Of the partners, Charlotte’s willingness to raise the children fostered Doug’s ability to focus upon the practice.

She is a lifelong resident of Colorado, skied Vail in the early years as a child and remains an excellent bump skier (if the sun is shining). She was an original teammate of the Vail Breakaways, Vail’s first women’s hockey team. Charlotte’s vision includes an amazing gift for seeing, rescuing, restoring and placing cast-off furniture and other elements, giving the pieces valuable, renewed lives.

AIA, NCARB Founding Partner/Principal - Douglas M. DeChant

Douglas M. DeChant

AIA, NCARB
Founding Partner/Principal

DOUGD@SRIARCHITECT.COM

Architecture is more than a profession for Doug, our principal designer; it is a calling, understood since childhood. While a modernist at heart, his work reflects the necessary context of each setting and the voice of each client. He trained in the program of modernist and former Bauhaus Director Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe, at Illinois Institute of Technology’s School of Architecture in Chicago. After working throughout the nation and overseas, Doug settled in Vail in 1985, where he met his wife, Charlotte. Together they founded the practice in 1989 and have enjoyed raising four amazing children.

Doug’s service has included the Eagle County, Colorado, Planning Commission; the faculty of the Byron Fellowship, an annual sustainable communities conference; panelist at the Summit for Creativity in La Jolla sponsored by The Design Futures Council; participation in local design review boards; youth sports coaching; and various lay-leadership positions in his church. In 2004, he conceived ‘Benevolent Architecture’, a proprietary service offering low-cost or no-cost architecture and consulting to worthy ministries and non-profits.  In 2005, Doug began to develop an intimate, artistic retreat and conference venue, Wellspring Ranch, LLC, relocating and restoring several historic Colorado structures upon a remarkable property outside of Buena Vista, Colorado.

He is a member of the American Institute of Architects, certified by the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, and has been licensed in numerous states, including Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Indiana, Georgia and Pennsylvania. He finds balance in guitar, sculpture, hiking, snowshoeing, golf and crafting various elements of his retreat venue. 

Architect - Tom Bashford

Tom Bashford

Architect - IN LOVING MEMORY

Tom, one of our most valued, gifted leaders, passed away unexpectedly in March 2017. Together with his joyful spirit and hilarious dry wit, he enhanced our studio with a wealth of design and management experience. Tom will never be replaced. He was the type of person, father, leader, and mentor to which we all aspire, and the fruit of his efforts will live on, in his son, in us, and in our projects.

Intern - Pam, Peraya Mongkolwongrojn

Pam, Peraya Mongkolwongrojn

Designer

Peraya, Pam, is originally from Bangkok, Thailand, where she first became interested in Architecture from the rich spatial environment.  She explored Canada before moving to the States to pursue her passion for architecture. Pam went to the University of Arizona to earn a Bachelor of Architecture professional degree. During school, she energized a passion for the arts and drawing. 

In her free time, Pam enjoys exploring the great outdoors, hiking through Colorado’s scenic landscapes, and finding inspiration for her designs in nature. With a keen eye for detail and a creative approach to problem-solving, Pam has been involved in many of our custom residential homes. Her passion for the arts and drawing has influenced her design style, which incorporates elements of beauty and functionality. Pam’s commitment to excellence and her love for architecture make her a dedicated professional who strives to make a difference through her work.

As she continues to grow and learn in her field, Pam remains devoted to creating innovative spaces that enrich people’s lives and leave a positive legacy for future generations.

Project Manager - Brett Lehr

Brett Lehr

Designer

Brett is a designer with a unique blend of expertise, holding an undergraduate degree in Media Arts from the University of Nebraska-Omaha and an M.Arch degree from the University of Nebraska. His diverse educational background has ignited a passion for utilizing realistic virtual environments to enhance the efficiency, enjoyment, and overall success of architectural design processes.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Brett finds joy in a variety of hobbies, including snow skiing, biking, fly fishing, golf, and hiking. Embracing the scenic wonders of the Vail Valley, he has found the perfect lifestyle fit, drawing creative inspiration from the surrounding natural beauty.

Office Manager - Laurie Baggott

Laurie Baggott

OFFICE MANAGER

Our studio is fortunate to have Laurie bring her considerable experience in business and finance to our daily operations. Among her many administrative responsibilities, she manages accounting, payroll and invoicing for us. When not busy here or as a private chef, she avidly hikes in our beautiful summers and snowshoes in the winter.

Project Manager - Patricia Marcine

Trish Marcine

PROJECT MANAGER

Earning her Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Houston in 2016 was just the beginning. From there, Trish headed to Europe, to study at the Graz University of Technology in Austria and work at the Aedes Architekturforum. Then she determined it was time to return to the Rocky Mountains. We became beneficiaries of her delightful, collaborative spirit when she joined our studio in early 2018. Her savvy technical support and inspired design voice enhance each project, while her design comprehension and growth demonstrate that she has a future with much to offer the profession. As a lifelong artist, Trish’s search for a practical art form and meaningful profession has been fulfilled by custom residential architecture, where “…not a day truly feels like work.”

Trish grew up in Northern New Jersey, playing club and varsity soccer, enjoying ski club with friends, and learning to snowboard at a young age. As a teen, she competed in various equestrian events, highlighted by working for Frank and Mary Chapot to train Olympic-level show jumpers. Eventually, faster hobbies were necessary, and Trish became a driving instructor for the SCCA and track-day rider on her CBR600RR. She’s also been an enthusiastic racer on our company’s ‘ski team’. When a new project surfaces, she’s pleased to slow down enough to collaborate with the team.

Headshot of Rebecca Morris from SRI

Becky Morris

DESIGNER

Rebecca, originally from Staffordshire, UK, discovered a love for design early on, leading her to study Architecture at the University of Nottingham. After earning her Bachelor’s of Architecture, she explored multiple creative fields – working freelance in architecture, commissioned artwork, and graphic design — while pursuing her passion for travel.

A lifelong skier, Rebecca took her love for the mountains and her ever-growing sense of adventure to Austria, where she became a ski instructor, this experience ultimately leading her to Colorado. Captivated by the valley’s stunning landscapes and close-knit design community, she joined SRI and has been shaping spaces ever since.

Rebecca thrives on the creativity of the design process and the collaborative energy of working closely with clients. Outside the studio, she continues to create hand-drawn commissioned artwork, often found skiing, diving, hiking, or sketching the world around her. 

AIA, NCARB Architect, Project Manager - Cam Frey

Cam Frey

AIA, NCARB ARCHITECT, ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL

Cam was introduced to Colorado’s rivers and mountains at an early age, returning annually from Michigan with his family to fly-fish and hike near the small mining town of Creede. His interest in design and architecture was ignited by his high school drafting teacher, who instilled a balanced approach to design through technology and craft. Cam received his BA from UNC, Chapel Hill, followed by a few years of medical research before heading West to earn his Master of Architecture from the University of Oregon. There he became interested in the interdisciplinary study of Biomimicry; an approach to solving design problems by looking to nature. Not coincidentally, this interest, the stunning landscapes, wildlife, and outdoor lifestyle led Cam back to Colorado in 2014. He joined us in 2017, quickly becoming a central piece of our culture and project management structure.

Cam serves on the Design Review Committee of the Arrowhead at Vail community, is a certified Biomimicry Specialist and licensed Architect in the state of Colorado.

His other pursuits include fly-fishing, skiing, hiking, and a good game of euchre…, and the list continues to grow. He is married to a wonderfully talented children’s book illustrator, and dotes on his young son.

Architect, Senior Project Manager - Ben Marion

Ben Marion

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER

From an early age, Ben had a pen in hand and a curiosity for exploring both natural and built environments. Much of his adolescence was spent drawing what he observed, balanced with his passions for cross-country skiing the New England forests and playing soccer as far away as Europe. Like many of us, Ben arrived in Colorado as an adult, following a lifelong passion to further pursue the resort lifestyle. After graduating from the University of Colorado, he practiced with some of the finest architects and builders in the region, creating fine homes and other structures. His broad experience includes California mountain resort homes, as well as mixed-use and commercial structures, peppered with an interesting mix of furniture building and construction. In our studio, Ben is a strong design voice and outstanding project manager, leading by quiet example as he mentors our emerging leaders.

Ben remains passionate about skiing and soccer, coaching both youth sports locally. Travel remains in his blood as he and his family explore the west in their vintage 1967 camper.

Senior Project Manager - Bert Willemse

Bert Willemse

ASSOCIATE PRINCIPAL

Bert found a home away from home in the Vail Valley while exploring North America’s most beautiful landscapes on a post-graduation road trip…, from his hometown of Bellvale, New York to Wasilla, Alaska. He had completed his studies at SUNY Buffalo and apprenticed with two well-known firms in New York’s Hudson Valley area before joining our studio. As the son of a general contractor Bert gained practical construction knowledge with hands-on experience in the field. His many professional attributes are exceeded only by his wonderful, collaborative spirit.

Naturally, Bert is an active individual who embraces hiking, biking and skiing in our amazing Colorado mountains.

NCARB, LEED AP / Principal - Adam H. Harrison

Adam H. Harrison

AIA, NCARB, LEAD PRINCIPAL

adamh@sriarchitect.com

After graduating from Illinois Institute of Technology’s School of Architecture in 1995, and working as an intern for three years at Fujikawa, Johnson and Associates in Chicago, Adam packed his van and toured America to determine where he might settle; he found Vail and Shepherd Resources in September of 1997. After growing from intern to project manager to associate, Adam began transitioning into ownership in 2017, becoming the principal owner in 2020. As a dedicated designer, Adam loves collaborating with his fellow architects and interns while managing a busy studio.

His priorities are rooted in design, sustainability, leadership, and staff mentoring to uphold the practice’s core values. He is licensed in Colorado, Michigan, and North Carolina, and serves as the chairman of the Red Sky Ranch Design Review Board. Adam enjoys golf, mountain biking, skiing, music, and family activities with his fiancé, daughter, and future stepdaughters. Adam has been practicing for a quarter century and looks forward to designing and collaborating for years to come; “doodling a quick sketch, and months later, walking through such doodle” fuels his creativity and passion for design.

NCARB, LEED AP / Principal - Adam H. Harrison

Adam H. Harrison

NCARB, LEED AP / Principle

adamh@sriarchitect.com

As a young artist, Charlotte tailored her pre-architecture undergraduate degree at Colorado College, in Colorado Springs, and completed her Master of Architecture at the University of Colorado, Denver. With her fresh eyes, she is an observer, analyst and critic of our processes, and her imagination inspires and contributes to our creativity. Of the partners, Charlotte’s willingness to raise the children fostered Doug’s ability to focus upon the practice.

She is a lifelong resident of Colorado, skied Vail in the early years as a child and remains an excellent bump skier (if the sun is shining). She was an original teammate of the Vail Breakaways, Vail’s first women’s hockey team. Charlotte’s vision includes an amazing gift for seeing, rescuing, restoring and placing cast-off furniture and other elements, giving the pieces valuable, renewed lives.