ABOUT
Karen Smuland Architect, LEED AP
Karen Smuland is a registered architect and LEED AP in Bend, Oregon, who specializes in the design of custom homes. Karen is committed to creating each home to be a distinctive place that not only meets your needs, lifestyle and values, but ultimately improves your daily living experiences as well as your property’s value.
At an early age, growing up in Ohio and Michigan, Karen realized how different types of spaces influenced her in different ways, so she was curious about learning more. A graduate of The University of Cincinnati Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning, Karen interned in offices in Chicago, Washington, D.C, Boston and Denver. After becoming a registered architect, she worked for firms in Boston and Seattle, before deciding to open her own studio, specializing in the design of custom homes in Silverthorne, Colorado in 1996. After seven years there she relocated to Bend, Oregon with her family and has called Central Oregon home for over 18 years. Karen Smuland Architect, LLC was established in 2003 and Karen has completed projects in many neighborhoods including Pronghorn, The Tree Farm, Shevlin Commons, Tetherow and The City of Bend.
What Makes Us Better?
- Full services from Design through Construction- Explorative design process results in unique and previously unconsidered options; construction team-approach includes the builder early-on in the process and ensures that construction runs smoothly and on budget.
- Design philosophy - In-depth site analysis that helps to integrate the home into the site, in addition to maintaning a strong connection to nature inside and out. Bringing the beauty of spatial qualities such as form, scale, proportion, harmony and day-lighting into the environment while also maximizing the efficiency of all spaces. Consideration of the circulation flow and how views change while one moves through a space
- Streamlined and enjoyable design and building process - Collaborative design approach ensures you are getting the home that YOU want, as well as being an enjoyable experience. Starting with a detailed questionnaire, moving though conceptual sketches to highly detailed construction drawings. Leading the decision-making process through construction while also ensuring the builder is complying with the plans.
- Cutting-edge 3D software with BIM (Building Information Modeling) technology and realistic 3D modeling - Essential for walk-through and fly-around studies: from conceptual and solar, to more complex building information and material and color options.
- Your builder or our recommended builders – Leading the contractor selection process either by making recommendations or working with the builder of your choice.
- Energy-Efficiency and Green Building- Because more than 40% of U.S. greenhouse gases can be attributed to the building industry, I am committed to taking action in reducing that amount, along with the AIA, in the following ways:
- Designing for Health: by incorporating design with a connection to nature that has a positive impact to the health and happiness of the home’s occupants; improving indoor air quality by specifying low VOC materials and providing means for fresh air supply
- Designing for Energy: using passive design strategies, specifying high-performance building envelopes; minimizing dependence on fossil fuels and moving towards all-electric systems using renewable energy by maximizing solar access to roof areas for placement of PV solar arrays; striving for Net-Zero homes (creating as much energy as it uses through renewable sources)
- Designing for Resources: striving to source products in a responsible manner by considering embodied carbon and giving priority to those locally available
- Designing for the Future: designing buildings that can be adapted in the future, prioritizing materials and methods that are durable and adaptable
