new Architectural design services by charles sholten

Design services tailored to the unique requirements of the home owner and the building site. Providing creative designs that are authentic, one of a kind custom dwellings. 30+ years design experience.  

A commitment to creating environmentally appropriate designs that are integrated with the site & regional context. Natural & Healthy Building Materials. Indoor / Outdoor Living Spaces. Active & Passive Solar Design.      

Minimal disturbance to the site & natural landscape. Building with nature promotes a respectful and timeless quality. Buildings designed as an enhancement to the landscape. Good architecture should address the physical and spiritual needs of the inhabitant while remaining in harmony with Nature. 

Choosing local & indigenous building materials that compliment & enhanse the building site. Low energy embodiment of localized building materials. Re-purposed & reclamation of existing building materials. 

Beautiful buildings throughout history have employed colorful art glass to augment the living space.  

Large insulated windows and well placed skylights add natural lighting while reducing energy usage.

Low-voltage lighting powered by PV panels is another option with long-term environmental benefits.     

Natural building materials, when organized and applied properly, radiate a creative, healthy & vibrant energy. Individuals often visit natural environments for rejuvenation & healing. Most natural building materials are far less toxic to humans than the leading artificial & petroleum based building products.             

A concept design evolves from the essential requirements of the client & from analyzing the building site. Designer conducts an in-depth interview with the client & synthesizes their needs & requirements into  a comprehensive building design. Scaled models are sometimes produced to develop the concept design.

The Designer often works with engineers as well as other design professionals to help facilitate and produce working drawings. Working drawings are used for cost estimates,  building permits, and for construction. 

Charles Sholten grew up near Chicago, IL. He earned a Master of Architecture Degree at The San Francisco Institute of Architecture in 1997 and studied at The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture in 1990-1991. BA in Studio Art - Sewanee, TN. New Trier West HS, Northfield, IL.       

Charles has worked with many influential architects & designers before starting an independent design practice in Marin County, CA. Charles moved to The Columbia River Gorge in 2012 and lives near Lyle, WA.  

30+ years of architectural design experience in Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington State.  

Client references and sample drawings available upon request. Site surveys with topo elevations to be provided by the property owner.   

Please visit Charles Sholten Designs public profile at: 

https://www.houzz.com/pro/cs108

Charles Sholten on-line CV: 

linkedin.com/in/charles-sholten-178aa0a

For more information please contact Charles at: 509 369-0034 or by Email: csholten@gmail.com

Image Credits:

Top Elevation Drawing: Hillside Residence. Columbia River Gorge. Designed by Charles Sholten in 2014 

Floor & Site Plan Drawing: Ecological Design Studio & Residence. Designed by Charles Sholten in 2009

Photograph: Bird's eye view of the Hall Residence in Kentfield, CA. Designed by Hillmer & Callister in 1948

Photograph: Sea Ranch Chapel interior. Sonoma County, CA. Designed by James T. Hubble circa 1990 

Working Drawing: Fivis House Section. Designed by Callister & Gately Architects, Tiburon, CA  1996

Photograph of Charles Sholten at Taroko Gorge, Taiwan 2008

See more of the designer's photographs at: https://finelinephotography.com/gallery

Recommended Reading:

New Organic Architecture: The Breaking Wave by David Pearson GAIA Books Limited 2001 

Places of the Soul: Architecture and Environmental Design as a Healing Art by Christopher Day 1990

The Natural House Book: Creating a Healthy, Harmonious and Ecologically Sound Home by David Pearson

A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction by Christopher Alexander. Oxford University Press, 1977

The Timeless Way of Building: by Christopher Alexander. Oxford University Press, 1979

Web site updated: March 2024