Local landscape architect Dar Webb and building designer Brett Dean not only share space on Front Street, but are also teaming up on projects in downtown Issaquah.
The two moved into their studio office above the Vino Bella wine bar a year ago.
With its old town charm and historic brick and timber details, it makes for an ideal design studio in the heart of Front Street.
“I always tell people this building is the closest you can get to “Pioneer Square” on the eastside” Webb said. “It just has a great look and feel.”
While each maintains their own practice and project load, they also can team up and offer clients a broad range of architectural and landscape architectural services.
With today’s emphasis on outdoor living environments that bridge indoor and outdoor spaces, the combined expertise of each makes for a great team. The two have just recently completed an extensive covered outdoor living space for a Sammamish client and are actively marketing their companies for similar projects that need a multi-disciplinary approach.
With an early career in construction, building custom homes and townhouse projects, Dean brings comprehensive design and construction expertise to all his projects.
Believing in supporting his community, Brett heads the architectural board of the Mirrormont neighborhood where he lives, and provided architectural services to the City of Issaquah for the “Blue Door” monument at City Hall.
While his firm’s focus is primarily high end residential projects, Webb works on a variety of project types and sizes that include all aspects of site design and planning, including work here in Issaquah.
He has been involved with the Issaquah Highlands community since nearly the beginning of the project.
Webb worked on many of the mutli-family projects during phase one, and later joined the city’s MDRT to help review landscape plan submittals.
Webb also assisted Port Blakely in developing landscape standards for the Harrison Street and Grandridge Drive neighborhoods, and has worked on numerous custom homes in each of those neighborhoods.
He has just finished up work on the Brownstown Condos on high street, and is currently working with the City on the acclaimed Z-Home Community, a project he is particularly proud to be involved with its emphasis as a demonstration project for green building and design principles.
“We are doing some very exciting things on that project, and are just waiting for that last bit of financing to push the project forward” said Webb.
Together, Brett and Dar are working on multiple projects that continue to shape the look and feel of Old-Town Issaquah.
At 58 Front Street, Brett has designed a three-story addition to the historic Stan’s BBQ building.
When complete, Stan’s will expand into the new space at street level, with multi-use space above.
According to Dean, the project requires a “tremendous amount of sensitivity in blending a new structure to the old, while being responsive to the Old Town Standards of Front Street.
I am very happy with the design program and am looking forward to the start of construction.”
A couple blocks away at 195 1st place, a historic house is being completely remodeled along with a new parking lot that will help serve downtown parking needs.
Another exciting project, at this point undisclosed, involves re-design of a significant downtown space that would provide an incredible amenity for the Front Street community.
