January Connect with [us]

Projects: Medical Lake rebuild

This project began not with a blank site, but with loss. After a wildfire devastated communities in Medical Lake, Four Lakes, and Cheney, our clients lost the home they had just finished building, along with nearly everything they owned. What followed was an intensely personal, emotionally raw process of rebuilding.

For [us], this project demanded more than technical expertise. It required sensitivity, trust, and deep collaboration. By bringing architecture, interiors, and procurement together under one roof, our team was able to move quickly and intentionally. Guiding the project from concept through construction, furnishings, and final move-in, all while keeping the clients involved at every step.

The result is a home designed from the inside out and the outside in. Where architecture, materiality, and atmosphere work together to create a sense of comfort, connection, and calm. Rooted in the idea of hygge, the space balances warmth and openness, blurring indoor and outdoor living while supporting everyday life after upheaval.

This video captures more than a finished project. It tells the story of resilience, collaboration, and what’s possible when a team comes together with a shared goal.

Process: Phase 4 Finalize

The Finalize phase is when the work is complete and the space is ready to be lived in. With construction complete, your team at Uptic Studios celebrates the finished work and ensures a smooth transition into occupancy. This phase is about wrapping up details, reflecting on the journey, and setting you up for long-term success in your new space.

Once the dust settles, we reconnect to gather your feedback, discuss any deferred tasks, and outline any next steps. Internally, our team reconvenes with project partners to craft a clear project narrative and schedule professional photography. All drawings, documentation, and imagery are compiled and shared with you. Finalize is both a celebration and a lasting record of the work we created together.

Our People: Cody

Team Spotlight: Cody Rathbun

Architect | Project Manager

Cody joined Uptic Studios in March 2023, and if you’ve spent any time around him, you know he brings equal parts focus, organization, and subtle chaos (the fun kind).

After graduating from Washington State University, Cody worked as an Architectural Designer at two firms, spent seven years as a Christian Minister, and even clocked two years as an apprentice Plumber. A background that makes him mostly unflappable and resourceful. 

When he’s not in the studio, you’ll find Cody deep in a cycling “pain cave,” adventuring outdoors with his dogs, or chasing water wherever he can find it. One of his favorite things about Spokane? How easy it is to get outside and into the elements.

Fun facts: Cody was born in Canada and in a move that still feels slightly unreal, he passed all six architecture exams in just two weeks.

Around the office, Cody is known for his slightly dead pan humor and the occasional long-game prank. In the two weeks leading up to Christmas 2025 when “Dominick the Donkey” mysteriously played on repeat over the Sonos system, everyone chalked it up to a mysterious algorithmic glitch on the Sonos system. Cody eventually fessed up to the annoyance!

Right now, Cody is inspired by early-morning fitness routines and looking forward to a trip with his wife to the 2026 UCI (cycling) World Championships in Montreal this September.

We’re lucky to have Cody on the Uptic team—keeping projects and the team on task and moving forward, spirits light, and everyone just slightly suspicious of the next surprise. 

Our Events: First Friday

Join [us] for a First Friday opening reception on Friday, February 6, featuring the work of Christy Branson, an encaustic and mixed-media artist known for her layered, process-driven work exploring form, material, and abstraction.

The exhibition will be held at Uptic Studios, 402 E Sprague Ave, from 5:00–7:00 PM as part of Spokane’s First Friday Art Walk. Light bites and refreshments will be provided.

Glossary: Hygge

Hygge (hoo-gah)

A Danish concept that embodies comfort, contentment, and a deep sense of well-being. Hygge is about creating spaces that feel warm, calm, and genuinely lived in, where materiality, light, texture, and scale work together to support connection, reflection, and everyday rituals. In design, hygge prioritizes atmosphere over excess, favoring thoughtful details that make a space feel grounding, human, and quietly restorative.

We’re Hiring!

Project Architect
Uptic Studios is looking for a licensed Project Architect (8+ years experience) to lead the delivery of thoughtful, design-forward architecture across custom residential, commercial, and hospitality projects.

You’ll:

• Oversee documentation, coordination & technical execution
• Manage client relationships and guide projects through CA
• Mentor staff & steward technical quality across the studio
• Collaborate with a Senior Project Designer to turn strong design intent into exceptional built work
• Help shape architecture that balances creativity with disciplined execution across the Northwest and beyond

Apply with your resume + portfolio:
hiring@upticstudios.com