March Connect with [us]

Projects: Blockhouse

Blockhouse began with a question about how density and livability can coexist — and how a neighborhood like Spokane’s Perry District can grow without losing the character that makes it worth living in. The answer came not from building bigger, but from building smarter.

The project sits on what were originally three single-family lots. Over eighteen months, the site was rezoned in close collaboration with local stakeholders to accommodate fourteen dwelling units — a density the neighborhood had not previously seen. Rather than imposing a uniform block, the design responds to the irregular geometry of the site, arranging modular units in a cluster configuration that reads as a composed whole while allowing each residence to remain distinct.

The structural system at the heart of Blockhouse is cross-laminated timber, supplied by Vaagen Timbers in Colville, Washington. CLT panels were prefabricated off-site from small-diameter logs harvested within 100 miles of the mill, reducing embodied carbon and supporting the regional forest economy. Panels arrived on-site dimensionally precise and ready to assemble, enabling construction that was fast, quiet, and low in waste. The modular approach also made post-based foundations possible, which preserved the root systems of mature trees on the site and minimized ground disturbance throughout the build.

Units range from 200 to 800 square feet and include studios, one-bedrooms, and three-bedroom residences. Restored siding sourced locally ties the new construction to the material character of the surrounding neighborhood, while restrained steel detailing and exposed CLT structure give the interiors warmth and precision. Solar panels and a smart wall system reduce operational energy loads, with the project targeting net-zero performance through a partnership with Avista Utilities and Perry Street Brewery.

The Blockhouse model is not limited to this site. Its fully modular design is intended to open up nontraditional parcels — irregular lots, infill sites, underutilized urban land — to a housing typology that is affordable to build, durable in performance, and coherent in character. It is a system designed to adapt.

Blockhouse reflects a belief that multi-family housing can be designed as a complete system — one in which structure, site, sustainability, and community are addressed together rather than in sequence. The result is a development that earns its place in the Perry District not by deferring to it, but by genuinely belonging to it.

Cross-laminated timber

Most construction projects begin with a site and work outward. Blockhouse worked differently — the structural system shaped everything, from how the units were designed to how they were assembled on the ground.

Cross-laminated timber, or CLT, is an engineered wood panel made by layering dimension lumber in alternating directions and bonding it under heat and pressure. The result is a panel with exceptional rigidity and load-bearing capacity, capable of replacing concrete and steel in walls, floors, and roofs — with a significantly lower carbon footprint and the added benefit of sequestering carbon for the life of the building.

For Blockhouse, CLT panels were fabricated off-site by Vaagen Timbers in Colville, Washington, sourced from small-diameter logs harvested within 100 miles of the mill. This regional supply chain was a deliberate choice — one that reduced embodied carbon, supported the rural forest economy of Eastern Washington, and created a direct line between the finished building and the landscape it sits within.

Because each panel is cut and dimensioned in a controlled factory environment, tolerances are tight and waste is minimal. Panels arrived as flat-pack assemblies, and once on-site, construction was fast, quiet, and clean — a meaningful difference in an established neighborhood like the Perry District, where impact on surrounding residents is a real consideration. Post-based foundations, made viable by the precision of the modular system, preserved mature tree root systems and further reduced ground disturbance throughout the build.

Prefabrication also gave the design team the precision to make the cluster layout viable. Each unit is a self-contained structural assembly, yet the system accommodates variation across unit types without requiring custom framing for every condition. Inside, CLT is left exposed at ceilings and structural walls, contributing warmth and material honesty to spaces that are compact by design.

Choosing CLT for Blockhouse was a systems decision. The material made the modular cluster possible, the prefabrication made the build manageable, the local sourcing tied the project to its region, and the exposed finish made the interiors worth living in — each outcome following from the same early choice.

masstac cluster housing

READ NOW

washington mass timber 2025

READ NOW

People: Dylan

We’re excited to introduce one of the newest members of our team, Dylan, who joined Uptic Studios in February as an Architectural Designer I. With a background that blends hands-on craft, thoughtful design, and a competitive chess mindset, Dylan brings a unique perspective to the studio.

Dylan earned both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Idaho, completing a range of work from residential builds and a pavilion to a highly speculative capstone project. Professionally, Dylan’s experience spans from working in a bronze foundry to serving as a Project Coordinator at Holabird & Root, a historic architecture firm in Chicago.

Outside the studio, Dylan is always creating—exploring printmaking, fiber arts, and other hands-on crafts. She stays active through skiing, biking, climbing, and outdoor adventures. Since moving to Spokane, Dylan has also been enjoying the local food and coffee scene, with early favorites including Atticus Coffee and Rockwood Bakery.

A lesser-known fact: Dylan is a highly competitive chess player, having competed in multiple U.S. Open tournaments and earning the title of three-time Idaho Girls State Chess Champion! Looking ahead, Dylan is focused on progressing toward architectural licensure and becoming more involved in the local design community. Currently inspired by peers navigating similar paths, Dylan stays fueled by curiosity, creativity, and plenty of good coffee. We’re excited to have Dylan on the team and enjoy the energy and experience she brings to the team!

Community & Events

Sustainability Forum

Earlier this month, we hosted our s[us]tainability Forum, welcoming guest speaker Mike Hanson of Watson Furniture for an evening of learning and conversation at our studio. Mike presented “LEVEL by BIFMA: The Definitive Certification Program for Sustainable Furniture,” walking attendees through how LEVEL certification evaluates environmental impact, material health, and social responsibility across furniture products and manufacturing processes. And how third-party certification supports more informed, transparent specification decisions. The event was co-sponsored by Contract Design, a Spokane-based furniture supplier and Watson Furniture partner, and brought together designers, architects, and industry peers for networking. It was a great reminder that sustainable practice isn’t limited to structure and site, it extends to every element we specify.

2026 AIA Spokane Design awards ceremony & firm fair

Come find us at the 2026 AIA Spokane Design Awards Ceremony on April 16th at the Spokane Convention Center. We’ll be set up at the local firm fair from 3:30–4:30 p.m. — stop by to connect with the Uptic team before the evening’s award program kicks off.

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 will:

• 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