Business Details
17 Years
experience
Seattle-Based Architectural Design Experts
Founded in 2009 by Hugh Schaeffer and Sarah Hatfield, we are a Seattle-based architectural and interior design firm specializing in urban infill projects. Our approach emphasizes inclusive design, sustainability, and adaptability, reflecting over 14 years of experience in residential, commercial, and hospitality sectors. We prioritize collaboration with clients, consultants, and contractors to transform shared visions into built environments.Our team includes licensed professionals in multiple states, with expertise in multifamily housing, historical preservation, and prefabricated structures. By focusing on projects aligned with our values, we deliver innovative solutions that enhance urban living while maintaining a commitment to long-term client relationships.
Services
Architectural Design
Feasibility Studies
Permitting Services
Interior Design
Historical Re-Use
Multifamily Housing
Tenant Improvements
Prefab Structures
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- Founded in 2009 by AIA-certified architects with extensive urban design experience
- Specialize in sustainable urban infill projects that maximize space efficiency
- Collaborative approach integrating clients, contractors, and consultants
- Expertise in multifamily housing, historical preservation, and mixed-use developments
- Licensed professionals operating across five U.S. states
Associations and certifications
- American Institute of Architects (AIA)
Services
Architectural Design
Our full-service architectural design covers all project phases from concept to completion. We create functional, sustainable spaces tailored to urban environments while maintaining aesthetic integrity. Our team navigates complex zoning regulations and collaborates with clients to ensure optimal spatial solutions for residential, commercial, and hospitality projects.
Interior Design
We offer comprehensive interior design services focusing on space optimization and material selection. Our approach combines FFE (furniture, fixtures, equipment) procurement with 3D modeling to visualize commercial and residential interiors. The process ensures cohesive design language that aligns with architectural elements while meeting functional requirements.
Historical Re-Use
Specializing in adaptive reuse projects, we restore and repurpose historic structures while integrating modern functionality. Our team maintains architectural heritage through careful material analysis and code-compliant modifications, transforming older buildings into viable spaces for contemporary urban needs without compromising historical integrity.
Multifamily Housing
We design efficient, market-responsive multifamily housing solutions addressing urban density challenges. Our portfolio includes mixed-use developments and DADUs (Detached Accessory Dwelling Units) that balance affordability with design excellence. The process incorporates site analysis, unit optimization, and community space planning to create livable urban environments.
Permitting Services
Our entitlement specialists navigate municipal regulations to secure project approvals. We conduct site analyses, prepare submittal packages, and coordinate with agencies to streamline permitting for residential and commercial developments. This service ensures compliance with building codes and zoning requirements while minimizing delays during project pre-construction phases.
People
Sarah Hatfield
Principal-in-Charge
Licensed architect in four states with a University of Washington M.Arch degree. Leads strategic direction and design oversight while maintaining active project involvement since co-founding SHW in 2009.
Hugh Schaeffer
Principal/Director of Design
Co-founder with Hampshire College liberal arts background. Focuses on design innovation and project execution, bringing creative vision to architectural solutions across diverse project typologies since establishment in 2009.
Lindsay Radliff
Senior Associate
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee graduate with over a decade at SHW. Manages complex projects while ensuring design quality and client satisfaction through effective team coordination and technical expertise development.
Eric Kenyon
Project Manager
Licensed architect with Virginia Tech education. Oversees project delivery from schematic design through construction administration, applying technical knowledge to ensure successful implementation of SHW's design principles since 2014.
Jared Pechauer
Architect
University of Kansas graduate licensed in Washington. Contributes design expertise to multiple project types, working collaboratively across disciplines to realize SHW's urban design vision since joining in 2018.
Questions
What architectural services does SHW offer?
We provide full-service architectural design, interior design, feasibility studies, permitting, construction administration, and specialized services like historical preservation and multifamily housing solutions.
What project types does SHW specialize in?
Our expertise includes multifamily housing, commercial spaces, tenant improvements, hospitality venues, prefabricated structures, and historical adaptive reuse projects in urban environments.
How does SHW approach urban infill projects?
We focus on sustainability and density optimization, creating context-sensitive designs that enhance urban fabric while addressing zoning regulations and community needs through collaborative processes.
What areas does SHW serve?
While headquartered in Seattle, we work across Washington state and California with experience navigating regulatory frameworks in multiple western U.S. states.
How long has SHW been in business?
Founded in 2009 by Sarah Hatfield and Hugh Schaeffer, SHW has completed over a thousand residential units and numerous commercial projects in its 14-year history.
