4770 Ohio Ave S
Ste B
Seattle, WA 98134
info@paxsonfay.com
As 2025 comes to a close, it’s the perfect moment to reflect on the year in architecture that captured our imaginations. From intimate micro-studios in Paris to expansive family retreats in Muskoka, from floating homes in Seattle to courtyard sanctuaries in Cupertino, this year’s top architecture stories showcase a range of innovation and style. Here, we take a look back and celebrate the top 10 most captivating architectural projects we shared in 2025.

Tucked into the misty, rain-soaked windward side of Maui, the Kailua Residence by Hawaii Off Grid turns its dramatic roofline and streamlined form into functional elements for the island’s climate. More than a striking silhouette, it’s a model for how architecture can embrace the extremes of its location – capturing water, channeling wind, and thriving in the very conditions that shape it.
Photo: Casey Dunn
The Westview Residence by Alterstudio Architecture stands out for its thoughtful negotiation of a challenging West Austin site. Built along a steep slope and wrapped by protected live oaks and a seasonal creek, the home turns what could have been constraints into defining strengths. By spanning the ravine with a dramatic cantilevered living space and nestling masonry volumes into the terrain, the design forms a quiet but powerful dialogue with the land – proving that architecture can be both bold and deeply responsive to its environment.
Photo: Andrew Giammarco
The Pura Vida Floating Home brings a fresh sense of calm and craft to Seattle’s Portage Bay. Designed by Hoshide Wanzer Architects and built by Dyna Builders, the residence channels simplicity, smart engineering, and an immersive connection to the water. With its streamlined form, glass-wrapped main level, and expansive rooftop deck, the home maximizes both efficiency and experience – transforming a tight canal slip into a serene perch for enjoying life on the water.
Photo: Ishi Sitwala
The Coimbatore Hacienda by MuseLAB weaves Vastu Shastra principles into a richly contextual, contemporary sanctuary. Set on a sprawling urban plot, the residence reinterprets hacienda typology through a Chettinad lens, creating a tranquil, courtyard-centered refuge where architecture, energy, and emotion align. With its expansive program and fluid connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, the home becomes a dwelling designed to support harmony, movement, and meaning.
Photo: Art-Milan Mazaud
This micro-studio renovation in Paris by BETH X EPISTĒMĒ STUDIO stands out for its ingenious approach to extreme small-space living. Within just 248 square feet, the designers crafted a warm, minimalist retreat anchored by a multifunctional okoumé wood platform that serves as bed, desk, dining area, and storage all in one. Thoughtful details – like the Japanese-inspired table that allows for relaxed, feet-free seating – show how even the tiniest footprint can feel serene, adaptable, and unmistakably refined.
Photo: TakeIn Studios
The Maurpankhi residence by House & Beyond is a serene, nature-led retreat in the midst of bustling Gurugram. Designed as an emotional sanctuary for a busy family, the 3,230-square-foot home leans into openness, warmth, and a deep connection to the outdoors rather than ornamentation. Its defining feature – a curved zinc exterior wall that frames an existing old tree – sets the tone for a residence where architecture adapts to the landscape, becoming a living backdrop for the family’s everyday life.
Studio IDA’s Garibaldi renovation turns a once-triangular Parisian stable into a surprisingly airy, design-forward home. Within just 172 square feet, the team unearthed the building’s equine history and transformed it into a minimalist, modern short-term rental that still carries the soul of its past. By carving out a mezzanine beneath the soaring 20-foot-tall ceiling and thoughtfully restoring the structure, the project proves how even the most unconventional footprint can be reimagined into a warm, efficient, and captivating living space.
Photo: Doublespace, courtesy of v2com
This Muskoka cottage by Barbora Vokac Taylor Architect stands out for the way it quietly immerses a multi-generational family in the region’s rugged beauty. Tucked into the steep contours of the Canadian Shield and wrapped in Shou Sugi Ban cedar with a low black zinc roof, the residence respects the land while opening to both the surrounding forest and lake. With its split volumes and dramatic open-air Muskoka Room, the design creates a sequence of spaces that feel intimate, elemental, and deeply attuned to cottage life.
Photo: Ethan Gordon
The Cupertino Courtyard House by SHED Architecture & Design distinguishes itself through a calm, contemporary elegance rooted in local tradition. Balancing Mediterranean-inspired stucco facade with a striking shou sugi ban upper volume, the home uses a sequence of intimate courtyards to blur boundaries between inside and out. Its thoughtful transitions – from a secluded entry path to sunlit communal spaces framed in oak – create a serene, modern refuge that quietly redefines suburban living in Silicon Valley.
Photo: Michael Moran
Designed by Khanna Schultz, the House for a Collector stands out for the bold way it reframes suburban living around passion and display. Instead of a single imposing volume, the home is broken into a series of balanced forms arranged around a central courtyard – an open stage where rare Porsches, bourbon rituals, and daily life intersect. By pulling the garages into the heart of the plan rather than hiding them away, the design elevates the client’s collections, creating a residence that is both deeply personal and refreshingly unconventional.
meet the team
We’re inspired by diverse design perspectives, innovation, technology, art, and the world around us. We live for the chance to create and disperse powerful, genuine messages that resonate.
tessa franchini
principal
tessa@paxsonfay.com
Tessa graduated from Fordham University in New York with a dual bachelor's degree in Communications and Political Science. During her time at Fordham, she worked for an interior designer and at NBC News where she developed her love for both design and communications. After graduating, Tessa managed marketing at 3form, a pioneer in the sustainable building products industry. During her tenure, 3form was repeatedly named one of the most recognized manufacturers in the design industry among architects and designers, and the company won multiple awards for its innovative product launches. After 3form, Tessa consulted on marketing efforts with leading product manufacturers in architecture and design before starting Paxson Fay with Amy.
amy golden
principal
amy@paxsonfay.com
Originally from Seattle, Amy left her home in the Pacific Northwest to attend Fordham University, fulfilling her dream of living in New York City. After graduating with a BS in business administration, specializing in marketing and minoring in economics, Amy began her career in advertising sales at CNN and the Hallmark Channel in New York and LA. However, Amy’s love of writing, design, and connection with people ultimately led her to PR. While finishing her MBA back home at Seattle University, in 2015, Amy cofounded Paxson Fay with her friend and business partner, Tessa, driven by a shared vision to build a PR agency that reflected their values and passions. At Paxson Fay, Amy thrives in media relations and pitch development, enjoying the process of diving deep into each client’s story to craft compelling narratives that resonate with editors and journalists. Amy has a particular passion for architecture-focused projects, and securing SHED’s feature in The New York Times was an especially rewarding moment, as they were her first client. Another major career milestone was helping build out Paxson Fay’s talented team, fostering an environment where young professionals can grow their skills and pursue their passions. Outside of work, Amy loves spending time with her family, chasing after her two little boys, exploring Seattle’s restaurant scene, traveling with friends, and reading.
colby wood
senior account executive
colby@paxsonfay.com
After graduating from Fordham University in New York City with a major in Communications and Media Studies and a handful of marketing and PR internships, Colby moved to Boston to manage marketing for a small, women-owned, creative consulting agency. While in that role, Colby managed public relations and marketing efforts for some of Boston's most prominent events and public art initiatives, including the Boston Pickle Fair and The Bulfinch Crossing Projections in downtown Boston. Colby gained experience crafting brand stories and identities through social media marketing and creative copywriting, seen through the successful launch of a premier Massachusetts adult-use dispensary and the revamp of her agency's own website. After two years, Colby decided it was time to figure out what the West Coast was all about. Looking to blend her marketing experience with her passion for design and architecture, Colby found Paxson Fay, where she focuses on social media strategy and management and public relations.
paige childs
account executive
paige@paxsonfay.com
As a child, Paige wanted to be an architect; but after falling in love with storytelling, the power of words, and yes, the show West Wing, she decided to pursue journalism at The George Washington University in the nation’s capital. Following graduation, Paige crafted communications for the beauty and banking industries. Craving space for creativity, she joined the small team that would reopen the congressionally designated National Children’s Museum. There, she played an integral role in establishing the museum’s brand, bringing it to life across digital channels, including social media, email, and advertising. After nearly eight years in DC, she decided it was time for a change of scenery. Having grown fond of the title Washingtonian, she made the cross-country move to Washington State. She landed in Seattle at Paxson Fay, where in true full circle fashion she is the architect of social media and public relations strategies for our architecture and design clients.
martina povolo
account coordinator
martina@paxsonfay.com
Martina joined the Paxson Fay team as an intern when she was a senior at the University of Washington. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Interest Communications, Martina is now continuing with the team as a Communications Assistant. During her time at UW, Martina worked as the Special Sections Editor at the university’s newspapers where she won multiple awards for her front page spreads. Looking to blend her minors in real estate and environmental science with her focus in communications, Martina is passionate and excited to join the Paxson Fay team.
tara lyons
account coordinator
tara@paxsonfay.com
With roots in Napa and Denver, Tara ventured to the Pacific Northwest to pursue her academic journey at the University of Washington, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Education. Tara's love for writing began when she delved into songwriting, building on her pre-existing passion for singing and playing the piano. Following her undergraduate years, she returned to Paxson Fay, where she had previously interned, transitioning into the role of Communications Assistant. With a keen interest in PR and social media, Tara seamlessly integrates her creative flair into the professional realm. Outside of work, you'll find Tara passionately supporting the Kraken, embodying her love for both storytelling and sports.
We are hiring for our internship program! We are looking for an intern with a passion for design to help manage key communication channels. Click here to read more.
what we do
We are a communications firm founded in our passion for good design. Our unique approach to marketing and public relations in the architecture and design community has elevated our clients work to the next level. We’re backed by a talented community of creatives. From copywriters to social media experts, we provide a complete package of customized services. We strive to create a personal experience with each client, integrating teams and tackling your biggest marketing and public relations challenges from a high level. Then we help execute those plans ensuring lots of reporting along the way, with lots of coffee breaks in between because we’re from Seattle and that’s what we do.
marketing
marketing strategy
brand strategy
project management
partnerships acquisition and management
e-mail blasts
public relations
media strategy
content production
media communications and outreach
awards: strategy, content development and submissions
social
platform strategy and management
content production
targeted campaigns
results + reporting
advertising
advertising strategy
budget strategy + negotiation
calendar management
creative coordination
content
storytelling
copywriting
website and e-mail marketing
video: sourcing, storyboarding and scheduling
photography acquisition + curation
events
event management
sponsorships + partnerships
tradeshow coordination
press tours
clients
Here is a little taste of who we love to work with and what we love to do.