COLLABORATION CENTERED ON SERVICE
by Lori Williams and Edmund Wadeson
The Pax at Shevlin West is a distinctive design destined to command attention. Located at a major crossroads of this developing residential community in Central Oregon, the Pax has already been drawing praise. Tagged by its client moniker, the Pax is a signature project on the expanding list of collaborative work realized through an ongoing partnership between Axis3 Design Studio and Welbuilt Homes. The Pax is a celebration of an epic design coming to fruition through shared dedication by two service-minded companies.
“As soon as Welbuilt began working with us, it became evident that we share a common commitment to our clients; it’s in the DNA of our companies – individually and collectively – to holistically serve homeowners who are seeking an extra measure of distinctive design and personal service for their new homes,” says Edmund Wadeson, Design Director for Axis3.
In a development that is predominantly neo-traditional bordering on modern, Wadeson describes the Pax at Shevlin West as a thoroughly contemporary design, opened up to maximize space and daylight, inviting the outdoors in and revealing advantageous views of the Cascade Mountain range. While there are various examples of modern design in the community, the uniqueness of the Pax is in the inherent simplicity of elements. Wadeson’s design deliberately considers angles and planes in the roof lines and the chimney in order to derive a design of simple complexity.
“We share a common commitment to our clients; it’s in the DNA of our companies – individually and collectively – to holistically serve homeowners who are seeking an extra measure of distinctive design and personal service for their new homes.”
-Edmund Wadeson, Design Director, Axis3
As Wadeson explains, “I really enjoyed experimenting with a contemporary aesthetic. Initially, our clients were excited with the floor plans; when they viewed the elevations as the building model materialized, some minimal changes were executed, and they loved it!” For every project, there’s the necessity of including standard code requirements, and as Wadeson adds, “This can seem to homeowners, and their designers, like grit in the teeth when both just want to get down to the brass tacks of the process. When strategically incorporating creative sensibilities, however, the technical aspects, when celebrated, contribute to an exceptional project.”
From conception through completion, the strength of Axis3 can be found in an intake design process that is well-defined and inviting – unfolding a comprehensive process from the beginning design sketches all the way to completion of construction. Wadeson’s comprehensive experience as a project manager gives him a facility in cultivating cohesive team partnerships, based on whomever he believes will best serve each client.
“Many people moving to the area are interested in building a house, but there may be no rhyme or reason to whom they contact first – a real estate agent, builder, developer, or architect,” relays Riley Hayes of Welbuilt Homes. “Axis3 is a solution-oriented design company with a diverse group of build teams available. If a client is fortunate enough to work with Axis3, Wadeson’s call to action is that he will establish a team that will execute the entire project, and the client will experience a design process with clearly defined goals, priorities, expectations, and schedules.”
“Our methodology covers broad territory, and saves time and money.”
-Edmund Wadeson, Design Director, Axis3
Subsequent to investing decades in commercial architectural design, Wadeson, as a designer, has discovered tremendous satisfaction in the possibilities for architectural richness in custom residential design. His methodology is clear and hospitable – inviting the client into the design process, listening closely in order to determine the homeowner’s needs and desires, presenting solutions and setting goals, all to create a master plan. “Deciphering and understanding a client’s varying needs – from goals, requirements, even hopes and dreams – is a very iterative, dynamic, and engaging process,” says Wadeson. “I am passionate about interpreting what the clients express as their desires, and investigating creative pathways into the realization of a special architectural aspect, a particular design feature, and ultimately the entirety of the project.”
“Deciphering and understanding a client’s varying needs – from goals, requirements, even hopes and dreams – is a very iterative, dynamic, and engaging process. I am passionate about interpreting what the clients express as their desires, and investigating creative pathways into the realization of a special architectural aspect, a particular design feature, and ultimately the entirety of the project.”
-Edmund Wadeson, Design Director, Axis3
As the client is engaged, and the design process unfolds, Axis3 expeditiously involves the builder early in order to quantify budget amounts within the design and construction scope. “Few clients expect this approach; I have found it to be of significant added value to the client by including the builder from the beginning. Surprises that add pressure to a project should be anticipated, but with a builder who expects challenges in advance – which Welbuilt Homes does – this methodology covers broad territory, and saves time and money.”
Axis3 and Welbuilt – both competitive yet similar in their approaches – have formed and embrace a successful partnership due to their sharing of a common foundation centered on excellence in both design and service for their clients. Hayes understands that, “Building a home is a major investment with a multitude of working parts; it’s crucial to manage every aspect – from the details to the larger parts – in such a way as to resolve the issues and enjoy the process.” Wadeson agrees, adding, “I want the client to win with a home that exceeds their expectations, yet meets the budget; I want Axis3 Design Studio to win with a fantastic design tailored specifically to the owner, and I want the builder to win with a well-constructed project that inspires a real sense of accomplishment for us all. Essentially, Axis3 Design Studio and Welbuilt Homes are customer service companies that happen to design and build great homes together.”
