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FINNE Architects

Seattle
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider

Regions Served

  • Boston & New England
  • Chicago & Midwest
  • Los Angeles & S. CA
  • New York City & Mid-Atlantic
  • Pacific Northwest
  • San Francisco & Bay Area
  • Scandinavia

Raised in the United States and Norway, Nils Finne established the award-winning FINNE Architects in Seattle in order to bring a Scandinavian understanding of craft and landscape to the Pacific Northwest.  Recognized as one of the best Seattle design firms by local magazines, the firm has practiced sustainable design for over twenty-five years, and completed modern, highly crafted homes and renovation projects in Washington, Oregon, California, Michigan,  Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Norway.

Dedicated to establishing a close personal relationship with each of his clients, Nils has chosen to keep his firm small. FINNE Architects comprises a staff between three and five people and takes on five to seven projects at a time, finishing about two each year. By limiting the number of projects, Nils is able to maintain the acute attention to detail and thorough realization of each home’s overall aesthetic that so distinguish his work.

In addition to architecture, Nils has been involved in the design and fabrication of more than 75 pieces of furniture, lighting and hardware, which are produced and marketed separately.  These custom pieces bring a unique feeling of modern craft to FINNE projects. By integrating the design of both exterior and interior spaces, Nils Finne is able to create warm, serene modern spaces, filled with soft natural light and beautiful materials.

FINNE projects have appeared in more than 75 books and magazines. In addition, the work currently is found on more than 400 design web sites, such as Contemporist, Moco Loco, Design Milk, Remodelista, Inhabitat, and Freshome. FINNE was recently honored with the Canadian Wood Council Award for the Mazama House.

Prior to founding FINNE Architects in 1990,  Nils was a Senior Associate at Richard Meier and Partners, and served as Project Architect for the $350 million Getty Museum, approximately one-third of the $1 billion Getty Center complex in Los Angeles.  Following undergraduate training at Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design, Nils received a Masters degree in Architecture from Harvard University in 1980.  Nils has been practicing sustainable design for over 25 years, and is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.

Every FINNE project reflects the idea of “smart sustainable” design.  Sustainable design is not simply creating a laundry-list of green materials; rather, it is creating enduring building form and construction with appropriate long life-cycle, low-energy consuming materials. If we consume less, but make sure that we do choose thoughtfully designed, well-crafted objects and environments, we are on the path to a sustainable future.

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Details

FINNE Architects portrait 3

Contact

Owner

  • Nils Finne, AIA

Locations

  • 3800 Woodland Park Ave N, Suite 300
    Seattle, WA 98103

Featured Projects

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Living Space at Mazama House

The Mazama House is located in the beautiful Methow Valley in Washington State.  The living space has custom-colored concrete floors with radiant heat and exposed Douglas Fir framing.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
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Mazama House Living Room Detail

The living room area rug, coffee table, and end tables were designed by Nils Finne.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photos: Benjamin Benschneider
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FINNE Architects portrait 3

Elliott Bay House Living Space and Steel Stair Detail

The living space has sweeping views of Puget Sound.  The steel stair railing uses a hand drawn ink brush pattern by Nils
Finne.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photos: Benjamin Benschneider
FINNE Architects portrait 3

Elliott Bay House Kitchen

The beech cabinets have a custom-milled pattern called “imaginary landscape.”

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
FINNE Architects portrait 3

Deschutes House Exterior View from the River

The Deschutes House is a river house, perched on the banks of the Deschutes River in Bend, Oregon.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
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Deschutes House Kitchen

The kitchen has sapele cabinets and EcoCrush counters.  The island has a floating glass display cabinet and the dining ceiling wood panel is made from 60 uniquely shaped wood slats.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
FINNE Architects portrait 3

Deschutes House Master Bath Overlooking the River

The bath has wonderful views of the Deschutes River.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
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Port Ludlow House Exterior View

The house overlooks the Hood Canal, a narrow arm of Puget  Sound.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
FINNE Architects portrait 3

Woven Wood Cabinet Panel

The custom-milled cabinet pattern  (designed by Nils Finne) is reminiscent of a woven texture.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
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Mazama House Exterior View

The dramatic metal roof changes pitch along the length of the roof, resulting in a sail-like shape.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
FINNE Architects portrait 3

Elliott Bay House Master Bedroom

The bedroom has a wonderful view of Puget Sound and the constant ferry traffic.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
FINNE Architects portrait 3
FINNE Architects portrait 3

Deschutes House in Bend, Oregon

The house is perched on a high bank overlooking the Deschutes River.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photos: Benjamin Benschneider
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Deschutes House View from Courtyard through Living Spaces

The living spaces open to a courtyard on one side and to the Deschutes River on the other side.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
FINNE Architects portrait 3

Lake Forest Park Renovation

Located 30 miles north of Seattle, the Lake Forest Park project was a top-to-bottom renovation of a mid-century modern Pacific NW 50’s house.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
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Lake Forest Park Renovation Living Space and Kitchen Glass Counter Detail

The living space has high clerestory windows and Wegner chairs.  The kitchen cast-glass counter has custom steel supports.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photos: Benjamin Benschneider
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MYK Soft Leather Coffee Table and BUE Dining Table Detail

The MYK soft leather coffee table is about 7-feet long and has a soft organic feel.  the BUE dining table top has an aluminum joining piece between two slabs of black walnut.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photos: Benjamin Benshcneider
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SNU Stool and LETT End Table

The SNU stool is a swivel stool with a twisted steel base and a sapele milled seat.  The LETT end table has a black walnut top and a steel base with a bamboo wrap detail.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photos: Benjamin Benschneider
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Imaginary Landscape Cabinet Panel

The Imaginary Landscape cabinet panel was designed by Nils Finne and milled with a sophisticated CNC milling machine.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
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Elliott Bay House Courtyard

The reflecting pool gathers all the rainwater from the house roof areas.  The water from the main living roof drops onto a basalt boulder that hovers over the water on a stainless stand.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Benjamin Benschneider
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Venice House

The living pavilion opens directly to an adjacent swimming pool, with two oversized 10-ft wide sliding doors.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Tom Bonner
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Venice House

The living pavilion opens directly to an adjacent swimming pool, with two oversized 10-ft wide sliding doors.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Tom Bonner
FINNE Architects portrait 3
FINNE Architects portrait 3

Venice House

The entry door is an oversized 5-ft wide glass pivot door. The entry hall features a steel stair with floating wood treads.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photos: Tom Bonner
FINNE Architects portrait 3

Venice House

The kitchen has a floating cast glass breakfast counter, a custom steel LED pendant light fixture, and a sculptural quartz island.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Tom Bonner
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Venice House

The kitchen has a floating cast glass breakfast counter, a custom steel LED pendant light fixture, and a sculptural quartz island.

(Visited 561 times, 1 visits today)
Photo: Tom Bonner

Coverage on Remodelista & Gardenista

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