I’m always trying to design spatially—I start and end with the human-scaled experience of a space, rather than designing buildings as though they are objects.

Edward Lalonde

Principal / Owner

Principal/owner Edward Lalonde begins each project by developing a clear design narrative—a guiding concept that serves as a touchstone throughout the design process. This narrative ensures that every decision—whether aesthetic, functional, or technical—aligns with the overall vision, reinforcing how a space should feel and function while adding depth and meaning as it evolves.

“I want there to be a clear narrative with my designs, whether projects are big or small, public or private,” he explains. “Many of our clients, regardless of their familiarity with the design world, genuinely value how a clear narrative deepens their understanding and connection to the project.”

Edward developed his narrative-driven approach while working on large institutional projects with Steven Holl in New York, an experience that shaped his core design sensibility. Before joining Olson Kundig in 2008, he had completed only one residential project, so his transition to a firm rooted in residential design significantly shifted the direction and tone of his work toward a more nuanced focus on craft. Under the mentorship of firm leaders, especially Tom Kundig, Edward strives for design excellence while continually refining his skills in client engagement and designing spaces tailored to their needs. From residential projects like Manhattan Beach Residence and Bigwood Residence to institutional works like The Burke Museum, he leverages his ability to support broad conceptual visions with intricate, reinforcing details, pushing the firm’s design language through experiments in proportion and scale.

Influenced by his imaginative grandparents, Edward began drawing and making things with his hands at an early age. His grandmother, painter Margaret Putnam, was known for her landscapes and figures, though Edward was most drawn to her abstract works, which boldly explored color, proportion, and shape. His grandfather, a self-educated engineer and inventor, tinkered and built a range of machines, from Edward’s first bike using a vintage Vespa frame to devices that enabled his wife to continue painting after she developed Lou Gehrig’s disease. Believing that artistry and ingenuity are inherently linked, Edward navigates constraints with his grandparents’ spirit of exploration, using fewer but technically rigorous moves to reinforce the essence of a building.

Edward holds a Master of Science in Advanced Architecture from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Architecture from Washington State University. As a visiting professor, he has taught design studio at the University of Washington and his alma mater WSU, where he remains actively involved in both local institutions as a guest critic and lecturer. In addition, Edward contributes to several firm-wide staff development initiatives, reflecting his keen interest in mentoring the next generation of concept-driven architects.

Projects
Burke Museum exterior
Red Barn Winery at Jagged Rock Osoyoos
Cultivation Kitchen_Int 4

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