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A R C H I T E CT U R E 161 AOME Architects Many architects are good communicators—it's necessary when creating a beautiful and unique home—but few possess the ability to educate, enlighten, and inspire people like Mark Elster and Dennis Marsh of AOME Architects. The co-founders and principal architects exceed expectations as they lead a team of creative professionals who love to explore dimensions of scale, proportion, and material. From the interpretation of indoor-outdoor integration to the use of scale to delay the unveiling of a space's true impact when one steps into a home, the team at AOME is unafraid to push the boundaries of conventional architecture. Nothing is extravagant, even in the most formal of homes, and a simple sweep of the eye tells you each element was meticulously considered with a discerning eye for function, form, and beauty. From the moment that AOME begins a project, homeowners are encouraged to make decisions that are tailored to their lifestyles. Mark and Dennis always counsel their clients to build the home to their desires, rather than worrying about how their decisions might affect the hypothetical next owner. The duo believes it's vitally important to be onsite as much as possible and involve the homeowner in every step to build a home that's distinctively theirs. In the end, their clients learn more about everything that's involved in building a home, how they will live in it, and—sometimes to their surprise—they develop a deeper connection to the home. The process is empowering; the work is timeless, classic, and responsive. LEFT: A succession of two outdoor and three indoor spaces along the lake-facing side of the home dramatically blur the distinction between inside and outside. The central dining room boasts a custom pivot door that swings up so the owners can move the dining table outside on pleasant evenings. To the left is a complete outdoor livingroom and to the right is casual gathering space. Photograph by Benjamin Benschneider Photography SEATTLE

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