FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Stephanie Giralmo, Public Relations & Media Manager
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
p 425.457.7048

MBAKS Announces 2023 REX/T-REX (Remodeling Excellence and Trades Remodeling Excellence) Awards Winners

BELLEVUE, Wash.—May 6, 2023—For the 37th year in a row, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) hosted their annual Remodeling/Trades Remodeling Excellence (REX/T-REX) Awards.

The REX/T-REX Awards, presented by the Remodelers Council of MBAKS, encourages local remodelers and builders to submit their best projects of the year. Each submission is reviewed by a panel of remodeling professionals from across the country and winners are selected in each category. The categories are: Design, Interior/Exterior Details, Bath, Kitchen, Addition, Outdoor Living, Major Remodel, Historical, ADU/DADU, Green Remodel, Aging in Place, and Get Away Room/Basement.

REX/T-REX entries were judged on the following categories:

1. Aesthetics—How is the remodel visually appealing?
2. Special or unique design solutions—How was the space planned and was livability considered?
3. Quality workmanship—What are the special features of the project and is there attention to detail?
4. Use of appropriate building material—Does the remodel complement existing structure and design?
5. Budgetary consideration—How did the project keep within the budget and still deliver client expectations?
6. Challenges and obstacles—Were there any unexpected obstacles that called for adjustments?

2023 REX/T-REX Winners

About the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties

Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is one of the nation’s oldest and largest local homebuilders associations. Like our founders, our members continue to take a leading role in all facets of homebuilding and support the planning for a growing region. From new technology to advances in sustainability, from collaborative public policy efforts to investing in our communities, our commitment to a thriving, inclusive and well-planned region never wavers. We are the professional homebuilders, architects, remodelers, tradespeople (carpenters, framers, roofers, plumbers, electricians), planners and engineers, suppliers, manufacturers, and sales and marketing professionals in your community who believe everyone deserves access to a healthy and productive place to call home.

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By MBAKS Content Strategist James Slone

With so many unique and storied residential neighborhoods, Seattle and its surrounding communities are jam-packed with classic single-family houses, representing over a century of West Coast design trends.

Given the vast inventory of timeless homes, it’s tempting to wonder if there is a single, unifying “Seattle style,” an element or two that brings it all together. To find out, let’s take a brief tour of the classics to see what’s in their shared DNA.

First Homes

As more non-native Americans arrived from the East to work in the lumber and shipbuilding industries, they built shacks, cabins, and shanties— threadbare structures fit mostly for survival—using many of the same local materials found in longhouses. After the Klondike Gold Rush started in 1896, growth and prosperity brought more permanent housing and a burgeoning homebuilding industry.

The classical age of the Seattle home had begun.

Classic Seattle Homes

1900 to 1940

At the dawn of the twentieth century, following the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, thousands of homes sprung up overnight. The most ostentatious was Millionaire’s Row on Capitol Hill, a fantasia of blinged-out palaces for the newly minted rich. But classic homes with just as much character were generously distributed throughout the city.

Cape Cod

An understated classic in our residential fabric, the quite modest, very New England Cape Cod eschews ornamental details for simple low-and-wide construction of one or two floors, a mighty centerpiece chimney, and steep gabled roofs. Throw in some shingles for extra maritime flavor.

From Depression to War

1930 to 1945

1929 saw the end of the boom years as the stock market crash sunk much of the world into the Great Depression. History hit the stop button on Seattle’s classic era as massive shanty towns called Hoovervilles popped up overnight.

Building resumed with the introduction of federally-subsidized affordable housing developments and later wartime construction to accommodate Boeing employees and other workers during World War II. This was not an era of beauty but function first and foremost, with thousands of lookalike homes mass-produced across the region.

Homes of the Future

1946 to 1970

After the privation of the Great Depression and War years, housing started blasting off in leafy suburban-style tracts as post-war Americans started careers and kicked off the baby boom. The dawn of the Jet Age had begun in Jet City, and Modern architecture, art, and design were in full swing.

Boeing-era prosperity meant people were buying a lot of automobile-friendly singlefamily homes promising all the latest doohickeys and amenities. These were the “homes of the future,” filled with ample space, modern appliances, and other conveniences that seemed beamed in from the future.

Beyond Modern

1970 to 1990

The 1980s saw the intensification of masterplanned housing and suburban tracts with homes of hitherto unseen spaciousness. While a lot of homes in this era generically mimicked what came before, there was a noticeable push among some homebuilders for wildly eclectic and bare-bones minimalism.

The Postmodern threw out the spartan Modern approach for something more idiosyncratic, eclectic, often wildly sculptural and vibrantly colorful. While most notable Postmodern designs can be found in public and commercial spaces, any house that combines disparate elements in a playful or “deconstructed” way can be called Postmodern-influenced.

Near Contemporary

1990 to 2000

Since the 1990s, density has been the name of the game in those parts of Seattle not zoned for single-family homes. The 1990 Growth Management Act hemmed in development within urban growth boundaries, incentivizing denser single-family and multifamily housing closer to city centers. Master-planned communities continued to grow in suburbs falling inside the boundary.

While a lot of homebuilding projects became large-scale, regimented, or focused on infill, Seattleites had never had so many singlefamily options fit for every lifestyle.

Seattle Style?

Even leaving out several styles (Gothic Revival, anyone?), this is a lot. Given the aesthetic diversity and the fact that most of these movements originated elsewhere, is there really such a thing as Seattle style?

Short answer: Yes. But it’s not defined by any one feature. It’s more of a guiding principle that drives the way regional variations like the Seattle Bungalow are designed. Most were built to complement rather than overpower their surroundings—the climate, biomes, and beauty of the Puget Sound region. As such, they share key elements, including some going all the way back to Salish longhouses.

David Miller, University of Washington professor and award-winning AIA Fellow, has identified a few: Simple structures on raised foundations, large windows to drink in rare sunny days, exposed posts and beams that show off local materials, and open layouts unifying the space. They eschew hard-and-fast boundaries between interior and outdoor space, keeping occupants dry with big patios and sheltering eaves.

When you look at old Seattle homes, fully restored or radically remodeled, they often feel right because most were designed with this place in mind. Whether single-family, “missing middle,” or multifamily, the homes of today that will survive are those elegantly adapted to their surrounding nature and cityscape. These are the homes that embody the Seattle style.

Houseboats

During the apartment boom of the 1950s, houseboats very nearly went extinct before being promoted and ultimately codified by the city in the latter decades of the century— eventually losing their low-rent reputation and achieving a more glamorous status as part of Seattle’s waterfront heritage. If you look at a few of the floating palaces of today, it can be hard to imagine houseboats’ humble history.

Photo Credits

First Homes: Scott D. Sullivan
Seattle Box: Joe Mabel
Craftsman Bungalow: Courtesy Carlisle Classic Homes
WWII-Era Cottage: Courtesy Palmer Residential
Northwest Regional: Jeff Hobson for Lochwood-Lozier Custom Homes
Mid-Century Modern: Courtesy Carlisle Classic Homes
Minimalist: Courtesy Nip Tuck Remodeling

Contact: data@mbaks.com

King County is now joining nearby counties, such as Snohomish and Pierce, that have seen home prices dropping for months. Reflective in the latest data from The Northwest Multiple Listing Service showing cooling prices, it is now apparent that homebuying and listing for homes and condos has decreased. The median price of single-family homes and condos was $760,000 in King County and $680,000 in Snohomish County.

Read the full April Builders Bulletin:

By MBAKS Content Strategist James Slone

A conversation with J. Michael Bogan of JM Bogan Remodeling and Benjamin and Courtenay Gebhardt of Blue Sound Construction.

This classic Tudor Revival home in Magnolia was given new life by Blue Sound Construction.

The cities of the Puget Sound are relatively young, but they boast an impressive array of classic early-twentiethcentury homes. From Victorian mansions to Modernist masterpieces, these houses speak to our region’s history and aesthetic sensibilities.

But all things age, and the remaining pockets of these old-timers need special care to keep on impressing. Thankfully, lovers of these homes are well-served by remodelers, contractors, and architects who’ve made renovation and restoration part of their trade.

It’s not easy preserving the original charm of an old house while adhering to modern code and meeting a client’s goals. I reached out to two companies with reputations for quality, JM Bogan Remodeling and Blue Sound Construction, to get a sense of how they navigate this tricky, three-way balancing act.

JM Bogan built this Modern Victorian home with architects Board & Vellum for clients passionate about 19th century design.

Learning From the Classics

Established in 1977, Fall City-based JM Bogan Remodeling takes a customercentric approach to residential and commercial projects. As a design-build company that integrates planning and construction from the start, their work runs the gamut of remodels, restorations, and custom work.

The company, now in its second generation, was founded by J. Michael Bogan over 46 years ago. Michael already had ample experience in residential remodeling when he began working in historic neighborhoods in Bellingham and Whatcom County, so restoration was a natural fit.

“I possessed a basic understanding of geometry [essential to the design of many older homes], a good work ethic, and a desire to learn,” Michael says. “There were Victorians and Craftsman Bungalows, log homes and barns. I fell in love with the craft and found opportunities to do some wonderful things.”

When it comes to style, Michael admires a wide range of old homes, but ultimately it’s about the client. “Whether the home is painted or stained, on Queen Anne Hill or the mountains, producing what the client wants is what matters most.” And it’s achieving their vision that Michael finds most satisfying.

For Blue Sound Construction, a Seattle-based construction company established in 2006, working with old homes was something they always knew they wanted to do. With a high level of technical knowledge and craft, they felt they could accomplish something “meaningful and profound.”

“We grew up admiring old homes’ charm, and trying to understand the source of that charm has been a lifelong personal passion,” says Co-Founder and Director Courtenay Gebhardt. This led the company to “research geometric proportions, preservation tactics, and the history of European craft organizations.”

When I ask Courtenay about her favorite styles, she mentions Tudors, Craftsman homes, Foursquares, and Mid-Century Moderns. But what she loves most isn’t any one type. It’s “working on respectful renovations that honor the home’s innate design language.”

“When architects are careful to maintain the proportions, regulating lines, and character of the original, there’s a sort of harmony that reverberates throughout both the home and its surroundings.”

A handsomely restored washroom in a Foursquare in Queen Anne, by Blue Sound Construction.

That Special Something

Restoring or renovating a classic home means bringing a high level of craftsmanship and skill to every facet of the project. But that’s just the starting point. Any company taking on this kind of work needs to bring something extra to the table if they want a result that hits the mark.

What sets a company like JM Bogan apart, says Michael, is the “experience that comes with being a multigenerational company.” That sense of passing the torch through the generations dovetails nicely with the work of classic home restoration.

“JM Bogan Co. is truly a family team. My own construction experience began in 1975 and my son Brandon grew up around construction in the late 1980s to the early 2000s. Together, we have the combined experience and knowledge our clients need—administration, trade skills, and execution.”

These assets are freely transferred to employees. “They learn trade skills and have opportunities to develop their craft. It has always been a part of our company culture to pass it on.” That means everyone brings a high level of expertise to each project.

Even when you have the talent and experience, there is no one way to work on restoration projects, and every home requires its own approach. As Michael puts it, “There is no one-size-fits-all handbook. Each project has its own specific requirements.”

Meeting them calls for a trained eye. “Sometimes the task is simple; sometimes it’s complex. At times discernment seems to come naturally, but it’s really a learned skill—like hitting a bullseye at 100 yards, it’s something you learn by doing.”

For Courtenay, going the extra mile means working with architects who understand classical design. “Because they’re trained in the aesthetic principles underlying a lot of historic buildings, they have a built-in understanding of what’s worth preserving and what new elements can achieve the same effect.”

In return, Blue Sound Construction offers a high level of skill, craft, and cost controls that allow them to implement specific designs and revise as needed. But what sets them apart, says Courtenay’s husband, Principal and Co-founder Benjamin, is their abiding appreciation for classic homes.

“We’re deeply sensitive to the charm of historic homes and want to do right by them. But we’re also realistic about pricing and happy to offer practical advice when the approach is collaborative. Clients who are clear about their values upfront will ultimately drive what we are able to do for them.”

Evergreen Features and Seismic Shifts

“We think preservation and beauty are probably the most neglected topics when it comes to environmental impact,” says Benjamin. “A beautiful building is unlikely to be torn down over the long run, and that prevents the carbon-intensive manufacturing of new buildings.”

Other building standards are less negotiable.

Making sure old homes that didn’t succumb to prior quakes survive the next one is always in the back of Michael’s mind when taking on renovations. He recalls watching the 1989 World Series when the earthquake shook Candlestick Park. “It wasn’t long after that seismic considerations in building sciences and construction practices became part of code.”

“Altering or adding to an existing structural element today often requires structural analysis and engineered connections with steel, straps and rods, and epoxy adhesives at depth of embedment, with all sorts of manufactured seismic accoutrements,” explains Michael. All these keep the structure safely tethered to its foundation. “We have the technology today, and we use it.”

Out of the Past

Both companies work in contemporary spaces as much as in older homes, but the classics do offer important lessons for modern construction and have deepened their work across the board. For Michael and JM Bogan, it’s understanding the basic principles underlying all home construction and seeing how the puzzle fits together.

“Knowing how something is constructed can be the next best thing to X-ray vision. This knowledge often provides an understanding of how a house can best be safely deconstructed.” Armed with that information, a design-build company can achieve virtually anything a modern remodel might call for.

Working on the classics has led Benjamin, Courtenay, and Blue Sound Construction to question some of the choices made in contemporary homes. Says Benjamin, “I think, for better or for worse, it has made us a bit skeptical of some modern building designs and practices. We’ve seen the things that don’t hold up versus those that do.”

Thankfully, as long as designers and builders keep exploring classic homes, the wisdom of older design will not be lost. Using modern materials and techniques, JM Bogan and Blue Sound Construction work to make sure these treasures endure.

Passion Projects

Tudor Tune-Up

Georgian Revival

Michael’s favorite JM Bogan project was the full restoration of the Wurdemann Mansion in 1995. This handsome 1915 Georgian—listed on the National Registry of Historic Places—is the last surviving home in the “first eight” community in Lake Forest Park in Seattle and a cherished community asset.

The two-acre home features extensive gardens and fountains, French doors, four bedrooms, a library, and a carriage house. JM Bogan was hired to restore much of the home, indoors and out, including additions in the form of the new master bathroom and sewing room and the transformation of the carriage house into into an ADU and three-car garage.

JM Bogan strove to preserve the existing structure and ensure new millwork matched the old. For their impressive efforts, they received MBAKS’ 1995 REX Award for Room Addition. Says Michael, “It was a wonderful opportunity and a feather in my cap. More than a quarter century later, it still stands.”

Contact: data@mbaks.com

The latest data for permit amounts in King, Snohomish, and Pierce County for the month of January has been released, and it reveals a significant decline in multifamily permit activity in King County. In January 2022, there were 1,544 multifamily permits taken out, whereas this January, only 293 were recorded, resulting in an 81% drop year-on-year. Pierce County is also trending downwards; however, Snohomish County has recorded similar numbers to the previous year.

Read the full March Builders Bulletin:

Contact:
Stephanie Giralmo, Public Relations & Media Manager
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
p 425.457.7067

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Master Builders Association President Aims to Continue Association's Legacy as Trusted Source for Homebuilders

“I am thrilled and honored to be serving as President of the Board of Directors,” said Tenhulzen. “After 25 years of being a member, I continue to be inspired by people around me who selflessly give their time to help continue the success of the association.”

With a degree in Exercise Physiology and Business focused on Ergonomics from Washington State University and a Master’s in Human Resources from Southern New Hampshire University, Tenhulzen began her career in Corporate Wellness. Tenhulzen then transitioned into the homebuilding industry when she started her own safety and consulting company, Safety Resource Management and Consulting. She sold her company and joined Tenhulzen Residential seven years later and now serves as the Executive Producer where she oversees the business operations, which includes Human Resources, Sales, and Safety Management.

“Our goal is to build homes, not barriers,” stated Tenhulzen. “The advocacy work that the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties does will help generations to come set down roots in the wonderful region we call home.”

Tenhulzen is an active member of the Bellevue Breakfast Rotary Club and enjoys watching her son Matthew play football. In their spare time the Tenhulzen family enjoy hiking, skiing, cooking and going on long walks with Isabelle, their black lab.

About MBAKS

Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is the nation’s oldest and largest local homebuilders’ association. Like our founders, our members continue to take a leading role in all facets of homebuilding and support the planning for a growing region. From new technology to advances in sustainability, from collaborative public policy efforts to investing in our communities, our commitment to a thriving, inclusive and well-planned region never wavers. We are the professional homebuilders, architects, remodelers, tradespeople (carpenters, framers, roofers, plumbers, electricians), planners and engineers, suppliers, manufacturers, and sales and marketing professionals in your community who believe everyone deserves access to a healthy and productive place to call home.

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Contact:
Stephanie Giralmo, Public Relations & Media Manager
Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties
p 425.457.7067

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MBAKS Promotes Jerry Hall to Serve as Executive Director

“For me, the importance of the association’s purpose is heartfelt and personal,” said Jerry Hall, Executive Director of MBAKS. “We are fortunate to live in a region that has enjoyed extraordinary economic success over the last few decades, yet, because the supply of housing did not keep pace with our growth, the cost of housing has reached unattainable levels for too many.”

Hall holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Whitman College and a Master’s in Business Administration from Harvard Business School. With decades of business leadership experience, he joined MBAKS in August of 2018, serving as its Chief Operating Officer. Shortly thereafter, he began serving as its Chief Financial Officer, and most recently as the organization’s Interim Executive Director.

“We are at a tipping point in our region and access to housing is becoming increasingly difficult” stated Hall. “I’m honored to be given the opportunity to lead the vital work MBAKS does in making home ownership possible for generations to come.”

About MBAKS

Founded in 1909 and headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS) is the nation’s oldest and largest local homebuilders’ association. Like our founders, our members continue to take a leading role in all facets of homebuilding and support the planning for a growing region. From new technology to advances in sustainability, from collaborative public policy efforts to investing in our communities, our commitment to a thriving, inclusive and well-planned region never wavers. We are the professional homebuilders, architects, remodelers, tradespeople (carpenters, framers, roofers, plumbers, electricians), planners and engineers, suppliers, manufacturers, and sales and marketing professionals in your community who believe everyone deserves access to a healthy and productive place to call home.

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Contact: data@mbaks.com

Month’s supply of housing inventory for both King County and Snohomish County is still below a 2-month inventory, indicating that the market has not yet made the switch into a buyer’s market. Industry analysts consider a 4–6-month supply to be an indication of a healthy market. Snohomish County continues to be the most competitive within the Puget Sound region.

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