About Us
“Whether you seek a conventional home, a rustic cabin, a legacy waterfront home or a mountain retreat”
ABOUT
MURRAY ARNOTT
Murray Arnott Design is an international residential design firm built on a foundation of trust. Our highly focused team specializes in sustainable custom home design, creating one-of-a-kind residences for clients worldwide. We are renowned for our mastery of timber frame and post and beam construction. Our true value, though, lies in a transparent, collaborative process that ensures your vision is executed with technical precision. We work across all construction systems, providing the expert architectural oversight and leadership whether you seek a rustic cabin, a luxury waterfront or legacy mountain home.
HISTORY
A Foundation in the Field
Murray Arnott’s commitment to architectural excellence began on job sites in British Columbia in the early 1980s. Starting as a carpenter and builder, he gained, firsthand, an understanding of the structural integrity and technical demands of high-end construction. This hammer-in-hand approach became the bedrock of his professional philosophy—great design must be as technically sound as it is aesthetically pleasing.
The Global Leader fragment
The success of his early work propelled Murray Arnott Design onto a wider stage, twice winning Best Home in North America from the American Residential Design Association. Murray has also shaped the industry as a thought leader—authoring the Design Column for Log Home Living Magazine and an award-winning book, ON DESIGN: Designing a Better Log Home and serving as President of the International Log Builders Association.
An International Reputation for Excellence
After architectural studies at McGill University, Murray established a design and construction business in Whistler, British Columbia. Throughout the 80s and 90s, he became a sought-after designer for complex resort, waterfront, and mountain properties across North America. Early on, his mastery of massive wood systems—log, timber frame, and post and beam earned him global recognition, starting with a 1998 design being awarded Best Home in British Columbia.
Today’s Practice: Professionalism Built on Experience
Today, Murray leverages a lifetime of experience to act as a high-level consultant and lead designer for clients worldwide. While rooted in the character of natural wood, his firm now applies the principles of trust, precision, and sustainable innovation to all construction systems. For Murray, the goal remains the same: providing the professional leadership and deep technical knowledge required to bring exceptional homes to life.
REALIZING YOUR VISION
The Strategic Design Partnership
A world-class home begins long before the first shovel hits the ground. At Murray Arnott Design, we provide the professional leadership and technical consulting necessary to navigate the complexities of residential construction. Whether you are building a custom timber home, a luxury waterfront estate, or a sustainable modern residence, our process is designed to protect your investment and ensure a low stress experience.
Phase 1: Site Selection & Feasibility
A great home is built from its relationship with the land. If you have already secured a building site, we provide a comprehensive analysis of its potential. If you are still searching, we offer expert site-selection consulting to help you evaluate:
- Optimal Topography & Access: Assessing buildability and cost-efficiency.
- Environmental Exposure: Maximizing solar gain and wind protection.
- Strategic Placement: Balancing privacy with panoramic views and natural features.
Phase 2: Defining the Professional Scope
Transparency is the cornerstone of trust. In our initial consultations, we define a customized roadmap for your project. As your dedicated design advocate, we clarify our role in the areas that matter most to you:
- Project Leadership: Determining your desired level of creative collaboration.
- Technical Specifications: Optimizing mechanical systems and sustainable building materials.
- Cost Management: Assisting with pre-construction cost estimating and budget alignment.
- Construction Administration: Facilitating builder selection and providing professional project oversight to ensure your home is built to the highest architectural standards.
"Our goal is to serve as your expert guide, providing the project management and architectural oversight required to turn a complex build into a rewarding journey."
DESIGNING YOUR HOME
The Art and Science of Translation
Designing a custom home requires a rare balance of vision, creativity, analysis, and precision. At Murray Arnott Design, we act as Design Translators by taking your diverse inspirations and translating them into a sophisticated, buildable reality.
The Collaborative Vision
Successful projects are built on communication and professional trust. We invite you to share the images and ideas you’ve gathered over time—from architectural journals to lifelong dreams. Our expertise lies in identifying the emotional “character” of these ideas and distilling them into a cohesive architectural language that translates into finished, built environments.
Visualization as a Core Competency
While we utilize advanced 3D modeling to communicate the design as it progresses and share with engineers and other project professionals, our greatest asset is a lifetime experience of spatial understanding.
Our greatest asset is a lifetime of experience in spatial understanding. We guide you through “living” in the home before construction begins:
- The Flow of Experience: Mapping the transition between open social spaces and private retreats.
- Spatial Integrity: Optimizing the scale and feeling of every room, from large open spaces to quiet corners.
- Structural Harmony: Balancing complex geometries with the technical requirements of your chosen construction system.
From Inspiration to Execution
Our process anchors your vision with our technical leadership. We expand upon your initial ideas to create a residence greater than the sum of its parts. By the time we move to technical models, you will have total confidence that your vision has been translated into a home of timeless quality and enduring value.