Joe Herrin and Mike Mora are American architects and founding partners of Heliotrope Architects, established in 1999 in Seattle, Washington. Known for their thoughtful and context-sensitive designs, Herrin and Mora emphasize a collaborative approach to architecture, blending modernist principles with a deep respect for site-specific environmental and cultural factors. Their practice spans residential, commercial, and hospitality projects, often characterized by a seamless integration of indoor and outdoor spaces and the use of natural materials.
The duo’s design philosophy prioritizes sustainable practices and the enhancement of human connection through architecture. Their work reflects a commitment to simplicity and craftsmanship, drawing inspiration from the Pacific Northwest’s rich natural landscapes and urban fabric. Over the years, Heliotrope has received numerous accolades for projects that balance functionality with understated elegance, earning a reputation as architects able to create spaces that are enduring and deeply rooted in their surroundings.
1. What inspired you to become an architect?
Joe
As a boy I drew boats constantly – my parents thought I would become a naval architect. When I was around 13, I secured a gig providing renderings of homes for sale at my mother’s real estate office. Back then – pre-internet – homes were advertised in the Sunday newspaper, with sketch views in high-contrast black that stood out on the page. I enjoyed making these images, and I had a talent for it, so my trajectory was pretty much set.
Mike
I’ve always liked the puzzle of designing built environments for us human creatures and our weird dynamic lives to play out in.
2. How would you describe your design philosophy?
I think it is self-evident from our portfolio that we do not have a dogmatic approach to the work. We are intensely interested in what sets each client and each site apart – how we can do something uniquely suited to both. Our clients have a wide range of interests and budgets, and our design process seeks to clarify what is unique concerning the site, the program, and the client. We then generate solutions that celebrate that uniqueness. Layered onto this is a deep respect for site ecology and sustainability. We are signatories to the 2030 challenge, seeking to attain net zero across our portfolio, and we are committed to longevity. We intend to create timeless, heirloom structures that last generations, thus minimizing embodied carbon over time.
3. Can you tell us about your favorite project and why it stands out?
Joe
This is like admitting to having a favorite child. Each project stands out in its way, but for me, our Suncrest Residence rises to the top for personal reasons. We have been fortunate to work on many very special sites; however, this site represents everything special about the San Juan Islands, which is a region I consider home. We worked incredibly hard to stitch the house into the landscape and worked with the GC to carefully protect the site throughout construction to allow the landscape to intertwine intimately with the architecture. It took two and a half years to build, owing to this need to treat the site with the care required, and it was years before we could say for sure that we were successful (the Pacific Madrone tree is easily wounded but takes years to die). I have remained close with the owners, who have shown great care in their stewardship of the home and the surrounding landscape. After 15 years, it has weathered as intended and become a truly magical place.
Mike
I don’t have a favorite. Maybe the one always on the horizon.
4. What is your favorite architectural detail?
Answering this in the traditional sense, as in details you can see, we come from a region with a strong history of mid-century modern post-and-beam construction, so the detailing of our Suncrest and Loyal Captain projects is particularly meaningful to us. At Suncrest, the primary column/beam structure is steel, with shop-fabricated joist plates welded to the beams. This allowed for a high degree of accuracy due to a detailed shop drawing process, while off-site shop fabrication minimized the required on-site erection time. Once the steel structure was up, the joists rolled out quickly, which was important as the exposed wood roof structure needed to be installed quickly in fair weather and protected before rains came.
More recently, we have been focused on the development of wall, floor, and roof assemblies that allow us to meet the net-zero challenge while carefully controlling moisture and providing excellent indoor air quality. Toward that end, we are fans/followers of the “Pretty Good House” and the “Building Science Fight Club” – and years ago Joe achieved Passive House certification.
5. Do you have a favorite material?
We are focused on identifying materials that help create a strong sense of place. This tends to mean leveraging materials and assemblies particular to the region in which we are working. In the Pacific Northwest, this means wood–fir, and cedar in particular.
6. What is your process for starting a new project?
We start by asking our new clients to fill out a detailed client questionnaire, which includes questions intended to jump-start the ‘getting to know you’ phase of our relationship. We then develop a detailed program, including a budget, for review and approval. While this process is occurring, we spend time at the property, seeking to become intimately familiar with all aspects of it. We then develop a detailed site analysis and identify a set of guiding precepts for the project. Once reviewed and finalized with our client, this becomes the primary tool used to evaluate design concepts.
7. How do you balance creativity and practicality in your designs?
There are many practical factors that might be characterized as inhibiting creativity – such as gravity, water, building codes, budget, etc. Our quest to create heirloom buildings that stand the test of time requires us to embrace these factors. We tend to recommend that our clients bring a GC on board as early as possible and work with them to develop solutions that they can stand behind (and warrantee) – this is really critical.
8. What role does the surrounding environment play in your architectural projects?
Huge! Truly, it’s the biggest inspiration in our work. Every one of our clients has purchased a truly special place, and it’s our job to maximize their experience of it – every moment of every day. There is always ‘the view,’ which is of course a focus, but what about that beautiful rock with the little maple tree? Can we turn that into a special moment? What about the hillside behind – maybe a clerestory window could capture reflected afternoon light along its face? We are always seeking these secondary moments to add depth to the experience.
9. How do you approach working with clients to understand their needs and visions?
Part of this is addressed above, in how we start a project. As we move into design, we meet with our clients roughly every two weeks throughout the schematic design phase, with meetings lasting 2-3 hours. There is always an agenda, but it is rarely followed in the proper order as we encourage the conversation to flow. This allows us to get to know our clients better in an informal way.
10. What architectural trends or movements do you find most inspiring?
We are highly allergic to trends.
11. What advice would you give to aspiring architects?
Mike
Don’t pursue it if you don’t passionately care.
Joe
Develop strong self-awareness around your strengths and what brings you joy (they are not always aligned). Pursue where they intersect – that is where you will be most successful.
