Explore the intriguing world of design with us with articles designed to inform and inspire.

Hiring an architect shapes how your home feels, how well it functions, and how confidently you move through the building process. Whether designing from scratch or improving a space you love, knowing when and how to hire an architect makes a difference.

This guide breaks down what we do as architects, why architecture services matter, and how to choose the perfect fit for your goals. If you’re a homeowner ready to start your dream project, discover what to expect and how to navigate the process below.

Why You Need One and What to Expect

Hiring an Architect

Knowing who to hire can be confusing when starting a home project. Many people use “interior architecture” and “interior design” as if they mean the same thing. In reality, they refer to different roles that contribute in different ways. One shapes how a space is built, while the other shapes how it works and feels.

This article explains the difference between interior architecture and interior design, when each is needed, and how they overlap. It also outlines skills, qualifications, project examples, and how we at POSS combine both services in one cohesive approach.

Key Differences, Shared Skills, and Which Is Right for You

Interior Architecture vs. Interior Design:

Residential architecture defines how a home takes shape. From the walls and windows to the way rooms connect and light enters each space. If you've ever wondered what separates a well-designed home from one that feels awkward or inefficient, the answer often starts with the architect. 

Residential architects plan living spaces to support everyday life, comfort, and long-term value. Whether you're building new, remodeling, or considering an architectural service for a layout refresh, understanding what residential architecture includes can help you make more confident decisions.

This guide covers the essentials: what residential architecture means, how the design process works, what our architects do, and when you should consider hiring one. If you're weighing styles, exploring your options, or planning your next step, you're in the right place.

Definition, Process, and When to Hire a Residential Architect

What Is Residential Architecture?

Creating a home from the ground up is a journey unlike any other-one that blends imagination, intention, and craftsmanship. The custom homebuilding process offers the rare opportunity to design a space that reflects the way you live, down to the smallest detail. At POSS, we believe that true success begins long before construction starts-with meticulous pre-planning and the discipline of thoughtful architecture.

In this blog we outline the six essential steps we guide our clients through before a single shovel breaks ground. We will cover defining your vision, evaluating land, setting a budget, assembling your team, developing the design, and preparing for permits. This framework helps protect both your budget and your vision.

Castle Creek

The 6 Steps You Should Know Before Breaking Ground

Building a Custom Home

Balance in interior design shapes how a space feels the moment you walk in. A well-balanced room feels comfortable, stable, and inviting, even if you can’t explain why. Understanding how balance works helps us design spaces that look beautiful and feel calm. Whether you are refreshing a single room or planning multiple architectural projects, balance is the key to creating spaces that work together harmoniously.

This guide explains what balance in interior design means, explores the three main types of balance, and shares simple rules you can follow to bring harmony into any space. You’ll also see real-life examples, ways to fix unbalanced rooms, and tips for maintaining visual harmony over time. By the end, you’ll have the tools to identify balance and apply it confidently throughout your home.

What It Is, How It Works, and How to Create It?

Balance in Interior Design

The workplace is no longer just where work gets done. In today’s world, it’s a tool that shapes how teams connect, how culture is experienced, and whether people actually want to be there. Companies are rethinking how they use space to support focus, flexibility, and purpose, not by chasing trends but by making intentional design choices.

Our blog explores what workplace design really means today, why it matters more than ever, and how thoughtful planning leads to environments people choose rather than tolerate. From current trends and planning strategies to collaboration with architectural services, you’ll find practical insights to guide your next space decision.

Whether you’re creating a new office or improving your existing one, this guide will help you understand what makes an office space effective for productivity, longevity, and comfort.

Creating an Office People Actually Want to Be In

Workplace Design for 2025

Every architectural project begins with understanding the land it will occupy. A clear site analysis lays the foundation for an architectural design that responds to its environment, meets regulatory requirements, and supports client goals. 

This guide explains the process step by step, from early research to practical insights, helping architects go beyond checklists and build clear design concepts, serving as a practical reference for anyone working on site analysis architecture. 

By the end, you will know how to gather the right data, interpret it, and apply it to create designs that fit their context while inspiring those who experience them.

From Checklist to Concept

The Architect's Site Analysis Playbook

Every space tells a story, but without emphasis, that story can feel unclear. So what is the purpose of focus and emphasis in interior design? Emphasis helps the eye add order, intent, and highlights what’s essential in a room. By understanding this design principle, you can transform a flat, uninspired space into one that feels cohesive and intentional.

This guide explains what emphasis means in interior design, why it matters, and how to apply it through color, texture, lighting, and furniture choices. You’ll learn how to identify areas that need stronger visual focus, explore interior design solutions for different styles and layouts, and avoid common design mistakes.

Whether you’re rethinking a living room or adding interest to a minimalist bedroom, these strategies will help you build rooms that feel grounded and complete

How to Make an Impact in Every Room

Emphasis in Interior Design

We have always found the schematic design phase exciting because it’s when ideas first start to feel real. Walking a client through early sketches of their home, even simple drawings, can spark a moment when they suddenly imagine themselves cooking in the kitchen or gathering in the living room. That moment of connection-when a client sees their vision take shape for the first time-is what makes this phase so rewarding.

In architecture, this phase connects early concepts with practical solutions, as seen in various architecture offerings that explore how initial sketches evolve into functional layouts.

Our guide shows what schematic design means, where it applies, who participates, and how the process works from first sketches to a chosen direction. It also outlines typical deliverables, common tools, and practical examples that link concept to construction with confidence.

From Big Ideas to a Clear Direction

Schematic Design Explained

Interior Design Trends Shaping Aspen in 2025

What’s In

Over the past several decades, Aspen architecture has undergone a striking transformation. What once was dominated by heavy timber lodges and alpine rusticity has evolved into a sophisticated design language that we now call mountain modern architecture. This evolution reflects not only aesthetic shifts but also deeper cultural and environmental values—honoring the land while reimagining how we live within it.

The Evolution of Mountain Modern Architecture in Aspen from Rustic Lodges to Refined Modern Retreats

Bespoke Interiors Rooted in Mountain Life

Designing for the Peaks

At Poss Architecture + Planning and Interior Design, we’re proud to share that our Morning Star project in Utah was named Home of the Year 2020 by Mountain Living magazine. This prestigious recognition highlights our commitment to award-winning designs and our passion for creating homes that blend seamlessly with their surroundings.

Nestled in the natural splendor of Park City, Utah, Morning Star is a shining example of modern residential architecture that reflects the rugged elegance of the mountain landscape. Designed with intention, the residence captures panoramic views while offering refined, livable spaces that invite both relaxation and adventure.

Poss Architecture + Planning and Interior Design Wins Mountain Living’s Home of the Year

Morning Star Shines Bright

The Residences at The Little Nell

Award-Winning Transformation

For years, minimalism reigned supreme—stark white walls and neutral palettes defined contemporary interiors. But now, a resurgence of color and texture is breathing new life into spaces, bringing warmth, vibrancy, and personality.

642 King

Stranahan’s Whiskey Lodge

Embracing Bold Hues and Rich Textures in Design

The Return of Color

As the world becomes increasingly fast-paced and chaotic, more and more people are seeking refuge in the mountains. Whether it's for a weekend escape or a permanent change of scenery, mountain regions offer a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. As a result, interior design trends in these areas have shifted toward creating comfortable and cozy spaces that promote relaxation and well-being. In this month’s blog, we will explore the latest trends in interior design in Poss-designed residences throughout mountain regions.

Trends in Interior Design

If you are reading this, chances are you not only know about, but have perhaps even attended, the annual Paris Deco Off event. This not-to-be-missed, four-day event showcases the latest designs and trends in the world of decoration and interior design. It takes place every January in Paris, France, and is held in various showrooms, boutiques, and galleries throughout the city. The event is attended by designers, decorators, and other industry professionals from all over the world. This year, two of our Interior Design team members traveled to the City of Lights and, of course, the fashion capital, Paris.

From left to right: Regina Garcia, Holly Hunt, and Miranda McConnell

Miranda and Regina

Miranda and Regina’s Journey Through the World of Decorative Fabrics and Design

Discovering the Magic of Paris Deco Off

Poss has established an enviable reputation as a designer of exquisite private homes that blend seamlessly with their environments, leveraging nature’s glory while expressing each owner’s unique personality. “Our design of private homes is timeless and always elegant, yet comfortable. Classy, timeless, tranquil,” says Bill Poss, the company’s founder.