Leading the way for modern, site-sensitive residential architecture in Ohio

YR Architecture + Design is an award-winning modern residential architecture firm located in Columbus, Ohio. Our design-forward studio is dedicated to crafting contemporary custom homes that evoke warmth, invite comfort, and inspire and enrich people’s lives. With a focus on creating homes that harmonize with their distinctive surroundings, whether nestled lakeside, perched on a hilltop, or in other remarkable locations, we prioritize site sensitivity and integration, ensuring the preservation of the natural beauty of the landscape. We also take pride in being one of the few modern residential architects in Ohio that actively seeks out complex, detail-oriented projects, showcasing our commitment to delivering highly custom living spaces.

Here’s what makes us unique

Leading the way for modern, site-sensitive architecture in Ohio

YR Architecture + Design is an award-winning modern residential architecture firm located in Columbus, Ohio. Our design-forward studio is dedicated to crafting contemporary custom homes that evoke warmth, invite comfort, and inspire and enrich people’s lives. With a focus on creating homes that harmonize with their distinctive surroundings, whether nestled lakeside, perched on a hilltop, or in other remarkable locations, we prioritize site sensitivity and integration, ensuring the preservation of the natural beauty of the landscape. We also take pride in being one of the few modern residential architects in Ohio that actively seeks out complex, detail-oriented projects, showcasing our commitment to delivering highly custom living spaces.

Here’s what makes us unique

Together, we can turn your vision into a stunning, contemporary home.

At YR Architecture + Design, we know how exciting it is to imagine your future home. We also understand that turning your ambitious dream into a reality is a daunting, complex process. With our expertise in crafting timeless, site-specific, custom homes, we can guide you through the entire journey, simplifying complexities, advocating on your behalf, and helping you create the dream home you’ve always yearned for—a sanctuary where you can truly thrive and be your best self.

A modern industrial great room with large glass windows and doors that open to a patio with a pool and surrounded by trees

Featured Projects

2023-07-25T18:05:19-04:00

Huron Studio

Design forward, yet affordable: An inspiring renovation transforms a dated garage into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) flooded with natural […]

2023-07-25T17:05:09-04:00

The Shimla House

A bold and expressive contemporary home nestled amongst mature trees on a five-acre site provides solace and respite. The […]

2023-07-25T18:02:58-04:00

Fombell Addition

Set within the Western Pennsylvania countryside, a pair of modern additions firmly roots itself within the surrounding context while respecting […]

Let’s take the first step together.

Are you ready to start planning or need inspiration? Let us be your guide to great design. Explore answers to commonly asked questions, read our helpful tips, check out our guides, gain an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at our working process, and take action in planning your next project. Consider this your first step towards embarking on your custom home journey with confidence and clarity.

Design Philosphy

My design philosophy as an architect is to connect architecture to its surrounding place. Growing up in West Virginia, I was instilled with an acute sensitivity to the landscape around me—the winding roads, majestic mountains, and vibrant autumn leaves. My upbringing nurtured a deep reverence for simplicity, and I am drawn to the inherent beauty of unpretentious materials, weathered gently by the passage of time. I look to local vernacular architecture for material and form inspiration rather than overpowering it with spectacle.

For design inspiration, I study the climate, landscape, and history of the place. Placemaking becomes my guiding star, urging me to create structures that harmoniously embrace their environment as if they were destined to be together. For me, authenticity lies in the way a building emerges, telling a timeless story of its land, transcending the boundaries of imagination.

I strive for clarity in my designs by placing simple forms in a direct relationship with their habitat. I aim to craft contemporary architecture that exudes both warmth and sophistication, seamlessly unifying luxury with the charm of understated elegance. I approach design with rigor and discipline, with a meticulous eye for craft, all in pursuit of an architecture that radiates with a soulful authenticity.

I’m also not afraid to get my hands dirty.

“We are asked regularly… why we waited for the right architect that could make our vision a reality when the previous 4 firms looked at us like we were crazy telling us that what we wanted couldn’t be achieved in Ohio and telling us that the amount of glass we wanted was just not feasible. Yvonne listened and executed our dreams of a woodland retreat that exceeded even our expectations. This is a collaboration in the truest sense of the word! What we visualized when we first saw the property, Yvonne designed into a reality that is mind-blowing!”

—Cheena C.

“We used YR Architecture + Design for the design of our mountain house overlooking the Columbia River. Yvonne was excellent to work with. She came up with a design concept that exceeded our expectations. The level of detail on the drawing set was outstanding, and she has been there for us throughout the entire process.

In business, the ultimate question is “Would you recommend this product or service to your friends?”, and with Yvonne, the answer is absolutely YES!!”

—Mike M.

“As a first-time builder with a limited budget and no prior design experience, my family’s most daunting initial challenge was finding an architect to help kick off our project. Yvonne not only took the time to listen to our family’s story before diving into project specifics, she incorporated that history into the ethos of our entire project—allowing our property’s architectural legacy to guide and inspire its future.

From that initial conversation, through design planning, delivery of the final design, and several follow-up conversations, Yvonne fielded dozens of basic questions—many arising from my own inexperience—that a less patient architect would surely have deemed “stupid.” That patience and Yvonne’s thoughtful answers made all the difference: rather than feeling intimidated, we began to feel empowered with the knowledge and confidence we needed to undertake our first build.

It is safe to say that the YR Architecture design has already paid for itself through the time and cost savings we have achieved by having a detailed, professional plan from the outset.

—Matt A.

Design in real time.

Follow along for behind-the-scenes, insights, and inspiration.

A wonderland of autumn landscapes: Photographs from a recent visit to the Pacific Northwest, recharging and connecting with nature.

At YR Architecture + Design, all projects start by listening: listening to the landscape, the climate, the culture, the place, and to our clients’ vision and values. 

Since our work draws strong influences from the natural surroundings, we dive deep into understanding and appreciating nature’s beauty, on site and out in the wilderness.

But nature isn’t just inspiration for us; it’s a source of renewal. There’s a special tranquility and peace that only the great outdoors can provide, and we strive to create enduring designs that embody this feeling.

#wilderness #fallcolors #hikingadventures #naturelovers #inspiredbynature #northcascades #nationalpark #maplepass #winthrop #larchmadness #pacificnorthwest #rollinghuts
The great room pavilion at our Fombell Residence is configured for optimal engagement with the yard, orchard, and meadow beyond. A wall of @hopeswindows bifold glass doors facing the rear yard opens the indoor space to the outdoors. 

It's days like today with perfect weather that we can fully open our spaces and enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds us. Happy Spring everyone!

In collaboration w/ Mary Barensfeld Architecture.

Photography: @joefletcherphoto 
Glass Sculpture Artist: @yeahsharvin
Windows & Doors: @hopeswindows
Timber Framing: @lancotimber
We are delighted to share our latest project under construction; a highly bespoke modern home located a few minutes north of Columbus, OH.

#theshimlahouse is a bold and expressive contemporary home nestled amongst mature trees on a five-acre site that provides solace and respite from the nearby community and world at large. The design is a response to our clients’ lived experiences and desire for a timeless modern home that curates collected world artifacts, that connects them with nature, and that serves as a “home base” for their family for years to come.

Interiors: @dustin_gerken w/ @joeohio7
Landscape: @implement_studio
Builder: @delbiondohomes 
Renderings: @maxim_tsiabus
We’re deeply grateful to share that our Huron Studio received an Honor Award at the 2022 AIA Columbus Awards Ceremony last night. Thank you to the @aiacolumbus and the jury for this honor!

The Jury notes that “while this may have been one of the smallest projects submitted, it can have a very big footprint relative to its capacity to influence the movement for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in Columbus and surrounding environs… The studio is elegantly composed and artfully detailed with “streamlined simplicity.” The vaulted ceiling with a triangular clerestory window at the entry and the alignment of a skylight with the sliding door are two particularly artful moments. Every square foot was carefully composed and thought through for usability, flexibility, and delight, including the exterior space. The method of self-construction by the designers that salvaged existing masonry walls and reused decking and other materials is also to be commended."

Photography: @marshallevanphoto
Our latest custom modern home has large sliding glass doors that open onto a terraced patio creating a fluid indoor/outdoor living experience. 

#PowellWoodland is a new modern residence nestled onto a 5-acre wooded lot just north of Columbus, OH. The T-shaped home maximizes views of the surrounding landscape and brings greenery into view from every room. 

Interiors: @dustin_gerken w/ @joeohio7 
Landscape: @implement_studio 
Builders: @arcarolarussa 

#modernhome #moderndesign #homedesign #customhome #architecture #residentialarchitecture #dwell #residential #forestviews #columbusmodern #designColumbus #columbusohio #614 #ohio #columbus #teamwork
Now hiring: Architect (4-9 years of experience)

We are currently looking for architectural staff with 4 to 9 years of experience to work on custom modern residential homes in Ohio and beyond. The ideal candidate has a strong passion for bringing good modern design to the Midwest and experience in all phases of highly crafted single-family residential projects. Excellent design sensibility, strong communication skills, experience in creating well-documented drawing sets, and an inherent interest in craft and detail are critical. Experience with Revit and Enscape is preferred.
 
Please submit a resume, cover letter, and portfolio samples in PDF format to info@yr-architecture.com with “Employment Opportunity” in the subject line. 

📷: @joefletcherphoto

Let’s work together