Crafting Homes with a Story

I grew up in Chicago’s northwest suburbs in a tight-knit lake community. Summers spent sailing, and winters skiing and cheering for the Chicago Blackhawks. A transformative Lake Michigan crossing during a storm shaped my perspective and influences me to this day. My passion for design sparked in 6th grade, inspired by my mother’s stack of Finnish architecture books. Their modern homes, warmed by neutral tones and natural woods, captivated me.

Design runs in my blood. As a first-generation Finnish-American, I’m the grandson of a carpenter, son of a chemist who patented USG’s Durock wallboard, nephew of a carpenter who restored Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio, and brother whose an Air Force-trained surveyor. This legacy informs my work at Plan House, LLC to create thoughtful, functional homes.

My design career began with a landscape design role in Lake Forest and Chicago. This was followed by an influential architectural internship that became my guiding “True North.” After earning degrees in Architectural Technology and Architecture, I gained hands-on experience in construction, building inspections, and architectural design. This developed into a well-rounded perspective on design, planning, and construction. 

Over the years, I've contributed to projects ranging from single and multi-family residential and commercial spaces. I even had a rare opportunity to play a small part in a Chicago firm’s design of a 13-story condo across from the Giants' Ball Park, now Oracle Park. I proudly showed it to my daughter years later.

As I grew in my professional abilities, I honed my production skills doing 52-store renovations for jewelry stores and coffee shops nationwide in three years. I designing an eye-catching storefront for a Lewiston tech and appliance retailer. I was also the project manager for an off-campus student apartment complex steps away from the WSU campus.

In the early 2000s, I launched my design venture, which evolved into Plan House, LLC—a firm dedicated to thoughtful, functional home design. At Plan House, LLC, I combine decades of expertise with a craftsman’s ethos to deliver designs that blend aesthetics and practicality. Let’s create a home that tells your story.

Contact me to start your project.

Erik 

Education:

College of Lake County, Associate of Applied Science, Architectural Technology
University of Idaho, Bachelor of Architecture

Awards:

City of Grayslakes Lake, Student Design Winner, City Redevelopment Plan
AIA Idaho Chapter, Merit Award 2002,  Dental Office*

Certifications:

International Conference of Building Inspectors, Certified Building Inspector**
International Code Council, Residential Building Inspector**
Washington Association of Building Officials, Permit Technician**
State of Washington, Department of Licensing, Eligible to Take Architectural Registration Exam  

Autodesk, AutoCAD LT Technician