Firm

BAAN is a Seattle-based boutique design studio formed in 2007 by Thomas Isarankura. We work on custom residential projects that include new construction, additions, and remodels. Our goal is to stay small so that we can continue to work closely with our clients throughout the design and construction process and collaboratively with local builders, fabricators, crafts people, artists, and designers. Born in Bangkok, Thailand, to a Dutch mother and Thai father, Thomas moved with his family to Rome, Italy, in 1970. He attended international schools in Rome and then moved to the United States in 1982 to study fine arts at Syracuse University.  After completing his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, Thomas returned to Bangkok to work with a leading architecture firm before returning to the United States in 1989 to attend the University of Washington’s College of Architecture and Urban Planning, where he earned a Master of Architecture and met his wife, Jennifer Meisner. Thomas and Jennifer have three young adult daughters and live in their dream house located on the bluff in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. They have been lovingly restoring this 1964 mid-century modern gem since 2002. Thomas loves his Seattle community and considers the beautiful Pacific Northwest his home.

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Approach

Our practical approach to design is driven by the specific needs of the clients, the site conditions, local building and zoning codes, and the limits of available materials and local resources. We have a real world understanding of construction, a good sense for how materials go together, and a positive attitude about the design and building process. Over the years, we have established strong working relationships with our engineering consultants and general contractors, both of which we strive to involve during the design process to build a collective sense of ownership in the project. We combine the personal care and attention to detail expected from a small, design-oriented practice with the rigor and professionalism expected from a much larger firm. We believe that all parties bring a diverse and valuable perspective to a project and preserving clear lines of communication and maintaining careful coordination between all team members is critical to a successful project.

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Philosophy

Every design project brings together a unique combination of both the arts and the sciences. It all starts with the client’s vision, connection to the land and the surrounding environment, and all the intangible qualities that make a place special to them. The design begins to unfold as all this information is then collated with the designer’s experience and intuitive sensibilities, driven by the client’s program, the site topography, and the local climate. The owner’s budget and schedule are carefully considered and balanced throughout the process. We approach every project with an open mind and embrace the challenge of considering all these parts throughout the design process, while never losing sight of the human element.