“After taking elevations onsite – it’s remarkable to be able to try design concepts on the lot in a matter of hours."

Strict home owners associations with stringent design limitations, requires careful design and creativity.

Whidbey Island is one of the Northwest's most beautiful places. Westerly views of the crystal blue Olympic Mountains with countless beaches on the Puget Sound's sparkling waters, provides boating, kayaking, fishing and all kinds of outdoor recreation.

But to preserve these beautiful views for everyone, frequently there are stringent design guidelines in some of the most desirable seaside communities.

In some seaside communities, there are height restrictions as low as 14' that limit the rooflines of the houses. While this can seem restrictive, it can also present interesting opportunities. The low-pitch roofs that are needed are well-suited for a mid-century modern revival design.

• Shed roof designs, create a fresh modern, archtype with a unique Pacific Northwest look.

• A flat roof over the garage, or other parts of the house, can provide an opportunity for roof decks, a place to take in sweeping, unobstructed views and soak in the sunshine.

Sketchup allows rigorous experimentation to try concepts and to optimize a home design's best features and how it interacts with the site. After taking elevations onsite – it's remarkable to be able to try design concepts on the lot in a matter of hours. Without the rapid prototyping capabilities permitted by Sketchup, it would not be possible to iterate cost-effectively.