Hagen Architecture

Hagen Architecture A professional commercial + residential architecture firm based in Boise, Idaho with an aesthetically timeless engaging mix of modern + contemporary design.

05/27/2026

As the Treasure Valley continues to grow, expectations around construction and code compliance are changing too.

Building departments and inspectors are becoming more thorough than they were even 5–10 years ago.

Codes continue to evolve, and construction projects rarely go exactly according to plan. Changes happen in the field all the time, and those changes often require coordination between the contractor, architect, and jurisdiction before moving forward.

That’s one of the reasons keeping the architect involved throughout construction has become increasingly important, especially in a rapidly growing area like the Treasure Valley.

I’ve always been more interested in buildings that begin with clean geometry, sensible use of space, and materials that ...
05/20/2026

I’ve always been more interested in buildings that begin with clean geometry, sensible use of space, and materials that honestly express what they’re actually doing structurally within the building.

When I design with concrete, I usually want the concrete exposed. Same with steel and wood. I think there’s something timeless about allowing materials to simply be what they are instead of covering them up behind layers of unnecessary finishes or ornamentation.

That idea of structural honesty has influenced the way I think about architecture for a long time, especially in residential design where the goal isn’t just visual impact, but creating spaces that feel clear, functional, and lasting over time.

05/13/2026

AI is a useful tool in architecture, especially when it comes to visualization.

We’re using it to speed up renderings that used to take a significant amount of time to produce. On this project, we started with a basic Revit model and used AI to push it further visually, adding people, design elements, and context to better communicate the space.

What used to take around 40 hours can now be done in closer to one.

At the same time, AI isn’t doing the role of the architect.

It’s not responsible for code compliance, it’s not thinking through how a building needs to function on a specific site, and it’s not making sure the design aligns with what the client actually needs.

It’s a powerful tool, but it’s still just a tool.

The Treasure Valley Beach construction is complete and now in full operation, including beer and wine service to accompa...
05/07/2026

The Treasure Valley Beach construction is complete and now in full operation, including beer and wine service to accompany weekly adult beach volleyball league games.

TVBeach is an indoor beach volleyball facility in Meridian and a sister facility to the Treasure Valley Athletic Center, which houses indoor volleyball. Both facilities are used for training, camps, parties, and leagues.

The TVBeach facility includes a viewing area, concession stand, and an upstairs weight training room, with plans to incorporate physical therapy.

Designed in 2024 and built in 2025, construction was completed in February 2026 with an overall project cost just under $2M. The total building area is 14,000 SF, with 9,000 SF dedicated to three regulation indoor beach volleyball courts.

04/29/2026

How much does it cost to build a house, addition, or ADU today?

Construction costs have changed significantly over the last 20 years.

In today’s market, a new build can range from $300–$400 per square foot for a base-level project.

Additions and remodels don’t necessarily cost less per square foot, because integrating new construction with an existing structure often adds complexity, not savings.

For example:
A garage with a second-story ADU can easily fall in the $250,000–$300,000 range, depending on scope, systems, and site conditions.

This is where projects begin to break down.
What people expect to spend and what it actually costs are often two very different numbers.

Planning a project in Boise or the Treasure Valley? Start with current numbers, not outdated ones.

The first conversation with an architect usually comes down to three things:the project, the timeline, and the budget.Wh...
04/22/2026

The first conversation with an architect usually comes down to three things:
the project, the timeline, and the budget.

What are you building?
How fast do you want to move?
What are you planning to invest?

Once those are aligned, you can start figuring out what’s actually possible.

If you’re considering a custom home or commercial project in Boise or the Treasure Valley, come to that first conversation with those three pieces in mind.

From there, the real planning begins.

If you want a clear breakdown of what happens after that first call, including feasibility, design, and approvals, the full process is outlined on the blog: https://erikhagen.com/news-erik-hagen/hiring-architect-boise

04/14/2026

Down here 👇

This is a common point in the process.

Early design decisions are often made before detailed pricing is available. As the project develops, more accurate cost information comes in through builder input, material selection, and site-specific requirements.

At that stage, projects are typically adjusted to bring them back in line with the budget. This can include reducing scope, simplifying elements of the design, or revisiting material choices.

In our work, cost is considered throughout the design process rather than checked at the end.

This includes aligning early decisions with the project budget, incorporating cost feedback as the design develops, and identifying potential adjustments before they become significant changes.

The goal is to maintain alignment between design intent and construction cost from the beginning, so the project can move forward without major redesign.

Planning a project in Boise or the Treasure Valley? Reach out to discuss your approach.

Keywords: Boise architect, Idaho architect, custom home architect Boise, residential architecture Idaho, home design Boise, custom home design, architectural design process, building a custom home

This project presented a unique challenge, as the lot was considered substandard at the time, requiring us to work withi...
04/08/2026

This project presented a unique challenge, as the lot was considered substandard at the time, requiring us to work within strict limitations on massing, height, and overall buildable area. As a result, the new residence was designed as a story-and-a-half structure.

An existing one-story home remained on the property, which we connected to the new residence via the garage. The new construction includes a two-car garage, and we also added a separate one-car garage for the existing home on the left.

Built by contractor and client Mark Waters of H2Os Construction.
Photographer Shaka Studios Official

I just recently finished my stint on the North End Neighborhood Association board, and as President. It felt good to see...
11/05/2025

I just recently finished my stint on the North End Neighborhood Association board, and as President. It felt good to see my term through, and leave with a strong board. For the sake of my family & my clients, I do solemnly swear I will just try to stick to basic volunteerism for at least the next year.

From music school to coffee shop.This 600 SF space on the Boise Bench was reimagined through adaptive reuse into Primal ...
08/01/2025

From music school to coffee shop.

This 600 SF space on the Boise Bench was reimagined through adaptive reuse into Primal Coffee, a warm and grounded coffee house and community favorite.

is known for its wood-roasted, organic, and fair-trade coffee, all roasted locally.

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Boise, ID
83702

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Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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