our design process

The Harkleroad Design Studio has worked on a diverse range of projects, gaining experience in fields such as sculpture, furniture, residential, commercial, and historic architecture. The studio has had the opportunity to build across the United States and Canada. Our commitment to quality is supported by decades of hands-on experience in creating at all scales, using a variety of materials with modern and traditional techniques. 

A top view of a wooden table with a layered cardboard landscape model and a small white box, next to a white modern chair with wooden legs, against a plain wall.

Our design process is centered around model making and material exploration. By building physical models, we can better understand site, scale, volume, and light. Experimenting with different materials helps us find the best solutions for design, function, and sustainability. This hands-on approach completes the design process, ensuring that each project results in unique, tailored work that fully meets our client’s needs.

A small white paper model of a house under construction on a cutting mat, with paper scraps and a pencil around it.
  • A miniature architectural model of a house, along with sketch plans and detailed drawings on paper, is placed on a work table covered with a cutting mat. There is a metal ruler and a yellow utility knife nearby.

    Model.Sketch.Detail

  • Architectural model with intricate lattice structures casting shadows on a wooden surface.

    Approach

  • Hand-drawn architectural sketch of a small building with multiple sections, colored in blue and green, featuring entrances with yellow striped steps, and some handwritten notes on the side.

    Idea

  • A small wooden gazebo or shelter under construction in a forest, with a person working nearby and ladders, surrounded by trees and foliage.

    Exploring

  • Close-up of a miniature model with small figures, wooden structures, and sand, suggesting a scene or diorama.

    Air.Light

  • Close-up of a wooden piece with a groove, with pencil marks indicating measurements, set against a white background.

    Research

  • Close-up photo of wooden blocks with interlocking joints, on a white surface.

    Research

  • Black and white photo of a wooden object with metal wire supports, placed on a dark surface with a black background.

    Idea

  • Architectural model of an interior space with wooden structural elements, large glass windows, benches, and miniature figurines representing people.

    Air.Light

  • Sketch of a 3D wall with several square compartments, some with sliding panels, and annotations indicating high-pressure nuclear hardware, a window to the outside, and a vent reinforcement wall.

    Facade Exploration

  • A pencil sketch of a building's exterior, featuring a sloped roof, supported by several vertical columns, with rocks on the ground near the base of the structure.

    New Entry

A man with curly hair and a beard smiling, standing outside near a wooden log cabin structure, with trees and part of the cabin in the background.

James Hawkins, Owner / Architect

My work is rooted in craft, precision, and a lifelong dedication to building. I first trained as a machinist, then became a logsmith specializing in Scandinavian full-scribe log and timber construction, where I founded and operated a design-build business for eight years. Along the way, I expanded my skills as a self-taught woodworker and cabinetmaker, honing a deep respect for materials and the craft of making.

This foundation in hands-on building led me to pursue a Bachelor of Architecture and to apprentice with leading Passive House architects, mass timber specialty firms, and historic preservation teams with the National Park Service. These experiences connected my background in traditional craft to modern sustainable design and the stewardship of historic structures.

With over 20 years of experience solving problems in elegant and enduring ways, I bring both technical precision and design vision to every project — bridging the gap between craft, sustainability, and architecture.

A person working outdoors in winter, sawing large wooden logs on snow-covered ground, with a snowbank, a truck, and a tractor in the background.
Close-up of wooden beams and panels in a construction or architectural structure, with a cloudy sky in the background.
A close-up view of a wooden chair's curved backrest and leg, made of light-colored wood with visible grain, next to a wall with a woven basket or mat partially visible at the bottom right.