Our Approach
Architecture rooted in LESS
§ 01 — Design Philosophy
What LESS means
At its core, our design approach is about LESS. We want to reduce the environmental impact of our buildings and simplify the lives of the people who live in them. We believe that good design lasts for generations — and that means creating spaces that are environmentally responsible and built to endure. Every project starts with a conversation: getting to know you, your lifestyle, and your land. We lean on four principles — Light, Experience, Structure, and Sustainability — to create spaces that are both considered and lasting.
§ 02 — The Four Principles
Light. Experience. Structure. Sustainability.
Light
Natural and electric light — and the deliberate reduction of both where it serves the project.
- Minimizing electric light reliance
- Dark sky compliant fixtures
- Carrying light through a building
- Solar shading and orientation
Experience
You and your property are at the heart of each project. Design that fits the land, the views, and how you actually live.
- Important views and natural features
- How you use and move through space
- The emotion a place produces
Structure
A balance between holding the building up and expressing how it does it. Structure as architecture, not just engineering.
- Choice of structural system
- Expression of structure in elevation and interior
- Honest use of material
Sustainability
Healthier homes and simpler lives. Intentional choices on the inside and outside that reduce long-term impact.
- Healthy indoor air and environment
- Intentional material choices
- Long-term operating efficiency
Why it matters
“Most cottage designers start with a floor plan. We start with you and your land — and let the plan follow from that.”
— Corbin Patten, Principal
§ 03 — Collaboration
Built on the right team.
Great architecture doesn’t happen in isolation. From the first site visit, we coordinate structural engineers, contractors, interior designers, and landscape consultants — so you have one point of contact, not five.Our longstanding collaboration with Hilltop Interiors brings an additional layer of interior design expertise to projects where finish selections and furniture planning need to carry the same LESS discipline as the architecture.
- Structural Engineers
- Mechanical & Electrical
- General Contractors
- Interior Design — Hilltop Interiors
- Landscape Architects
- Surveyors & Land Use Planners
Selected Work
Projects
Client Experience
“Corbin's unique blend of old-school mechanical architectural techniques and modern design vision truly set him apart. His commitment to sustainability and his unwavering focus on our concept of "bringing the outside in" resulted in a home that exceeded our wildest expectations.”
— Meredith M., Lake Muskoka Client
Get In Touch
Ready to talk about your project?
We take a focused number of projects each year. The earlier you reach out, the better we can align schedules with your build start.
- 877.562.1959
- design@corbinpatten.com
- We respond within one business day