An interview with Craig Stoddard

What geographic area do you serve?

We build primarily in the magnificent Flathead Valley in northwestern Montana.

How has construction changed in the last two-three years, both in terms of type of projects and the approach for building them?

Since the housing boom years ended, many clients choose to build smaller, more energy efficiently, and economically feasible homes. We are currently building homes with ICF (Insulated Concrete Forms), geothermal heating systems (pulling heat from the earth’s ground water), and an airtight building envelope using rigid and spray foam insulation.

How do you think the built environment will change and be different in the next five to ten years?

Self-sustaining energy consciousness will continue to be the cornerstone to all new construction. For our children, we must be smarter, more diligent, and better at managing the earth’s fragile resources. We have no choice.

About what project are you excited right now?

We are currently building our personal home upon a small mountaintop with breathtaking views of the Swan and Mission Mountains. It is an extraordinary dream to experience the culmination and bringing together of the best of so many previous projects…all reflecting our innermost artistry, personality and lifestyle.

What part of the project is most satisfying?

Our passion is the creative process and the journey of interpreting our clients’ dreams and making them real. We find it is the relationship, as well as the home, that endures throughout time.

What words do people use to describe your work?

Craftsman Style or Greene & Greene inspired with a Montana flair; solid and emotionally grounding. Another thing I have heard is “perfectly fitting the landscape, and always taking full advantage of the view.” My wife calls me the “cosmic builder.”

What places in the world do you find most inspirational?

Europe, almost anywhere in Europe and most especially Italy—Venice and Florence. This area of the world inspires me because it is so rich in history, design and architectural magnificence.

What do you enjoy most about living and working where you do?

The mountains, the lakes, the big blue skies…and, of course, the people.