How a Single Washington Home Could Change How We Build

Lucía Torres · 2026-08-25

Let's talk about something that's quietly reshaping luxury home building. It starts with a simple question: what if a house wasn't just built *on* the land, but was made *for* it? That's the idea Camphomes is building from the ground up. This design-build studio, started in 2020, doesn't just construct houses. They craft precision-made residences, built off-site, for places most builders wouldn't even try to reach. Think remote mountainsides, secluded islands, and terrain that's just too tough for traditional construction trucks and crews. ### The Philosophy of Place Each Camphomes residence begins with its location. The climate, the light, the very feel of the surroundings dictate the design. They're honed for an indoor-outdoor lifestyle that feels seamless, not forced. And they often use one key material throughout: teak. Why teak? It's not just about the warm, timeless look. It's about durability with almost no maintenance. The wood flows across walls, ceilings, and custom built-ins, creating a sense of calm that connects you to nature. It's biophilic design in its purest form. What's different here is the control. One single team manages everything from the first sketch to the final detail. There's no handoff between architect and builder, no lost-in-translation moments. It's all one vision, from start to finish. ### A Debut That Speaks Volumes Their first project just landed on Bainbridge Island's Rolling Bay. But this isn't a one-off. They already have homes underway in Costa Rica, Montana, and along Australia's Sunshine Coast. The Bainbridge Island home, however, is the blueprint for their philosophy. Exclusively represented by Mark Middleton of The Agency, this 4,191-square-foot home at 10147 NE Roberts Road is in constant conversation with its landscape. Mark puts it best: > "Every wall, cabinet, and light fixture was designed as one unified composition from the very first sketch. That's what sets this home apart. Nothing was an afterthought." Walk inside and you'll see post-and-beam framing and hand-crafted millwork, all wrapped in that signature teak. It feels whole because it was conceived that way—architecture and interior as a single discipline. ### Feeling the Difference So what do potential buyers notice first? According to Middleton, it's the layout. "Most homes are a single box with rooms carved out of it," he explains. "This one takes the box apart." - Living, sleeping, and gathering spaces are each their own distinct elements. - They're connected by walls of architectural glass. - The result? You don't just look at nature through a window. You move through it on your way to the kitchen. "That's real indoor-outdoor living," Middleton says. "And buyers feel it here in the first minute." That feeling comes from an intense focus. Camphomes only completes a handful of homes each year, and no two are alike. They're the deliberate opposite of high-production firms that repeat the same window size or floor plan because it's efficient, not because it's right. "Every dimension was made for this site and this light," Middleton emphasizes. "You can't see that on a spec sheet, but you feel it after about ninety seconds of walking around." ### Built for the Long Haul This approach is about more than just aesthetics. It's about longevity. Mauricio Umansky, CEO of The Agency, sees it as a shift in ethos. "Each deliberate detail creates a deeper connection to the land... to the heart of what makes a home—a place to gather, connect, and feel grounded." Middleton offers a stark comparison. "Most new construction, even high-end, is still built with 2x4s and drywall. That kind of build rarely stays relevant for more than a decade." He believes the Camphomes approach changes the timeline entirely. "This home is built to stay architecturally relevant for a hundred years or more. Over that same century, a conventional house might be torn down and rebuilt three times." It's a compelling argument. In a world of fast builds and quicker turnover, they're betting on thoughtful, precise, and permanent. And if the reaction on Bainbridge Island is any indication, that's a bet a lot of people want in on.