Design | Build

Rare Forms specializes in designing and building high performance, healthy, net zero and net positive energy homes. We have expertise in new construction, deep energy retrofit, electrification, ADU’s, and home additions. We are happy to consult on projects of any size.

Our broad experience using locally produced and non-toxic materials, combined with high performance insulation, air sealing, and mechanical systems ensures that your new or retrofit home is durable, comfortable, healthy, and efficient.

We design many of our own projects, but are also happy to work with your designer or plans to make sure your dream home design is realized. We work closely with a full complement of trusted engineers, consultants, and trade partners as needed for each project.

Our Process:

We take a team approach to construction. A successful project requires a collaborative partnership between owner, designer, and builder. Whether we are the designer, builder, or both, it’s important to assemble the team early in the project because it is a long, complex, and incredibly rewarding process.

Contact Us -

Fill out the contact form or give us a call to explore how we can help you. We will ask you a few questions about your project and then set up a time to come visit your home or property, discuss your vision and goals, and explain our process further. We’re always available to answer any questions you may have for us.

Programming & Schematic Design

(4-8 weeks)

During this phase you will meet several times with our designer to gather information about your project goals, timeline, budget, and your lifestyle. If you do not yet have a site selected, we will help find one that will suit your needs. We do a lot of asking questions and listening. With that information we will develop several design scenarios that strike a balance between your goals and your budget. At the end of this phase we develop a construction budget range to ensure that we’re going down the right path.

Design Development & Pre-Construction

(8-12 weeks)

This is when your project starts to become real. We use an occupant and site driven design process to carefully select materials and building assemblies to fit your unique project. Your designer will guide you through selecting finishes and fixtures while we prepare all of the plans required to get a permit for construction. We will work with our trade partners and consultants as needed to develop plans, schedules, a comprehensive budget, and a carbon budget for your project. Our goal is net zero or net positive energy and embodied carbon for every project we work on, but most importantly we create comfortable and healthy spaces for living.

Construction Documentation -

(6-10 weeks)

This is the final phase before construction begins. We add information and details to the plans that will help guide our team and trade partners through the construction process, while we finalize the construction budget and contract.

Construction & Construction Administration

As your builder, we orchestrate every aspect of your construction project to keep it on schedule and on budget, with an unmatched attention to detail. Your project manager will keep you up to date on progress, decisions, and any potential issues before they become problems. We manage our team of talented carpenters and trade partners to ensure that every detail receives our fullest attention and your vision becomes reality. Your designer will stay involved throughout construction to help answer questions from your project manager, make modifications when challenges or unforeseen circumstances arise, and ensure that the intent of the design is executed to our high standards.