At North House, we find balance between the rational and poetic, leading us toward designs that perform in demanding environments and that become inspiring places to live. We never begin with a preconceived solution. We carefully consider the potential of a site and the aspirations of our clients to develop truly unique solutions designed to endure for generations.

  • Joe Filippelli, AIA

    PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT/ OWNER

    North House is led by Joe Filippelli, a licensed architect with nearly 15 years of professional experience working at some of the world’s most prestigious design offices.

    Joe was born and raised in the open countryside of rural Ohio, where he developed an intimate relationship with the land and an appreciation for fine craftsmanship. In the vast, mostly unbuilt landscape, he began to understand that buildings are as much about the interior spaces they create as they are about landscapes they are in.

    Before founding North House, Joe was a Project Architect at Olson Kundig, an internationally-acclaimed architecture firm based in Seattle, Washington. While there, he led a range of projects along the West Coast, and in Hawaii and British Columbia. Prior to that, he was with Morphosis Architects, a Pritzker Prize-winning firm in Los Angeles, California.

    Joe studied architecture at The University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, receiving his Master’s degree with high honors. During this time, he started to explore the Great Lakes State, discovering its uncommon richness, knowing that someday he would make it his permanent home.

  • Phillip Steffes

    STAFF ARCHITECT

    Phillip is a recent college graduate with a passion for architecture. Along with staying at the forefront of ever evolving industry technology, he has a spirit for creating and visualizing within the architectural process. He brings an eye for detail and enjoys exercising design practices within a multitude of software platforms.

    Born and raised in West Michigan, Phillip has a love for the landscape and the lakes. He was first drawn to design in grade school where he was exposed to architectural fundamentals, sparking what would become a lifelong pursuit.

    Phillip graduated from Ferris State University with a Bachelors of Science in Architecture, receiving honors. He excelled in creating compelling projects and led workshops teaching the latest design visualization programs to his peers.

    Initially working alongside seasoned professionals in the creation of K-12 architecture throughout Michigan, Phillip developed the necessary career building blocks to allow him to shift focus to what he is most passionate about - residential design. He is excited to be working on unique homes and providing high quality architectural design services to the greater Michigan area.