Why would a talented architect like Berkeley-based Gregory Faulkner turn to the celebrated Seattle architect Tom Kundig to design a house for himself and his wife, Lesa? And why would Kundig get involved in a house for another architect? The answer lies in the process of collaboration.

Faulkner began thinking about this notion when he and Lesa stayed at Peter Zumthor’s Swiss spa, Therme Vals, some years ago. Zumthor was there as well, and Faulkner enjoyed talking with him over the next several days; it made him wonder what it might be like to collaborate with another architect.