"Being able to record and hold my thoughts on a piece of paper, then a short time later, being able to walk inside those thoughts, is one of the best parts of design." With any design, be it a custom home, remodel or addition, living spaces are made from the collective imaginations of the designer and client. At the Shelter Studio, Jason Offutt’s creativity is well polished. His design motivations draw from the aesthetics of historical architecture to bolster the integrity of the modern home—historic sensibility with a contemporary practicality. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Offutt’s interest in architecture was inspired by the old homes of the South. His eye for the work was refined while perusing his B.S. in Architectural Engineering Technology from Southern Polytechnic State University. In school, his parallel interests in design and engineering brought him to study in the Architecture, Civil Engineering, and Physics departments. Out of college, Offutt’s work experience focused on several building types—hotels, medical facilities, offices, and high-end residential buildings. It was in residential design where Offutt discovered a desirable niche. Shifting scale to residential design, Offutt found he was able to take a more personal approach to drawing, working with the client to focus on the fine details of living spaces. Today, his design focus is founded on a technical understanding of material and structure and a firm knowledge of historical architecture. He uses this diverse background to join artful design with enduring structures. With over fifteen years of experience in architecture, Offutt has worked on hundreds of homes. A signature of his design style is to blend several architectural elements to create smooth transitions between the public and the private spaces of the home. A language of the home, Offutt believes, "should be expressive." He continues, "When you walk by any home, it should reach out and grab you, and invite you in. If the home doesn't make you stop and look, it hasn't done its job. You should want to walk right thru the front door and make this your home." From sketch to structure, Offutt works to bring beauty through design, and into the home. Certifications/ Organizations: LEED® Accredited Professional Certified Sustainable Building Advisor® (CSBA) Certified Sustainable Home Professional (CSHP) Mr. Offutt is also an active volunteer in his local community. He has assisted with many projects ranging from river cleanup to a kayaking kid's camp. He is also a board member for a local non-profit addressing river safety and the paddle trail. He also works with the local Habitat for Humanity chapter and First Story, donating home designs and other efforts.
