ETHOS
We are committed to privileging local and regional resources, creating a rich relationship between construction systems and the environments and communities in which they are built.
We consider each site a story problem of how to best utilize a unique place: a specific watershed, a particular vantage point, a rock outcropping, a native species, a mid afternoon wind, the sun’s trajectory in the winter. Our eyes sees both big and small details with equal attention putting both into focus for clients.
Inspired by our surroundings.
Saga Design Build is steeped in a place-based and client-centric approach to modern design and construction. Located in the Northwest’s own Fjordland, we seek to incorporate the region’s unique qualities into all that we do. The Columbia River Gorge offers a plethora of unique views, ecosystems, recreational and lifestyle opportunities, materials and climates to draw inspiration from, and we cannot help but soak it all in. We would be delighted to tell you more about why we do what we do where we do it!
MEET CHASE
Chase Sparling-Beckley is a licensed Architect serving the Mid-Columbia Gorge and surrounding areas. He spent a childhood working alongside his father building homes and fly-fishing the waters of the Pacific Northwest.
Chase received a Master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, where he specialized in sustainable design, fabrication, and construction. Upon Graduation he returned to the PNW to bring his love and understanding of this particular region to a place-based architecture practice.
For Chase, being outdoors is being home. His architectural sensibilities sharpen and capture the interaction between site and surroundings. Ecological and community considerations are at the heart of his design practice and his propensity to find beauty in just about any place in the Gorge is contagious.
Chase is a dedicated husband and father of two, spending time cutting big swaths across the Gorge landscape skiing, hiking, fishing, and building community.
MEET COLETTE
Colette grew up camping and backpacking in the Sierra Nevada, being inspired by the scenery and developing a life-long love of the outdoors and nature. She finds creative expression through dance, and continues to deepen her knowledge of movement by teaching others.
After living on their wooden sailboat for 4 years, Colette, with her husband and daughter, moved to the Columbia River Gorge. In the winter she snowboards, in the summer she relaxes by the river. All year round she looks forward to sailing and enjoying the waters of the Pacific Northwest
Business administration requires the same attention to detail, accuracy, and complex integration as the craft of construction. Colette brings over a decade of business and office management experience to the team, working to support project execution through cost performance tracking, managing accounts payable/receivables and maintaining compliance.
MEET LORENZO
Lorenzo was born in Hood River and began his building career in the Tri-cities in the early 2000s. He has wide ranging experience in the construction industry from cabinet making to counter top fabrication and framing to finish carpentry, Lorenzo has built his career on attention to detail and quality results, and as a Lead Carpenter for Saga Design Build, he brings his considerable experience and craftsmanship to every job.
Lorenzo enjoys team sports, hiking and fishing in the gorge. He is captivated by exploring new cultures and cuisines and is especially interested in Japanese culture, building techniques and language.
MEET NICOLAS
Ever since Nicolas Ortiz was seven years old, he’s been hanging out on construction job sites. Carpentry is his family’s trade, passion and even obsession. His father is a carpenter and so was his father. For the last twenty years Nicholas has absorbed and put to practice his dedication to craft, strong work ethic, and team work. Born in Hood River, now living outside of Lyle, Washington, Nicolas is happily married to his wife Dulce and is a proud father of two children, Iker and Catalina. Together they enjoy hiking, venturing out camping, fishing and snowboarding in The Gorge and region. And, when time allows, Nicolas enjoys taking on additional side projects to further hone his love of carpentry.
MEET SOREN
Soren was born and raised in the coastal town of Ventura, California but his love for outdoor adventure and the down-to-earth nature of the Pacific Northwest drew him to Portland over twenty years ago. Soren considers outdoor recreation and conservation his personal path to enlightenment, spending much of his time exploring the Columbia River Gorge and beyond,
Soren’s passion for architecture started at an early age and he is driven to create spaces that bring joy to their occupants. His career in architectural design and housing development has taught him that architecture is most successful when teamwork and the needs of the end user are prioritized.
MEET FRITZ
Fritz is an experienced carpenter and waterman who has migrated to Hood River for the Outdoor lifestyle and beautiful scenery. He has many years or experience guiding Idaho Rivers for whitewater and skiing the slopes around Lake Tahoe, where he also honed his craft doing high end finish carpentry.
Fritz originally comes from New Hampshire where he attended University, but now calls the Great North West home. He is an avid Paddler, Skier and Christmas Tree Farmer.
MEET Thomas
Thomas was born and raised in White Salmon, Washington, and spent much of his formative years traveling throughout the country in the pursuit of creativity and adventure. Most recently in Los Angeles, Thomas worked as an artist, photographer and movie set fabricator.
Thomas has recently relocated back to the Columbia River Gorge to re-find the serenity and abundant beauty of his childhood. When not working on a Saga job site, Thomas can be found outdoors with friends or in his studio refining a work of art.
MEET ALDO
Aldo was born and raised in Hood River and California and has a deep appreciation for our community. He has been working in the trades for many years. When not at work, you can find him coaching and training in the boxing gym.
MEET TOM
Tom StClair joins the Saga team with a wealth of knowledge and experience in finish carpentry, design building and general contracting in the Gorge. He has completed major residential and commercial projects in Underwood and White Salmon.
Tom is an avid outdoors person, taking advantage of all our region has to offer. You may find him carving big turns on skis up at Mount Hood Meadows, paddling one or our many world class rivers or catching waves on the Oregon Coast. In all locales you will find a big smile on his face and surely hear some hootn’ an’ hollerin’.
MEET JOSE
As a young man, Jose learned the trade of carpentry from his father and extended family while growing up in California. He finds deep joy in working with his hands and creating beautiful, livable spaces from raw materials.
Jose spends his free time raising his two daughters and exploring the Columbia River Gorge with them.
MEET NENE
Isael ‘Nene’ Vences was raised in Pine Grove and attended Hood River Valley High School. He has been working locally in the trades for several years, and has joined Saga as a carpenter’s assistant. In his free time, Nene is an avid soccer player and coach.
MEET GABE
Gabe hails from Bogota, Columbia, but received his Bachelor’s Degree from Hamline University and his Master’s in Architecture from the University of Minnesota.
A recent transplant to Hood River, Gabe loves all things outdoors. You may find him Rock Climbing, Sowboarding, Hiking or otherwise enjoying all the Gorge has to offer.
