Jamie Daugaard, Principal Architect, conceived of Centre Sky Architecture while he attended Montana State University, where he earned his Master's Degree in Architecture. As a student he became involved in the theoretical underpinnings of Native American Architecture, devising an approach in which site and architecture become one. As Jamie developed his architectural thesis he created this design summary, titled "Centre Sky"

"Centre Sky" is our name that originates from Native American beliefs. Certain cultures believe they traveled from the underworld and came to be in the world we know today. Once they reached this world, they traveled to all points of the compass and found the middle place, or the "Center". In the process of returning to the surface, the path created a Z-axis connecting the earth (center) and sky.

Throughout his years of professional experience, he has incorporated this theory to all of his work while at the same time developing and fine-tuning his knowledge of and skills in planning, design, and construction methods. During this time, Jamie has worked with many clients and contractors in a variety of project types, including high-end housing, resorts, museums, institutional, higher education, and commercial projects. Jamie's ability to conceptualize and implement innovative spaces and building designs indigenous to a region especially stands out among his many other talents.

Centre Sky Architecture employs creative and enthusiastic people with a variety of backgrounds and experience. We enjoy what we do and put that energy into every project.

What we do:
We believe quality, communication, and ecological sensitivities are the key issues involved in serving both the client and the environment.

Quality work is our first priority. We consider future generations when creating a design and while we respect and implement age-old and proven building practices, we are constantly researching various new materials and methods to discover the best individualized response for each design. The right choices in design and materials along with high standards of construction result in a building that stands the test of time.

Communication is important to keep projects running smoothly and to ensure the clients' expectations are realized. We use a variety of tools for communication, varying from email, teleconferences, web conferences to hand-drawn sketches, digital models, and physical models, to make sure everyone involved has a clear picture of what is happening. Centre Sky makes use of the latest technology to aid in the communication and conveyance of design throughout the design process.

Sustainability is a critical part of our design process and research agendas at Centre Sky. Jamie is a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Accredited Professional and provides knowledge and incentive to clients who may be considering applying sustainable technologies to their project. The process of sustainable design begins by outlining project goals and concepts and then continually revisiting them throughout the design process to determine if they still are appropriate or if other applications might be more fitting. These goals can be as simple as a more energy-efficient kitchen or implementing a heating system to cut down on utility costs by 30% or complex like a certified LEED Platinum project or an "off the grid" facility requiring zero fossil fuels to operate. Once the goals are established, we go through systems, construction techniques, orientation, costing, tax benefits and materials to define possibilities and options to the client. As the design progresses, so do the sustainable practices that are incorporated into the design. These solutions are eventually priced, modeled, tested, and hopefully approved.

The end result is a new way of thinking - and a new way of living - whether it is in a primary residence, vacation home, secluded ranch, or resort development. Our firm is a strong proponent of sustainable design and provides services in this sphere of work.