Since its founding in 2001, Gravitas has been designing custom homes throughout the US. Our varied body of work covers the spectrum from high mountain to desert properties. Clients and industry professionals recognize Gravitas for, innovative design, creative solutions, and attention to our customer’s needs.

The Gravitas team includes dedicated and talented designers with professional degrees of Architecture.  Our experience and education combines many years of commercial and custom home designs.Our portfolio includes multiple award winning designs that have been featured in national magazines.Our clients are diverse so we have designed custom residences in 34 states, with international projects in China, Poland, Turkey, Norway, Canada, and Japan. If we don't have a project in your state our country, let's talk, we love new markets.

Our typical design process brings a client from initial sketches and program ideas through permit drawings for construction. We model and present all of our work in 3D for our clients to allow for the most complete understanding of forms and spatial relationships.

A goal of our work is to highlight the simplicity of materials, the graceful path of the sun, the comfort of the users, and their movement in and through each space. Our final built homes are the individual expression of each of our unique clients. Our reward is your enjoyment and the satisfaction of living in your home for many years to come.

ABOUT THE PARNTERS

Gravitas was born on the daily commuter rides that Mark Wagner and Derek Hurd shared where they designed homes for a national log home manufacturer. Mark and Derek recognized the need for an independent design firm that were experts in the log and timber industry but not tied to a specific manufacturer. Gravitas fills that niche and has expanded their scope of work across all types of construction from standard stick built to alternative materials such as rammed earth and straw bale. Working with individuals through a design process has created a portfolio of homes as diverse as our clients. Our homes include a full spectrum of styles, from modern glass and concrete, through Mediterranean, to traditional Federal style homes. Gravitas is pushing the boundaries and leading the way in mountain-modern style homes that integrate contemporary lines with traditional log and timber materials.  

DEREK HURD

Derek is a founding Principal of Gravitas. A native Vermonter, Derek adventured west for school and completed the Master of Architecture program at Montana State University in Bozeman. Through his college years Derek also built log and stick framed homes from foundation through turnkey gaining valuable hands on experience that he brings to the firm. Derek never grows tired of the new and exciting challenges that an ever diverse client base brings to the table. He enjoys the relationship and communication skills that designing custom homes demands as much as the creative and technical skills it requires. Off hours, Derek is passionate about furniture design and creation as well as quality time in the outdoors, snowshoeing, telemark skiing, and canoeing. Derek enjoys his daily walks to work from his home in the North End of Boise where he lives with his wife and their Wiener dog.

MARK WAGNER

Mark grew up in North Idaho, enjoying the natural beauty, and freedom of spirit and discovery that an upbringing in the land of mountains and timber endows.  A Bachelor of Architecture was obtained from the University of Idaho, and relocation to Idaho’s capital city soon followed.  After applying his newly minted architectural skills in the construction industry, and a local architecture firm, Mark worked at Precision Craft Log Structures until founding Gravitas with fellow work alumni, Derek Hurd in 2001.

Mark’s thoughtful problem solving skills and holistic design approach result in unconventional solutions to the needs of his clients. “I’m constantly in wonderment of the design process…how we are asked into the lives of our clients, and work together with them to create a truly unique response to their personal needs, and requirements.”