De Jonge Design Studio
Our Mission
We believe architecture should be -
Site Specific,
Every project begins with listening — to the land, the light, the climate, and the context around it. We design in response to what's already there: how daylight moves through the seasons, what the topography offers, which views deserve to be framed, what materials belong. A home should feel rooted — not placed, but belonging.
Intentional,
Restraint isn't the absence of craft — it's where craft lives. Simplicity in experience requires clarity in process: thoughtful planning, clear communication, and deliberate decisions at every stage. We remove what doesn't serve the people inside and refine what does. Our measure of a successful project is straightforward — does it bring people closer to one another, and closer to nature?
Healthy,
We believe the built environment shapes how we live and feel. That means natural light treated as a material, honest construction with nothing hidden behind poor finishes, energy-conscious systems, and a real connection between inside and out. A healthy home supports the people inside it and respects the land it sits on.
photo by Mark Welsch for Duluth Trading Co.
Who is Sam,
De Jonge Design Studio was founded by Sam De Jonge with a focus on architecture that is intentional, healthy, and deeply connected to place.
Sam's approach to design is rooted in craftsmanship — not as aesthetic, but as discipline. He grew up around wooden furniture, boat building, and finish carpentry. His father trained at the Landing School in Maine. His grandfather was a dedicated furniture maker. From both, he inherited a respect for material, joinery, and the kind of detail that only comes from slowing down.
That foundation shapes everything. Rather than pursuing a fixed style, Sam designs from principles — clarity of purpose, honest materials, careful proportion, and a genuine response to site and light. The goal is always the same: architecture that supports how people live, connects them to where they are, and is built to last.
Sam holds a Master of Architecture from Lawrence Technological University and is currently completing the architectural licensure process, expected 2026.
In his free time, Sam enjoys fly-fishing and back-country hunting; crossfit and ultra running; fixing and restoring old tools and equipment; and above all - learning new things.
Architecture is about solving problems at every level.
an Architect is in a way a Multi-Format Solutions Engineer