At 42° North, design begins with listening. Every home, office, or gathering place we create is shaped by the people who use it. Our goal is timeless design that reflects your life—not just passing trends.

Spaces shaped by the way you live, work, and gather

Behind the Name

Our name comes from the 42nd Parallel, which runs through Grand Rapids, Lansing, Detroit, and Ann Arbor. On every set of drawings, we mark your doorstep with its exact coordinates—a subtle reminder of where home begins.

That feeling when you cross a threshold and instantly know you belong? That’s what inspires us. We design spaces that carry that same sense of comfort, connection, and relief.

Our Process

Our Process

Ryan La Haie

Founder | Principal

Nicole La Haie

Director of Sales | Marketing

Roberto Gonzalez

Architectural Technical Designer

Bailey Ferencz-Ward

Architectural Designer

Jakeb Jackson

Architectural Designer

Joey Niester

Architectural Designer

Axel Mar-Pulido

Architectural Draftsmen

72 Architecture & Design awards and counting

Winner
Winner
Winner
Winner
2024
Best in American Living Awards

Gold Award – Kitchen
Silver Award – Custom Home
Silver Award – Accessory Dwelling

View Award Details

2024
American Residental Design Awards

Grand ARDA – Custom Homes
ARDA – Custom Homes
ARDA – Working Drawings
ARDA – Accessible Living
ARDA – Custom Homes
ARDA – Custom Homes
ARDA – Custom Homes

View Award Details

2023
Best in American Living Awards

Platinum – Design Detail
Platinum – Kitchen
Gold – Built Custom Home
Gold – Built Custom Home
Gold – Primary Suite

View Award Details

2023
CAPS Certified

Certified Aging-in-Place Specialists 2023

Professional Affiliations

Project Map

Ryan La Haie

Founder | Principal

Bio

Although the goal of 42° North has always been to design beautiful homes, our firm has been shaped in surprising ways over the years. We still offer uniquely experience-centered service, but the professionalism and the level of care we bring to our clients is tangible and has evolved into deep and lasting friendships.

Your life. Your home.
As part of our standard practice, I spend at least four hours with a prospective client before I even put pen to paper. We make every effort to meet with you in your existing home as this offers us a deep dive into how you live: what works and doesn’t work, and what you seek. What I didn’t anticipate is that this in-depth, detailed evaluation becomes a bonding experience which naturally evolves into friendships as we learn so much about our clients.
My ears are more gifted than my hands
Designers are trained to draw, but I’m not here to impress you with my sketches. The best outcome occurs when I listen to what you are telling me you want. I have also learned that good design cannot be forced. I would rather a design solution take the required time to fluidly evolve, than rush to complete something that isn’t fully thought out.

Nicole La Haie

Director Of Sales | Marketing

Bio

Nicole plays an integral role at 42° North with her skillset that dovetails neatly to orchestrate open communications on all aspects of a project for an exceptional client experience.

She brings a lifetime of expertise to this position. Despite having two brothers, it was Nicole – the tomboy in a tutu – who picked up a hammer and worked beside her father in the building trade. For more than two decades, she gained even greater perspective working in customer service supporting the building and home design industries.

Nicole supports 42° North’s unique client-centered design approach. By being the main source of information and task management from start to finish, our architectural designers will be able to focus on the scale and level of detail that is their reputation.

Roberto Gonzalez

Architectural Technical Designer
Education

Bachelor of Architecture, Lawrence Technological University
Masters of Architecture, Lawrence Technological University

Joined 42° North

2019

Bailey Ferencz-Ward

Architectural Designer

Education

Bachelor of Architecture, Lawrence Technological University
Masters of Architecture, Lawrence Technological University

Joined 42° North

2024

Jakeb Jackson

Architectural Designer

Education

Bachelor of Architecture, Lawrence Technological University
Pending Masters of Architecture, Lawrence Technological University

Joined 42° North

2025

Joey Niester

Architectural Designer

Education

Bachelor of Architecture, Kent State University
Pending Masters of Architecture, Lawrence Technological University

Joined 42° North

2025

Axel Mar-Pulido

Architectural Draftsmen

Education
Pending Bachelor of Architecture, University of Michigan
Joined 42° North

2023