Developed as an internal portfolio showcase project by Toolshed, Stillhouse was created to demonstrate how modern digital experiences can elevate high-end architectural studios beyond static PDF portfolios.

Stillhouse, a net-zero residential architecture studio, needed a digital portfolio that matched the quality and quiet confidence of its passive sustainable homes. Traditional architectural studios rely heavily on static PDF portfolios and printed documents, which fail to engage prospective high-net-worth clients searching online.

The core challenge was translating complex residential case studies, a technical home automation platform called Nest, and a sustainable design philosophy into an interactive digital experience. The website needed rich scrollytelling motion without overwhelming visitors or feeling like a standard tech template.

To design and build a high-converting Framer website that replaces static PDF portfolios, presents residential case studies dynamically, differentiates the Nest smart home automation system, and drives qualified inquiries.

The objective was to improve time-on-page, streamline client inquiry paths, create tactile portfolio interactions, and empower non-technical team members to manage projects via Framer CMS.

Parallax Hero & Credibility Metrics: Designed a full-bleed parallax hero backed by studio authority indicators, including awards, homes completed, and annual energy saved metrics.

Interactive Scrollytelling Panels: Engineered sticky scrollytelling sections for three core architectural disciplines and a four-stage project lifecycle (Discover, Design, Automate, Inhabit) with a scroll-linked progress timeline.

Stacking Cards Portfolio Experience: Built a full-width case study gallery utilizing Stacking Cards Motion, where each rising project card scales down and dims the previous project to simulate flipping through a physical portfolio.

Nest Smart Home Automation Showcase: Architected a dedicated dark-themed section positioning the Nest home automation system as a live product featuring circadian lighting and climate control panels powered by Framer Component Variants.

Restrained Design System & Motion Physics: Created a custom architectural design system (#FAF7F2 off-white, sage green, terracotta, charcoal dark) with Plus Jakarta Sans typography and low-speed physics scroll effects.

Framer CMS & Lead Path Integration: Structured Framer CMS collections for ongoing project management alongside brand identity assets and a friction-free contact form.

Toolshed delivered a shareable, single-page digital asset that replaced static PDF portfolio decks in prospective client conversations. The Stacking Cards interaction gave every residential project individual focus, while the dedicated Nest module established smart home technology as a core studio differentiator.