Topics
Architecture
Across sectors from single-family homes to multifamily and mixed-use buildings to commercial spaces large and small, Board & Vellum’s architecture teams bring a depth of extensive experience to the field, and excel at cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Our architecture services.
New Low-Rise Housing Units and Communities
Townhouses
Whether small urban infill projects or larger communities of dense urban housing, our multidisciplinary team lends an experienced design eye to townhouse developments. Our goal is to create positive impacts on neighborhoods by providing well-designed, beautiful, sustainable dwelling spaces contributing to the diversity of housing options it takes to weave a healthy urban fabric.
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Refreshes & Renovations of Multifamily Properties
Multifamily Remodel & Repositioning
With in-house teams in architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture, we are uniquely positioned to collaborate on the reinvention and repositioning of aging multifamily housing stock. Whether or not you already have a refreshed brand for the community, we’ll design the environment to attract your target resident, and breathe new life into your multifamily development.
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Restaurants, Retail, Workspaces
Commercial
We build dynamic, multidisciplinary teams customized for the needs of your project. Whether you are starting from scratch opening your first space, or updating your existing brick-and-mortar location, we’ll collaborate with you to design a commercial experience true to your brand and values.
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Cafés, Bars, Restaurants, Retail Environments
Hospitality & Retail
In our digitally-focused world, the design of brick-and-mortar spaces is more important than ever. Our integrated architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture teams design holistic, stimulating experiences for your hospitality or retail space, enticing visitors to return again and again, and to share their excitement about your business organically.
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Hybrid Workspace, Open Plan, Private Offices, Coworking
Offices & Workspaces
Though the landscape of in-person offices and workspaces is changing, the essentials remain the same: you need a place where you, your team, and your guests can feel both comfortable and productive. From coworking spaces to private office build-outs, we create welcoming workspaces that suit your unique needs and help you get your work done well.
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Public Spaces & Community Engagement
Civic
For our team of talented designers, civic work is about more than physical structures and spaces, it’s about finding innovative solutions to increase access and inspire connections between people. We prioritize building community through beautiful, engaging, and accessible civic design everyone can enjoy.
Learn more.Our architecture posts.
Architecture, Custom Residential, Historic & Traditional
Updating Historic Homes Through Compatibility and Differentiation
When it comes to updating historic homes, there are a lot of routes you can take. Many approaches to designing remodels and additions of historic homes seek to balance two concepts: compatibility and differentiation. Let’s explore what these concepts mean and how do they play out in design.
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Architecture, Custom Residential, Historic & Traditional
Landmarks vs. Historic Districts vs. Historic Homes
Do you have an older home and ever wondered whether it’s “historic?” There are a lot of phrases thrown around to describe different types of older homes, but what do they mean? And what does it mean if they apply to your home? Here, we dive into the world of historic homes!
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Adaptive Reuse, Architecture, Mixed-Use, Multifamily Residential
Transforming Empty Office Buildings into Housing
In the wake of changing work dynamics after the pandemic, empty office buildings are a common sight. Meanwhile, the need is dire for more housing in the city. Many are seeing this as an opportunity to solve two problems at once, and a sustainable solution for urban living to boot.
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Architecture, Ask a Designer
What It’s Like Working with an Architect
When you see an architect portrayed on television or in the movies, they’re either totally unrelatable, wildly eccentric creative-types, or in all black, mingling at a cocktail party as if they would rather be anywhere else. Inevitably, these characters have egos so big they barely fit in the frame. But what’s it like working with real-life architects?
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Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture
What Is A Ranch?
Ranches conjure up all sorts of imagery in our imaginations. But when it comes down to designing one, what are we really talking about? It’s more than just the land, and it’s more than just the built structures — it is the symbiotic relationship between the two, and cultivating that requires careful exploration and design.
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Architecture, Ask a Designer
What Different Line Types in Architecture & Design Drawings Mean
Thick lines, thin lines, lines with short or long dashes (or both!) — if you don’t speak the language of all these line types, an architecture or design drawing can be pretty mystifying. This primer on design drawing linework will give you a starter toolkit so you can tell what you’re looking at.
Read more.Our architecture recognition stories.
Best Residential Architects in Sammamish, Tacoma & Woodinville
On Home Builder Digest’s vetted lists of recommended architects for single-family residential projects in these Pacific Northwest locales.
The Best Retail Architects in Seattle
Board & Vellum is on the list of Best Retail Architects in Seattle, vetted and compiled by Seattle Architects. With architecture, interiors, and landscape in-house we can be the agile team you need to create your brick-and-mortar retail space.
Fixr’s Top 200 Experts in the Construction Industry 2021
Jeff has been selected as one of Fixr’s Top 200 Experts in the Construction Industry for the 5th year running, recognizing him for successfully adapting during the major industry changes during the pandemic.
Best of Houzz 2021: Design & Service
We are excited to be recognized for the 8th year in a row with Best of Houzz awards for both Design and Service. Many, many thanks to our wonderful clients and partners who’ve collaborated with us over the years!
Our architecture team team members.
Erin Parker, RA, NCARB
Senior Associate, Architecture
Erin believes architecture is a team sport where different perspectives and collaboration lead to elegant solutions. She designs without leaving any option on the table, connecting project sites to the larger community.
Josh Buckley, RA
Senior Associate, Architecture
Josh’s willingness to consider new ideas and perspectives serves him well in both work and play. With a true passion for single-family residential architecture, he loves connecting with his clients to help them achieve their house dreams.
Lance Hayes, AIA
Senior Associate, Architecture
Lance’s passion for architecture has allowed him to explore all over the country. The Montana native loves dramatic landscapes (natural and architectural) and enjoys expressing that love through the artistic lens.
Roy Stark McGarrah
Senior Associate, Architecture
Roy is dedicated to bringing the built and natural environments together in design that prioritizes community and connection, for final products that are as artful as they are functional.
Would you like to learn more?
We’re thrilled that you’re interested!
Our Story
Board & Vellum is vibrant design firm built on the idea that an informed and engaged team leads to better design and happy clients. We wouldn’t be where we are today without passion and hard work, and those same two things keep us going strong today.
Our Process
Bringing your project from “idea” to fruition is a little different at Board & Vellum. We give personal care to each of our projects, and you’ll be in the loop every step the way. The bonus: we are an integrated firm, so each project has access to plenty of great knowledge — and that leads to better design.
Considering a project, or curious about something?
Say hello, and send us your questions via the form below. We’re always pleased to make new connections, and eager to get to know you, your project, and your goals.