The architects at the Capitol Hill architecture firm Board and Vellum are enjoying the results of some of their latest work — their own new office space on 15th Ave E.
“We’re all beyond giddy,” said principal and founder Jeff Pelletier. “It’s rare for architects to get to design their own space, and we were just given a blank slate to do with what we wanted to do with it, and it’s just turned out fantastic.”
The firm was created more than five years ago in Pelletier’s Capitol Hill attic. Once they expanded enough to need a more formal office, Board and Vellum moved downtown for a year, then to a space in Capitol Hill off 16th Ave, where they stayed for the past three years. Pelletier says that office was made for about 11 people but was holding all 21 members of the firm. It got old quickly.
“It was really gross,” he said.
Now Board and Vellum has moved into the former credit union building on 15th Ave E joining Seattle Area Support Groups and Community Center upstairs. Pelletier said many of the company’s architects also live nearby. Meanwhile, the parking lot adjacent their new building is destined to be home to a new four-story apartment development.
(Images: Board and Vellum)
“We wanted a space ideally for community members and nonprofits to have an event space, and we found one, which is kind of amazing,” said Pelletier. After a five-month renovation, the new office has a waiting area that will double as a gallery space where the firm plans to showcase local artists and an event space in the basement that Pelletier plans to let community nonprofits use for free.
The bright and white space filled with reclaimed furniture was designed to appeal to the residential clientele that are such a big part of the firm’s work. You may have also seen Board and Vellum’s designs nearby inside Ada’s Technical Books.
Everyone at the firm is happy with the new space so far, said Pelletier, and Board and Vellum’s employees are happy to still be in the neighborhood. “I think Capitol Hill just has a really great creative vibe. It’s the artisans, the architects, the other makers. It’s a really great space to be in a city where people actually value creativity.”
Board and Vellum is located at 340 15th Ave E. You can learn more at boardandvellum.com.
Thanks for the great write up. We were actually on 15th Ave East above Sur 16 so our move was pretty painless.
Whoops – and the address listed is actually our old address. We’re at 115 15th Ave E, Suite 100 Seattle WA 98112. Google and the others have yet to update our address.
It’s also worth nothing that Woodmark Homes built the space. We had a great experience with them.
Sorry for the typo it’s worth NOTING that Woodmark Homes built the space.
Looks great. I hope the new space works out for you.
I’m sure these guys are great, but that wallpaper really hurts my eyes – even in a photo!
So that’s what gentrification looks like.
sorry, what small business did this small business displace? sounds like they were just finally able to build out their dream office space. how’s that gentrification?
They moved in to the old, fugly BECU space? That’s not gentrification, that’s a blessing ;)
Oops, my bad, the old fugly Salal Credit Union space.