
Jeff Pelletier
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.
Learn more.Ask a Designer, Custom Residential
Remodeling Your Brick House
What should you consider when remodeling a brick house? Sure, brick is just another conventional building material, but remodeling a brick home presents some unique design challenges. Here’s what to look out for and think about when you’re considering a remodeling a house made of brick.
Learn more.Ask a Designer, Custom Residential
Ten Things to Consider When Buying a Home You Want to Remodel
What if the new home you’re considering most definitely isn’t your dream home? There’s a lot an architect can do to help you achieve your dreams but not every dream is achievable in every home. Before jumping into a huge investment, check out our top ten things to know before purchasing a home you want to remodel.
Learn more.Ask a Designer, Custom Residential
Should You Build Up, Down, or Out When Adding Space to Your Home?
Knowing where to build an addition to your home can be an agonizing decision. And not understanding the impact your decision might have on the construction process (and your wallet) can make it doubly stressful. An architect can help you understand the best solution for your situation and help you move forward.
Learn more.Commercial
Immediate Solutions for Socially Distant Retail
It has been a tough road for small businesses over the last few months dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic. For those small businesses fighting to stay in business, the opportunity to pivot and re-open in some form is upon us. Facing this daunting challenge, where do you even start? This post is for you.
Learn more.Ask a Designer
Surprises That Come Up During Construction
As much as you may want a surprise-free construction experience, there’s no way around it: there will be surprises. In fact, the surprises that come up during construction can be on the crazy or amazing side, so we thought it would be fun to highlight some real examples our team has experienced.
Learn more.Would you like to read more from the team?
If you enjoy reading our blog as much as we enjoy writing it, that simply makes our day. You may also enjoy a few of the related posts below.
What to Look For When Buying Land to Build a Vacation Home
Buying land for a vacation or second home comes with hidden risks: buildability limits, utility costs, environmental constraints, and remote-build logistics. Before you fall in love with a view, learn what to look for so you can make a confident, informed purchase. Here’s what our architects consider before, and after, you buy.
Designing & Permitting Backyard Buildings
What does it take to get your backyard building built? Whether its an accessory structure, a detached accessory dwelling unit, or a garage, a little gumption goes a long way. With careful planning and a little patience, you can have the backyard building of your dreams.
Navigating the World of Backyard Buildings
When it comes to backyard buildings, there are many things to consider. The first is: what exactly is a backyard building? From accessory structures to detached accessory dwelling units to garages, we’re breaking down the three main types of backyard buildings and how they function on your property.
Pre-Leasing Considerations for Your Commercial Space
Finding the right commercial space for your business can feel overwhelming. Board & Vellum’s pre-leasing consulting helps businesses uncover hidden risks, evaluate tenant improvement budgets, and explore design opportunities before signing a lease — turning uncertainty into clarity and setting the stage for long-term success.
Building Walkable Neighborhoods
The walkability of neighborhoods is an important factor in community health and livability. While we see around the globe the benefits of neighborhoods that are easily traversed on foot or bike, in the U.S., many of our cities are oriented toward vehicular traffic, rather than pedestrians. So what could make our communities more walkable?
What to Expect in Your Multifamily Feasibility Study
If knowledge is power, a feasibility study is an invaluable investment in your potential multifamily project. A comprehensive feasibility study should give you the important, foundational information you need to make informed decisions about your project early. Thorough and efficient, so you can move forward with confidence and clarity.
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.

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