This spring, Board & Vellum is moving to Seattle’s iconic Smith Tower in Pioneer Square. Learn more.

Leslie Batten

Backyard Artist Studio – Board & Vellum
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Backyard Artist Studio | Photo by Meghan Montgomery

Landscape Architecture, Sustainable Practice

Environmentally Responsible Landscape Design

Being a good partner to the planet often begins right at home. If you’re curious about ways you can integrate sustainable design into your yard, garden, and other outdoor areas, there are many options! It’s an excellent place to start thinking about environmentally responsible landscape design.

Learn more.
Central District Edible Garden – Board & Vellum – Landscape Architecture & Site Design
Landscape Architecture

Your Guide To Raised Beds & Container Gardens

We’re digging deep into everything you need to know about adding raised beds or a container garden to your outdoor space. And what about edible plants? A popular choice for raised beds and containers, let’s talk about how to make the most out of your space to grow exactly what you want.

Learn more.
A black and white cat lazily plays with toys in the sun on a composite deck.
Landscape Architecture

Five Things To Consider With Composite Decking

Thinking about building or rebuilding your deck? Maybe you’re looking at all the material options and feeling a little overwhelmed? If you’re considering composite decking as one of your options, let’s talk about some of the things you might want to mull over as you make your decision.

Learn more.
A plan view of Westside Park, showing programming opportunities for future development.
Civic & Community, Landscape Architecture, Sustainable Practice

Sustainability in Park Design

In the Pacific Northwest, the heat is literally on. Last summer, we experienced record-breaking heat in Seattle and, in Washington State, we recently adopted the Climate Commitment Act that requires a drastic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and carbon pollution to net zero by 2050. Can investing in sustainable park infrastructure help us meet those goals?

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Environmentally Responsible Design – Board & Vellum – Humming Bird
Sustainable Practice

Environmentally Responsible Design & Sustainability

Pairing environmentally responsible design with beautiful-designed spaces is very important to us. So, to kick off the near year, we wrote a manifesto declaring the principles we’ll follow to ensure we are doing the best we can to help not only our clients but those who inhabit the spaces and places we create in the future.

Learn more.
Types of Wood Decks – What Material Should I Use for My Deck?
Ask a Designer, Landscape Architecture

What Material Should I Use for My Deck?

There are a lot of types of wood decks to choose from. How do you know which might be the right one for you? This post covers your main options for building a wood deck and explores the pros and cons of the different wood choices.

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.

Landscaped retail streetscape at Club Monaco – Board & Vellum

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?

A back and white rendering of the exterior of a single-family home.

Why Architects Are Your Best Advocates in a Complicated Permit World

Permitting in the Puget Sound Region is a complicated endeavor, but you don’t have to go at it alone. At Board & Vellum, we have the knowledge and experience to help get your project to the permitting finish line. In fact, architects are key players in helping you achieve permit success. Here’s how.

Installing Mature Trees in Your New Landscape

The living part of your landscape can take years to grow in. That’s why we love including mature trees in a fresh landscape — they immediately provide the shade, privacy, and impact of an established garden. If you’re thinking about installing a mature tree in your outdoor spaces, here is what you’ll want to to consider.

Snoqualmie Valley View Home – Board & Vellum
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Snoqualmie Valley View Home | Photo by Cindy Apple

Choosing the Right Pool for Your Home

Pools are becoming a more and more popular addition to single-family homes, even in the notoriously chilly Pacific Northwest. They’re a great way to enliven your outdoor spaces, but the decisions made when choosing the right pool for your home can be overwhelming. Here is our guide to helping homeowners through the process.

A well established garden that has been growing for three years. The plants are colorful and healthy.

What Happens After Your Landscape is Installed?

You hire a landscape architect to update your yard, go through the design process, and select a beautiful landscape that you love and have it installed... and it’s not quite what you were expecting. What next? Your landscape architect is here to help.

Backyard Artist Studio – Board & Vellum
16x9-backyard_artist_studio-exterior-view_1-day

Backyard Artist Studio | Photo by Meghan Montgomery

Environmentally Responsible Landscape Design

Being a good partner to the planet often begins right at home. If you’re curious about ways you can integrate sustainable design into your yard, garden, and other outdoor areas, there are many options! It’s an excellent place to start thinking about environmentally responsible landscape 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.

Get in touch.
Board & Vellum receives Just label from the International Living Future Institute, a voluntary reporting tool for social justice and equity indicators in the workplace.

Achieved a Just label from the International Living Future Institute in 2023.

Board & Vellum is honored to be a Gray Awards Finalist for landscape design, earning the recognition for the rooftop garden at the Lucille on Roosevelt.

Honored as a finalist for residential landscape design.

LEED Certified in White

Our team includes LEED-accredited professionals.

Certified Passive House Consultant in White

Our team includes certified Passive House consultants.

NGLCC Certified as LGBT Business Enterprise – Board & Vellum Recognition

A Certified LGBT Business Enterprise Since 2016.

PSBJ’s Top 25 LGBTQ-Owned Businesses 2016 in White

Honoring companies that lead in promoting equality.