The Board & Vellum Blog – Answering design questions and more.

A close up of a flower bud just beginning to bloom.

Building Green

An Introduction to the Living Building Challenge

A lot of people know about green certifications. You might have heard of systems such as LEED or Passive House. But have you ever heard of the Living Building Challenge? It’s a building certification introduced by the International Living Building Institute that takes a unique perspective on what being ”sustainable“ actually means.

A stack of raw lumber with a blue sky behind them.

Building Green

The Basics of Embodied Carbon

If you’re interested in reducing your carbon footprint, you’ve probably thought about carbon emissions in your everyday life. But have you ever considered embodied carbon? Embodied carbon considers the carbon emissions of the entire lifecycle of a product. Read on to learn more how embodied carbon could impact the sustainability goals of your project.

Ghost Owl Farm Sanctuary – Farm Animal Rescue & Horse Sanctuary on Vashon Island – Board & Vellum

Custom Residential

Smart Home Technology at Laurelhurst Storybook Residence

You've heard about smart home technology, but what does it actually look like in action? Kim Olsson from Beemer Smart Home took us on a tour through the Laurelhurst Storybook Residence, which utilizes a number of smart home technologies to elevate key spaces and improve day-to-day life in the home.

Custom Residential

The Advantages of Smart Home Technology

Are you curious about smart home technology and how it can improve your daily life? We spoke with Kim Olsson of Beemer Smart Home to learn about the core benefits of smart home technology and how it can enhance and transform your household.

Commercial

Warm Shell vs. Cold Shell Commercial Spaces

If you're in the market for a commercial space for your business, you might be familiar with the terms ‘cold shell’ and ‘warm shell.’ But what to do these terms mean? And what considerations should you take into account when choosing a warm shell vs. a cold shell commercial space? We break it down here.

Commercial

Why Your Project Needs a Commercial Test Fit

You’ve search around and found a great location for you business. Now what? How do you know whether the space will suite your needs, fit what you need to fit, and be comfortable and accessible to your employees, clients, or guests? Enter, the Commercial Test Fit.

Commercial

The Importance of Universal Design in Commercial Spaces

When it comes to design, finding ways to create accessible and enjoyable experiences for all is of the utmost importance. This is especially true in commercial, retail, and office spaces, where we hope to make everyone feel welcome. The tools Universal Design and Inclusive Design give us can help us get there.

The point of sale counter at Armistice Coffee and Cocktails, located at the Lucille on Roosevelt.

Commercial, Interior Design, Third Places

Elements of Great Café Design

Think about your favorite café. What stands out to you? When it comes to designing amazing café spaces, there’s a lot to consider, but it doesn’t need to be complicated. Here, we break down the basic elements every café should include to achieve a great design that elevates your brand and your customers love.

Interior Design

Vintage Shopping for Your Design Project

Vintage pieces can elevate your space by adding unique and personal flourishes. If you’re looking to incorporate vintage accessories, antique furniture, or second hand lighting into the design of your home or space, here are a few pointers to help you get started – and stay on track – on your next shopping trip.

Or, if chronology isn’t your thing…

Here are a couple of posts to get you started. Of course, it’s hard to choose, so feel free to poke around; we hope to have a little something for everyone. And, if you have a burning question you’d like us to cover in a future post, please let us know!

Questions to ask an architect at an interview. – Board & Vellum

Questions to Ask an Architect in an Interview: Advice for Clients

What should you ask a designer you are interviewing for your project? A good personality fit helps, but to help you hire with confidence, here are ten questions worth asking.

Questions to Ask a Landscape Architect or Site Design Team in an Interview

What should you ask a landscape architect you are interviewing? From design to fee, to timeline and more, here are ten questions you should ask before you hire.

Explore our diverse topics.

Considering a project? Or, just curious about something?

Send us your questions about design, architecture, interiors, landscape, LEGO rooms… Anything, really. We’re always eager to meet new people, and we’d love to get to know you, your project, and your goals.