Commercial Office Conversion
The Office on
15th Avenue
A former bank transformed into an office for an architecture and design firm.
In 2017, our team was fortunate to be able to design an event space and home for Board & Vellum on Capitol Hill. Spreading over two floors, the primary design goal was to capture the personal feel of our work and translate that into an office space: the intersection of commercial and residential design.
Turning a formerly dark and crowded bank into a bright and open office called for tearing down walls, carefully organizing the floor plan, and creating a layered lighting plan. The main floor is anchored by a whitewashed feature wall, which divides our more public spaces – such as the conference rooms, gallery, and kitchen – from the more private desk space.
The workspaces are all equally-sized, with powered standing desks, and communal meeting tables within each pod. The partial-height walls allow for private conversations while still promoting an open-office feeling.
Downstairs, the “Below Grade” event space allows for flexibility with a secondary kitchen, employee lounge, and a classroom space. Support spaces include four bathrooms, a shower for bike commuters, a bike room, and comfortable, personalized kitchens.
In 2026, we made the decision to move our office to the Smith Tower in Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood. You can check out the Smith Tower Office in our portfolio and learn more about our move to Pioneer Square on the blog!
Residential Touches in a Commercial Space
Rather than typical commercial storefront windows for glazed conference rooms, interior windows with divided lights lend a cozier, more residential feel. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Residential Touches in a Commercial Space
Rather than typical commercial storefront windows for glazed conference rooms, interior windows with divided lights lend a cozier, more residential feel. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Large Format Display Space
Partial-height walls separating the more public areas from the pods of desks provide hanging space for large format visual display. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Large Format Display Space
Partial-height walls separating the more public areas from the pods of desks provide hanging space for large format visual display. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Sliding Pinup Panels
Sliding panels hanging from a track above are outfitted with pin board, and when fully closed, hide a materials library. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Sliding Pinup Panels
Sliding panels hanging from a track above are outfitted with pin board, and when fully closed, hide a materials library. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Showroom Kitchen
High-end appliances are not only a pleasure for the team to use, but act as examples for clients to see products in action. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Showroom Kitchen
High-end appliances are not only a pleasure for the team to use, but act as examples for clients to see products in action. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Custom Freestanding Island
A counter-height custom table acts as a kitchen island, finished to match the partition walls beyond. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Custom Freestanding Island
A counter-height custom table acts as a kitchen island, finished to match the partition walls beyond. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Open Shelving
Open shelving makes for easy access for many people to access what they need at once in the social office kitchen. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Open Shelving
Open shelving makes for easy access for many people to access what they need at once in the social office kitchen. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Cozy Conference Room
A small meeting room just off the lobby features interior windows, but their raised sills and divided lights prevent it from feeling like a fish bowl. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Cozy Conference Room
A small meeting room just off the lobby features interior windows, but their raised sills and divided lights prevent it from feeling like a fish bowl. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
On-Brand Lego Art
A custom-fabricated steel frame wrapping a conference room corner houses a mounted screen along with a hand-built Lego version of the Board & Vellum logomark. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
On-Brand Lego Art
A custom-fabricated steel frame wrapping a conference room corner houses a mounted screen along with a hand-built Lego version of the Board & Vellum logomark. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
“Below Grade” Lounge Space
The basement level features a casual employee lounge, and room for office parties to expand. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
“Below Grade” Lounge Space
The basement level features a casual employee lounge, and room for office parties to expand. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Second Kitchen
A secondary kitchen and bar in the basement supports gatherings in the lounge and provides backup for the main kitchen. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Second Kitchen
A secondary kitchen and bar in the basement supports gatherings in the lounge and provides backup for the main kitchen. The Office on 15th Avenue | Photo by John G Wilbanks.
Notes & Credits
Architecture and Interior Design by Board & Vellum.
General Contracting by Woodmark.
Photography by John G Wilbanks.
We are pleased to feature high-end appliances in our showroom kitchen, with coordination from Arnold's Appliance.
Lighting consulting for this project provided by our friends at Destination Lighting, who would love to tell you about it in their own words, too!
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