Smith Tower Office

Guests are welcomed into a light-filled reception area framed by expansive views of Puget Sound and, on clear days, the Olympic Mountains. Calm blues and greens, drawn from Board & Vellum's brand colors and adjusted for a built space, layer in throughout.

Materials are real and human-scaled: classic wood tones, soft whites, and a comfortable array of furniture offer relaxing space from which to enjoy the stunning views. The polished concrete floor seamlessly connects the reception area to a spacious lounge and gathering space.

Overlooking downtown Seattle, plush seating, generous tables, and thoughtful amenities encourage casual gathering and connection.

In the common areas, polishing the concrete revealed original penny tile from the building’s old corridors, hidden for decades; rather than covering it back up, we celebrated the discovery and left it exposed, a literal layer of Smith Tower history running through the new office.

In the hospitality kitchen, a bespoke Heritage Tile backsplash recalls a historic pattern reminiscent of the era of the building in a custom palette. Emerald green Fireclay tiles complement the walnut cabinets and brass accents.

On the other side of the reception area, a statement conference room takes advantage of the building’s panoramic views. Floor-to-ceiling reeded glass windows to the hall allow light to filter through the space into the interior of the building.

These more public areas of the office transition to an open concept studio for the full Board & Vellum team. Carpet, acoustic desk panels, and a painted ceiling provide a visual cue to signal the shift to these working areas. South-facing views across Pioneer Square and into SoDo provide an inspiring urban backdrop, while flexible gathering zones support a range of working styles. Dedicated sit-to-stand desks with custom walnut tops, high-top tables, lounge seating, and a custom built-in banquette offer inviting places for both focused work and informal collaboration.

Six conference rooms spread across the floor, all with abundant natural light and views through the city or across Elliott Bay, and a daylit materials library offers an expansive island and counter for layout and storage.

The overall aesthetic is refined and warm, its sophistication amplified by a selection of distinctive textures, colors, and materials.

Tactile materials create depth and a sense of place, lush yet calm greens accent the spaces, and in the studio, the paint of the ceiling, mechanical, and beams bends down onto the walls to lower the perceived ceiling and bring an intimate feel without being claustrophobic.

Special moments of playfulness keep the space from feeling staid. Phone booths flanking the studio’s banquette are clad in custom, locally-produced wallpaper featuring sketches of Board & Vellum projects, and the conference rooms carry illustrated icons of key places in B&V’s history, all drawn by the B&V team.

In the reception area and lounge, a cascading installation of globe lights create a softly glowing centerpiece visible from the street.

While undeniably professional, the space carries a residential warmth, prioritizing a comfort that supports daily use. This warmth reflects Board & Vellum’s design practice rooted in the personal: custom residential design, and neighborhood-friendly commercial, multifamily, and community-based work.

There is a sustainability story here too. The most sustainable building is the one that already exists, and choosing to renew a 1914 landmark rather than build new was the project’s single largest sustainability decision. The furnishings extend that thinking, mixing pieces reused from our former office with select new items and newly sourced vintage finds, and Pioneer Square’s dense transit access means the team now overwhelmingly commutes car-free.

This carefully crafted workspace environment honors the legacy of Smith Tower while conveying a contemporary and confident identity that feels both elevated and comfortably human.

Read more about Board & Vellum’s move to the Smith Tower on our blog.