Topics
Architecture
Across sectors from single-family homes to multifamily and mixed-use buildings to commercial spaces large and small, Board & Vellum’s architecture teams bring a depth of extensive experience to the field, and excel at cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Our architecture services.
Custom Residential
From targeted remodels to the construction of new homes, single-family residences are somewhat of a signature around here. We love working with clients to bring their dreams to life. Old or new, traditional or contemporary, and everything in between — we’ve got the team for you.
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Legacy Properties
The design of comprehensive estates is a tremendous undertaking. For complex properties, our integrated team takes a collaborative and holistic approach, telling the story of your home, inside and out, in seamless experiences that honor the past, celebrate the present, and look to the future.
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Custom Homes
Designing and building a custom home from the ground up can be both deeply personal and highly complex. Our integrated design teams — architecture, interior design, and landscape architecture — can help you navigate the process with ease to create a home and property you love from indoors to out.
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Remodels & Additions
Our teams delight in home remodel projects of all shapes, sizes, and styles. Whether you’re adding on or remodeling in place, love a traditional look or prefer a sleek, modern feel — we relish the challenge of transforming a house that’s not quite right into a home you love.
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Multifamily Residential
From mid-rise residential, mixed-use apartment buildings, and office conversions, to low-rise townhomes and residential complexes, our multifamily team focuses on distinctive new and renovated projects we can weave into the greater neighborhood around them, each designed to feel unique, inviting, and integral to their surroundings.
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Feasibility & Capacity Studies
Feasibility and capacity studies can be a standalone service to evaluate a potential property, or act as the first phase in a multifamily development project. Our team’s deep knowledge of how to evaluate a site enables us to provide an efficient summary of a property’s development potential, including different development scenarios.
Learn more.Our architecture studios.
Architecture
Much of our lives are influenced by the built environment, so its design should be thoughtful, functional, beautiful, and enduring. Whether designing a home, building, commercial or community space, we approach it conscientiously. We are committed to great design, sustainable practices, and creating healthy buildings composed of spaces that are a joy to experience.
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Sustainable Practice
Sustainability is much more than certifications and solar panels. It is about improving the world we live in both environmentally and socially. It’s about reconnecting us with nature and providing opportunities for delight and discovery. Our integrated approach ensures we are thinking about sustainability from all angles to design the best, healthiest, spaces possible.
Learn more.Our architecture posts.
Architecture, Custom Residential, Landscape Architecture, Multifamily Residential
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.
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Architecture, Commercial, Interior Design, Landscape Architecture
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.
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Architecture, Civic & Community, Commercial, Landscape Architecture, Multifamily Residential
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?
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Architecture, Ask a Designer, Multifamily Residential
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.
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Architecture, Ask a Designer, Multifamily Residential
Your Guide to Multifamily Feasibility Studies
If you’ve been thinking about developing a multifamily project, whether it’s new construction or a conversion, apartments or townhomes, you’ve probably heard someone mention the need for something called a “feasibility study.” But what exactly is a feasibility study, and why is it such a crucial first step?
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Architecture, Commercial, Interior Design
Designing for the Senses
Designing a hospitality space is about more than what’s behind the front door. The scents, sights, and sounds that radiate onto the street prime your guests and passers-by for what they’ll experience inside. Your menu is important, of course, so how can you feed your guests’ senses from the start? Let’s visualize it.
Learn more.Our architecture sustainability practices.
AIA 2030 Commitment
Board & Vellum is an AIA 2030 Commitment signatory because we understand that the impact we have as AEC professionals is immense.
LEED Certified by the U.S. Green Building Council
Our team includes many LEED-accredited professionals who possess comprehensive knowledge of contemporary sustainable practices across disciplines and sectors.
Living Building Challenge
We have multiple team members with experience on Living Building or other ILFI-certified projects, the most rigorous green building certification in the world.
Our architecture recognition stories.
Urban Choreography’s Top 40 Architecture Firms in Seattle
Board & Vellum is featured on Urban Choreography’s list of 40 Best Architecture Firms in Seattle, acknowledging our creative multidisciplinary approach.
Fixr’s Top 100 Architects Influencing the Industry 2025
For another year, Jeff has been honored as one of the top design professionals prioritizing innovative solutions on Fixr’s Top 100 Architects Influencing the Industry in 2025.
Best of Houzz 2023 & 2024: Design
In 2023 and 2024, we were recognized for Design on Houzz. We’re always grateful for the continued support of our wonderful clients and dedicated collaborators. Here’s to being recognized for the 11th years in a row!
Best Architectural Firms in Seattle
Board & Vellum is honored to be named as one of Home Builder Digest’s Best Architectural Firms in Seattle, Washington.
Our architecture team team members.
Jeff Pelletier, AIA, CPHC®
Managing Principal, Founder
In 2011, Jeff founded Board & Vellum in his attic and has forged ahead with excitement ever since. Architecture aside, he is a huge advocate for traveling, and takes LEGO really seriously.
Jill Burdeen
Principal, Architecture
Jill has 20 years of experience in multifamily and mixed-use projects and an intimate familiarity with the Seattle market. Out of the office, she enjoys spending time with her daughters and dreams of opening a candy store.
Sara Emhoff, AIA
Principal, Architecture
Sara has extensive experience with the unique challenges of single-family residential projects, having honed her practice on homes across a wide spectrum of sizes, styles, and budgets.
Yi-Chun Lin, NCARB, NOMA
Director, Architecture, Landscape & Site Design
Yi-Chun’s diverse experience across typologies and sectors enables her to guide collaborative project teams on commercial, multifamily, and single-family projects, connecting culture, environment and the human experience through design.
Would you like to learn a little more about us?
We’re pleased you’re interested. Explore more about us and our work via the pages below.
Our Story
Client-centered authenticity is our north star, and we continue to prove that great design doesn’t require great ego.
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.
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.