Topics
Civic
We love engaging in projects that enliven communities. Beautiful, well-designed civic spaces, like parks, can build better neighborhoods, support diverse communities, and protect the environment.
Our civic services.
Public Spaces & Community Engagement
Civic
For our team of talented designers, civic work is about more than physical structures and spaces, it’s about finding innovative solutions to increase access and inspire connections between people. We prioritize building community through beautiful, engaging, and accessible civic design everyone can enjoy.
Learn more.
Neighborhood Spaces, Parks, Parklets, Playgrounds
Parks & Public Spaces
Supporting physical health, social connection, and mental engagement is at the core of our approach to park and public space design. We focus on creating sustainable neighborhood spaces that are both functional and beautiful, while enhancing and promoting the unique characteristics and needs of the communities they serve.
Learn more.Our civic portfolio projects.
A New Public Park for a Local Community
Lake City Park
This new neighborhood park celebrates play, recreation, urban agriculture, relaxation, enjoying the outdoors, and it features art funded by the 1% For The Arts program.
Our civic posts.
Building Green, Civic, Landscape Architecture
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?
Read more.
Civic, Events
Public Life Study: Professional People-Watching!
Join us! With the Capitol Hill EcoDistrict and the Seattle Department of Transportation, B&V is collaborating on “Public Life Counts!” — a public life study of how our community uses public spaces. Data collected will inform an equitable and holistic planning process to shape active, safe, and well-connected public spaces on Capitol Hill.
Read more.
Arts & Culture, Civic, Events, Seattle Design Community
DIY Urbanism
Every year, communities come together to take back parking-spot-sized parcels of the street, transforming them into pedestrian-centric installations. Though PARK(ing) Day lasts mere hours, other forms of tactical urbanism exist globally in various degrees of permanence, engaging and influencing the evolution of communities, public space, and informing the relationship between an urban environment its inhabitants.
Read more.Our civic sustainability practices.
Our civic recognition stories.
Our civic 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.
Zack Thomas, PLA
Principal, Landscape & Site Design
Zack co-launched B&V’s ”Site Design Studio,” and is excited to take on landscape projects of all shapes, sizes, and scales. He loves to get out of the city on weekends and makes a point of traveling to another country each year.
Terry Phelan, AIA
Director, Sustainable Practice
Terry is passionate about educating the public and mentoring designers on the benefits of sustainable design. When she isn’t writing, teaching, or podcasting on the subject, Terry’s spending time in her garden!
Yi-Chun Lin, NCARB, NOMA
Director, Integrated Practice
Yi-Chun is motivated by curiosity to connect culture, environment, and human experience through design. An avid reader, seeker of metaphors, and food enthusiast, she revels in finding beauty in simplicity.
Would you like to learn more?
We’re thrilled that you’re interested!
Our Story
Board & Vellum is a young and vibrant firm built on the idea that an informed and engaged team leads to better design and happy clients. We wouldn’t be where we are today without passion and hard work, and those same two things keep us going strong today.
Our Process
Bringing your project from “idea” to fruition is a little different at Board & Vellum. We give personal care to each of our projects, and you’ll be in the loop every step the way. The bonus: we are an integrated firm, so each project has access to plenty of great knowledge — and that leads to better design.
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.