Since its inception in 1994 Vandervort Architects has focused on being environmentally conscious and making choices that care for the earth’s resources.
We have completed Built-green projects, been featured in the AIA What Makes it Green program on multiple occasions and have completed a custom LEED for Homes project that received a Gold Certification.
We are also the architects for zHome, an innovative net-zero energy and carbon-neutral townhome project located in Issaquah, Washington.
Our “green” resources, include LEED accredited professionals who allow us to facilitate discussions with client, contractor and design team members in furthering sustainable awareness and education. In this process of creating architecture, we are dedicated to making relationships as well as lasting architectural solutions.
We are currently members of the US Green Building Council, International Living Future Institute and Master Builder Association Built-Green Program.
"I can attest that David is very thoughtful and creative in his approach to design, space and the individual needs of his clients. He is also a very honest and genuine person and has always been pleasure to work with him."
— Robert Deeble —
Vandervort Architects has a longstanding reputation for providing holistic sustainable architecture in the Pacific Northwest. This emphasis stems from a deep desire to create site and climate responsive, resource efficient, healthy living environments. Located in Seattle, we are privileged to be surrounded by the inspiring beauty of the Salish Sea, and the inspiration of our region’s many rivers, lakes, waterways, forests and mountains. Our Northwest design practice focuses on ways to infuse our projects with a strong connection and appreciation for this place. We seek to discover the unique and particular qualities of each site and respond with buildings that reflect the beauty of the places in which they reside.
In addition to its natural beauty, good food and coffee, Seattle is a haven for the development of technology and home to many sustainably focused organizations. These include the Internation Living Future Institute, Built Green, Climate Solutions and the Northwest Eco Builders Guild. We have participated in and continue to learn from these organizations and it is through these influences we are able to create homes and structures that inspire and hopefully have a positive impact on the health of the planet.
Green Architecture has come to be known as a philosophy of practice that aims to reduce the negative impacts of buildings on the environment. This practice is about creating living spaces that conserve energy and reduce water use, utilize environmentally responsible materials, and promote a healthy indoor living environment.
While we seek to integrate all of the above into our work, we believe that at its heart, Green architecture and sustainability is about thoughtfully determining the best design solutions to meet the challenges of the particularities of the site as well as provide support to the clients goals. Typically, this involves both a knowledge of how to meet technical goals as well as integrating passive and intuitive strategies to create the greenest buildings. We seek to listen deeply to the land and to the impacts of climate, and then respond with sensitivity in bringing together elements of beauty and enjoyment to each living space we create.
We take seriously the global sustainable mandate to support efforts to reverse climate change and seek to find a way to create a carbon free future. We are driven to understand the best way to practice this in our place and are hopeful these concepts that are developed on individual projects can demonstrate the possibilities of change within the broader realm.
Vandervort Architects has developed a process for the pursuit of sustainability that is integrated into each project. Initially we work collaboratively with our clients to discern sustainable interests through the use of a questionnaire. The client’s level of desire to implement sustainability strategies along with the desired budget will then inform decisions made in the design process. We will, as appropriate, also collaborate with skilled technical consultants who offer a holistic palette of deep green sustainability tools.
From a practical perspective all projects are first considered for inherent sustainable opportunities that have no or little cost. These include careful planning and site usage, passive heating, cooling and ventilation strategies. We also seek to utilize recycled, reclaimed and sustainably harvested lumber whenever possible. From there we seek to drill down in pursuit of the specific green opportunities in major areas that include Energy and Water Conservation, Material Use, and Indoor Air quality. These resulting sustainable strategies are then evaluated relative to their cost/benefits.
If desired we will also pursue benchmarks and measurable standards that have been developed through organizations such as Built Green, Living Building Challenge, LEED, etc. Vandervort Architects has experience working with all these organizations. This work has led to creating highly awarded sustainable projects such as zHOME - a net-zero energy/carbon community that has served as a market catalyst for deeply sustainable, climate neutral homes for the everyday person.
The effects of climate change are already strongly felt and human activities have caused a significant and severe impact. Because buildings consume a large percentage of raw materials and generate significant greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable architecture provides the opportunity to demonstrate ways to reduce waste and the use of nonrenewable resources, and can bring to market structures that are energy and water positive, resource efficient and light on the land. We seek to design such restorative structures and in this way to have a positive impact by our actions on the planet.
Alongside this we see green architecture as the pursuit of equity for all in a just society. In this we make efforts to give back to our community and have provided pro bono services to nonprofit organizations.
