Business Details
10 Years
experience
Expert Architectural Design Services in Seattle
3rk architecture | design approaches each project as an opportunity to explore unique contexts and understand client-specific needs, transforming concepts into functional, timeless spaces. With decades of experience across retail, residential, commercial, and restaurant sectors, we prioritize listening to establish clear goals and maintain lasting client relationships. Our team specializes in adapting designs to diverse environments, from local Puget Sound communities to international locations like Belgium and South Korea.We emphasize sustainability through LEED-certified expertise and innovative material selection, ensuring projects meet both aesthetic and operational demands. Our collaborative approach integrates architectural design with interior branding, leveraging partnerships with specialists in lighting, furnishings, and visual identity. By combining technical precision with creative vision, we deliver solutions that respond to community needs while maintaining enduring relevance in dynamic markets.
Services
Retail Design
Residential Architecture
Commercial Projects
Restaurant Design
Sustainable Architecture
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- We offer 35+ years of architectural experience across six countries.
- Our team maintains LEED-certified sustainable design expertise.
- We specialize in both prototype retail rollouts and custom residential projects.
- Our international portfolio includes award-winning restaurant designs.
- We integrate architectural design with interior branding expertise.
Associations and certifications
- LEED Green Associate
- LEED Accredited Professional
Services
Retail Design
We create retail environments that balance brand identity with functional efficiency. Our team specializes in prototype development for chain rollouts and adaptive reuse of existing spaces. By analyzing customer flow patterns and merchandising requirements, we optimize layouts for maximum engagement while maintaining compliance with local regulations. Our designs incorporate durable materials that withstand high traffic while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Residential Architecture
Our residential projects respond to unique site conditions and client lifestyles across Puget Sound communities. We focus on integrating natural elements with modern living requirements, creating spaces that harmonize with their surroundings. From initial concept through construction documentation, we maintain close collaboration with homeowners to ensure designs meet both practical needs and aesthetic preferences while adhering to local building codes.
Restaurant Design
We specialize in dining environments ranging from fast-casual concepts to fine dining establishments. Our designs optimize kitchen efficiency and customer comfort while creating memorable brand experiences. The team addresses specific requirements like food safety compliance, acoustics, and seating capacity while maintaining visual identity across multiple locations in different cultural contexts.
Commercial Projects
Our commercial architecture combines functionality with contemporary aesthetics for evolving business needs. We create adaptable workspaces that enhance productivity while meeting technical requirements for lighting, ventilation, and accessibility. The firm addresses tenant improvement challenges and code compliance across various commercial building types while maintaining budgetary constraints.
Sustainable Architecture
We integrate environmentally responsible practices through LEED-certified expertise and material selection. Our approach balances energy efficiency with long-term durability while maintaining design integrity. The team incorporates passive solar strategies, water conservation systems, and locally sourced materials to reduce environmental impact without compromising aesthetic or functional requirements.
People
Frank Karreman
Founding Principal
Registered architect with 35+ years of experience across the US and Pacific Far East. Former Starbucks regional project manager and LEED Green Associate specializing in commercial and retail design.
Carlos Alvarez
Associate
Lead drafter and construction documentation specialist with LEED Accredited Professional certification. Manages technical aspects of residential and commercial projects while overseeing the firm's design software systems.
Akhila Poojar
Architectural Consultant
Provides 3D modeling and conceptual studies through ATP Studio. Former employee now collaborating remotely from Bangalore, specializing in digital visualization and spatial analysis for complex architectural projects.
Aimee Triana-Alvarez
Principal Designer
Interior design expert with AMT Design, focusing on material selection and cost-effective solutions. Coordinates interior appointments for commercial and residential projects while maintaining alignment with brand identities.
Robert Williamson
Interior Designer
30-year hospitality design veteran with experience at Starbucks, Microsoft, and Google. Specializes in creating expressive environments through signature visuals and branding elements for restaurant and retail spaces.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialize in?
We specialize in retail, residential, commercial, and restaurant design with expertise in sustainable architecture and international project execution.
Which geographic areas do you serve?
We work throughout the Puget Sound region including Seattle, Eastside suburbs, Bainbridge Island, and the Olympic Peninsula, with completed projects in Belgium and South Korea.
How do you approach sustainable design?
Our LEED-certified team incorporates energy-efficient systems, locally sourced materials, and water conservation strategies while maintaining design integrity across all project types.
Can you handle multi-location retail rollouts?
Yes, we specialize in prototype retail development and adaptive reuse of existing spaces for chain expansions with consistent brand identity across locations.
What restaurant design experience do you have?
We've designed fast-casual concepts, coffee shops, and fine dining establishments globally, addressing specific operational requirements while creating memorable dining environments.
How do you collaborate with clients during projects?
We maintain continuous communication through regular updates and design reviews, ensuring client goals remain central to every decision throughout the project lifecycle.
