CVG Helps Two Investment Partners Combine Forces

As of April 1, 2022, Living Shelter Architects is joining Board & Vellum 

CVG’s Rena M. Klein, FAIA, has been working closely with transition teams from both firms since the Summer of 2021 to facilitate a partnership that resulted in the best result possible for each. As of April 1st, 2022, Living Shelter Architects is joining the talented multidisciplinary design firm, Board & Vellum, forming the base of a new studio focused on sustainable practices, with Terry Phelan at the helm.

Living Shelter Architects (LSA) was founded in 1992 by Terry Phelan, and has been elevating sustainable design practices for 30 years. As Terry looked towards retirement, she began seeking ways to transition her firm to enable the team of dedicated designers at LSA to carry on the mission. 

“It’s so rewarding to build a small company with values and intentions that align with personal passions. I have been blessed to spend the last 30 years doing just that, creating something that seems to deserve to continue past my tenure.” - Terry Phelan

Founded in 2011 by Jeff Pelletier, Board & Vellum (B&V) has grown into a mid-size firm offering integrated design services in architecture, interiors, and landscape architecture. In the past few years, the B&V team has been eager to accelerate their knowledge and growth into the world of deeply sustainable projects.   

“When the opportunity to advance our plans to expand our green and sustainable practice arose, it was too good to pass up. We feel fortunate to welcome Living Shelter Architects to our team — a dedicated group of designers whose mission and values align so well with our own. Sometimes, things just fit!” - Jeff Pelletier

Jeff and Terry were introduced in 2021 after admiring each other’s work for years, and the more the idea of teaming up was explored, the more natural it felt. The firms share the same values, both are very approachable and dedicated to excellent client care, and both are passionate about delivering beautifully-designed, contextually-sensitive projects. 

Responsibility to sustainable practices has always been at the core of both Living Shelter Architect’s and Board & Vellum’s approach. Combining their talented and passionate teams, with credentials and accreditations like LEED, LFA, and CPHC, means they are more ready than ever to bring approachable sustainability measures to all of their projects.

LSA is also thrilled to have the larger platform that B&V provides to develop and deliver more educational content aimed at effecting change toward building resiliency at a wider scale.  

Current LSA clients can expect a smooth transition, as their familiar design team continues thoughtful services without change in scope, budget, or delivery timeline. And, LSA is excited to offer even more to clients who would like to increase the sustainability of their projects with an integrated design approach, and who desire more capacity in project type and size. 

As the teams come together, we will all have plenty more to share, starting with these personal reflections on this exciting news from Terry Phelan and Jeff Pelletier. (Or, visit the companion post at Board & Vellum.)