Client
Vaupell
Location
Ballard Neighborhood
Seattle, Washington
Size
80,000 SF
Timeframe
2011 – 2012
General Contractor
JTM Construction
Consultant
PAO Structural Engineering, LLC
Vaupell, a global leader in advanced plastics for aerospace and medical applications, engaged our team members to reimagine its 80,000-square-foot Ballard manufacturing facility. The project began as a seven-phase master plan, addressing both short-term operational needs and long-term workplace goals, ranging from office renovations and process-flow improvements to a new entry and arrival experience for clients and staff.
Completed phases include a renovated loading dock to improve logistics, upgraded executive offices and workplace environments, and the design and construction of a new lobby that creates a clear and welcoming point of entry. The lobby expresses Vaupell’s international presence through bold branding and environmental graphics, while also serving as a connective threshold between corporate offices, engineering, and production areas.
As part of the effort, the team collaborated with Impact Washington to analyze and enhance Vaupell’s lean manufacturing processes. The team mapped the full production cycle—from raw material receiving, to molding and parts production, to assembly and shipping—ensuring that architectural improvements supported efficiency and precision on the floor as well as comfort in the workplace.
Together, these interventions establish a foundation for continued implementation of the master plan. By aligning architecture with Vaupell’s identity and operational goals, the Ballard facility now supports both the company’s day-to-day performance and its long-term growth in highly technical, global markets. Work completed while Mark was a founding principal at Urbanadd.
