Blog Articles and Insights
Integrated Design for Residential Projects
What is Integrated Design? In this blog post originally written for Green Building Advisor, Maggie Bates breaks it down for us.
How to Prepare for Winter: 10 Ways to Keep Your House Warm
Here’s some simple ways to always keep it nice and warm on the inside…
Meet Luke DeLatour - A1DesignBuild
Meet designer Luke DeLatour and why he is intent on making things that matter.
A1andALL + Opportunity Council: Back to Basics Initiative
Our latest nonprofit initiative through A1andALL is supporting the Opportunity Council and back-to-school students. Read on…
New Project: Galbraith Mountain Paradise
A wonderful landing spot with Galbraith right out the back door? Learn how this dream came together.
Meet Dave Kangas: Designing Beautiful Spaces
Meet A1DesignBuild’s Dave Kangas and learn about the design philosophies that make him tick. It’s all about the clients.
Project ZeNETH - The MOVIE
The true story of a harrowing odyssey to get one tiny home built in Whatcom County, WA. But persistence and optimism won the day.
Aging in Place - Room by Room Breakdown
Here’s a room by room breakdown that will help you successfully age in place. Salud!
Why We Are Closed Today
Preparing for 2026 - Aging in Place Roundtable
Join us for a roundtable discussion about the present and future of ‘Aging in Place’.
The Road2Home Success Story
Clark Schofield from Road2Home discusses why providing housing for everyone is vital for us all.
Open for Business: Our Home Maintenance & Repair Division
Our new home service makes it easier than ever to keep your home up and running.
The Full San Juan Collection Has Arrived
All 3 designs and plan sets are now ready for download. Take a look and let us know…
The Next Generation of SIPs: Beyond Foam
The next generation of SIPs has arrived, with even more innovations on their way…
The Net-Zero Story Behind Cable Street
Client Mark Wheatley explains why he picked A1DesignBuild to bring his Net-Zero vision to life.
Cable Street: A Net-Zero Success Story in Bellingham, WA
Learn how we went about building an innovative net-zero home here in Bellingham, WA.
SIPS - The Future of High Performance Home Building
SIPs - or Structural Insulated Panels - are the future of homebuilding. Read our primer here on the evolving technology.
From Concrete to Community - A Resilient Waterfront Village
Take a look at our Adaptive Reuse Design we did for the Whatcom Housing Alliance - and give us a vote if the so inspired.
The High Performance Home Survey Results
Two Questions and a Favor- A1DesignBuild
We have two questions and a favor to ask our readers. Click on to learn more…
Meet Team Member Adriana Irvin Benskin - The Numbers Ninja
Adriana Irvin discusses what it means to handle the finances in building high performance homes in Bellingham and Whatcom County WA, plus the beauty of the co-op model.
Support Bellingham Public Schools Foundation
This month’s A1andALL initiative is to help the Bellingham Public Schools Foundation and families in need.
Announcing ‘High Performance Homes’ - The Magazine
The very first issue of our new magazine ‘High Performance Homes’ has hit the presses. Download a copy here.
Sustainable Home Surfaces: The Key to Healthy Living
With so many surfaces and materials to choose from, we give you the true low-down.
High Performance Homes and Carbon Sequestering
We are builders of high performance homes, which more and more means looking for new ways to do things. Our discussion of carbon sequestering explores the next evolution in building…
Step into the Broadway Park Project - A Classic Bellingham Home
When we remodeled this classic Bellingham home, we knew maintaining the integrity was a priority. Here’s what we did…
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Why sports is often a perfect reflection of good business - and the best coach in Whatcom County.
Our Process: Thoughtful Design. Expertly Built
We’ve been in business since 1955, and over the years we’ve been able to hone our building process (though not without a few missteps along the way). Here’s what it all looks like today…
The Robichaux Project - Beauty with a View
When Katherine and Paul Robichaux found their dream home in Bellingham, WA, it only lacked one thing: the perfect bathroom with the perfect view. This is how they got there.
The Art (and Science) of Estimating Home Construction Costs
Ever wonder what it takes to bid a project correctly? Here’s your answer.
On The Road Again: What We Learned at the Building Forward Collaborative
We hit the road to spend time with some most excellent people and collaborate around some new ideas. This is what we learned.
New Service Alert! Our brand-new Home Maintenance & Repair Division
Our new home service makes it easier than ever to keep your home up and running.
What DEI Means at A1DesignBuild
DEI mean lots of things to lots of people. Here’s some of our thoughts about how we can all do well by one another.
The Problem with Communication
Why is communication so important in a construction project? Read on…
Big Take-Aways from the JLC 2025 Conference
We took a trip to Providence, Rhode Island, to learn a few things. Here’s what we found out new about the world of construction…
Why We Started Our Community Nonprofit A1andALL
We love our community. So much so that we started a nonprofit geared towards helping out Learn more about we can all lend a hand, for less than the price of a cup of coffee.
In Search of Bellingham's Miyawaki Mini-Forest
One of the great nonprofits in Bellingham is the Whatcom Million Trees Project. Explore their mini-forest here….
Embracing the Old and the New Home Building Technologies
Here’s one simple way you can help us achieve some goals for our community in 2025.
The High Performance Home Check List for Success
A1DesignBuild Guide to Preparing Your Home for Spring
Some most excellent tips on what you can do to prepare for Spring, happiness right around the corner.
Celebrating 70 Years - A Brief History of A1DesignBuild
The Great Work of the Birchwood Food Desert Fighters
The Birchwood Food Desert Fighters is an example of caring in action, and helping those neighbors in need. Learn more about the inspiring story here.
What Exactly is a 'Building Envelope'?
If you’ve ever considered building a high performance home or remodel in Bellingham or Whatcom County, WA, then you need to know what it means to have a good ‘building envelope’. Read on to learn more…
Designer Michael Feeney Talks High Performance Homes
Learn how A1DesignBuild designer Michael Feeney thinks about high performance homes, design inspiration, and the importance of a dog named Morty.
Why You Need to Vet Your Builder or Home Remodeler
12 Questions Every Homeowner Should Ask Their Builder
Ever wanted to know the 12 BIG questions you should be asking every builder or remodeler? You’re in luck. Consider this the start of beautiful relationship.
Age in Place, Age with Grace: 10 Essential Tips for Successful Aging at Home
A1DesignBuild is a builder of high performance homes in Whatcom County. During the month of October, we will be exploring what it means to 'Age in Place, Age with Grace'. Here’s 10 tips to help get you there.
Age in Place, Age with Grace Survey
A1DesignBuild is a builder of high performance homes in Whatcom County. During the month of October, we will be exploring what it means to 'Age in Place, Age with Grace'.
Bikes, a Love Letter
Learn more about our first ever A1 Bike Repair Day. It was a heck of a good time.
Labor Day and the Roots of a Movement
A history of Labor Day, and why we should all pause a moment and reflect.
Designed for Life - the Pat Buhl Interview
A1DesignBuild is a premier builder of high performance homes in the Pacific Northwest. This project especially hits home.
The Triple Bottom Line at A1DB and Why it Matters
Want to know one thing that gets us up in the morning? It’s a little something called the Triple Bottom Line.
Historic Integrity Meets Modern Design
A1DesignBuild is a premier builder of high performance homes in the Pacific Northwest. This project especially hits home.
The Secret Sauce of Design
A1DesignBuild is a builder and remodeler of high performance homes in Whatcom County, WA. In this post, we discuss the ‘secret sauce’ that makes any project work, so we can align with your vision for the project.
Measure Twice, Cut Once
As a builder of high performance homes, we’re always discussing the true meaning of craftmanship, and the joy that can bring into people’s lives.
Craftsmanship versus Quality
As a builder of high performance homes, we’re always discussing the true meaning of craftmanship, and the joy that can bring into people’s lives.
A1andAll: The Inspiration behind our Nonprofit
At A1DesignBuild, we like to think we help build community one home at a time. But we also do a good amount through our nonprofit A1andALL. Read on…
Announcing our New Nonprofit A1ANDALL
Announcing our new nonprofit A1ANDALL! You too can help us make a difference in our community.
Where Our Heart Is
Smart Partnerships: Where Your Money Goes
We estimate that one A1 project can financially affect up to 756 people in Whatcom County.
Our Shared DNA
Read about what makes up the cultural DNA of A1DesignBuild.
The Benafel Project: Aesthetics Meet Functionality
Want to check out our latest project? Of course you do.
Community Projects: Alderwood Elementary and Accessible Gardens
Where We Are Today as a Company
2024 Beckons, with All the Good Stuff
Home Care Pointers
Beds for local families in Bellingham, WA.
Purchasing land in Whatcom County?
New Certification for Maggie Bates - our Design Team Leader
Spring 2022 Update for Bellingham Builder A1DesignBuild
Accessory Dwelling Units in Whatcom County
Social Justice in our Community
Thoughts About High Performance Building in Bellingham, WA
There’s No Place Like Home — where function meets beauty
Community Relationships Are at the Heart of A1DesignBuild’s Home Building-Whatcom Talk
Smart Partnerships: where your money goes.
We estimate that one A1 project can financially affect up to 756 people in Whatcom County.
Why The Box and Systems Need to Play Nicely Together
The height of tight: Vapor and control layers
Affordability for Life
A Month of Pride
Functional Beauty
Social Justice at Work and in the Community
Smart Materials and Partners
Three Interlinked Systems Power Peak Performance
Effectively designing and assembling air, vapor, and thermal control layer systems is a key factor in creating a high-performing building.
Why you should care about High Performance Homes-Whatcom Talk Article
The cost of one square inch
What makes a better home?
Tiny Desks and Chairs for Tiny Humans-Instructions
Tiny Desks for Tiny Humans - Press Release
Quick, Easy and Durable Work Horses
Our Schools Need Our Help
Our schools need help!
Fighting Food Insecurity in the Birchwood Neighborhood
Our crew at A1DesignBuild was inspired to be part of this grassroots movement and help distribute free food pantries across the city.
Air Control and the Science of a High Performance Home
Seeing Into The Void
Remodeling Fever
A1DesignBuild’s Community Bike Repair Station
