What First Lamp does

First Lamp is a Seattle-based architecture and design-build firm founded in 2009 by Taylor Callaway along with partners Kevin and Robert. The practice specializes in custom residential architecture with a technical focus on Passive House design, net-zero energy performance, and high-performance building science, serving affluent homeowners, property developers, and select commercial clients primarily across the Pacific Northwest. Its portfolio spans custom single-family homes (frequently in the $2–5M+ range), multifamily townhouse developments, ADUs, renovations, and a small number of commercial and hospitality projects such as Watershed Pub and Sansaire's showcase kitchen.

The firm's underlying technology stack is rooted in Passive House building science rather than software. Capabilities include PHIUS-certified Passive House design and construction (Kevin is a Certified Passive House Builder; Taylor and Robert are Certified Passive House Consultants), advanced air sealing with blower door verification (e.g., 2.5 ACH50 on Ballard Aperture), BIBS blown-in blanket insulation, EnviroDri liquid-applied weather resistant barriers, ERV (Energy Recovery Ventilation) systems, green roof installations, ductless mini-split heat pumps, and heat pump water heaters. The team holds additional credentials including AIA, LEED AP, LEED AP BD+C, and Living Future Accredited, with documented project outcomes spanning Energy Star, 5-Star Built Green, PHIUS Passive House, and DOE Zero Energy Ready Home certifications.

First Lamp operates as a project-based professional services firm, earning fees through architectural design and, in select cases, design-build delivery where the firm also acts as developer and builder (e.g., Lever Homes, Ballard Aperture). Pricing is negotiated per project and not publicly disclosed. Client acquisition is driven by direct relationships, an editorial-rich website portfolio, and significant earned media in publications such as Dwell, Archdaily, Dezeen, Seattle Magazine, and Gray Magazine, supplemented by Houzz, social media, and annual NW Green Home Tour participation. The firm is privately held as First Lamp LLC with no external institutional investment.

Name

First Lamp

Legal name

First Lamp LLC

Website

https://firstlamp.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

First Lamp is a Seattle-based architecture and design-build firm founded in 2009, specializing in custom Passive House and net-zero residential projects for affluent homeowners, property developers, and select commercial clients across the Pacific Northwest.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Custom Architecture & Design Services: First Lamp earns fees through full-service architectural design for custom residential homes, multifamily townhouse developments, and commercial/hospitality projects. In select cases the firm acts as developer-builder (e.g., Lever Homes, Ballard Aperture, Madison Park spec house), generating revenue through the full design-build cycle. Fees are project-based, not recurring.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

First Lamp is an architecture and design-build firm that designs and constructs custom residential, multifamily, and select commercial projects throughout the Pacific Northwest. The practice integrates architectural design with (in select cases) construction and development, with a deep specialization in Passive House, net-zero, and high-performance building science. Services are project-based and delivered by a small team of certified Passive House consultants and builders.

Product overview

First Lamp Architecture is an architecture firm offering custom residential architecture, multifamily development design, and commercial architecture services throughout the Pacific Northwest. The firm's services are built around high-performance, environmentally responsible design, with specialized offerings in Passive House consulting and construction. The practice operates as a design-build firm, serving as both architect and builder on projects. Their portfolio spans custom residences, townhome developments, commercial spaces like restaurants and offices, and specialty projects like backyard studios. Key service offerings include custom residential architecture, multifamily development design, commercial architecture, Passive House design services, and high-performance building design. The firm has received recognition for their work including PHIUS Passive House competition awards, AIA Home of Distinction awards, and Built Green certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Custom Residential Architecture Full architectural design for custom single-family homes, additions, and renovations across the Pacific Northwest, with a focus on environmental responsibility, craftsmanship, and site-responsive design.
• Multifamily Development Design Architectural design services for townhouse developments, duplexes, and small multifamily residential projects emphasizing high-performance building standards and contextual neighborhood design.
• Commercial Architecture Architectural and interior design for restaurants, pubs, retail spaces, and commercial office buildings, applying sustainable and high-performance design principles to hospitality and commercial environments.
• Passive House Design Services Specialized Passive House design and consulting services delivered by PHIUS-certified Passive House Consultants and a Certified Passive House Builder, targeting 60–80% reductions in energy consumption versus code-compliant buildings.
• Design-Build Services Integrated design-build delivery where First Lamp acts as architect, developer, and/or builder, unifying design and construction processes for clients seeking a single point of accountability on select projects.
• High-Performance Building Design Energy-efficient building design using advanced building science techniques, including advanced air sealing, Energy Recovery Ventilation (ERV), BIBS insulation, EnviroDri weather resistant barriers, green roof systems, ductless mini-split heat pumps, and low-VOC materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ballard Aperture: 2.5 ACH50 blower door rating (vs. Northwest Energy Star standard), Energy Star certified, 5-Star Built Green certified
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PHIUS (Passive House Institute US)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPHIUS provides the technical standards, training, and professional certification (Certified Passive House Builder, Certified Passive House Consultant) that underpin First Lamp's high-performance building practice. Kevin is a PHIUS-certified Passive House Builder; Taylor and Robert are PHIUS-certified Passive House Consultants. The Ballard Passive project won the 2020 PHIUS Single-Family Award.
• RW Anderson HomescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary contractor partner on numerous First Lamp residential projects including Seattle Scandinavian (Klein Residence), Bryant Residence, Mid Century Addition, Madison Mid Century, Blue Residence, and others. Serves as the build partner translating First Lamp's architectural designs into constructed buildings.
• Mandy Callaway InteriorscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLong-standing interior design collaborator on First Lamp projects including Madison Park (3,287 sq ft), Mid Century Addition, Badger Mountain (5,716 sq ft), Madison Mid Century (1,950 sq ft), Blue (4,216 sq ft), Red (2,340 sq ft), and Ballard Aperture. Joined as team member on Lever Homes in 2011. Holds LEED AP credentials.
• Devin Klein DesignminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInterior designer on the Seattle Scandinavian (Klein) project, implementing Scandinavian-influenced interior design goals alongside the owners.
• Diane RoselliniminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerInterior designer on the Mezzo residence (3,662 sq ft) in Seattle, collaborating with First Lamp's architectural vision.
• Dwell DevelopmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner on the Genesee Park Net Zero home (Columbia City, Seattle). First Lamp served as architect on this climate-conscious home targeting 5-Star Built Green and Net Zero energy, which won the 2018 DOE Housing Innovation Award Grand Winner. Buildings account for ~40% of energy use and carbon emissions; this collaboration exemplifies industry leadership toward sustainable housing.
• Sansaire (Sous Vide)minorOthersNeighboring business to First Lamp. Sansaire commissioned First Lamp to design a showcase kitchen interior for marketing their sous vide products. The mobile island was designed to accommodate photography and alternate kitchen setups.
• Built GreencoreOthersBuilt Green is a green building certification program First Lamp consistently targets. Projects including Ballard Aperture, Stacked House, Lever Homes, and the Genesee Park Net Zero home achieved Built Green certifications (typically 5-Star). The Stacked House was featured on Built Green's blog.
• U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)coreOthersThe DOE's Zero Energy Ready Home program certified the Genesee Park Net Zero home (collaboration with Dwell Development), which went on to win the 2018 Housing Innovation Award Grand Winner.
• Energy Star / Northwest Energy StarcoreOthersNorthwest Energy Star certifies high-performance buildings. Ballard Aperture achieved Energy Star certification with a blower door test rating of 2.5 ACH50 — well below Northwest Energy Star standards.
• NW Green Home TourminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual green building open house event in the Pacific Northwest. Ballard Passive featured at the 2020 virtual NW Green Home Tour; Madison Park featured at the 2014 in-person event.
• HouzzminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHouzz is a home remodeling and design platform where First Lamp maintains a professional profile. Multiple projects have been featured in Houzz ideabooks. Firm was included in Houzz Best of Remodeling 2013 for Seattle (Living).

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Olson Kundig: Seattle-based custom residential architecture firm renowned for craft-driven, design-build delivery and signature indoor-outdoor Pacific Northwest homes. Most directly comparable peer to First Lamp on geography, custom residential focus, and design-build integration.
• KieranTimberlake: Philadelphia-based firm widely recognized for net-zero, Passive House, and high-performance design innovation across residential and institutional work. Directly comparable to First Lamp's PHIUS credentials and building-science expertise.
• Cook | Fox Architects: New York-based firm with deep Passive House and net-zero expertise across boutique residential and mixed-use work. Comparable to First Lamp on sustainability credentials and high-performance residential delivery.
• Bohlin Cywinski Jackson: Multi-office firm with strong Pacific Northwest presence and celebrated custom residential portfolio alongside civic work. Comparable to First Lamp on award-winning custom residential design and Pacific Northwest roots.
• Lake|Flato: Texas-based custom residential and small commercial firm consistently recognized for sustainability and craft-led design. Comparable to First Lamp in pairing high-design residential work with measurable environmental performance.

Broad incumbents

• Mithun: Seattle-based architecture and planning firm with a sustainability-led practice across multifamily, mixed-use, and civic work. Comparable to First Lamp on sustainability orientation and Pacific Northwest footprint, though serving a larger and more diverse client base.
• ZGF Architects: Large Pacific Northwest-rooted architecture firm with extensive sustainable design portfolio across healthcare, civic, and residential work. Comparable to First Lamp on PNW presence and sustainability positioning; much broader practice.
• The Miller Hull Partnership: Seattle architecture firm with a strong sustainability and integrated design practice spanning civic, educational, and residential work. Overlaps with First Lamp on geography and high-performance design ethos, broader portfolio scale.

Regional players

• SHED Architecture: Seattle-based custom residential and ADU architecture firm with design-build sensibility. Comparable to First Lamp on geographic focus and custom-residential scale; less focus on Passive House certification.

Emerging players

• Bldgtyp: Portland-based small architecture practice focused on Passive House and sustainable residential design. Direct niche overlap with First Lamp's PHIUS-credentialed, boutique Passive House residential model in the Pacific Northwest.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/first_lamp
• Facebookfacebook.com/Firstlamparchitects
• Instagraminstagram.com/firstlamparchitects
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/first-lamp

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about First Lamp