What live-work-play does

live-work-play is a Seattle-based architecture and interior design firm founded in 2001 by Sheri Newbold, operating as a sole-practitioner practice specializing in sustainable residential design. The firm's core offerings include architectural design for new homes, additions, whole-house remodels, kitchens and baths, ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units), DADUs (Detached Accessory Dwelling Units, including backyard cottages), multiplex housing (duplexes through sixplexes under Seattle's updated zoning), and aging-in-place modifications built on universal design principles such as zero-threshold showers, widened doorways, and accessible floor-level living. Supporting services include formal feasibility studies for property owners evaluating development potential and a dedicated 'Develop Your Multiplex' service line targeting owner-builders and small developers. Underlying technical competency centers on green and sustainable residential design with Built Green 4-Star certification experience, deep knowledge of Seattle-specific zoning and permitting, and integration of universal design across all projects.

The firm operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market model, engaging homeowners via phone (206-726-0077), website contact forms, and a project questionnaire, with no formal sales team or channel partners. Revenue is generated through project-based professional service fees tied to project scope and complexity, with typical residential construction budgets ranging from $200,000 to over $1,000,000 per engagement. Marketing is portfolio-led, leveraging testimonials, an award-winning project gallery, an active blog and ADU classes at the Phinney Center, and social media presence on Houzz, Facebook, and Instagram to generate referrals and inbound inquiries.

live-work-play serves Seattle and surrounding communities including Ballard, Wallingford, Greenwood, Capitol Hill, West Seattle, Columbia City, Beacon Hill, Bellevue, Kirkland, Bothell, Shoreline, and Burien. The firm maintains an integrated delivery network of 12+ repeat general contractor partnerships and holds multiple Master Builders Association REX awards and a 2016 Built Green Conference Judges' Choice Award. The firm is privately held by its founder, with no institutional investment, parent company, or public-market presence.

Name

live-work-play

Legal name

live-work-play

Website

https://live-work-play.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

live-work-play is a sole-practitioner architecture and interior design firm in Seattle, founded in 2001 by Sheri Newbold, specializing in sustainable residential projects including ADUs, DADUs, multiplex housing, aging-in-place modifications, and remodels for individual homeowners across the Seattle metro area.

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. Architectural Design Services: One-time professional services for residential architectural design, including feasibility studies, schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration. Services billed as project-based fees based on scope and complexity.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

live-work-play provides full-service residential architecture and interior design for homeowners in the Seattle metropolitan area, covering new homes, ADUs, DADUs (backyard cottages), additions, whole-house remodels, kitchens and baths, multiplex housing, and aging-in-place retrofits. The firm also offers feasibility studies and specialized multiplex development services that help clients navigate Seattle zoning regulations, with universal design principles and Built Green sustainability practices integrated across all projects.

Product overview

live-work-play is a Seattle-based architecture and interior design firm offering a unified portfolio of residential design services. Their core offering encompasses architecture and interior design for new homes, ADUs, DADUs (backyard cottages), whole house remodels, additions, and multiplex housing. The firm specializes in sustainable, green building practices and universal design principles. Supporting services include feasibility studies for property development potential and specialized multiplex development services leveraging Seattle's updated zoning regulations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Architecture and Interior Design Services Full-service architecture and interior design for residential projects including new homes, ADUs, DADUs, additions, remodels, and multiplex housing, with a focus on sustainable and universal design principles. Targeted at Seattle-area homeowners.
• ADU/DADU Design Services Design services for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Detached Accessory Dwelling Units (DADUs), including backyard cottages, garage conversions, and small home designs. Targeted at Seattle-area homeowners seeking rental income, multigenerational living, or property value enhancement.
• Feasibility Studies

Quantifiable outcome

• Achieved 4-Star Built Green certification for Columbia City DADU project
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Weaver ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor partnership for whole house remodels. Weaver Construction served as contractor for the Mercer Island Whole House Remodel project.
• Toepfer ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor partnership for new construction and ADU projects. Served as contractor for Queen Anne Multi-Generation New House & ADU project.
• Heartwood BuilderscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor partnership for remodels and additions. Served as contractor for Capitol Hill Indoor-Outdoor Transformation and Bitter Lake Addition and Whole House Remodel projects.
• Ventana ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor partnership for multi-phase addition and whole house remodels. Served as contractor for West Seattle Kitchen Art Phases 1, 2, and 3 projects.
• Hammer & HandcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor collaboration for deep energy retrofit projects. Partnered on West Seattle Aging in Place project featuring continuous exterior insulation, rainscreen siding, rubber roof, solar panels, and heat pump.
• Model RemodelcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOwner/contractor partnership for ADU and DADU projects. Served as contractor for Ballard DADU (REX award winner) and Columbia City DADU (Judges' Choice Award) projects.
• Skyline ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor partnership for ADU and addition projects. Served as contractor for Crown Hill Contemporary DADU and Tangletown Aging in Place DADU projects.
• Bennion ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor partnership for addition projects. Served as contractor for Northgate Second Level Addition project.
• Pathway ConstructioncoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGeneral contractor partnership for aging in place and addition projects. Served as contractor for Maple Leaf Addition for Aging in Place and Wedgewood Kitchen and Bath (REX/TREX award) projects.
• Mighty House ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor partnership for aging in place modifications. Served as contractor for Wedgewood Aging in Place project including Garaventa residential elevator installation.
• Thomas Jacobson ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor partnership for kitchen remodeling. Served as contractor for Leschi Contemporary Kitchen Remodel project.
• Weitzel ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerContractor partnership for addition and deck projects. Served as contractor for Greenlake Great Room Addition project.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Board & Vellum: Seattle architecture and interior design firm offering residential and light commercial design. Comparable because it offers integrated architecture + interior design in the same Seattle market with a similar SMB homeowner focus.
• SHED Architecture & Design: Seattle architecture and design studio focused on residential projects including additions, remodels, and accessory structures. Directly comparable in service mix, market, and SMB customer profile.
• CAST Architecture: Seattle-based residential architecture firm of similar size and scope, focused on custom homes, ADUs, and remodels for individual homeowners. Directly comparable because both serve the same Seattle SMB residential client with similar service lines and project budgets.

Broad incumbents

• LMN Architects: Major Seattle architecture firm known for cultural, civic, and commercial work, with a residential practice. Comparable as a broad Seattle architecture incumbent in the same regional talent pool and project market.
• NBBJ: One of the largest architecture firms in Seattle with deep residential, healthcare, and commercial practices. Comparable as a dominant Seattle architecture incumbent whose brand presence sets baseline credibility expectations in the local market.
• Olson Kundig: Major Seattle-based architecture and design firm with a strong residential practice alongside cultural and commercial work. Comparable as a Pacific Northwest residential architecture incumbent that competes for high-end custom home commissions in the same Seattle market.
• Mithun: Large Seattle design firm with architecture, interiors, and urban design practices. Comparable because it operates in the same Seattle architecture market and offers integrated architecture + interior design, though at a much larger scale and broader portfolio.

Emerging players

• Abodu: Prefab ADU manufacturer with in-house design and permitting services for backyard homes. Comparable because it competes for the same Seattle ADU project workstream, with a vertically integrated model that threatens traditional ADU design engagements.
• Plant Prefab: Sustainable prefab home manufacturer with integrated architecture services. Comparable because it intersects with live-work-play's green/sustainable design positioning and competes for sustainable residential design budgets.
• Cover: Tech-enabled prefab ADU company offering standardized backyard home designs and turnkey installation. Comparable because it targets the same ADU/DADU design budget that is a primary service line for live-work-play, and represents a potential disruption to traditional ADU architectural fees.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/live.wrk.play
• Instagraminstagram.com/liveworkplay.architecture
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/live-work-play-architecture-and-design

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 live-work-play