b9 architects
b9 architects is a Seattle architecture firm designing urban multifamily housing, Missing Middle housing, and Passive House projects for developers, homeowners, and cultural organizations across the Pacific Northwest.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2003
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What b9 architects does
b9 architects is a Seattle-based architecture firm founded by Bradley Khouri around 2000-2003 that provides full-service architectural design, from feasibility through construction administration, for residential and commercial projects in the Pacific Northwest. The firm specializes in urban housing typologies — multifamily apartments, rowhouses, townhouses, mixed-use buildings, ADUs/DADUs, and "Missing Middle" housing types such as duplexes, triplexes, and courtyard apartments — and has developed a proprietary Urban+ infill strategy that retains existing structures while adding density. Notable technical specializations include Passive House certified design (achieved on multiple projects including the 107-unit Madrone Passive House) and a signature courtyard-centric community design approach.
The firm serves three primary customer segments: real estate developers (Cohen Properties, Gottesman Construction, Cascade Built) commissioning multifamily and mixed-use projects; individual homeowners seeking custom residences, renovations, and accessory dwelling units; and cultural/nonprofit organizations, most recently with artist Paul Rucker on the Cary Forward Museum in Richmond, Virginia. Revenue is earned through professional service fees structured as a percentage of construction cost, with go-to-market driven by direct relationships, repeat clients, and referrals. Marketing channels include a project-rich website and blog, AIA Seattle and Seattle Design Festival participation, and Principal Bradley Khouri's academic role at the University of Washington, which functions as a talent and research pipeline. The firm operates from a Capitol Hill office and is led by Principal Bradley Khouri with Associates Megan Zeien-Perez and Tom Cole; headcount is in the 1-10 band and the firm is privately held with no disclosed investors or funding rounds.
b9 architects firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- b9 architects
- Legal name
- b9 architects inc.
- Website
- https://b9architects.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2003
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- b9 architects is a Seattle architecture firm designing urban multifamily housing, Missing Middle housing, and Passive House projects for developers, homeowners, and cultural organizations across the Pacific Northwest.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
b9 architects industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Design Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (54131), Residential Remodelers (236118)
- SIC
- General Bldg Contractors - Residential Bldgs (1520)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- ADU Design, Architecture & Engineering (HSAPAMAF), Detached ADU (Backyard Cottage) Construction (HSAPAMAA), Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations (HSAPAEAB)
Keywords
Where b9 architects is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
b9 architects business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Architectural Design Services: Full-service architectural design from feasibility through construction administration for residential and commercial projects including multifamily apartments, townhouses, rowhouses, single-family homes, and mixed-use developments. Revenue is earned through professional service fees based on project scope and construction costs.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
b9 architects product offering
Product offeringCore offering
b9 architects is a Seattle-based architecture firm providing full-service architectural design from feasibility through construction administration for residential and commercial projects. The firm's core practice centers on urban multifamily housing, Missing Middle typologies (duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, courtyard apartments, ADUs/DADUs), and Passive House certified sustainable design. Projects range from small residential accessory dwelling units to large multifamily developments exceeding 100 units.
Product overview
b9 architects is a Seattle-based architecture firm offering modern building design and construction services with expertise in urban housing and community-focused design. The firm's portfolio spans a range of project types including multifamily apartments, rowhouses, townhouses, mixed-use developments, and Passive House certified buildings. Key specializations include Missing Middle Housing solutions (duplexes, triplexes, courtyard apartments, ADU/DADU clusters), the Urban+ infill strategy (preserving existing structures while adding density), and Passive House sustainable design. The firm serves the Seattle metropolitan area and has completed notable projects such as Fremont Village Apartments, Graceland Apartments, Wallingford 45, and Madrone Passive House, among over 50 portfolio projects ranging from custom residences to 100+ unit apartment buildings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Modern Building Design and Construction Full-service architectural design from feasibility through construction administration for residential and commercial projects in the Seattle metropolitan area, including multifamily apartments, rowhouses, townhouses, single-family homes, and mixed-use developments.
- Missing Middle Housing Design Specialized architectural design for housing typologies between single-family homes and large apartment complexes, including duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, courtyard apartments, and ADU/DADU clusters, addressing Seattle's housing shortage.
- Urban+ Infill Strategy Proprietary infill development approach that preserves existing structures on single, double, or triple lots while adding new townhouse or apartment construction in driveways or backyards, maintaining urban fabric while increasing housing supply.
- ADU/DADU Cluster Development Architectural design services for Accessory Dwelling Units and Detached ADUs following Seattle's updated regulations, including clustered multi-ADU developments on individual lots.
- Passive House Certified Design Architectural design services for Passive House certified buildings achieving up to 90% reduction in heating and cooling energy through super-insulated envelopes, passive solar strategies, elimination of thermal bridges, and heat-recovery ventilators.
Quantifiable outcome
- Passive House design reduces energy required for heating and cooling by 90% compared to typical construction
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use b9 architects
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
b9 architects technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
b9 architects partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Paul RuckermajorMultidisciplinary artist collaborating on Cary Forward museum project in Richmond, Virginia. b9 architects is designing gallery and support spaces for this museum showcasing artifacts of oppression and hidden histories. Project announced January 31, 2025.
- Cohen PropertiescoreRepeat client and development partner commissioning multiple multifamily projects including Fremont Village Apartments (80-120 units), Ship Street Apartments, and Ondine Eastlake Apartments. Long-term strategic relationship spanning multiple projects.
- Gottesman ConstructioncoreConstruction partner and repeat client for Greta Apartments (completed) and Graceland Apartments (under construction) in University District. Sister company handles interior design for Graceland.
- Cascade BuiltmajorDevelopment partner for multiple Passive House townhouse projects including Solhaus (10 units on Capitol Hill) and Viewhaus 5 (5 units on Madison Park), pioneering sustainable construction in Seattle.
- Build LLCmajorCollaborated on First Central Station project in Central District, a 13-lot mixed-use development proposal with Weinstein A+U that would have created significant density and community spaces.
- Weinstein A+UmajorArchitecture firm collaborator on First Central Station project in Central District working with Build LLC on large-scale urban infill development.
- 4CultureminorSeattle-based arts advocacy organization that helped orchestrate public art search for Fremont Portal project, connecting the team with artist Verda Alexander.
- Fremont Neighborhood CouncilminorNeighborhood organization that provided input on Fremont Portal project design, advocating for more two-bedroom units and transparent commercial spaces. Their support was crucial for contract rezone approval.
- Wallingford Community CouncilminorNeighborhood organization engaged during Wallingford 45 project approval process. Provided input that led to addition of underground parking and improved cladding materials.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
b9 architects competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Cascade Built: Seattle developer and builder that is both a partner and client of b9 on Passive House townhouse projects (Solhaus, Viewhaus 5). Functions as a developer peer in sustainable urban housing but is also a key customer for b9's architectural services.
Direct peers
- Board & Vellum: Seattle architecture and design firm specializing in urban residential, ADUs/DADUs, and multifamily housing with strong design-review navigation expertise. Direct overlap with b9 in Missing Middle typologies and Seattle zoning work.
- VIA Architecture: Seattle urban design and architecture firm with significant multifamily and mixed-use infill portfolio. Comparable in mission around urban density and community-oriented design, though typically engaged at slightly larger project scales.
- Weinstein A+U: Seattle architecture firm with comparable focus on urban infill, multifamily housing, and complex entitlement projects. Already collaborated with b9 on the First Central Station project, indicating directly overlapping practice areas and client base.
- SALA Architects: Seattle architecture firm with a comparable focus on urban housing, ADUs, and community-oriented design in the Pacific Northwest. Similar boutique scale and project types including multifamily, townhouses, and small-scale urban infill make it a directly comparable peer to b9.
- Graham Baba Architects: Seattle architecture practice with overlapping expertise in urban infill, multifamily residential, and community-centered design. Similar boutique firm size and project typologies position it as a directly comparable local peer.
Broad incumbents
- Mithun: Seattle-headquartered architecture and planning firm with strong sustainability practice and significant multifamily/mixed-use work. Comparable to b9 in sustainability credentials and Missing Middle housing expertise but operates at much larger scale across multiple U.S. offices.
- Olson Kundig: Major Seattle-based architecture firm with a broad portfolio spanning residential, multifamily, hospitality, and cultural projects. While much larger and more design-forward internationally, it competes in the same Seattle multifamily and high-end residential market and shares overlap with b9's urban housing clients.
- Perkins&Will: Global architecture firm with a major Seattle office active in multifamily, mixed-use, and institutional projects. Competes for larger Seattle housing commissions and shares overlap in sustainable design and urban infill, though at much larger scale.
Regional players
- Cushing Terrell: Pacific Northwest-based architecture and engineering firm with multifamily housing expertise but broader geographic focus. Comparable practice areas in residential and urban housing but with stronger presence in other PNW cities rather than Seattle specifically.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
b9 architects social profiles
Digital presenceb9 architects compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
b9 architects financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
b9 architects leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
b9 architects funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
b9 architects M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about b9 architects
What does b9 architects do?
b9 architects is a Seattle-based architecture firm providing full-service architectural design from feasibility through construction administration for residential and commercial projects. The firm's core practice centers on urban multifamily housing, Missing Middle typologies (duplexes, triplexes, townhouses, courtyard apartments, ADUs/DADUs), and Passive House certified sustainable design. Projects range from small residential accessory dwelling units to large multifamily developments exceeding 100 units.
Is b9 architects a public or private company?
b9 architects is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was b9 architects founded?
b9 architects was founded in 2003. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is b9 architects based?
b9 architects is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does b9 architects make money?
One revenue line is on record: architectural Design Services.
Who are b9 architects's main competitors?
Cascade Built is listed as an others. Direct peers are Board & Vellum, VIA Architecture, Weinstein A+U, SALA Architects and Graham Baba Architects. Broad incumbents are Mithun, Olson Kundig and Perkins&Will. Cushing Terrell is listed as a regional player.
Does b9 architects have an API?
No public API is recorded for b9 architects.
What industry is b9 architects in?
b9 architects's product category is Architectural Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAA, Architectural Design Services, with a secondary code of HSAPAMAF, ADU Design, Architecture & Engineering. Its NAICS code is 54131 and its SIC code is 1520.