--- title: "VELOCIPEDE architects inc — Architects & Building Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/velocipede-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~1510793346 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~1510793346.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "VELOCIPEDE architects inc" category: ["Architects"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/159366c403582b03_7108-w400-h400-b1-p10--.jpg address: "Seattle, Washington 98121, United States" latitude: 47.6151 longitude: -122.3447 phone: "(206) 354-4807" website: http://velocipede.net rating: 5 review_count: 14 best_of_houzz_awards: 2 last_updated: 2026-08-19 --- # VELOCIPEDE architects inc Original Houzz profile: [VELOCIPEDE architects inc](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/velocipede-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~1510793346) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Architects - **Location:** Seattle, WA - **Serves:** Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Kirkland, Redmond, Shoreline, Burien, Bothell, SeaTac, Mercer Island, Bainbridge Island, Kenmore, Inglewood-Finn Hill, Tukwila, Mill Creek, Bryn Mawr-Skyway, White Center, Lake Forest Park, Woodinville, Kingsgate, Newcastle, Riverton, Manchester, Eastgate, Boulevard Park, Suquamish, Indianola, Clyde Hill, Medina, Southworth, Beacon Hill, Yarrow Point, Beaux Arts Village, Hunts Point, Ballard, Fairmount Park, Gatewood, North Beacon Hill, Rainier Valley, Riverview, South Colby - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (14 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2019–2020), for Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Recommended on Houzz - 250 Ideabook Saves VELOCIPEDE architects inc is an award winning firm in Seattle specializing in green residential projects. Our small practice provides personal attention, responsive service, and quality design. We are comfortable designing in both traditional and modern styles to suit our clients' preference. Our services can be tailored to your specific needs, from a few hours consultation to a fully designed and detailed project. ### Services Provided - Architectural Design - Building Design - Home Remodeling - Architectural Drawings - Custom Homes - Home Additions - Sustainable Design - Energy-Efficient Homes - Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) - Green Building - Bathroom Design - Basement Remodeling - Basement Design - Tiny House Construction - Passive Solar Heating & Cooling ### Areas Served - Seattle - Bellevue - Renton - Kirkland - Redmond - Shoreline - Burien - Bothell - SeaTac - Mercer Island - Bainbridge Island - Kenmore - Inglewood-Finn Hill - Tukwila - Mill Creek - Bryn Mawr-Skyway - White Center - Lake Forest Park - Woodinville - Kingsgate - Newcastle - Riverton - Manchester - Eastgate - Boulevard Park - Suquamish - Indianola - Clyde Hill - Medina - Southworth - Beacon Hill - Yarrow Point - Beaux Arts Village - Hunts Point - Ballard - Fairmount Park - Gatewood - North Beacon Hill - Rainier Valley - Riverview - South Colby ### Typical Job Cost $50,000 - 2.5 million Each project is unique, so our focus is working with your particular budget. ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | VELOCIPEDE architects inc | | Address | Seattle, Washington 98121, United States | | Phone | (206) 354-4807 | | Website | http://velocipede.net | **Social profiles:** - Facebook — https://www.instagram.com/velocipedearch/ - LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-novak-a3064214/ - Blog — http://www.velocipede.net ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [VELOCIPEDE architects inc](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/velocipede-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~1510793346) - **Website:** http://velocipede.net - **Phone:** (206) 354-4807 ## Credentials - **Best of Houzz:** 2 awards (2019–2020), for Service. ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 14 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### Reviews **★★★★★ — Thomas Merrill, Sept. 2023** > We thoroughly enjoyed working with Velocipede architects for our dream home in Seattle. John anticipated so many things that we hadn't considered and worked with us through a challenging Covid build. I wouldn't hesitate to hire them again. **★★★★★ — Wendy Lam, July 2019** > After having a bad luck hiring our first architect who bailed out during first phrase of design, we're lucky finding Velocipede restarting design our house from scratch. Velocipede has done a great job helping us completed our passive house. Our site is kind of challenging and requires a few professional (Civil engineer and Ecologist) involved. Velocipede did a great job collaborate and coordinate with the team and got our building permit and help us minimize the cost. Overall, we're very happy about our house. **★★★★★ — Justin Huff, Feb. 2019** > Velocipede did a fantastic job of capturing the things we were looking for and completing a design for a really amazing home. They were a joy to work with throughout the design process. During construction, they were responsive when needed. > Overall, we're very happy with the result! **★★★★★ — Diana Robbins, Nov. 2018** > After interviewing multiple architects to design a modest house in Seattle (which we have never done before), our final interview was with Velocipede. We knew immediately that Velocipede was the architect firm for us. Velocipede has done a great job of 'holding our hands' through the process and with their guidance we have a design that feels perfect for our needs. The meetings, emails, and input all contributed to a collaborative experience with their expertise, attention to detail, and knowledge of city processes producing an amazing, affordable house to build. We highly recommend Velocipede! **★★★★★ — Cam Fletcher, Nov. 2018** > Our partnership hired Velocipede to provide architectural and design services for our open market restaurant concept. Velocipede provided those services from start to finish. They assisted us in the permitting process and provided all the documentation and revisions necessary to obtain our permits. Velocipede was an excellent team member and asset to our project **★★★★★ — Bill Craven, Oct. 2018** > Velocipede provided complete architectural services from being to end on a new custom home in the central part of Seattle. Working with velocipede was easy, they listened to what we wanted in a home and provided that. When issues came up they were quickly resolved. Communication with Velocipede was easy and forthcoming. We will definitely hire a Velocipede in the future. **★★★★★ — JoeMc1, April 2015** > I have worked closely with George for many years and I will definitely be using him on my personal residence. He is organized, professional, extremely intelligent and creative. I recommend him on a regular basis. **★★★★★ — Gboese1, April 2015** > Velocipede designed a 2000 sq ft new custom home with extensive green features, and worked with the city to secure the building permit. Velocipede (George Ostrow, owner) was wonderful to work with. Excellent communication, knowledge of green design, adherence to budget and timeline, and cooperation with others on design team. **★★★★★ — burdock1, March 2015** > George Ostrow of Velocipede Architects did a comprehensive energy- and water-use evaluation of the old, drafty house we'd bought, looking to renovate it to be comfortably functional for a family of four, and as green as we could possibly make it. He provided insightful, data-driven guidance in crafting creative and practical solutions to the many challenges of transforming an old, architecturally interesting house into a home that is respectful of the unique 1906 design, yet wonderfully livable, beautiful, and extremely energy efficient. > It was a pleasure to work with George. His warm, light manner and good humor complemented an exacting, thorough, and efficient approach to design--which amounted to very quick turn around and delivery of multiple design ideas for review, which after review with us, quickly became scrupulously detailed plans. George was very available to us and our builder at all times, promptly providing updated specifications when requested. His astuteness and efficiency made his work an exceptional value--far and away the best of the entire project. **★★★★★ — Howard Welt, March 2015** > I have known George Ostrow, principal of Velocipede, since 2007, when he was a team member in a real estate development course we took at the University of Washington. I found him to be hard-working, principled, disciplined, and perceptive – a consummate professional. He so impressed me that I have maintained contact with him since that time. > > In 2012, my wife and I planned a small remodel of our basement. We met once with George for an evening, and in that time he sketched out a plan that was far superior to what we had envisioned. His thinking enabled us, through a small extension to the staircase and a reconsideration of our traffic flow, to gain a fully functional room from dead space, and to better use our two existing basement rooms. He considered this work a small favor and did not charge us. Regardless, the changes he envisioned have improved our enjoyment of our house, and its utility, immensely. I think of him gratefully every day we are home. > > I would recommend George and Velocipede without hesitation. I think he has real insight into the best use of space, a critical skill for an architect. Given his longstanding focus on good environmental stewardship, I believe he is particularly well suited for owners who seek to minimize the energy use impact of their built environment while still achieving maximum utility. **★★★★★ — Alicek3, Feb. 2015** > Velocipede designed a 90% remodel of a small 1950s house that I had just purchased. George Ostroe was a good listener, working with me to create exactly the right house for me. Though I had a tight budget, George was committed to helping me get as green a house as possible. In the end, it qualified for 5-star Built-Green certification. I've been living in the house for 7 1/2 years now. It suits me very well, and I would definitely hire Velocipede again. **★★★★★ — LoriR3, Feb. 2015** > Velocipede has been our company's architect since 1995. George Ostrow has designed our retail layouts, fixtures, lighting and more. He has great environmental design, works collaboratively and keeps an eye on the budget well. ## Selected projects - [Designed for Solar](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/designed-for-solar-pj-vj~7272778) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 12 - Description: High-Performance Home - [Mid-Century Remodel North Seattle](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mid-century-remodel-north-seattle-pj-vj~7273491) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 11 - [Kaysen Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kaysen-kitchen-pj-vj~681154) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 6 - Description: Complete remodel and expansion of existing kitchen in a Craftsman house. A new archway to the dining room allows an uninterrupted view from the living room through the dining room and the kitchen to the roof deck . An existing skylight along with new south facing windows flood the remodeled kitchen with natural light. countertops: Novustone recycled glass solid surface cabinets: cherry veneer splash: ceramic tiles with glass tile accents flooring: V&B Bernina porcelain tile with glass tile accen… - [Squire Park High Performance](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/squire-park-high-performance-pj-vj~7273472) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 10 - [Kaysen Bathroom](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/kaysen-bathroom-pj-vj~681149) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 4 - Description: An existing basement storage room was insulated and finished out into a new master bathroom. We managed to artfully fit four fixtures into the compact 7 x 9 foot room. The entire tiled floor slopes to the drain under the sunflower shower head. A full height glass partition maintains the openness of the room while providing wet and dry zone separation of the soaking tub and shower from the lavatory and toilet. Custom wood shutters to the adjacent master bedroom pivot closed for privacy or open fo… - [Northwest Net Zero](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/northwest-net-zero-pj-vj~681185) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 7 - Description: New custom home, 5 bedroom, 4 bath, with 2-car attached garage. The homeowners requested a Northwest lodge style house of durable commercial-grade construction to bear up to the elements and stand the test of time. The timber frame is crafted from Douglas fir, using modern power tools to fabricate traditional mortise and tenon joints fixed with oak pegs. Its strength and beauty are exposed to view on the finished interior. Certified LEED for Homes Platinum, with 8kW photovoltaic array and 5,000… - [Davenport / Sharon Remodel](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/davenport-sharon-remodel-pj-vj~681158) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 7 - [Canfield-Budde Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/canfield-budde-kitchen-pj-vj~681141) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 6 - Description: Along with a new second floor addition to this Craftsman house, the kitchen was completely remodeled. The size of the kitchen room did not change, but several windows and doors were judiciously moved or enlarged to better connect the kitchen to the dining and the deck outdoors. countertops: glazed ceramic tile cabinets: painted wood splash: hand painted glazed ceramic Delft tile flooring: refinished fir - [Eastside Harvest House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/eastside-harvest-house-pj-vj~681204) - Location: Kirkland, WA - Photos: 6 - Description: New custom home, 4 bedroom, 3 bath, with 2 bedroom, 1 bath mother-in-law suite and 2-car detached garage. The new house overlooks a half acre vegetable garden and fruit orchard which the owners tend. The view beyond is to a lake and mountains from all the principal rooms of the house. Certified LEED for Homes Platinum, with 17kW photovoltaic array, solar hot water vacuum tubes, and 12,000 gallon potable rainwater collection system. - [Coomer Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/coomer-kitchen-pj-vj~681164) - Location: Seattle, WA - Photos: 6 - Description: The kitchen and bath of this mid-century home was enlarged by demolishing a pantry and enclosing an unused back door landing. By removing the wall dividing the kitchen from dining we connected them both to the living room and to the western view. countertops: Durat solid surface cabinets: maple veneer splash: recycled aluminum tiles flooring: cleft Montauk black slate - [3rd Ave DADU](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/3rd-ave-dadu-pj-vj~7390952) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 6 - [Cougar Mountain Passive House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cougar-mountain-passive-house-pj-vj~7390949) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 9 [See all 12 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/architects-and-building-designers/velocipede-architects-inc-pfvwus-pf~1510793346) --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-19.*