Business Details
10 Years
experience
Architectural Design Services in Seattle
We are a Seattle-based architectural firm dedicated to creating timeless, sustainable, and contextually responsive environments. Our practice focuses on retail, residential, commercial, and restaurant design, with a philosophy rooted in listening to client needs and crafting solutions that endure both functionally and aesthetically. With projects spanning the Puget Sound region, international locations like Belgium and South Korea, and expertise in LEED-certified design, we prioritize clear communication and lasting partnerships.Our team combines decades of experience in prototyping retail spaces, designing custom homes, and developing hospitality environments that reflect unique cultural and geographic contexts. By integrating sustainable practices and leveraging technology, we deliver innovative architectural solutions tailored to the evolving demands of modern spaces.
Services
Restaurant Design
Retail Architecture
Residential Design
Commercial Architecture
Sustainable Design
Details
- Year established: 2016
Highlights and features
- We specialize in restaurant design with international experience across three continents
- Our team includes LEED-certified professionals with expertise in sustainable architecture
- We offer tailored solutions for both startup businesses and large-scale rollouts
- Our principals have over 30 years combined experience in Pacific Northwest architecture
- We maintain dedicated focus on contextual design that respects local communities
Associations and certifications
- LEED
Services
Restaurant Design
We create functional and atmospheric dining environments tailored to brand identity and local context. Our expertise spans fast-casual concepts to fine dining establishments, with international experience in Belgium, South Korea, and the Pacific Northwest. Our designs optimize kitchen efficiency while creating memorable customer experiences.
Retail Architecture
Our retail solutions balance brand identity with practical functionality for both startups and established chains. We specialize in prototype development and adapting existing designs to new locations, ensuring consistent brand messaging while respecting local architectural contexts and zoning requirements across diverse markets.
Residential Design
We craft personalized living spaces that respond to client needs and environmental context across Puget Sound communities. Our approach integrates sustainable materials and energy-efficient systems while maintaining aesthetic harmony with surrounding neighborhoods, from urban Seattle to rural Olympic Peninsula locations.
Commercial Architecture
We design adaptable commercial environments that support evolving business needs while maintaining timeless aesthetics. Our projects include mixed-use developments and corporate interiors that prioritize natural light, sustainable materials, and flexible layouts to accommodate future reconfiguration without compromising design integrity.
Sustainable Design
Our sustainable approach incorporates LEED-certified practices and locally sourced materials to minimize environmental impact. We focus on energy-efficient systems, passive design strategies, and durable construction methods that reduce long-term operational costs while maintaining architectural excellence across all project types.
People
Frank Karreman
Founding Principal
Registered architect with 35+ years experience in Seattle and Pacific Far East. LEED Green Associate and former Starbucks regional project manager. Established 3rk architecture in 2016 after founding Karreman+Associates in 1996.
Carlos Alvarez
Associate
Lead drafter and construction documentation specialist with LEED Accredited Professional certification. Manages technical aspects of residential and commercial projects while overseeing the firm's computer design applications and database systems.
Akhila Poojar
Architectural Consultant
Remote team member providing 3D modeling and conceptual studies through ATP Studio. Former employee now collaborating from Bangalore, India, with expertise in SketchUp modeling and architectural visualization for complex design projects.
Aimee Triana-Alvarez
Principal Designer
Interior design expert leading material selection and furnishing research for residential and commercial projects. Operates AMT Design firm while collaborating on 3rk's projects to ensure cost-effective, contextually appropriate interior solutions.
Robert Williamson
Interior Designer
30-year Seattle design veteran specializing in hospitality projects. Brings artistic expertise to branding and visual identity for restaurants and cafes, with past work including major brands like Starbucks and Microsoft campus environments.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialize in?
We focus on restaurant, retail, residential, and commercial architecture with expertise in sustainable design and LEED-certified projects.
Which geographic areas do you serve?
Our primary service area is the Puget Sound region, including Seattle and surrounding communities, with international experience in Belgium and South Korea.
How do you approach sustainable design?
We integrate LEED-certified practices and prioritize materials selection that balances environmental impact with functional longevity in all our projects.
What makes your restaurant design approach unique?
We create dining environments that reflect local culture while optimizing operational efficiency, with experience spanning fast-casual concepts to full-service establishments.
Can you handle both small and large-scale projects?
Yes, we work with startups and established brands, offering tailored solutions from single locations to multi-unit rollouts with consistent design standards.
