BellCraft Architects is a collaborative design practice with studios in Traverse City, Michigan, and Seattle, Washington.
We formed BellCraft Architects to practice architecture as a craft. When approached this way, design has the power to create a built environment that is more inspiring, thoughtful, and personally meaningful. We also recognize that undertaking a project can feel daunting, which is why we see our primary role as creative partners who guide clients through a complex but rewarding process. Along the way, we help shape inspiring and functional spaces, establish realistic project goals, identify risks and opportunities, and assemble the right team to bring a project to life. Our objective is simple – to create successful projects through a process built on collaboration, trust, and shared purpose.
Dream
How do we turn our purpose and our passion into a successful project? We are active listeners and thoughtful communicators who come with questions and ideas, not preconceptions or design ultimatums. We work as collaborative partners who recognize that great design ideas can come from anyone or anywhere. We believe design is an inherently iterative process of exploration and refinement, where each step informs what comes next. If, at the end of the process, we arrive exactly where any of us thought we would at the beginning, we have not realized the project’s full potential.
Plan
Our craft focuses on creating a distinct sense of place, unique to its time, location, and people. We do this through: site-responsive design – understanding light, views, and connections to the surrounding environment; functional restraint – recognizing that more is not always better and that people experience space differently; contextual analysis – understanding what surrounds us and the architectural language that defines place; and thoughtful materiality – selecting materials with purpose and authenticity. Through this process, each project develops its own identity, shaped by the specific conditions and opportunities that make it unlike any other.
Create
The early phases of a project are rooted in ideas, conversations, and aspirations – imagining what something could become long before it physically exists. We believe the process of architecture is about thoughtfully carrying those ideas forward, transforming early concepts into something tangible, enduring, and deeply connected to the original vision. The act of creating is not simply about realizing a design, but about ensuring that what ultimately takes shape reflects the same care, intention, and sense of possibility that defined the project from the beginning.
BCA Founders
Chris JohnstonPrincipal + ArchitectChris is a founding partner of BellCraft Architects and leads the firm’s Traverse City, Michigan studio. With more than two decades of experience leading a wide range of project types and scales, his work is rooted in a strong connection to place. He is a licensed architect in both Michigan and Washington, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Michigan and a Master of Architecture from the University of Washington.
He is passionate about the craft of design and construction, and about creating work that is personal, livable, and enduring. Through a thoughtful, collaborative approach, he works to develop a shared vision that guides a project from concept through completion and beyond. Chris believes the role of design is to connect people to place in a way that honors both.
“Each project begins with something personal to our clients, and that’s what makes the work so rewarding. There’s something powerful about taking an idea or a dream and shaping it into a place that feels both unique and truly connected.”
Brian PalmbergPrincipal + ArchitectBrian is a founding partner of BellCraft Architects and leads the firm’s Seattle, Washington studio. He brings more than twenty-five years of experience working with design firms in Seattle, Chicago, and North Carolina on a wide range of residential and commercial project types and locations. He is a licensed architect and holds a Fine Arts degree from North Park University and a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Washington.
He has a deep appreciation for the distinct architectural vernaculars that define a place. With an artistic background, he is drawn to architecture as a vehicle for creative expression, pairing that sensibility with technical skills to help clients realize their aspirations. Brian is committed to thoughtful design that responds to clients’ needs while contributing positively to the broader community.
“Our process is very intentionally iterative and collaborative – shaped through conversation, exploration, and refinement. What emerges is something very personal and unique to each client and place, rooted in a shared vision.”