Posts filed under “architecture”
How To Find A Reputable Contractor In One Simple Step
Step 1: Listen to your architect! Seriously! …and if you don’t have one, find one and ask for a recommendation. I recently did some permit drawings for a friend who is also a client. I also recommended a couple contractors that I trust, but he decided to go with someone else to save a […]
Modern vs Contemporary: What’s the Difference?
Contemporary will be much easier so I’ll do that first, and I believe I can do it in three or less sentences. Contemporary is not an architectural style as much as it is a portrayal of what is happening or needed today; an exploration of, or expression of an idea that defines a need. Such […]
Should I Be An Architect?
The profession seems to have been glorified to the point where those of us who do it are perceived as part the 1%, a pinnacle usually reserved for the corporate CEO, the doctor, the lawyer, the banker, the hedge fund manager, etc. How? Why? I don’t know. The mainstream media? The film industry? Sadly, those who pursue the profession for the gobs of money, a big house and a […]
Building A New Home, Part 3: The Fun Part
In part three I will cover the three phases of design, Pre-Design, Schematic Design and Design Development. I call this the fun part because a house is more than a building with a front door, a back door and a roof over a few rooms separated by walls and doors. It is a place. A […]
Building A New Home, Part 2: Getting Started
Initial documents: In part 1 I discussed the process of building a new home or renovation from the initial contact to the proposal and finally reaching an agreement. Part 2 will cover the documents that will be your responsibility as the property owner. Plot Plan: Before getting started with the design process your architect will need to know if your project […]
Building A New Home, Part 1: Where to Start
Part 1 of this 4 part series will cover a quick overview of what can be expected in the early phase, with parts 2 through 4 covering each subsequent phase in more detail. So let’s jump into the vast unknown. When I get a call from a prospective client who wants to build a new […]
Architecting. What Makes An Architect An Architect?
So I came across another interesting article, “Architecting Your Exit”. Now I initially found this odd because not much design goes into the exiting of a building. The building code has very specific criteria with thousands of minimums and maximums that govern how high, how wide, how low and how many. All contained in 184 […]
What is that ‘thingy’ on the roof?
This blog post was inspired by an article that I recently read as well as conversations I’ve had with many clients. Architects (and builders) have names for just about every component or system involved in the design and construction of a building. Most of these terms have been passed down from as far back as the ancient Egyptians to […]
8 Myths About Architects
Myth #1: I can’t afford an architect. This is number one because it is the most mis-understood. An architect will make your budget his or her best friend and will negotiate to get the best materials and the best workmanship for a good price. More bang for your buck. An architect will not only advocate […]
The Road Crit. What An Architect Won’t Do For You.
As a student of architecture you become quite familiar with ‘the crit’. This is where your work is continually scrutinized and critiqued, sometimes brutally. These sessions usually take on one of two formats, the desk crit or the wall crit. A wall crit involves the whole class and one to four+ critics consisting of professors, recent graduates, local architects, etc. These sessions […]