Most clients come into a design project with little idea of how the design process works. But armed with a basic understanding of what to expect, you may find it easier to plan and make decisions as your project takes shape. Of course, every architect works a little differently, but the overall design process tends
This post first ran in 2018. If you have a beautiful garden, outdoor living space or a great view, one of the best upgrades you can make to your home is to add a retractable glass wall. Adding a retractable glass wall can make the indoor/outdoor living so many of us in the Bay Area
This post first ran in 2018. Summer is just around the corner, and while many of us are looking forward to lazy days by the pool with a good book (and lots of sunscreen), we’re also thinking about how we’re going to keep cool without breaking the bank or destroying the earth. Cooling
If you are among the two-thirds of households that cook on an electric stove, you may not care. That is, unless you are concerned about climate change. The incremental changes “cooking with gas” households will be asked to make, will be for the sake of our health and the planet. The movement to eventually end
The original version of this post ran in 2016. One of the best ways to lower your project's environmental footprint is to use green building materials. Whether it's a simple kitchen remodel or a new, multi-unit office building, if you want to reduce your impact on our environment, there are five key questions to ask
Every year, the debate rages about the clock switching ritual of daylight saving time as we chase the sunlight. We recently experienced the Spring Forward, with all its morning grogginess, sleep deprivation and for some people, the increased likelihood of strokes and heart attacks. That certainly can get us thinking about the effect sunlight has
This post first ran in 2015. Green design, also known as sustainable design, was once an afterthought – a nice "extra" to think about after the big design decisions had been made. As our awareness of the importance of caring for our planet has grown, green design has evolved to become a key consideration for
Creating your dream house, or diving into that home remodel, can be a bumpy process at times. We all know planning can help keep things on track, but how do you plan for something you’ve never done before? 1. Find the Right Professionals Since a home is one of the biggest investments many of us
Church design presents challenges and opportunities that both stretch the imagination and test an architect’s skills. The modern church is much more than a place of worship. It's a place for community, for education, for entertainment, for public service – so church design must be flexible enough to accommodate all these and more. A good
There was a time, not so long ago, when greywater systems were not allowed in some municipalities. Even today, they are regulated. Long-running droughts have, of necessity, made the installation of greywater systems not only legal but desirable. Greywater is the water used in your washing machine and in your bath for bathing or showering
