The architectural design process can seem bewildering to clients – there are so many decisions to be made, so many tasks to complete, so many people involved. Part of my aim with this blog is to demystify the design and construction process for people considering a building or remodeling project. Last week, I wrote about
Any building or remodeling project involves a team of professionals. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, the team can range from a single architect and contractor to a host of architects, engineers and construction project managers, but the basic requirements are the same: properly trained and experienced professionals working in concert via
When people find out I’m an architect, they almost always want to talk about their projects. Whether it’s a home remodel, a new retail space for their business or a new commercial building, one of the first questions that usually comes up is, “Do I really need an architect for that?” In some cases, the
Adaptive reuse has helped New York reclaim and transform one of its iconic buildings. Trans World Airlines (TWA) may be no more, but part of the terminal that superstar architect Eero Saarinen designed for the company remains a travel hub, now as a hotel. When the TWA Flight Center at New York’s John F. Kennedy
The Wonder Bread Factory building in Washington, D.C., where the eponymous sliced white bread and the parent company's sweet Hostess cake treats were made, is emblematic of how adaptive reuse can be an important part of revitalizing a neighborhood. The four-story building, with its brick-and-steel façade, is part of a group of buildings in northwest
The Seaholm District in Austin, Texas, is an adaptive reuse project centered around the former Seaholm Power Plant, a series of late Art Deco-style buildings completed in 1955 that have lain dormant since 1996. The redevelopment, which started in 2013 and is ongoing, has taken the property from abandoned industrial site to a vibrant example
Adaptive reuse is the ultimate urban (or suburban) recycling project. Adapted buildings are terrific for their communities from a social, economic and environmental standpoint, and they offer business owners unique spaces to conduct and showcase their work. Over the past weeks, I’ve written several posts about adaptive reuse of old buildings because I think it’s
In the past weeks, I’ve written about the environmental, economic, and social benefits of repurposing buildings – also known as adaptive reuse – and about some of the most popular types of buildings currently being adapted. Over the next few posts, I’d like to take a look at some of the other kinds of structures
Post-frame construction has been around since humans first started building spaces to live in, but it is becoming a more popular option for new home and commercial construction, thanks to its flexibility, sustainability and cost-effectiveness. What Is Post-Frame Construction? Post-frame construction is an engineered-wood-frame building system that meets Uniform Building Code (UBC) and International Building
Building design can have a signficant impact on your health. According to the landmark National Human Activity Pattern Survey (NHAPS), conducted between 1992 and 1994, people spend an average of 87 percent of their lives in enclosed buildings, where pollutants like tobacco smoke, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), asbestos, pesticides and carbon monoxide can prolilferate and,
