California architecture is as diverse as its population. It encompasses a wide variety of styles, from the Victorian "painted ladies" of San Francisco to the environmentally oriented designs of California Regional Modernism. I've traveled up and down the state since moving here from New York, and I've found so many buildings that inspire me,
I was delighted to hear that two of my role models, architect Elizabeth (Liz) Diller and architectural photographer Hélène Binet, have won prestigious 2019 Women in Architecture awards. Women in Architecture Campaign The awards are part of a project that is near to my heart: The Women in Architecture campaign, a joint project of two
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
As a professional architect, I wear many hats. Designer, artist, draftsperson, construction manager, client advocate … It takes years of training to develop the skills an architect needs and years of experience to hone them. For me, it started in childhood, as I learned to really look at the structures around me and ask myself
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
As a female architect, I was interested to see the New York Times address the dearth of women in architecture in their December 18 article “Where Are All the Female Architects?” A few important points from the article: Until 1972 (and Title IX), most U.S. architecture schools didn’t admit women. Currently, half of all American
Make energy efficiency part of your 2019 New Year's resolutions. January is typically a time to take stock of ourselves and our goals. Many of us ask ourselves, “What do I want to achieve this year?” Along with going to the gym five times per week, eating less meat, or finally finishing that novel
Human-centered design is a process that focuses on human needs and problem-solving. In the architecture field, it is a collaborative undertaking, a partnership between architect, client, and the client’s end-users that takes into account multiple perspectives to create spaces that are functional and inspiring. Benefits of Human-Centered Design A central goal of human-centered design is
For the past two decades, coffee shop design seems to have been dominated by The Big Green Sign. Yes, Starbucks has been phenomenally successful – for a while there was even one near China’s Tiananmen Square – due, in part, to the coffee giant’s ability to combine a consistent aesthetic with nods to the
Retail design is the art of creating a space that makes customers want to engage with and purchase your products and services. A thoughtfully designed space can help increase your sales, while a poorly designed one can lose you both current and future sales. Focusing on a few key elements during the planning stages
