Information on remodeling homes and commercial spaces
Summer is almost here, 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 a mid-century modern home can be particularly tricky. When they
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 enjoy even easier. In cooler weather,
As an architect, I like to think of remodeling and building projects as a symphony. All the sections of the orchestra – the strings, the brass, the percussion – use their unique skills to work on their separate bits of music, yet somehow, everything comes together to create something beautiful. But without a conductor to
Photo by Becky Snyder/Flickr/CC-By 2.0 Mid-century modern homes have been enjoying something of a renaissance over the past few years. Originally intended as functional, affordable family homes, they’ve become sought-after properties, thanks to their unique style and their location in some of the Bay Area’s most desirable communities. If you’re lucky enough to own a
A major remodeling project brings with it lots of different emotions. Excitement. Frustration. Anger. Elation. If you’re doing a major building or remodeling project, chances are you’ll experience all these emotions – and more – during the process. As an architect, I’ve seen it time and again, and each time I’m right there with the
When planning a kitchen remodel, nothing seems to stress my clients out more than selecting a kitchen countertop. And no wonder – the countertop not only defines the style of your kitchen, it also serves as its primary workhorse, sometimes acting as food prep surface, sometimes as trivet, storage area or even dining table. Not
With summer just around the corner, it’s an excellent time to think about remodeling your outdoor living spaces. One excellent, eco-friendly upgrade to consider is replacing patios and walkways made from impermeable paving materials—such as traditional concrete or stone, asphalt, or plastic—with permeable paving. Why Use Permeable Paving Materials? Permeable materials are porous and allow
How much waste did your last construction or remodeling project generate? Chances are, it was more than necessary. According to California's 2008 Statewide Waste Characterization Study, 29 percent of the state's solid waste stream comes from the "Inerts and Other" category, which includes construction and demolition. But with a little planning, you and your architect or
