Seeing Things From Our Client’s Perspecitve It is not unusual for somebody to only need an architect once or twice in their life, and many of our clients are working with an architect for the first time. We feel that communication is THE most critical aspect of our relationship with clients and so we work…
read moreThe Hard + Soft Truth about your project Costs When shopping for a bottle of wine, usually the first question the clerk will ask is “how much are you looking to spend?” This is not to try and take advantage of you, but rather not waste everybody’s time describing the qualities of the $300 bottle…
read moreArchitecture and Light The psychological effect that your surroundings have on your mood is absolutely fascinating. Many researchers and psychologists have spent quite a lot of time on researching the effects of different designs, structures, lighting styles and colors on your mind and mood. During many years of research, these professionals found that colors and…
read moreThe 9 questions you should ask at the start of a project. There are 1000s of things to do when starting a new project. This is why having right professionals on your side is essential. There several questions you are going to need to ask your architect and several more you are going to need…
read moreWhat Is LEED? LEED stands for Leadership in Energy Efficient Design and is a rating system and agency that certifies buildings are sustainable according to their rating system. LEED, unlike PassiveHouse, takes many factors beyond energy usage into account when certifying a project. Indoor air quality, material sourcing, recycled content, and construction techniques are among…
read moreSustainable Design Strategies Green design is an idea that most people have heard of, but few understand what it means from on a practical level. Most people when they think of a Green Building think of solar panels, but in reality, there is much more to it. While onsite renewable energy generation like solar panels…
read moreCRI (COLOR RENDERING INDEX) CRI is a measure of how accurately a light source can reveal the intrinsic colors of what it is illuminating. Color is just the brain’s way of interpreting light wave frequency. When light hits an object, it absorbs some frequencies and reflects others. A red apple absorbs all the frequencies, except the…
read moreLight and Mood How Architecture Uses Lighting Styles To Enhance Your Mood The psychological effect that your surroundings have on your mood is fascinating. Many researchers and psychologists have spent quite a lot of time on researching the effects of different designs, structures, lighting styles and colors on your mind and mood. During many years…
read moreThe Landmark Preservation CommissionHOW TO DESIGN IN A PROTECTED DISTRICT The LPC, or Landmarks Preservation Commission, is a city organization charged with protecting various historic districts and buildings. If your project falls within a historic district or is an individually landmarked building, you are required to gain approval from the LPC before any work can…
read moreLouis Kahn + The Salk Institute During a recent trip to San Diego, we were lucky enough to take a quick detour to the Salk Institute, a research facility about an hour outside of downtown. It was built in 1965 and designed by Louis Kahn – one of the world’s greatest architects. What is startling…
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