The Costco shelves have been stripped of toilet paper and pasta. The Target is out of canned and frozen veggies. Schools are closed. You may have been asked to work from home. What is your architect doing? How is work getting done? I can’t speak for all architects, but this […]
One of the project’s in my studio is a new house in Benicia, California. It is a small, 800 square foot, 2 bedroom house. Follow me as I visit the site. Because of the shelter-in-place order, I haven’t been able to visit the site until recently. The builder has already […]
One of the most common reasons my clients chose to build an accessory dwelling – either a backyard cottage or in-law unit, is for either their elder parents, or for their adult children with kids of their own. Building an accessory dwelling on their property allows them to have two […]
Many people think that once they have a permit in hand, they no longer need an architect. That could not be further from the truth. You need an architect during construction for many reasons. Just some reasons are: The architect is an advocate for the design – helping you and […]
You will often hear architects, contractors, and engineers talking about how a building is “to code”, meaning it complies with the building codes. We talk about it like it’s a good thing, something to be proud of. But is it? Not really. The building code defines the worst acceptable building […]
Continuing my series of videos about the architectural project process, we now come to Phase 5: Permits + Bidding! Woo hoo? This is my least favorite project phase. It is the phase where the design team (you and I) have the least control and influence. And it is the phase […]
I’ve written about this secondary dwelling unit in Oakland before. About a month ago I posted on the progress. This past week I stopped by again to check on the progress. Since the last time I was there, they have started on the underlayment for the green roof assembly, and […]
Remodeling clients often have questions and concerns about the return on their investment for including various features and amenities they might be considering. I get it. Construction isn’t cheap. If you are going to invest $30,000, $100,000, $250,000 or more in the remodel and / or addition to your home, […]
The 5th in my series of videos about the architectural project process, this video is about Construction Documents. Some still call them “blue prints”, but they are no longer blue. Some people think that this phase is the only thing that architects do. There are two common misconceptions about architects. […]
On May 30, 2020, for shopping centers in Emeryville, California were looted in the unrest that followed the murder of George Floyd, an unarmed African American man at the hands of the police. On the morning of the 31st, I walked through two of the centers to see what kind […]
Architectural services aren’t cheap. There are many reasons for that. Among those reasons is what I refer to as drawing bloat. There are several reasons for drawing bloat. First, local jurisdictions, and in California, the state, require including information which demonstrates compliance with various laws which are not directly related […]
Continuing my video series about the architectural project process, here is video 4 in the series: What Is Design Development? Many clients want to rush through Design Development. There is the sense that we have to apply for the permit! But rushing this phase is a mistake. It is important […]
This video answers the musical question, “Does my project need a permit?” If you are considering building or remodeling, get your copy of my Project Planning Cheat Sheet to help you prepare by setting a realistic budget and schedule. Just sign up in the form on the right side of this page. […]
Continuing my series of video posts about the architectural project process, I present to you, the third video in the series: What Is Schematic Design? After we have collected all the pertinent information required for a project during Pre-Design, we move on to Schematic Design. This is the phase when […]
One of the most iconic pieces of modern furniture ever produced, The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman makes the hearts of most architects and fans of mid-century modern design skip a beat. Both beautiful and comfortable, these chairs are the epitome of mid-century design: elegant, organic, and designed for mass […]
In California, it is easier than ever before to add an accessory dwelling to your property. Whether you want to add an in-law unit in your basement, convert a free standing garage into a small cottage, or build a new backyard cottage from the ground up, the state has loosened […]
Architects approach projects in a systematic way: we look for different pieces of information and input at different stages of design. This is because the project process moves from the most basic information and gets more detailed as the project moves forward. Pre-Design is the first phase of any architectural […]
When you embark on an architecture project, no matter if you are renovating a bathroom, or building a new house, you are setting off on an adventure! Think of it as your own person Lord of The Rings – without the orcs. But, instead of trying to get rid of […]
This is not a question I get asked often, but it is a question that most non-architects should ask. There is a process to an architectural project. I am making a series of videos that explain the process. This is the first video which outlines the process. I also describe […]
The answer is and emphatic “YES”! Check out the video below to learn why: Helping you navigate the weird ways of city bureaucracy is one of the many things architects do. Before you are even tempted to get started on your project, check out my Project Planning Cheat Sheet. You […]
I’ve dubbed this project Bay Vista Junior. It is an accessory dwelling unit – called a Secondary Dwelling Unit in Oakland – on a large hillside meadow. I’ve designed an extensive remodel and extension to the main house, which I dubbed Bay Vista because of the amazing view. The owners […]