I am pleased to announce that I am now a New Avenue Homes architect partner. That means that I am joining a select group of talented architects who are bringing structure and clarity to the design-build process for home renovations. Clients for New Avenue Homes are primarily people who are interested […]
Yearly Archives: 2014
41 posts
This is a question I get asked with some frequency: Do you use CAD? The answer to this question is both “yes” and “no”. I do use a software program to produce my drawings. In that sense, “yes” I use CAD. But the program I use is not AutoCAD, the […]
The small addition project in San Bruno is moving forward. I met with the clients this week. The decision was made to apply for the Architectural Review next week. While this project is small – 210 square foot addition – there is a complicating factor which means an Architectural Review […]
Check out my new car signs! What I am calling “Car Signs 2.0” are pretty nifty looking. I have added my voice mail number to the signs. I have also featured my phone number more prominently on the website. You’ll see it in the upper right hand corner at the top of […]
I have a confession to make. I have an architect crush. It is common among architects, especially young ones, to have architect crushes on one or two favorite established architects. An architect crush is when you find the work of an architect conceptually, visually, and emotionally admirable and appealing. You’ […]
This apartment in Spain by PKMN Architecture, is an inspired bit of space planning and “thinking outside the box”. The client, an artist and designer who works from home, needed a house that provided a series of different spaces. The solution the architects came up with is ingenious. It may […]
There are currently two small projects in my office. The first is to rebuild an existing non-conforming detached garage. The other is a small addition to a house. Both of these projects appear to be simple and straight forward. Both have complications that mean the projects aren’t moving forward as […]
Sometimes you have to make a small kitchen work. Expanding the kitchen is not viable because of cost, space constraints, or because you are renting. Kitchn.com recently published a list of 8 ways to make more of a small kitchen. Though, there are two number 4’s and no number 6. […]
This is an installment in my occasional series of posts about buildings, architects, ideas, and objects that inspire me. Today, in honor of his birthday, I am going to look at Sir Peter Cook, architect and educator. I have deep respect and admiration for Sir Peter Cook. I was familiar with his […]
Have you heard the news? Ikea is discontinuing their ENTIRE kitchen cabinet system and replacing it with an entirely NEW kitchen cabinet system! I have long been a fan of Ikea kitchens for those who are trying to remodel their kitchens on a tight budget. Their kitchen cabinet system is […]
I read a lot of blogs about kitchen design and residential remodeling. I like knowing what is going on in my field. I often learn something I didn’t know before. I’m often inspired by the designs of others. Sometimes, I wonder what they were thinking. Just this week I read […]
This post is a bit different from previous posts in that it is a little bit about this, a little bit about that. A potpourri of news, if you will. Previous Projects Updated: The Edwardian remodel in Oakland has been stalled for a few months for reasons outside my control. […]
I just love this little animation. 2 minutes of music, architecture and delight! http://vimeo.com/94449276 Doesn’t it make your architectural heart go pitter pat? by
The San Francisco Chronicle recently ran a piece on current Bay Area home prices. I’m not sure if we are in another bubble or not, but at these kinds of prices, maybe it makes sense to remodel instead of move! Depending on where you live it might make sense to […]
Frank Lloyd Wright is probably the most famous architect in the world. Even people who know nothing about architecture will say “Frank Lloyd Wright” when asked to name an architect. He’s been dead for 55 years, but his fame, reputation and influence endure. He designed 100’s of buildings during his […]
After this weekend’s 6.0 earthquake centered near American Canyon in Napa County, it is understandable if you have earthquakes and earthquake safety on your mind. Do you know if your house is earthquake safe? While there is no structure that is “earthquake proof”, it is possible to do some simple […]
One of the things I am interested in, and have some experience with, is designing for living in small spaces. The average American house is 2300 square feet, which is about 1000 square feet larger than the average American house of 50 years ago. Are American families bigger than they […]
If you are thinking about remodeling your kitchen, whether major or minor, you have to think things through many things. Recently, thekitchn.com published what they called The 10 Commandments of Kitchen Remodeling. It is a good list of things to think about (especially #5). But I’m going to suggest that […]
Last week I wrote that I was about to accompany the client in to the Oakland Permit Center to apply for a permit for the project. The project is fairly small: we are adding a deck, replacing one window, replacing another window with a sliding glass door, and rebuilding a bathroom […]
Tomorrow I will be accompanying my client for the Deck and Remodel project to the City’s Permit Center to apply for, and hopefully receive, the Building Permit for the project. This project has gone exceptionally quickly. I started work on 7/12. We will be applying for the permit on 7/31. That’s […]