Following up on last week’s post: after modeling the existing house, I made the changes we had discussed. I also sent a drawing of the proposed deck to the structural engineer. He came back with some suggestions that make things simpler. The new deck is shown in the illustration above. […]
Yearly Archives: 2014
41 posts
This week I got started on two new projects. The project illustrated above is one of them. It is a simple remodel to a house in Oakland on a fairly steeply sloped site. The only changes planned to the exterior are adding the deck. This 3D image is produced by […]
When designing a kitchen remodel, one of the key decisions that we have to make is what cabinet system to use. This is a critical question because it affects the budget, the appearance, the ability to meet your requirements, and the options available. Some cabinet systems are better than others. […]
How have I spent my time the last couple of days? In answering this question, I am starting an ongoing series of posts about what an architect does. A recent survey of the general public found that 72% of people didn’t know that architects can apply for planning permission. 22% […]
I have been doing some research on residential construction costs in the SF Bay Area. It’s always good to be up to date on this subject. Clients and potential clients are always asking the question. Not surprisingly, the numbers I’ve seen have ranged all over the place from unbelievably low […]
A friend spotted this and sent it to me. It is a copy of the Architect’s Code of Conduct, from the 1920’s. Back then, a copy of this code was given to every newly licensed architect in the Philippines. It is a beautiful thing, both aesthetically and philosophically. if, like […]
Your remodeling or addition project will exist in several different realities. There is the reality of the exiting house. There is also the reality that exists in the space between your desires and your budget. The folks at Houzz.com wrote about setting a budget back in April. While the post […]
The Villa Rotunda by Andrea Palladio is probably one of the most iconic homes ever built. It’s influence reverberates through the profession of architecture over 400 years since it was completed. Like most architects who find themselves in North-Eastern Italy, I made a pilgrimage to see this house in 1988. […]
One of the most common questions I am asked is about what material to use for kitchen counters. The current (July 2014) issue of Consumer Reports magazine has a nice article about this question. Much of this issue of the magazine is dedicated to kitchen design, materials and appliances. It […]
The whole house remodel project in Oakland is well underway. The house is 104 years old. All the exterior doors and windows have been replaced and some relocated. The old chimney has been removed. Just get a look at interior: All the interior plaster has been removed, some existing walls […]
My May newsletter, Making Places, went out today. Have you subscribed yet? Join the growing list of people who subscribe to Making Places. The newsletter comes out every two months, because you don’t have time to be bothered with constant emails. If you subscribe through this link, you will receive: […]
The story of the North Carolina couple who may be forced to tear down their new home because the neighbors don’t like how it looks has recently been in the news. In a nut shell, the couple built a home in a designated “historic district” of home built primarily between […]
Every project has it’s own life. Some go down the road you expect for them. Some take a turn and you have to follow them in the direction they need to go. This project took a turn shortly after we started. The owner’s circumstances took a turn and we had […]
With my nose to the grindstone, I recently looked up – and out onto the internet – only to discover that this is National Architecture Week! (April 6 -12) Who knew? Apparently a lot of people did. Some how I missed the memo. But that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate […]
One of the most common questions I get asked as an architect is a variation on “how much does it cost to remodel my kitchen?” Or, bathroom, or living room, or – well, you get the idea. The answer I have to give is necessarily vague. It depends on how […]
This week I kicked off a new project. My client has purchased an Oakland home that dates from 1910. It was listed as a “Craftsman”, but it has very few Craftsman features. It actually has much more in common with the Edwardian style. Just a quick glance down the street […]
Architects are funny creatures. We love buildings. When we travel, generally, we don’t want to go to the beach or resorts. No. We want to go look at buildings! This post is the first in an intermittent series of posts intended to share those buildings, and maybe other designed objects, […]
Not all of my projects are residential. I have extensive experience in lab planning, retail, and commercial offices. Last week I got a phone call from an old client of mine. Her business has grown and she has an associate who now needs a private office. She had already purchased […]
This is a wonderful summary of what “Basic Services” might be. I find that what a “Basic Service” is will depend on the project, the client and the governing jurisdiction. But this summary is a very good starting place. The graphic was created by and is copyright Marica McKeel, an […]
I recently had to explain to somebody from the South East that construction costs in the San Francisco Bay Area are much higher. For similar scopes of work a project that costs $150 per square foot in the South East will cost $450 per square foot in the Bay Area. […]