It isn’t all accessory dwellings and roses here in my studio. I also take on some other types of work, including Accessibility consulting. Right now I am helping a client complete the audit forms for San Francisco’s Accessible Business Entrance Program. The Accessible Business Entrance Program is San Francisco’s way […]
Services
37 posts
One of the things that architects do is provide site inspection services. In most cases, when we go to visit a project under construction, we are there to observe. If we see anything that is not according to the documents, we raise the issue with the contractor and with the […]
Last week, I wrote about three different kinds of sketches that architects do. I mentioned that I would share the computer drawings that the drafter created from my hand sketches. Well, here they are! These drawings are done in a computer program called Revit. Revit is a Building Information Modeling […]
I can’t recall if I’ve written about this project or not. Years ago, I did a project for these clients in this house, enclosing a carport to be a garage. That was successful. But the owners soon had to relocate for work, and the house was rented out. They’ve returned […]
In California right now, there is a significant amount of interest in “accessory dwelling units” (ADUs). These used to be called “granny flats”, “in-law units”, or “back yard cottages”. Now they are most commonly called “accessory dwelling units” or “secondary dwelling units”. By definition, an ADU is a smaller dwelling […]
Things are busy here in the studio. I thought I would post an update on the progress of some of the projects in the studio, and introduce a couple new projects. My project in Danville is out of plan check! The owner picked up the permit about 3 weeks ago. […]
What are “Full Architectural Services”? Architects just draw, right? Wrong! Architects do a lot more than just draw. Whether your project is a house addition, a house remodel, or a kitchen remodel, the services that an architect can provide are extensive. We do research. We design (yes). We draw (yes). […]
In an effort to provide more useful information to my clients, I am launching two new products. The first is a free Project Planning Cheat Sheet. The other is a Needs + Options Review service. If you are thinking about building or remodeling in 2016, now is the time […]
It has been a couple of weeks since I was able to post anything here. I’ve been busy working on projects for my clients. But this past week saw a very important milestone, 25 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law. 25 years is a […]
Two weeks ago, I posted a brief audio blog post about Existing Conditions Drawings, mentioning that it is a “pre-design” service. I realized that I haven’t really spoken much about the phases of a project. I do discuss it on my Process page, and I’ve mentioned various phases in different […]
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% […]
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 happened on this post about Michelangelo’s grocery list. Please go read it. It is short, very interesting, with a lovely image of the grocery list in question. Besides appealing to my interest in history, to do lists, and sketching, Michelangelo’s illustrated grocery list raises the issue, in my […]
Back in the Spring of this year, I did a fun little project for friends of mine. They live in a condominium that, while it has lots of closet space, the simple developer rod and shelf in each closet just wasn’t what they needed. I was called in to help […]
Are you tired of your kitchen but uncertain about which way to proceed? Does your house or condominium need some basic renovations to bring it into the 21st century, but the though of hiring an architect sounds far too expensive? For house and condominium owners in these and similar situations, […]
When I saw this post by Keith Palma of Cogitate Design, a North Carolina architecture firm, I knew I had to share it. This is a brilliant graphic description of what an architect does. The illustration above, from the post linked below, is just one from a series. This one […]