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 […]
Establishing the construction budget for your project is the FIRST thing you should do after you have decided that building or remodeling is the way to go. In this video I walk you through the 4 steps to establishing a construction budget. There is a little bit of math, but […]
Today I am releasing my newest ebook, Refresh Your Kitchen in 3 Easy Steps – without breaking the bank. We are all cooped up in our homes as we shelter in place. If you are like me, I’m noticing little things about my house that are irritating me. I can’t […]
A question I get all the time, as many architects do, is a variation of “What will it cost to draw my plans?” I get this question so often, I’ve made a video in which I answer this burning question: Now you know! If you are thinking of remodeling your […]
Construction can be so stressfull. So many decisions! So many moving parts! How can you make it through the process without losing all your hair? Keep calm – and hire an architect! An architect is your guide through the tangled bureaucracy and insanity of the planning and building codes. It […]
I became an architect to help people, to solve their problems artfully with buildings. In this video I tell the story of my first encounter with architecture as a profession. Every architect has a different story. This one is mine. And, for the record, I now have my very own […]
There are many things that can inspire. One of the things that inspires me is graffiti art. These talented artists make monumental murals and small intimate vignettes that enhance and beautify the urban environment. I took these photographs on a cold, grey morning, but they color and liveliness of the […]
In response to the current shelter-in-place orders in California and the San Francisco Bay Area, I am now offering a new architectural consulting service: Virtual Design Counseling. This is what an architect does to continue providing services to his clients during a pandemic. Check out this video, which tells you […]
I had planned to post something else today, but, given what’s going on in the world, I thought I would address the “work-from-home” conundrum that many of us may be experiencing for the first time. With the city, county, and state wide “stay at home” orders in response to the […]
UPDATED 3/25/21: The pandemic continues, however, there is light at the end of the tunnel. More and more of us are getting vaccinated and the economy is slowly opening up. I have received the first vaccine, and the second is scheduled. By the 1st of May, 2021, I will be […]
At the moment we are looking at a serious pandemic of a virus called Covid-19, aka the Cornona Virus. It spreads very easily and has about a 2.5% mortality rate. As a consequence, sporting events and performances are being cancelled or postponed. Schools and universities are switching over to online […]
The studio is intended for the elderly parents of the owners. They will get their own space that opens out onto a shade dappled back yard, that is only feet away from the main family home. The parents will be able to participate in family life, or retreat to the cottage as they see fit, but benefit from the proximity of the family and the grandchild.
Last week, Governor Gavin Newsom signed AB 68 into law. AB 68 addresses Accessory Dwelling Units, specifically addressing planning and zoning regulations in order to make them easier to design and build.
It is with great pleasure that I share the completed Berkeley Cottage. I started this project with New Avenue Homes – I am a New Avenue Homes architect partner – in January of 2018. The owner wanted to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) that she could rent for a […]
Architects get their inspiration from many places. In my experience, our day to day life is spent with our attention focused on very pragmatic things: water proofing details, code compliance, worrying about your budget, dealing with building officials. None of those things is the reason I, nor most of my […]