Design Matters
Thoughts of an ArchitectA Message from The Firm
Our blog, Design Matters, is a place for our team to share our knowledge, community events, projects, resources, and opinions. It is a place for you to keep up with us and for us to hear from you. Thanks for reading!
Press Release: Single-Family Trends 2020
New home construction and remodels are some of the biggest and most intensive projects homeowners undertake. Construction and remodeling trends change rapidly, and now that 2020 has kicked off a new decade, people are looking to update their homes now more than ever. Today's homes look nothing like they did 20 years ago.
Does your kitchen need an upgrade?
Understanding the goals for the "life you want to live" is the first step for designing a solution like this one. As an architect I have been trained to hear your goals and translate them through spatial solutions that provide the framework to achieve those goals. If you are thinking that your home does not facilitate the life you want to live, give us a call. We would love to work with you to create your dream home through a dream renovation.
Is your home keeping you healthy and comfortable while killing the Corona Virus?
So my next call was to Jay Monger at Excel HVAC to discuss options. I knew I wanted a high efficiency system. However, I just purchased a home, so money was tight. We discussed options and he ran a Manual J load calculation to verify the size of the air conditioner needed. If your HVAC company does not run a Manual J - then they are guessing at the size needed. He recommended a Mitsubishi Heat Pump for my efficiency and comfort goals. He also recommended a MERV 16 5" media filter and an APCO Fresh-Aire UV light.
Upgrade your house with a new front porch
This client wanted to upgrade the aesthetics of their home because they loved their neighborhood, but the house was just not what they wanted. So part of the project included an upgrade of a new front porch.
Stage Upgrade – Plan now for your renovation / addition
Every now and then an opportunity comes to you that you just cannot pass up. A few years ago the team that organizes Red Wing Music Festival asked us to think about what the permanent stage at Natural Chimney could become. We quickly got to work on the stage upgrade for this amazing festival and beautiful landscape.
On this day: Pandemic, Politics, Survival, Home School, Small Business, and remembering to make dinner
On this day life is hard. We are each not in the same boat as I have heard so many say. Some of us have a nicer boat than others. Some of us have a boat with a hole in it. Some of us don't have a boat at all, but are holding to the hope of something floating by to hang on so we can rest for just a moment.
Architectural Assignment – Home School 101 Architecture – Richard Rodgers Theatre
The task for this week was to pick an architect with work built in the U.S. I picked Herbert J. Krapp. He lived from 1887 to 1973. He lived for 86 years! One of his buildings is the Richard Rodgers Theatre. I picked this one in particular because it is the theatre that Hamilton plays in.
Architectural Assignment – Home School 101 Architecture – Smithsonian American Art Museum
Architectural Assignment - Home School 101 Architecture - Smithsonian American Art Museum
Bringing new life to an old horse barn
We get to do a variety of projects which keeps life interesting. This particular project wanted to bring new life to an old horse barn. The barn was already beautiful, but not "finished."
Zoom Chat with Jim Leaman – Solar PV on Residential
I have wanted to start a video blog series for some time now, so this change to our normal patterns is the opportunity. Give me some grace while I figure out systems and try some things. For this discussion, I started a ZOOM chat with Jim Leaman on Solar PV on residential projects.
Architectural Assignment – Home School 101 Architecture – Fallingwater
Now that life has changed and the girls are doing online school, I added an architectural class to their weekly work load. This past week, I asked each to write a report on a work of architecture that they each appreciate. Here is the report from Hannah Hendricks.
I created a new free architectural coloring book – CW Depot Coloring Book #architectureisfun
I created a new free architectural coloring book - CW Depot Coloring Book #architectureisfun