Design Matters

Thoughts of an Architect

A 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!

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Happy Earth Day – 44 Years Later!

By harrisonburgarchitect | April 22, 2014 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect

Today may be the 44th anniversary of Earth Day, but we have a lot of work to do. Our firm has focused on providing ...

What improvements do you see in daily life that could make life easier for everyone?

By harrisonburgarchitect | April 21, 2014 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect

I was out shopping with my mom this weekend. She has difficulty walking and uses handicap parking spaces to make ...

Broadway Barn – Seasons of Virginia

By harrisonburgarchitect | April 17, 2014 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect

I absolutely love the view from our backyard! Do you have a favorite view that you return to through the seasons ...

SVBA Home and Garden Show in Pictures

By harrisonburgarchitect | April 15, 2014 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect

Great show, great times, great FUN!

Custom home in Old Town Harrisonburg under construction

By harrisonburgarchitect | April 14, 2014 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect

Update on the progress of the dream house we designed in Old Town Harrisonburg. Previous updates here and here.

SVBA Home and Garden Show 2014

By harrisonburgarchitect | April 13, 2014 | architecture, Harrisonburg Architect

Wow, what a great weekend. I am worn out and there is still another day of Home Show. I have met hundreds of great ...

Design Does Not Cost More, But Lack of Design Will Cost a Fortune

By harrisonburgarchitect | April 11, 2014 | architecture, Building Science, Harrisonburg Architect

I was at Lowe's to pick up a couple of new hard hats for the office and there at the end of the check-out counter ...

X-Ray vision is required to do a full renovation

By harrisonburgarchitect | April 9, 2014 | architecture, Building Science, Harrisonburg Architect

I remember as a kid seeing ads for X-Ray goggles on the back of comic books. The idea of being able to see through ...

Green Terms Defined: Permeability

By harrisonburgarchitect | April 7, 2014 | architecture, Building Science, Harrisonburg Architect, Indoor Air Quality

Permeability is a HUGE topic in our mixed humid climate for anyone involved in the construction industry. The perm ...

Looking For the Best Builders? See What They’re Doing On Their Job Site!

By harrisonburgarchitect | April 4, 2014 | architecture, Building Science, Harrisonburg Architect

Sometimes you show up on a job site and the builders have done a little more than you asked of them. This is a ...

Environmentalist, Homesteader, or Prepper – where do you fall?

By harrisonburgarchitect | April 2, 2014 | architecture

We design a lot of homes that are healthy, energy-efficient, and durable. Some are for clients that want to reduce their monthly utility bills as much as possible or clients that understand the negative health impacts of modern construction. Some homes are for clients that want to reduce their impact on the environment. Then there are our designs for clients that believe society is coming to an end and they want to be prepared for anything.