What do you do for a living? I’m an architect Oh, interesting. Do you design houses? No Because my wife and I have always thought of designing our own house. We’d like a French Mediterranean villa. Do you design French Mediterranean? No, I live in North Carolina We just think French Mediterranean is so elegant. Don’t you? I guess … Read More
Design, Trees, and Sandwiches
I really just came here for the free lunch and the continuing education credits. I didn’t come here to listen to you pontificate on the meaning of design. I don’t even know what dichotomy means, let alone how to use it a sentence, or the design of a gymnasium primarily used for children. I don’t even think dichotomy is appropriate … Read More
Thoughts on construction
Thoughts on construction. Construction is the process of painstakingly removing all evidence of the architect’s efforts. Each concept and ideology must be carefully removed to reveal the pure structure beneath. The holes in the design must be pointed out to the architect with exasperation, then patched, filled and spackled over to provide a smooth finish on which the owner can … Read More
Beige is not a color, it’s a cry for help
How to choose a color. Try to represent the landscape and the natural terrain around the building. Pull from the tints and textures of the surrounding trees, the grasses, the reeds, the cool depths of an adjacent stream. Get inspired by the outcroppings of sandstone to the south of the site, by the wood, split for firewood down by the … Read More
Choosing an architectural style for your project
The architectural style of a building should be determined by carefully weighing a number of factors. For example, what is the median income of your target market? What is the prominent material used for the entry signs flanking their gated community? How many architectural “features” will your budget allow? Is there a simple beloved historic building which could be copied … Read More
We give awards to the worst architects
We give awards to the worst architect When I was in school I admired award-winning architects displayed with honor on the cover of magazines and dreamed of following their path and one-day receiving awards and recognition for my work. It took years for me to realize that this might be misguided. Awards are rarely given for quality, for hard work, … Read More
But somehow this is all my fault
So, I’ll tell you my favorite architect joke: A man is flying in a hot air balloon, aimlessly drifting for hours when he realizes he’s lost. He spies another man standing in the field below and he lowers the balloon to yell at the man. “Excuse me, could you tell me where I am? And how to get to Lerwick” … Read More
The art of cost estimating and whispering
It’s going to cost what now? Have you ever played the telephone game? You know, that game where you whisper something into someone’s ear, and then they whisper it into the person beside them’s ear, and they whisper it to the next person, and so on until you get back to the original person? You’ll start with “please pass the … Read More
HGTV can kiss my ass
NO, it does not take 5 days for construction of a 1750 s.f. addition. Please stop telling people that. Sure, 5 days, if you adhere the cabinet doors with double stick tape in lieu of hinges. Just so they hang in place long enough to get that blurry “after” shot. Sure, it takes 5 days if you never show the … Read More
JOB POD!!!!
NEW FOR 2018! THE REDESIGNED JOBSITE TRAILER FOR THE MODERN CONTRACTOR INTRODUCING – THE JOB POD! It’s small and efficient. Lacking all detail (which was value engineered out of the design). Made of all glass and perforated metal! Well, at least it was designed that way conceptually, but it was executed in “no glass” ™ and chained link to save … Read More
Notes from my clients friends niece who is a designer
Hi Svehn, I just wanted to drop you a line to share some thoughts on the home addition you designed for us. My friend was in town this weekend for the azalea festival and she brought along her niece who just happens to be a designer. Maybe you’ve met her? Sarah S____? Lovely girl. So smart. Since she was here, I … Read More