What is the right prescription for southern high performance residential architectural design and building? In our evolving practice we now recommend a prescription of high-performance solutions on every project. From a humble renovation to custom new home built to Passive House criteria we consider features in a following order of priority according to our client’s…
Is it possible to enjoy the journey? We’ve all heard the horror stories—budget over runs, delays due to poor planning, small details ignored during design becoming emergency decisions during construction, etc. This part can be very stressful and not a lot of fun. Yet, the journey of creating a new space or transforming an old…
We like to integrate project management technology with the project process for our clients. This way they can be aware of what is going on, feel included, and communicate on their time. We create our work around the concept of information sharing. This helps us to avoid common miscommunications when building custom residential architecture. Some…
Can you fast track construction? Is it safe? The project Team is in place. The design was adjusted to pricing reality. Owner has agreed to a price based on a design, assumptions and allowances. Is it possible to start a fast track building process, understanding the need to speed while finishing construction documents? Like many hard…
Reality Check Successful projects need a reality check before finalizing the construction package. The best time for this reality check is typically at the 50% complete point in the design process. The design team will help establish allowance amounts for unselected items that will satisfy the client’s goals about quality without having to make all…
Teamwork At a recent grand opening, we celebrated the 100% completion of a residential project and the great results of teamwork. The whole team was there, and everyone was very proud of the result. However, it was hard to remember who on the team was most responsible for driving the design. The Team: The Architectural…
What does “project stewardship” mean? Sometimes project stewardship is literal; like when we were recently commissioned for our 5th project for the 3rd owner of the same property. Other times project stewardship involves helping clients make long-term decisions. These decisions, for example, might include using advanced building science strategies that create healthier, more resilient, lower…
Change will happen; let’s plan for it. As architects how can we anticipate long-term change of a private house or an institutional building owner? Can we, as architects, limit turnover of a commercial lease tenants? Typically, people and buildings change together. How can residential buildings plan for change? In residential design, we consider how a…
What is wrong with this picture? Why do certain building, streets, and places feel right, while some feel terribly wrong? Should individual buildings contribute to a place’s safety, walk-ability, and successful urban design? We believe that good architecture achieves a state of design consciousness. Imagine a world where infill homes are not piles dropped from…
Does the project work? The second Jones Pierce principle to a fun client experience says all projects must be viable in order to proceed. Typically, project budgeting will define the viability of a project. Therefore, early in the project, we look at several possible aspects of viability to make sure the project works as early…