Friday, March 19, 2010
Living Small by Intention
I work with a lot of clients that subscribe to the belief that bigger isn't necessarily better. As a believer in this myself, it's been a privilege to be featured in several of the "Not So Big" series of books by Sarah Susanka. I've recently had a client who exemplified this concept and I wanted to share their story with you.
Laura and Brian B. found us through the "Not So Big" website (www.sarahsusanka.com). They have a modest little mid-century rambler in what's become a very exclusive neighbourhood just outside Seattle: Clyde Hill, which happens to be the same small neighbourhood that Bill Gates lives in. Laura and Brian's house is in an older, more modest section of Clyde Hill; nonetheless, many of these little old homes are being torn down and replaced with McMansions at an alarming rate, much to the chagrin of neighbours who choose to remain (in their original homes).
The city of Clyde Hill has been trying to find ways to dissuade these pumped-up houses from maximizing their footprint and size on these lots, so when we applied for a variance to add a very small addition to this very small existing one-story house, we were met with huge resistance. Laura and I both engaged with the city agents to assure them that our intention was to keep this house small-even espousing the Not-So-Big philosophy; and were able to persuade the city to grant our setback variance to build this 300sf addition, which enabled a remodel that vastly improved the livability of this still-small home.
http://www.ctabuilds.com/notsobigattitude.html
As a result, Laura & Brian are thrilled with their Not-So-Big home, and the City of Clyde Hill has ear-marked this project as a reference to illustrate the benefits of planning and building modestly but carefully considered!
Thank you, Sarah Susanka, for espousing your philosophies nation-wide! We all benefit in many valuable ways.
Julie Campbell AIA, LEED GA
Laura and Brian B. found us through the "Not So Big" website (www.sarahsusanka.com). They have a modest little mid-century rambler in what's become a very exclusive neighbourhood just outside Seattle: Clyde Hill, which happens to be the same small neighbourhood that Bill Gates lives in. Laura and Brian's house is in an older, more modest section of Clyde Hill; nonetheless, many of these little old homes are being torn down and replaced with McMansions at an alarming rate, much to the chagrin of neighbours who choose to remain (in their original homes).
The city of Clyde Hill has been trying to find ways to dissuade these pumped-up houses from maximizing their footprint and size on these lots, so when we applied for a variance to add a very small addition to this very small existing one-story house, we were met with huge resistance. Laura and I both engaged with the city agents to assure them that our intention was to keep this house small-even espousing the Not-So-Big philosophy; and were able to persuade the city to grant our setback variance to build this 300sf addition, which enabled a remodel that vastly improved the livability of this still-small home.
http://www.ctabuilds.com/notsobigattitude.html
As a result, Laura & Brian are thrilled with their Not-So-Big home, and the City of Clyde Hill has ear-marked this project as a reference to illustrate the benefits of planning and building modestly but carefully considered!
Thank you, Sarah Susanka, for espousing your philosophies nation-wide! We all benefit in many valuable ways.
Julie Campbell AIA, LEED GA
Labels: architecture and design, remodeling and building
Friday, March 12, 2010
Lead Safe Practices and The Certified Renovator
"What is a Certified Renovator and why is it important?"
New EPA regulations come into effect April 22nd, regarding how we test and treat lead in your home. The new regulations have strict guidelines for homeowner safety and education along with training for trades people.
Buzz Tenenbom, AIA, is the registered Certified Renovator in our office and is the one responsible for training staff, both on-site and in the office. Not only is there a staff member in our firm that is up to date on the training, the paperwork required for homes with lead present (pre-1978 construction), is more in depth and really focused on homeowner education.
All licensed contractors are required to follow these new EPA regulations and become certified so it's important if you're in a pre-1978 home (when lead paint was legal) that when you choose a contractor, you make sure they've been certified. Certification provides the homeowner with a peace of mind that all practices and procedures within their home are taken and the utmost care is given when dealing with this toxic substance.
Unfortunately, if a contractor isn't licensed, they're likely not participating in these new EPA regulations. It is always important to use a licensed contractor, this is another reason to add to that list.
Lead just isn't something that's a paint additive in older homes, it's a toxin that can easily be inhaled during the construction process and is especially dangerous to children and pregnant women. It's important for homeowners to make sure that they're educated and know that the precautions being taken in their home are the right ones. All Certified Renovators test for lead and use appropriate safe practices, as required by law.
New EPA regulations come into effect April 22nd, regarding how we test and treat lead in your home. The new regulations have strict guidelines for homeowner safety and education along with training for trades people.
Buzz Tenenbom, AIA, is the registered Certified Renovator in our office and is the one responsible for training staff, both on-site and in the office. Not only is there a staff member in our firm that is up to date on the training, the paperwork required for homes with lead present (pre-1978 construction), is more in depth and really focused on homeowner education.
All licensed contractors are required to follow these new EPA regulations and become certified so it's important if you're in a pre-1978 home (when lead paint was legal) that when you choose a contractor, you make sure they've been certified. Certification provides the homeowner with a peace of mind that all practices and procedures within their home are taken and the utmost care is given when dealing with this toxic substance.
Unfortunately, if a contractor isn't licensed, they're likely not participating in these new EPA regulations. It is always important to use a licensed contractor, this is another reason to add to that list.
Lead just isn't something that's a paint additive in older homes, it's a toxin that can easily be inhaled during the construction process and is especially dangerous to children and pregnant women. It's important for homeowners to make sure that they're educated and know that the precautions being taken in their home are the right ones. All Certified Renovators test for lead and use appropriate safe practices, as required by law.
Labels: remodeling and building
Friday, January 15, 2010
How to Compare Contractors & Builders
There are many forms, formulas and websites where you can go to check out the remodeling and building contractors in your area. If you're in Washington State, you would first go to the State Labor & Industries Department to make sure the contractors are licensed (https://fortress.wa.gov/lni/bbip/Search.aspx) and that if there have been any consumer claims against their bond, such claims have been amicably resolved. There are other web sites where you can see if anybody's posted reviews for their company on "rating" websites, their testimonials on their own website or even their "status" with the online yellow pages! Beware though, a company can write their own reviews and one not-so-good review from an cantankerous customer does not make a contractor necessarilly "bad".
With the overload of information available to us, it's important to remember the necessary questions to get to the heart of each potential contractor's appropriateness for you. Whomever you choose to do your project not only has to be skilled, capable, and financially sound, but you also have to be comfortable with them working on your house, or in your house as the case may be, day in and day out.
Here are a sample of important questions to ask every contractor that you speak to:
-- How long have you been in business? -- A contractor in business for a good length of time is a testament to his abilities to weather the vulgarieties of the marketplace (such as a recession) and to do good work.
-- Are you a member of a national or local trade association? -- Membership in trade organizations means that the contractor is usually interested in improving himself through continuing education, doing public service work, networking and making contacts with others including sub contractors, material suppliers, designers, innovators, and being a part of the legislative process that affects his industry. All this is good!
-- May I have a list of project references? -- References are the number one key to finding a good contractor. First, there should be a good number of references. Secondly, you should call three or four of the references and ask about the contractor: was this a similar project? (it should be); was the contractor on time and on budget?; were his preliminary budgets accurate?; was his billing clear and fair?; were his communications clear and timely?; was he willing to work with the reference if there was a misunderstanding?. In summary, you should ask the reference: would you recommend this contractor?; On a one to ten scale, where ten is the best, where would you place this contractor and why?
-- Who will be working on this project? Are they employees or subcontractors? -- If they are employees, how long have the employees been employed by the contractor and what is their experience in this building type?; If they are subcontractors, do they carry the same insurance level as the contractor?; Ideally, in residential construction, a project will have both long time employees working on the project and subcontractors working on the specialties, subcontractors who have a long term relationship with the contractor. Long term employees & subcontractors demonstrate that the contractor continually does good work that's high in quality (good carpenters and subs are universally proud of their work), is fair, and importantly, has safe job sites.
-- Is the contractor insured adequately to cover all contingencies? Who pays if your house burns down in the middle of the project? What happens if there's an injury on the job? -- The State only requires a bare minimum bonding and insurance, which often will not cover a problem. In some cases, the homeowner could be liable. You should ask for more than the minimum coverages and verify with your home owners insurance company that the coverage is adequate.
Don't be afraid or shy about communicating and asking questions of potential building or remodeling contractors! Your project may cost a lot of money and this upfront investigation will be more than worth the effort.
Labels: remodeling and building
Friday, December 11, 2009
Sunny & Cold means Warm Inside
We've been fortunate to have had a blast of artic cold and sunny weather here in Seattle -- it's demonstrated to even the most non believer of non believers the relevance of passive solar heating! Our offices, which we lease, have old single pane glass windows that face directly south, with views of Lake Union and the Seattle skyline. When it's sunny, and especially when the sun in low in the sky in the winter, fall and spring -- it is toasty warm inside our offices and we don't use any other heat! In the summer, when the sun is high, our office stays much cooler as sunlight is not directly coming in our windows. So for our clients, for the architecture of their buildings, we locate them very carefully to take full advantage of the potential of solar design -- for heating, for electrical generation, for natural ventilation and cooling. In remodels of urban structures, we actively look for opportunities to design with the climate, such as strategically locating operable windows to take advantage of summer breezes for cross ventilation, incorporate shading devices and plantings, or utilizing geothermal heat pumps. There's a lot one can do to save energy and live more comfortably too, more in tune with the natural surroundings, and still have lovely spaces and buildings.
Labels: architecture and design, remodeling and building
Thursday, December 3, 2009
To remodel, move, or build new?
A question we commonly get from clients is asking whether they should remodel or add on, build anew, or move. While we're architects and builders and not real estate agents, but we can still speak to the some of the processes many go through in making this decision.
Typically when a home needs major updating or enlarging, the "remodel/move/build new" question arises. As a first step, most clients contact a real estate agent to determine the value of their house in the current market, and what they might be able to buy that more readily meets their needs. Next, they will contact an architect to see what can be done with their existing house, whether remodeling or adding on or both, to make it right for them. The architect (or a good contractor) can then generally price these options. Thirdly, in their meeting with their architect, clients may also discuss building new - whether at a new site or a tearing down their house and building a new house right there. Added into the mix, our clients usually give great weight to location, i.e. the neighborhood and amenities - neighbors, views, schools, walk-ability if in an urban setting, shopping, etc.
Each option, remodel/addition, build new, or move has its own advantages and disadvantages. Pricewise, if a house is in relatively good condition, remodel/addition usually wins over building new, because a) one may not remodel the entire house, or b) because the existing house is grandfathered into older, less restrictive zoning. However, remodel/addition usually requires some compromises in scope to meet demands of budget or time. Building new, an owner should be able to get a house that is really made for them, and reflects who they are and their interests. The moving option, often brings up the same old issues of the new house still not being quite right and needing some work to make it a good fit.
The decision can be a difficult one, but with good advice a homeowner should be able to figure the best way to go.
Typically when a home needs major updating or enlarging, the "remodel/move/build new" question arises. As a first step, most clients contact a real estate agent to determine the value of their house in the current market, and what they might be able to buy that more readily meets their needs. Next, they will contact an architect to see what can be done with their existing house, whether remodeling or adding on or both, to make it right for them. The architect (or a good contractor) can then generally price these options. Thirdly, in their meeting with their architect, clients may also discuss building new - whether at a new site or a tearing down their house and building a new house right there. Added into the mix, our clients usually give great weight to location, i.e. the neighborhood and amenities - neighbors, views, schools, walk-ability if in an urban setting, shopping, etc.
Each option, remodel/addition, build new, or move has its own advantages and disadvantages. Pricewise, if a house is in relatively good condition, remodel/addition usually wins over building new, because a) one may not remodel the entire house, or b) because the existing house is grandfathered into older, less restrictive zoning. However, remodel/addition usually requires some compromises in scope to meet demands of budget or time. Building new, an owner should be able to get a house that is really made for them, and reflects who they are and their interests. The moving option, often brings up the same old issues of the new house still not being quite right and needing some work to make it a good fit.
The decision can be a difficult one, but with good advice a homeowner should be able to figure the best way to go.
Labels: remodeling and building
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
2009 Remodeled Homes Tour - The Aftermath!
Thank you to everybody that was able to stop by our remodel project on Saturday and Sunday. In the two days of the Tour, we had almost 300 visitors! Even the rainy and windy Saturday wouldn't keep people away from this very special project in Queen Anne, which said to us how much people are craving good, sustainable design to incorporate into their lives and into their homes.
Our home on Queen Anne certainly showcased what good design can do for a small home. With its thoughtful storage, attractive architectural points of interest and a well designed organization and traffic flow through the house, it was turned from a house into a true home for the family that lives there. People seemed especially intrigued in the way we incorporated natural lighting to make the home warm and cheerful on an especially dark day. Further, visitors seemed to love the way the natural palate of materials and colors came together to enhance this effort.
All in all, the design demonstrates how even a small house in a dense urban area can be private, light, airy, and a joy to live in.
Queen Anne Four-Square Project Description:
This is a large, traditional turn-of-the-century box house that had suffered several remuddles over the years. Home now to a young, active family, the intention was to open up the rabbit warren of rooms to better accommodate casual entertaining and an informal, family-friendly lifestyle. An addition allowed for a big new mudroom complete with durable materials and lots of well-designed storage that provided entry into a large, open kitchen and family room. Upstairs we converted two of the four bedrooms into a master suite, with a home office nook at the top of a restored, open traditional stair case. Although these spaces are design to be hard-working and functional, artful detailing respected the tradition of the house, yet was whimsical and contemporary at the same time.
Please check out this project in our portfolio for more pictures: www.ctabuilds.com/queenanne_foursquare.html
Our home on Queen Anne certainly showcased what good design can do for a small home. With its thoughtful storage, attractive architectural points of interest and a well designed organization and traffic flow through the house, it was turned from a house into a true home for the family that lives there. People seemed especially intrigued in the way we incorporated natural lighting to make the home warm and cheerful on an especially dark day. Further, visitors seemed to love the way the natural palate of materials and colors came together to enhance this effort.
All in all, the design demonstrates how even a small house in a dense urban area can be private, light, airy, and a joy to live in.
Queen Anne Four-Square Project Description:
This is a large, traditional turn-of-the-century box house that had suffered several remuddles over the years. Home now to a young, active family, the intention was to open up the rabbit warren of rooms to better accommodate casual entertaining and an informal, family-friendly lifestyle. An addition allowed for a big new mudroom complete with durable materials and lots of well-designed storage that provided entry into a large, open kitchen and family room. Upstairs we converted two of the four bedrooms into a master suite, with a home office nook at the top of a restored, open traditional stair case. Although these spaces are design to be hard-working and functional, artful detailing respected the tradition of the house, yet was whimsical and contemporary at the same time.
Please check out this project in our portfolio for more pictures: www.ctabuilds.com/queenanne_foursquare.html
Labels: remodeling and building
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Reminder! Upcoming Remodeled Home Tour
We're only a week a half away from the Remodeled Home Tour & Benefit! This is a self guided tour to 19 newly remodeled houses in the metropolitan Seattle area, including Seattle (Queen Anne), Bellevue, & Kirkland. Dates are: Saturday & Sunday, October 17th & October 18th from 10am-5pm. Tickets with addresses & descriptions are free and "tour passports" can be obtained in advance from any Dunn Lumber location or at any home on the tour. This passport describes all 19 homes.
Please check out the official Tour website at http://www.remodeltour.com/ for complete home descriptions, pictures and tour map! Home addresses and directions will be live on the website next week. You will see how various designers and builders have solved design problems brought to them by their clients, and how these changes have enabled the homeowners to enjoy their homes more fully and make better use of their properties. You will see outstanding craftsmanship that's a pleasure for the homeowners to both see and utilize.
The tour will also benefit various charities of the homeowners' choice and contributions are voluntary. Our homeowners in Queen Anne have chosen to donate all contributions to the Queen Anne Helpline. Please feel free to make a monetary donation or gently used clothing, blankets and non-perishable food items As stated in their mission statement, the Queen Anne Helpline is there "to promote personal dignity, self-respect, hope, and an independent quality of life to our neighbors by providing supportive social services to those who need assistance." This charity is truly well-rounded, offering a clothing bank, food bank, tutoring, worker assistance and rental vouchers-just to name a few. For a more comprehensive list of their offerings, please visit their website at http://www.queenannehelpline.org/.
We hope to see you October 17th or 18th! For a sneak peek and description of our showcase home: www.ctabuilds.com/queenanne_foursquare.html
Labels: architecture and design, remodeling and building
Thursday, August 27, 2009
So you want a view ....
One of the big advantages of living in the Puget Sound area is the fact that just outside your door and around the corner there is a spirit-lifting view of the surrounding environment. You don't have to live on a bluff to have this experience either -- just open up the walls of your home to let the light and the view in.
Opening up the walls of your home, or even adding to your house with a light-filled addition, can do a lot for your attitude and improve the value of your house. We are light starved here in the Northwest, with our gray, winter light and short days. Natural light becomes very important!
You can open up to this light by utilizing windows or glass doors to: 1) maximize the view of the mountains, sound, lake, city, and weather; 2) provide a special view into your garden and let the changing seasons, views and colors in; 3) make your home or room feel larger by breaking down the barrier of enclosures formed by walls/roof/floors or even neighbors; 4) bring the outside in -- in the Northwest Tradition.
It's obvious to open up if you have a view right outside, perhaps adding a deck or an addition or even another story. Just be aware that with western-facing windows, your home can overheat uncomfortably with summer's afternoon solar gain, and furnishings can fade due to ultraviolet light exposure. You can ameliorate these problems with overhangs, trellises, and with solar shading screens.
It's not so obvious when you don't have that mega-view outside or when your neighbor is right next to you. If you have a garden you love, or are thinking of one, or there's a special focal tree outside, you can open up to let this view, this always-changing bit of nature, into your home. And if you frame that bit of nature just right, you have just added an "outside room" to your home, with its particular light and spaciousness and colors. When adding windows, try to have light coming from more than one direction, for balance, and to reduce glare.
Even a basement room can benefit from opening up. A large window-well can provide an expansive feel in what could be an otherwise claustrophobic room. Then perhaps, put some plantings or artwork or a garden in that window well, so there's some color and something to look at. Or, in cases when you're squeezed in between neighbors, and that part of your home is too dark, put some windows in and screen off your neighbor with plantings such as fast growing, well-contained bamboo. You'll now have filtered or dappled light coming in and pleasant greenery you can look out at.
Windows can make your home or room feel larger besides simply capturing a view. Large windows with low sills and with high head heights or flanking pairs of corner windows provide for a much more expansive feeling -- a "sweeping view" outside. They 'dematerialize' the wall and bring the outside in. This can be wonderful! However, the Northwest winters are abundant with cold, gray light that may not be all that comfortable, unless it's offset with carefully chosen interior furnishings, textures, and colors.
Besides letting the outside in, with the light and the views, windows and doors are an important part of the 'vocabulary' of your home. You can update an older home in function, appearance, and quality of light with new banks of windows. Windows define the look and style of your house. A newer home might have larger expanses of glass, where an older home may have windows divided up by mullions. So give consideration to what they look like alongside the other windows of your home -- from both the inside and outside. Think about the scale of things... For new homes, window sizes and patterns say much about the home's esthetic. Simply adding or placing windows without consideration of their effect of the facade of your home can be disastrous! (See www.ctabuilds.com/queenanne.html) to view a new "old" home as defined by windows, traditional on street side, contemporary on view side).
The best way to see how windows look on your home is to draw a picture of your house with all the new and old windows on it. You can simplify this process by sketching over an enlarged photograph or Xerox of the house or utilizing computer programs that let you draw over. Draw as much detail as you can and then stand back to look at the whole wall!
So, go ahead -- capture that view whether it's far away or close up. Bring some nature into your home along with that often needed light, and you will feel better for it!
Opening up the walls of your home, or even adding to your house with a light-filled addition, can do a lot for your attitude and improve the value of your house. We are light starved here in the Northwest, with our gray, winter light and short days. Natural light becomes very important!
You can open up to this light by utilizing windows or glass doors to: 1) maximize the view of the mountains, sound, lake, city, and weather; 2) provide a special view into your garden and let the changing seasons, views and colors in; 3) make your home or room feel larger by breaking down the barrier of enclosures formed by walls/roof/floors or even neighbors; 4) bring the outside in -- in the Northwest Tradition.
It's obvious to open up if you have a view right outside, perhaps adding a deck or an addition or even another story. Just be aware that with western-facing windows, your home can overheat uncomfortably with summer's afternoon solar gain, and furnishings can fade due to ultraviolet light exposure. You can ameliorate these problems with overhangs, trellises, and with solar shading screens.
It's not so obvious when you don't have that mega-view outside or when your neighbor is right next to you. If you have a garden you love, or are thinking of one, or there's a special focal tree outside, you can open up to let this view, this always-changing bit of nature, into your home. And if you frame that bit of nature just right, you have just added an "outside room" to your home, with its particular light and spaciousness and colors. When adding windows, try to have light coming from more than one direction, for balance, and to reduce glare.
Even a basement room can benefit from opening up. A large window-well can provide an expansive feel in what could be an otherwise claustrophobic room. Then perhaps, put some plantings or artwork or a garden in that window well, so there's some color and something to look at. Or, in cases when you're squeezed in between neighbors, and that part of your home is too dark, put some windows in and screen off your neighbor with plantings such as fast growing, well-contained bamboo. You'll now have filtered or dappled light coming in and pleasant greenery you can look out at.
Windows can make your home or room feel larger besides simply capturing a view. Large windows with low sills and with high head heights or flanking pairs of corner windows provide for a much more expansive feeling -- a "sweeping view" outside. They 'dematerialize' the wall and bring the outside in. This can be wonderful! However, the Northwest winters are abundant with cold, gray light that may not be all that comfortable, unless it's offset with carefully chosen interior furnishings, textures, and colors.
Besides letting the outside in, with the light and the views, windows and doors are an important part of the 'vocabulary' of your home. You can update an older home in function, appearance, and quality of light with new banks of windows. Windows define the look and style of your house. A newer home might have larger expanses of glass, where an older home may have windows divided up by mullions. So give consideration to what they look like alongside the other windows of your home -- from both the inside and outside. Think about the scale of things... For new homes, window sizes and patterns say much about the home's esthetic. Simply adding or placing windows without consideration of their effect of the facade of your home can be disastrous! (See www.ctabuilds.com/queenanne.html) to view a new "old" home as defined by windows, traditional on street side, contemporary on view side).
The best way to see how windows look on your home is to draw a picture of your house with all the new and old windows on it. You can simplify this process by sketching over an enlarged photograph or Xerox of the house or utilizing computer programs that let you draw over. Draw as much detail as you can and then stand back to look at the whole wall!
So, go ahead -- capture that view whether it's far away or close up. Bring some nature into your home along with that often needed light, and you will feel better for it!
Labels: architecture and design, remodeling and building
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
HOUSE TOUR IN OCTOBER
CTA's Queen Anne Foursquare (http://www.ctabuilds.com/queenanne_foursquare.html) whole house remodel will be available for touring on Saturday and Sunday October 17th and 18th. This is a remodel of a traditional home, but designed with traditional detailing and contemporary sensibilities. The house is in a tight urban single family setting, yet the remodel opens up the floor plan and floods the interior with light. The house tour is part of the Master Builders of King & Snohomish Counties "Remodeled Home Tour" which features 10 or 12 other remodeled homes throughout Seattle and the East Side, of which there will be 3 homes in the Queen Anne neighborhood. We will be there to answer questions about both the design and construction of this project. Proceeds from the tour will go to a charity of the owners' choice. Send us a note if you wish to be kept informed about tickets: info@ctabuilds.com or alternately, click here for information on all the presenters and tickets: www.remodeltour.com.
Labels: remodeling and building
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Getting What You Really Want ... Master Planning
Often, we think about adding a room, expanding our kitchen, or reconfiguring the spaces in our home by removing a few walls here and there. We may call a contractor and go ahead. However, what we get will most likely be less than what we could have had. Besides having spent more time on the details, we should have spent more time considering the whole picture!
Way back when I was a student, I remember being called to a potential client's house and asked if I could design them a third bedroom upstairs. I was thrilled to have a real life job! So I measured up the house and took the info home with me and drew a plan of the existing house. After studying the plan, I realized this was a more difficult problem than I had thought. You don't simply glue on a bedroom! Among other things (like zoning and building codes), there's access and structure to consider. And in this case, building on top of that part of the house which, in itself, was "iffy" was even more "iffy"!I was stuck and worried that I had taken on more than I could handle.
Slowly, it began to dawn on me that if I reconfigured the existing spaces in a more efficient manner and added a simple extension of the living room and therefore not having to deal with the "iffy" structure of the house, I could get a third bedroom plus a much more gracious living room! And, it would be a lot less costly.
What I had done was look beyond the boundaries of the particular "problem" and at a much larger picture. In essence, I had stumbled onto the value of holistic thinking in relationship to a project . In the parlance of designers, it's called master planning.
If you're finding your home now is inadequate, whether aesthetically or functionally, you generally will be better off not to simply attack the immediate problem but to think in terms of long-range plans and goals. Then you can design your home to be what you really want it to be, even if you can't do the all work right now. The advantages are numerous. For example, you can:
1. design in such a way that you can phase the work as your budget and needs
allow;
2. insure that what you do today won't negatively impact what you'll be needing
or wanting in the future;
3. price the project at an early stage, in parts and in whole, to help you make those
money-related decisions;
4. decide from these plans whether your current house will actually meet your
goals or whether you should realistically think about moving; and
5. understand better how all the spaces will interrelate.
So, when you're thinking about building or remodeling, think big! You can always pare it down later.
(For more information, see our website: http://www.ctabuilds.com/range_of_services.html)
Labels: architecture and design, remodeling and building
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Housing Design Competition
As Seattle Architects and Contractors, we have entered two of our remodel projects in this competition for new city housing. Remodeling, we believe, is the ultimate green building, i.e. reusing existing buildings and not sending them to the landfill.
Check them out!
http://www.ctabuilds.com/queenanne_foursquare.html
http://www.ctabuilds.com/blueridge.html
We think you can remodel and have a beautiful house for today's and future generations!
Here's more information on the FutureShack competition:
Speaking of the "ugly town house" problem, the American Institute of Architects Seattle is taking a hard look at the new model for city living with Future Shack: Housing the 21st Century.
On September 13th, in a celebration of urban living done well, 10 projects will be recognized for housing design that not only meets our needs, but elevates our style of living. Those projects will also be featured in the September 13th Pacific Northwest Magazine.
The jury is looking at projects that offer solutions for families, incorporate Seattle's historic fabric, offer new models of production and delivery, use resources economically and are adaptable. Only projects completed after June 2004 are eligible.
The public is welcome to the event, beginning at 5pm at the Fisher Pavilion in the Seattle Center. It includes a discussion by the jury, made up of three outspoken Seattle citizens and four architectural/design professionals. Steve Scher, host of KUOW-FM's "Weekday" will moderate.
Cost is $15 general admission, $5 for students and seniors. For more information go to www.aiaseattle.org/futureshack.
Check them out!
http://www.ctabuilds.com/queenanne_foursquare.html
http://www.ctabuilds.com/blueridge.html
We think you can remodel and have a beautiful house for today's and future generations!
Here's more information on the FutureShack competition:
Speaking of the "ugly town house" problem, the American Institute of Architects Seattle is taking a hard look at the new model for city living with Future Shack: Housing the 21st Century.
On September 13th, in a celebration of urban living done well, 10 projects will be recognized for housing design that not only meets our needs, but elevates our style of living. Those projects will also be featured in the September 13th Pacific Northwest Magazine.
The jury is looking at projects that offer solutions for families, incorporate Seattle's historic fabric, offer new models of production and delivery, use resources economically and are adaptable. Only projects completed after June 2004 are eligible.
The public is welcome to the event, beginning at 5pm at the Fisher Pavilion in the Seattle Center. It includes a discussion by the jury, made up of three outspoken Seattle citizens and four architectural/design professionals. Steve Scher, host of KUOW-FM's "Weekday" will moderate.
Cost is $15 general admission, $5 for students and seniors. For more information go to www.aiaseattle.org/futureshack.
Labels: architecture and design, remodeling and building
Friday, May 15, 2009
Ways to Get Your Remodeling or New Construction Project Built and Save Money
Although prices have come down in the recession, many of our incomes have too. So I thought it might be interesting to mention how you can save some money in a remodeling or building project and the ramifications of that. In a nutshell, here are my thoughts on this process. In another blog, if there's interest, I'll talk about each item in more detail.
Here's a review of our experience as both architects and contractors in the Seattle area, where we are a design build firm. There are several ways to construct your project, whether it is a remodel, addition, or new house -- once you have plans and permits, of course:
1) Build it yourself -- this is the most fun and least expensive, but takes a lot of time of course, plus patience and skill; if you don't have the skill, you can always hire a good carpenter to work along side of you and teach you -- this is terrific -- it's really a lot of fun and satisfying to do this -- and it's good excercise! You can hire your friends to help (we could even coach)! Often the building inspectors are more helpful than not when an owner-builder is in charge. Your only worry is making sure no one gets hurt, because you could be liable (someone getting hurt includes visitors to the site).
2) Be your own contractor -- this is the most reasonable for many people, but still you need to have time and patience; however, you can expect to save 30% or more on the cost of a project; the biggest hurtle is finding the right (meaning competent, honest, efficient, and dependable) subcontractors to do the work; again, it would be helpful if you had an ace carpenter to lead the effort, and you still have to concern yourself that you and the subcontractors have insurance in case someone gets hurt, whether a worker or a visitor.
3) Hire a construction manager -- here you are hiring someone to manage the process, to oversee the builders, and to a greater or lesser degree (depending on your arrangement) they will find, hire, and manage the vendors and subcontractors. You can pay them hourly or any other arrangement you might make. They are like a building contractor but don't take the responsiblities. Again, you want to make sure you're covered if someone should get hurt.
3) Hire a general contractor -- this is the easiest and usually the safest route, although it can be difficult if you have not done your homework in choosing the right contractor. This involves more than just getting prices, such as checking with the architects and owners of past projects for competency, timeliness, neatness, and dependability, along with verifying the licensing & bonding history of the particular contractor. A good contractor is worth a lot, and goes a long way to ensuring a well built project that will be what the architect had in mind, and will last years and years.
Now having said all that, let me emphasize the importance of having design drawings and permits in hand! Starting construction without having thought through all the design and construction details ahead of time is a sure recipe for delay and frustration. Unless you are familiar with local building codes, permit requirements and building practices, it is advisable to at least hire a design professional to prepare design and construction documents to obtain the building permits you need and outline the building basics. Of course, you will also benefit by this person's expertise in design: an experienced architect or designer will bring valuable insight on the overall project -- well worth the cost!
Here's a review of our experience as both architects and contractors in the Seattle area, where we are a design build firm. There are several ways to construct your project, whether it is a remodel, addition, or new house -- once you have plans and permits, of course:
1) Build it yourself -- this is the most fun and least expensive, but takes a lot of time of course, plus patience and skill; if you don't have the skill, you can always hire a good carpenter to work along side of you and teach you -- this is terrific -- it's really a lot of fun and satisfying to do this -- and it's good excercise! You can hire your friends to help (we could even coach)! Often the building inspectors are more helpful than not when an owner-builder is in charge. Your only worry is making sure no one gets hurt, because you could be liable (someone getting hurt includes visitors to the site).
2) Be your own contractor -- this is the most reasonable for many people, but still you need to have time and patience; however, you can expect to save 30% or more on the cost of a project; the biggest hurtle is finding the right (meaning competent, honest, efficient, and dependable) subcontractors to do the work; again, it would be helpful if you had an ace carpenter to lead the effort, and you still have to concern yourself that you and the subcontractors have insurance in case someone gets hurt, whether a worker or a visitor.
3) Hire a construction manager -- here you are hiring someone to manage the process, to oversee the builders, and to a greater or lesser degree (depending on your arrangement) they will find, hire, and manage the vendors and subcontractors. You can pay them hourly or any other arrangement you might make. They are like a building contractor but don't take the responsiblities. Again, you want to make sure you're covered if someone should get hurt.
3) Hire a general contractor -- this is the easiest and usually the safest route, although it can be difficult if you have not done your homework in choosing the right contractor. This involves more than just getting prices, such as checking with the architects and owners of past projects for competency, timeliness, neatness, and dependability, along with verifying the licensing & bonding history of the particular contractor. A good contractor is worth a lot, and goes a long way to ensuring a well built project that will be what the architect had in mind, and will last years and years.
Now having said all that, let me emphasize the importance of having design drawings and permits in hand! Starting construction without having thought through all the design and construction details ahead of time is a sure recipe for delay and frustration. Unless you are familiar with local building codes, permit requirements and building practices, it is advisable to at least hire a design professional to prepare design and construction documents to obtain the building permits you need and outline the building basics. Of course, you will also benefit by this person's expertise in design: an experienced architect or designer will bring valuable insight on the overall project -- well worth the cost!
Labels: construction costs and financing, remodeling and building
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Beauty, Function & Pragmatism in Houses & Remodels
As both Northwest architects and contractors, I like to think these words apply to the work we do. Whether its a remodel, addition or new house, your building project should be about these values, no matter who does it. It may be about price, but its also about enjoying our lives in our homes. We at CTA believe a home should be a joy to live in, and that is the essence of our work.
Beauty: Your house should be beautiful to look at, from the outside and from the inside. It says something about the owners. Living in a lovely home brings pleasure to its inhabitants, and allows them to further express their own creative selves. After all, your home is the one place where you can be truly free to express and surround yourself with the things you love and value. Living inside nice volumes and spaces, surrounded by well crafted details, nicely used materials, and an appropriate color and texture scheme affords a sense of calm in this busy world. Important also to a home with soul, is its connectedness with the outside world. Windows and opening spaces that bring Nature into your home further enhances that spirit of calm and sustenance that enables a home to be truly nourishing to those who dwell within. Sometimes we want to blur the distinction between inside and outside so as to allow Nature to bring her beauty and sense order to us.
Function: The home should function well and serve the needs of the inhabitants. It must provide ample space for activities of the household. This doesn't necessarily mean large -- it can mean well laid out and thoughtful. When you look at floor plans you want to think and imagine how you move through the spaces, and how you use each space, including the outside spaces. Further, the mechanics of the house must integrate well with a multitude of activities, i.e. heating, cooling, cooking, bathing, watching movies, turning on lights & music, watching movies, going on line, etc. This should be a seamless integration with the building's inhabitants' habits. The mechanics are simply well chosen tools to support the life within.
Pragmatism: This means that the house was well constructed, in a reasonable manner, no matter how large or small the project. Materials should not be wasted and green building strategies should be always employed. It is your shelter from the elements, your retreat and sanctuary, and a place for family and friends to gather and enjoy.
Beauty: Your house should be beautiful to look at, from the outside and from the inside. It says something about the owners. Living in a lovely home brings pleasure to its inhabitants, and allows them to further express their own creative selves. After all, your home is the one place where you can be truly free to express and surround yourself with the things you love and value. Living inside nice volumes and spaces, surrounded by well crafted details, nicely used materials, and an appropriate color and texture scheme affords a sense of calm in this busy world. Important also to a home with soul, is its connectedness with the outside world. Windows and opening spaces that bring Nature into your home further enhances that spirit of calm and sustenance that enables a home to be truly nourishing to those who dwell within. Sometimes we want to blur the distinction between inside and outside so as to allow Nature to bring her beauty and sense order to us.
Function: The home should function well and serve the needs of the inhabitants. It must provide ample space for activities of the household. This doesn't necessarily mean large -- it can mean well laid out and thoughtful. When you look at floor plans you want to think and imagine how you move through the spaces, and how you use each space, including the outside spaces. Further, the mechanics of the house must integrate well with a multitude of activities, i.e. heating, cooling, cooking, bathing, watching movies, turning on lights & music, watching movies, going on line, etc. This should be a seamless integration with the building's inhabitants' habits. The mechanics are simply well chosen tools to support the life within.
Pragmatism: This means that the house was well constructed, in a reasonable manner, no matter how large or small the project. Materials should not be wasted and green building strategies should be always employed. It is your shelter from the elements, your retreat and sanctuary, and a place for family and friends to gather and enjoy.
Labels: architecture and design, remodeling and building
Monday, February 23, 2009
Shall I buy a new home or remodel?
Or maybe I should tear it down and start fresh?
A process to help decide...
When your home is too small for you, or no longer suits your needs or wants, or you know it needs some work, most people think about whether it's best to remodel, put on an addition, or buy a new home. It is often the first question to come to mind. And it's a good question too, because remodeling is not cheap, and when one compares the costs of a major remodel and how much you may have spent purchasing your home, sometimes it can cost as much or more to remodel than it did if you purchased the home 'way back when'!
Initially, to answer this question, one must understand the feasibility and costs of remodeling or adding on, i.e. what are the potentials of the house? What are the costs of the necessary re-construction? If the house's location is good, and the potential to reconfigure it can produce something wonderful, something that meets your needs and wants, and the added cost is equivalent or less than buying another house (which you must consider may need work itself!), then it certainly makes sense to remodel or add on to what you have instead of buying that other house.So a formula to keep your house and fix it: your house + work is equal or less to new house + work.
The challenge here is to figure out if the new work to your house will get you what you want. Often homeowners are in the position of not being able to see the 'forest through the trees'.This means that homeowners are often so close to the problem that they can't clearly see the options; or, they may see so many options they can't decide on how to proceed.
Ideally one would approach this as any other problem: lay out the issues, brainstorm on the problem, and then come to a solution. In building and design this works by:
- measuring and drawing the floor plan(s) of the house on the site (all to scale);
- researching the zoning codes to see how these might limit or enable what you might propose to do;
- understand the structure of your building and how it affects what you can reasonably do;
- re-work the floor plan(s) to get what you want – ideally, you will come up with several options;
- understand what these reworked plans will look like from the outside; and
- finally, take this work to a reliable contractor who can rough price it and talk to you about construction feasibility.
If you get stuck in this process, which can certainly happen when you're trying to do everything yourself, a professional designer can help guide you through it; and in fact should be able to come up with options and prices much more quickly because their experience and expertise. This means that they might be able to see potentials you don't see, and will more intuitively and quickly understand the ramifications and costs of making changes. This is no different than going to a lawyer to help you with your will: if it's easy, you can do it yourself; if it's more complicated, you are far better off with an attorney at your side.
However you may choose to go through the process, once you have this information in some sort of tidy package, i.e. when you know what you can do and how much it might cost, along with how long it will take, you can then go back into the market place to see what's available to purchase and how that compares to your old house all fixed up! Now you're finally in a position to make an informed decision.
Labels: construction costs and financing, feasibility study, remodeling and building