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Issue of March 24, 2008 |     |
Kitchens Take Home’s Center StageThe magnetic pull that our kitchens exert seems almost primal and perhaps it is, for it is a room where at least three of our most basic needs (food, shelter and warmth) are apt to be satisfied. Transforming Green Design Into Luxury The decision to build green can come from many sources. Some may see it as a responsibility we should all undertake. Others may be attracted by the financial opportunities that exist in tapping this new consumer trend. Still others may be inspired by former Vice President Al Gore and his fellow celebrity boosters of environmentalism. FHA Provides Guidance on Design Obligations Understanding one set of codes and requirements is one thing, but to fully comprehend how multiple codes and requirements interact with each other and how they relate to those with disabilities is a subject that takes experience and patience. Numerous accessibility requirements are incorporated in the design and construction of new multifamily housing. The accessibility requirements under the Fair Housing Act are just one set of obligations an architect has to be aware of while designing his/her next housing project. Collaboration Produces Winning Teams When it comes down to it, the goal of every home renovation or new construction project is the same: Make your client happy in a timely, cost-effective manner and be proud of the final product. Easier said than done, right? In most cases, it takes a partnership of all the parties involved to reach the overall goal. Tracker-Based Systems Reduce Consumption Everyone is interested in lowering their electric bill and reducing their carbon footprint, and one way to lowering your consumption of fossil or nuclear-fueled electricity is to install a photovoltaic system. Unfortunately, not every roof can accommodate a photovoltaic system. The typical problems encountered are appearance, roof orientation, roof condition, shading issues and, most importantly, system cost. Identifying Ways to Balance Needs, Impact With longer, warmer days just around the corner and the expectation of daffodil- and tulip-sightings growing, it seems winter just might loosen its tight grasp on New England again this year. As that happens, New Englanders flee the confines of our houses for gardens, parks and bike paths, eager for fresh air, outdoor exercise and sunshine. Attracting Business Lies in a Firm’s Marketing We recently heard the following advice from a 20-something on how to market to young people: “We don’t want you to come to us. We want you to give us a reason to find you.” That comment is the essence of the adage “business comes to the expert.” Your audience needs to be aware of your knowledge and perceive it as beneficial to them. Architects Must Plan Ahead for Retirement Retirement isn’t what it used to be. A growing wave of baby boomers is getting ready to exit their companies, but they do not want to retire in the traditional sense. Successful business owners and professionals, including architects, are moving into “the platinum years” – the 10-30 years between leaving one’s full-time practice and actual retirement. In order to successfully navigate the transition, they need to be aware of good exit planning and financial planning practices. Communication With Architects Is Key Working with an architect to conceive a custom design for your home can be one of the most remarkable, memorable and lasting endeavors of your life. Residential architects are as varied as their clients. Having a basic understanding of how to work with a prospective architect will go a long way toward a successful relationship. Bringing Homebuilding Into Modern Era If I suggested that the next time you buy a new car, your best approach would be to have the manufacturer deliver the components to your driveway and have a crew assemble them there, you’d question my sanity. Yet most home construction occurs just that way, without taking advantage of modern production methods that have benefited nearly every other industry sector. Isn’t it time for home construction to move into the 21st century? Air Quality Is Essential to Comfortable Living Natural or hybrid ventilation and green design in architecture are strongly related. Good air quality is as essential to comfortable living as thermal comfort. Both can be achieved with thorough spatial design strategies in most climates. Harnessing Artwork’s Power Can Sell a Home Living with art you love is one of life’s pleasures. If a home is an expression of our inner souls, the art chosen to enhance our homes is perhaps the most personal addition to this already intimate space. Specifying Product Traits Offers Clarity Daily exposure to products that assert an environmental green marketing claim of some sort has created great confusion in the public eye about how such claims should be considered. Are the products actually green, or are they simply unsubstantiated marketing ploys that have become known as greenwash? Historic Lighting Is Original Green Light When most folks think of antique lighting, the current green revolution doesn’t come to mind. Ironically, historic lighting is, well, historically “green.” Precast Foundations Can Exceed Expectations Expectations. This is the driving force behind the changing culture that exists in today’s building industry. The expectations are being laid out by government agencies, energy companies, homeowners, builders, architects, developers and various product manufacturers. Bringing a Historic Home Into a New Century Owning and restoring a historic property can be rewarding, though at times an unpredictable experience. Many owners of historic properties rightly view themselves as custodians, entrusted with the task of preserving and maintaining architectural details through the years. However, they often find that the scope of restoration work can be difficult to gauge, and local agencies having jurisdiction can vary widely as far as what is expected and required of the owner. Visual Elements Create Unique Interiors We’re not on canvas anymore. New choices for interior design applications to make a place one-of-a-kind are evolving with advances in digital printing and art. New tools for art and photography are leading to exciting decor innovations, not only for special high-style residences but for all varieties of homes, from seacoast and rural cottages to urban developments to renovated brick-mill buildings and everything in between. |
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