The design of an apartment building is not often discussed in the world of architects. Many developers use cheap materials that will not last very long, amenities are used to attract tenants, and lets face it, usually the rent is the final criteria for those selecting a place to live. However, we take a different approach. Our clients want to create places that are fun to live in, will last a long time, and offer those living there a sense of community.
We have done a lot of multi-family projects over the years with a variety of styles. As our latest project breaks ground in Augusta County, I am wondering which one from the past is a favorite of yours. Let me know which you prefer by commenting below in the comments section.
Thinking of building a custom home? Know the steps so you can control the process. The next step in our series is just after you sign the contract with a contractor – what happens?
Catch up on this series “Custom Home – How to Get Started” with the following links:
So you have signed a contract with a contractor and you are ready for the work to start. The next step is for the contractor to apply for a permit. This could happen prior to signing the contract depending on your approach in the previous steps. The permit review process usually takes a couple of weeks, even up to a month. The local official who has jurisdiction has to review your plans for compliance with the local building codes. This code review process is important to make sure you don’t have any issues after construction has started, but is not an exhaustive review to make sure things are right. They are simply looking for code compliance. The process usually goes very smooth if you have a complete set of plans developed by an architect.
The contractor also needs to sign his contracts with sub-contractors that are going to perform parts of the work. This may include the plumber, electrician, site excavator, framer… and all things in between. Once the contracts are signed and a permit is issued, the digging is scheduled and work begins. Important steps not to overlook include the surveyor showing up to mark the corners and making sure erosion control measures are being installed.
The average American spends a large amount of their time indoors in our current society (according to an EPA survey, 90% of our time is inside). This makes the Indoor Environmental Quality of your built environment critical. This is the air that you breathe, the type of light, the sounds, and the comfort you feel.
Indoor air quality is impacted by carbon monoxide, radon, VOC’s, particulates, mold, bacteria, and smoke. I just had a meeting in my office this week where those visiting came in just as the lawyer upstairs went out with his pipe lit and no respect for others. If your HVAC system is not designed to provide ventilation all the products and their associated chemicals you bring into your space off-gas and have nowhere to go. In turn your lungs become the filter for these chemicals.
The type of lighting you use for a space is critical for your comfort. It does not matter is you use LED or incandescent, using it in the correct way is more important for comfort. Of course, bringing in natural daylight into a space has been shown in many studies to be the best for your health. This may not apply depending on the task you are performing – ever try to see a computer screen that faces a window? Of course you can create appropriate lighting in spaces through design.
In our office it seems that headphones are the way to go, but I remember back when I started we simply played a radio in the background. The level and type of noise in a space can have a huge impact on your environmental quality. Living near a heavily used road, airport, or nightclub impacts how your able to rest and recharge. I know I rarely go to the restaurant across the street from my office because the music is always so loud – yes I realize that this makes me old. You can control the noise in a space through design.
In looking back through blog posts that I wrote in the past but never posted I found this one. I wrote it to help with my sadness after losing someone in our community. It was a nice reminder to me how much each day means and how we should live life to the fullest everyday.
He was a leader that I had a chance to meet a couple of times in the community. I knew him from being in the same industry. He had a wisdom about him beyond his years, and a dry sense of humor – if you did not notice, he let it slide – if you did, your reward was a smile. I looked up to him for what he was able to accomplish, not in fame or success (although he had those) but for how he helped make a better community for all. He led not by voice, but by action.
He supported others regardless of their hardship. He gave them strength through words of encouragement and through his actions. I certainly did not know him well. I was an outsider to his circle. I had a few conversations and once a visit to his home, that is all. Together, we looked at things he created with his hands. We talked about his goals. He told me some of his stories. Without question, I wanted to be more like him. I hold that time we shared now as sacred. He left this world too early.
As an architect in Harrisonburg, sometimes it is difficult to get the needed education to stay in front of the industry. I work hard to find the best information and the best way I have found is attending the right seminars. While not many product reps visit our small town, there is always CSI.
I attend the Construct Show every year to learn from the best of the best in the construction industry. I have attended many other conferences around the country and this one remains the best value. This conference provides the information I need to better serve my clients, grow my career, and allows me to make connections with industry leaders. Topics range from business management, specifications, green design and construction, moisture mitigation, all the way to social media for construction professionals. CSI staff are there looking for you to introduce you to leaders from around the country that want to help you grow in your career. Leaders in the construction industry are there ready to share their knowledge and experience. This is the construction industry show that is a not to miss event!
This year the big event is in our back yard – Baltimore. Even if you cannot take the entire week off, visit for a day or just walk the Expo floor. Meet the CSI staff that will be in their booth, check out the latest innovations in the industry, and meet the experts in the industry September 9-12. If you have time, join me for a Friday morning seminar on building science. It should be a great time.
This renovation project in Old Town Harrisonburg is coming to a close. The drywall is painted, cabinets installed, and addition built. Taking a beautiful old home and updating finishes and systems is a great sustainable approach to our built environment. This project included updating the kitchen, rebuilding a poorly constructed addition, and deck. More pictures to come!
