Design Matters

Thoughts of an Architect

A Message from The Firm

Our blog, Design Matters, is a place for our team to share our knowledge, community events, projects, resources, and opinions. It is a place for you to keep up with us and for us to hear from you. Thanks for reading!

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Overcoming Fear: Can One Person Make a Difference?

By harrisonburgarchitect | December 6, 2015 | Harrisonburg Architect

Can one person make a difference? In all honesty, I am not sure anymore. The world seems to be a crazy mixed up ...

Green Term Defined: ASHRAE 90.1

By harrisonburgarchitect | November 30, 2015 | green term defined

ASHRAE 90.1 is a standard in the US that provides minimum requirements for energy-efficient designs for buildings ...

Chesapeake Western Depot Framing Update

By harrisonburgarchitect | November 27, 2015 | project update

The progress on the Chesapeake Western Depot framing continues with this nice weather. The framing crew has been ...

Green Term Defined: Light Shelf

By harrisonburgarchitect | November 23, 2015 | green term defined

A light shelf is a horizontal overhanging element located above the eye-level and typically having a highly ...

Top 10 Tips for Renters to Reduce Their Energy Bills

By harrisonburgarchitect | November 18, 2015 | Building Science

Lighting is an easy place to start and you can take the bulbs with you when you move. Replace the most used bulbs ...

Green Term Defined: Insulating Curtains

By harrisonburgarchitect | November 16, 2015 | architecture

Green Term Defined: Insulating Curtains Insulating curtains have a lining that resists temperature change and ...

Chesapeake Western Railroad Depot Project Update

By harrisonburgarchitect | November 13, 2015 | project update

We have been so fortunate this year to have so many incredible projects. However, the Chesapeake Western Railroad ...

Harmony Square Dairy Queen – Project Update Part 4

By harrisonburgarchitect | November 12, 2015 | Harrisonburg Architect, project update

Read our progress on the Harmony Square Dairy Queen here: Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 5 We are ...

Citizen Architect – Green Building Tours

By harrisonburgarchitect | November 11, 2015 | citizen architect, Green Building

Citizen Architect - Green Building Tours I get involved in a lot of different ways of promoting green building. ...

Green Term Defined: Solatube

By harrisonburgarchitect | November 9, 2015 | green term defined

A Solatube is a tubular daylighting system. The solatube was created in Australia that captures daylight using a ...

Project Update: East Johnson Tiny House

By harrisonburgarchitect | November 8, 2015 | project update

The average size home in the United States for a new single family home has grown from 1,780 sf in 1978 to 2,662 ...

How Much Does it Cost? A Common Question For Architects

By harrisonburgarchitect | November 4, 2015 | architecture

One of the best kept secrets in the construction industry is how much it costs to build a new home. The reason is, ...