In the world of architecture and design, we see beyond what is. We see what could be, and we revel in the act of making it so. Here are some insightful and inspiring stories of projects I’ve tackled, lessons I’ve learned, and a little bit of humor to keep things interesting. Because, if you can’t laugh about life and home renovations, then what the heck are we all here for?
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You may remember that I wrote about a few of these micro-apartments last December. Seven units squeezed into a 200 year old brick mansion.
Well, we finally got back on site to finish up the photo shoot. Once again, the before/ afters are MIND BLOWING.
Plus, units 2 and 7 are furnished! It’s cool to see how tenants are actually living in the spaces…
Read MoreIAQ. Indoor Air Quality.
It used to be that homes were built to “breathe", but it's very expensive to heat or cool a house that “breathes”.
Now we focus on sealing tight the walls, roof, and foundation. Much better for energy efficiency but it introduces a new problem; now we’re inside with all the fumes and humidity trapped within our home. Sealed homes can have bad IAQ. (If you're designing a new house with me, this won't happen because we'll ventilate properly and use the right materials. But if you're living in an existing house already, it could be an issue.)
Bad indoor air causes allergies, headaches, and respiratory issues like asthma. But there are ways to maintain healthy indoor air in your home. Check out my recent blog post for a few suggestions. [Read time: 5 minutes]
Read MoreThe transformation of a 200 year-old brick building into seven tiny, modern apartments.
My friend Ben bought a big brick building in very rough shape. He wanted me to be the architect on a massive renovation and I jumped at the opportunity. Despite its deteriorating condition, the bones of this place were spectacular, the potential was enormous. Huge windows. Fancy, hand carved exterior molding. It was built circa 1830 for a wealthy merchant family. 1830! After 2.5 years, I finally “after” photos. YIPPEE! Here’s the full story and LOTS of photos…
Read MoreA unique and stunningly beautiful home for this San Diego couple.
I can’t tell you how excited I am to finally publish this project: my parents house!
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