DESIGN BUDGETS

For much of my career my focus was to build and design. In recent years my focus is to design, for others to build, for you. Early on I learned an important lesson that I am attentive to now. I estimated and bid on many projects designed by architects. Interestingly, for the majority of the homes, my bid and all the other bids were too high. Design flaw - too expensive. The projects never got built. What a waste. The owner's dreams dashed, their money wasted. The architect, though paid, wasted his or her time and everyone else's, including mine which also equals money.  So how I approach the design and costs is to be frank - what is your budget? Then I try to design accordingly, pushing the value, utility and aesthetic to maximize what you choose to spend.

BUILDINGS I LIKE

Scheduled to be opened soon - Herzog & de Mueron's new Parrish Art Museum on Long Island, NY. Rather different than the de Young you might say. Simple and direct . . . .

Photo credits unknown. Compliments of Dezeen and Phaidon

I AM NOT AN ARCHITECT . . .

I am not an architect .... yet I was classically trained to build architecture and to design architecture by Master Builders in the traditional way. If you look at the history of architecture and building you will find this not uncommon.
There can be a distinct advantage - experience in building. It helps to know how to build what you design. And to design what you know can be built.

TYLER RESIDENCE

A very comfortable home for a family of 4, along with dogs and horses. Set on several acres with broad views to the east, the style is contemporary farmhouse. This floor plan is from the archives, never built. Too common in economic downturns.

PASSIVE PASSION

As I have been told, in 2020, all new houses in California are to be Net Zero Energy. While we have made progress in recent years, it seems a tall order. Yet if we design houses utilizing the Passive House Standard it is very doable. In fact it is being done. 

Check out "Passive Passion" by Charlie Hoxie, http://www.foursevenfive.com/index.php?main_page=page&id=30&chapter=1.

DESIGN IS NOT LIKE DRIVING A CAR

In design, you have one foot on the gas and one foot on the brake. You step on the gas to rev up the creativity. But you keep the other foot on the brake to keep it practical, make it possible.   This is hard on cars but it keeps design real.

FORM AND ENERGY

The Poetry House by Bruce Johnson. 


Very much a favorite. Bruce is a dear friend and an extraordinary sculptor and artisan.

 www.formandenergy.com