GOT JOBS....A Must Read

What is the best way to create jobs? I'm not an economist and even I know that an economy based around manufacturing provides jobs. In simple, if you can create products that people want to consume, then you will need people to produce those products and thus create jobs. Why am I, an architect, discussing this topic? The United States economy is struggling and has shifted away from producing consumer products as many items purchased today are shipped in from overseas. There is a movement to change this line of thinking in the construction industry.

A report on ABC News recently highlighted a home built entirely out of construction materials made in the USA. The cost of this home was only 1% higher than if every product had been purchased from another country. The old argument that buying foreign will dramatically save you money no long holds water.

Increasing jobs will provide more confidence in our economy and as history serves us, that confidence translates into an increase in home ownership. Increased home ownership will provide many additional jobs as more homes will need to be constructed and renovated to accommodate the desires of owning. If more homes are being built and renovated, there will be a demand for construction materials. If the amount of construction materials being used are manufactured in America, there will be an increase in jobs to keep up with demand stimulating the economy even further. If you don't believe me, the non-economist, simply watch the ABC News report on the following link which DOES speak with economists based on this theory. The other old adage, "Buy American and Americans work" is a beautiful thing when put into motion and it's more than just a saying,

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2011/10/how-to-build-a-made-in-america-home/

- Design is what you make it.

Crunch Time

You're sitting in front of your computer reading this, probably haven't moved out of that seat for the past 2-3 hours. This type of sedentary lifestyle pushed onto us through mandatory workloads has helped to make the United States of America an out-of-shape, overweight mess. If you have a long commute you spend even less time being active and reduce any time to work out. What's the solution to keep you from becoming the size of a small SUV? New office furniture! Wait, was a change in office furniture really suggested rather than dieting or hitting the gym? Yes, it was...check out this link for some fun ideas to stay the slender svelte self you want to be.

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/gallery/6_healthy_workstations/

- Design is what you make it.

Hitting Close to Home....or Previous Home

Well it's back after a long sabbatical; the weekly blog posts shall return.

This week in the news: Somerville, MA secured $2.3million from the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development and will receive federal tax credits to the tune of $619,000 in order to build 31 new affordable housing units at a cost of $97,000 per unit, allowing the city to complete Phase III of Saint Polycarp Village. Somerville also will receive an additional $1million in Federal subsidies to create 8 affordable housing units on Cross Street at a cost of $125,000 per unit.

Now you know...what will YOU do with that knowledge?

- Design is what you make it.

Government vs. Economy

The administrations great Going Green Initiative. Like so many policies created by our legislature designed to improve our environment and enrich our lives, money was spent but not much had changed. Millions has been given to people to replace their old appliances which weren't as energy efficient (without regrading the fact that they'd be going into our landfills, not a very green concept...buy new to throw away something that was functioning). Other recent mandates included eliminating Incandescent light bulbs for more efficient Compact Fluorescent Lightbulbs (CFLs), again the lack of foresight missed out on our increasing the amount of mercury in our every day environment by producing all these CFLs and having them plugged in only inches from us on a regular basis. I once heard the phrase, "Let government govern, and the economy solve problems." Through all the millions spent by our government recently, very little has changed for the better or changed for the greener. The economy however has been much more successful of late with creating a green society. Due to rising cost of oil, many manufacturers have done away with or reduced the amount of plastic created to house their products while some retails pushed for smaller packaging, less plastic, and to be more "eco-friendly". Mandate and force a belief system down our throats all you want Government, until the private citizens request the desire for something or big business feels it would be more profitable to move in that direction, all that will occur is more of our tax dollars spent without much to show. Thank you economy for staying true and being the main decision maker within our free society.

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/112852/retailers-greener-packaging-nyt

- Design is what you make it.

WHAT SHOULD WE ANTICIPATE NEXT?

What is architectural design to you? Depending on what region of the country you grew up in or live in currently is going to greatly impact your vision of what is the norm. In the the early part of this country's beginning sprawling plantations were the icon of the South. Head out West and you're bound to find home after home designed in an adobe style with clay tile roof. Journey to the Northeast and you may get visions of the Cape or Colonial. The simple truth is, "styles" were created for each region because of the materials that were available and the type of weather patterns that affected it. Today, because of technology we can have people live anywhere they want in any style of home they want because we don't need to rely on the local materials, nor passive heating and cooling.

Just as the exterior "style" has changed, so has the interior use for so many homeowners. In the '20s every home had a formal Parlor room. The importance of this space grew smaller and smaller as the decades went on throughout the 20th Century. Homes became smaller and more importance was placed on practical use. The luxury of having a room that only saw use when guests were invited became obsolete. With the 21st Century here, the dining room is quickly becoming the "dinosaur" room. More and more the dining room is being designed out of homes with many architects and homeowners opting for an enlarged eat-in kitchen which provides the opportunity to expand the dining area for large family gatherings. Efficiency is the name of the game allowing homes to be smaller in square footage. With the cost of fossil fuels continuing to increase, a more efficient home costs less to run as well as being more ecologically friendly.

Each generation places importance on one room over all others. What will define the 21st Century? The kitchen, the home's main gathering space? The master bathroom, the definition of indulgence? What gets your vote?

- Design is what you make it.

ARE YOU PREPARED?

FIRE! FIRE! According to NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), in 2009 fires were responsible for over 3,000 deaths and over $12.5 billion dollars in direct property loss. What would you do if a fire struck; your office, your home? Do you have a plan in place on how to get to safety? Are your most precious documents in a safe location? What would be your plan on recovery should you be the victim of a fire?

Here are some steps we can take in preparation should we ever be in the unfortunate position of dealing with the recovery process after a fire.

1. Have your homeowners and/or casualty insurance agent's contact information in a secured location that you can access.
2. Prepare back-up files for all your important documents in a fire proof safe or safety deposit box.
3. Take lots of pictures of your real estate property and personal property as proof for insurance to expedite the claim process.
4. Have some names of trusted contractors so you can begin the process of getting back to normalcy as soon as possible.
5. Locate a qualified architect to assist you in the renovation process, with the help of the architect, you may be able to make improvements upon the existing layout as well as save money on the renovation by eliminating any non-essential fixes and focus on the most important items. Having someone in your corner that is familiar with the construction process is an ideal way to create a "checks and balances" system.

Here is a sad story about a businessman that lost 30+ years worth of client files due to a fire that created more than $3 million in damages all due to the ill-timed disposal of a lit cigarette.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2011/05/three_alarm_fir_2.html

- Design is what you make it.

NEW FACEBOOK CAMPUS

It's quite a quandary, the city of Menlo Park's Belle Haven neighborhood has a new resident; a "FACE" that's very familiar to us. It happens to be in the location where the old Sun Microsystem's campus was located. The end goal, create a minimum carbon footprint place to live for Facebook employees and family. At 1 million square feet with 11 buildings on the site, they have a nice place to build this city inside of a city concept. The problem? The location is isolated from the surrounding neighborhoods as it is surrounded on three sides by expressway and the fourth side by an untouchable wetlands. What's the solution? Invite the American Institute of Architects (AIA) to lead a charrette working with the City, neighbors, Facebook, and architectural professionals to create a living environment that connects perfectly to the nearby neighborhoods of course. It's nice having the star power of a Facebook to be obtain the assistance of those who want to help you since Facebook has helped so many reconnect with old friends and family. Circle of life? If nothing else perhaps it can be considered good karma.

http://archrecord.construction.com/news/2011/03/110324facebooks_new_campus.asp
- Design is what you make it.

Japan Before and After

By now we've all become aware of the amazing destructive damage that can be caused by tsunami waves and earthquakes. In 2004 we witnessed the power of tsunami that ripped life apart off the Indian Ocean. Today we see how one of the most technologically advanced countries can be devastated as well. Here is a link to some incredible before and after shots of Japan.

http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/gallery/031511_japan_before_after/

If Japan didn't have in place one of the most regimented construction practices the devastation seen there would have easily landed the death rate into the hundreds of thousands and perhaps millions. Building appropriately for the anticipated environment is important when it comes to the safety of all those who live and work in that society.

- Design is what you make it.



http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/gallery/031511_japan_before_after/

Neighborhood Entertainment Gone

Davis Square is home to a number of entertainment venues, an aspect that has grown Davis Square's reputation as a great destination for dining, shopping, and the arts. The restaurant Sagra for some was a great place to eat delicious Italian food while for others it was an excellent destination for music and late night drinks. The neighbors often complained about the noise produced from the live music. The design of Sagra allowed the street front windows to open and allow the outside in and the inside out. This design works beautifully for casual and finer dining, especially on beautiful Spring and Summer days and evenings. In order to avoid constant complaints from neighbors, a business should carefully consider the store front design. Sagra learned this lesson the hard way and now has closed it's doors. The new establishment will be Five Horses Tavern. The new owner has said he's eliminating the live music and closing at 1 a.m. rather than the 2 a.m. Sagra operated until. These changes should help build a better repoir with his neighbors and is a much more neighbor-friendly approach than what Sagra used. After four years Sagra is gone, and very few that lived nearby will miss it.

For more on this story see: http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/news/x2022438681/Sagra-closes-in-Somerville-makes-way-for-Five-Horses-Tavern#axzz1FSAGaeuQ

- Design is what you make it.

Wisc. Bill Passes - On to the Senate

We're going to change things up a bit today. Typically I don't write about any political issues because, frankly they are too emotional of a topic for most people to set aside any personal feelings in order to evaluate the issues on a logical basis. Now that being said, the landmark Wisconsin bill that could be made into law can essentially affect the nation as a whole because if it becomes law, other states will follow in their footsteps.

This bill has many obstacles currently and will impact the current way state government and potentially federal government handle employees. For 70-80 years state "public employees", individuals that work for the city, state, or federal government have had unprecedented job security, fringe benefits, and retirement packages. The new bill is looking to change most of that and align public employees to be more attune to private employees. This means they will have to contribute to their own retirement, pay premiums for their health insurance, be evaluated on their ability to be productive, and be paid a salary that is comparable to the private sector for a similar task.

The reason this bill has come into existence is because cities, states, and the federal government are spending more then they collect. The biggest areas of spending revolve around the health care and retirement packages for the employees. If all forms of government can reduce the money going out the door to employees much as the private sector has done, it will allow them to become fiscally responsible and eliminate deficits and create surpluses. Once surpluses are established, more public sector construction will occur to update many buildings that have fallen into poor running condition due to budget deficits. The country runs on the construction industry. If we can increase public sector construction we will be able to provide more jobs, stimulate the economy, and get the United States back on it's feet and return the country to being a financial powerhouse that it once was.

So whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or Independent; this bill will affect you and it should do so in a positive way. Financial growth, fiscal responsibility, and high employment is something we can all agree are good things and a direction in which we should move.

- Design is what you make it.

Reuse, Recyle, Convert...what's it all mean?

Reuse of existing buildings is the best "recycling" one can do in the world of construction. Being able to blend new with old and change the use of a building can be challenging. Those obstacles are more easily tackled with the help of professional such as architects. Below is a link for a great design and blend of old 1920 brick building transformed into an amazing single family residence. Click on the slideshow to see the transformation and how one can breath life back into a building that had seemed dead for years.

http://archrecord.construction.com/residential/featured_houses/2011/02/leavitt_residence.asp

- Design is what you make it.

Recycling more than just cans and bottles

The past decade has turned a lot of focus to recycling as a way to reuse materials and reduce one's "carbon footprint". Most people associate recycling with aluminum cans, plastic and glass bottles, and newspapers. The truth is in today's world it's possible to recycle virtually all the materials that go into the creation of a building. Recycling is a great way to eliminate additional landfill and reduce waste. Keep in mind that recycling DOES use energy in order to reuse those materials so it's not 100% gain. The best method if possible when it comes to existing buildings is to resurrect the building into new glory through reuse and/or possibly change of use. For some great examples of buildings that saw renovation and face lifts rather than destruction when their initial usable life had expired follow the link below.

http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/building_types_study/TypeIndex.aspx?bts=AR

- Design is what you make it.

Winter Storm can spell havoc on your roof and more.

We've all lived through winter seasons that seem to never end, many in thanks to snow storm after snow storm. We bundle up, crank up the heat or stoke the fireplace and wait out the cold in hopes for an early Spring. Something many of us don't realize is that while we increase the heat inside and the temperature decreases outside, we're creating a perfect situation for an ice dam to be formed on our homes. When our attic space isn't insulated well enough and there isn't enough outside air flow into our eaves or attic spaces, the heat from our dwelling warms the underside of the roof making the snow melt slightly allowing it to then refreeze and start to build into an ice dam.

Ice dams prevent snow melt from escaping off your roof and in many cases create ice back-up under the roofing shingles which in turn will then melt causing water damage on the inside of the home. To see how you can help prevent this from happening check out the link below with helpful tips to remedy this situation.

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1131314,00.html

- Design is what you make it.

Does it pay to go green?

Incentives, incentives...the upfront cost of going green with solar panels (most common interpretation of going green for residential use), can sometimes scare off homeowners who could benefit financially while helping the environment benefit through reduced fossil fuel consumption. The financial burden has been greatly reduced through incentive based programs by states and the federal government. In most cases, the overall cost is reduced by 50% after applying for and receiving the tax credits. This reduction makes the installation of solar panels for home energy independence much more affordable and shortens the time line to recoup the upfront costs. Massachusetts has dedicated $1 million dollars to this endeavor. Speak to some contractors to see how much it would cost for you to make your home more green friendly and review the incentives you could receive. Creating a green friendly home not only helps the environment, but also can help save you money in the long term as well as increasing the value of your home.

http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/green/greenblog/?p1=Well_Local_GreenBlog

- Design is what you make it.

Sign of the times or Women gone mad?

Last Thursday marked a special occasion, the Somerville Swap. Located in the Somerville Armory, over 250 women turned out for a swap-a-thon. What drove these women to an event where you can swap your clothing for another's clothing? Is it the economy? Is it a woman's instinctual ritual of locating a great find? We all know women who will buy things on sale even if they don't need it just because it was ON SALE! I want to hear from the ladies out there. Is an event like this attractive to you? Allow you to rid yourself of your tired clothes for some new threads? What say you?

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/somerville/gallery/202011Swap/

- Design is what you make it.

Boston Built in Tradition

Boston is unique for a larger city, it's steeped in tradition from it's societal acumen to it's architecture. The winter months really represent how traditional Bostonians can be, how unwilling to accept change. Take the parking issue: in years past, it was understood if you dug your car out of the snow, then all you had to do was leave some junk in that spot and it was yours until Spring came. This was the custom until a few years ago when the Mayor declared that residents could "save" their spot for only 48 hours after the storm ended. It's safe to say some neighborhoods have taken to this declaration by the Mayor with less than enthusiasm. Bostonians like their traditions...they like things to stay the same. No place is this more obvious than in their architecture. Incorporating contemporary design into the conservative traditional fabric is like fending off a heavy weight boxer; most don't succeed and the few that try usually get pummeled. Check out these pics which represent just how good Boston is at keeping their architecture true to Bostonian tradition of staying the same.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/gallery/Boston_then_and_now/?p1=News_links

- Design is what you make it.

The Old Adage rings true

We all know the phrase: "If you build it, they will come". How on point is this phrase about so few buildings (note all the vacant condominium building projects constructed within the last 5 years). Now for a refreshing take on an old building type; take a trip to Miami where the warm weather is a welcome sight during these frigid months...also a welcome sight apparently is a $65 million dollar parking garage. So welcome that many couples are renting it out for weddings, bar mitzvahs, and general cocktail parties. Seeing is believing...and thus you must see this PARKING GARAGE! (never thought I'd utter those words in my lifetime, nice to see high architecture can be found in the most mundane building types)

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/01/24/at_high_glam_garage_the_parkings_secondary/

- Design is what you make it.

Turning old, new again

Bored of your place but don't want to spend lots of cash to give it a face lift? Check out this article with some great ideas that don't cost a lot of money.

http://shopping.yahoo.com/articles/yshoppingarticles/499/10-ways-to-make-your-kitchen-new-again/

- Design is what you make it.

FASHION WEEK IS HERE....kind of

Well it's time for men to weigh in on what the ladies in their lives wear. Men are notoriously labeled as having poor fashion sense and many women find this trait endearing (mostly because they believe it gives them full right to place adult dress up and continue what they started as a child with Ken and Barbie). That is why it is now only fair to allow the men an opportunity to weigh in on the conversation and point out the things they do and do not like about the attire their women choose to wear.

High design in fashion is like art, it can be truly amazing to look at in a frame or on a stage but not practical in reality. Fashion shows are necessary to keep the industry fresh with new ideas, colors, and fabrics from which to create the next great trend. That being said, many pieces of apparel that are fabricated are unflattering. Review the link for some great examples of some horrendous fashion faux pas that became a trend when they should never have been created in the first place.

http://yahoo.match.com/y/article.aspx?articleid=12202&TrackingID=526103&BannerID=709243

- Design is what you make it.

ALL ABOUT BRANDING...

The Name of the Game, or better yet...the Name IS the Game. Subconsciously we are inundated everyday by hundreds of names of companies and products. Through the use of scientific studies, we have learned the name chosen and lettering / logo used to express that name tell a lot about a company and in aiding those that come in contact with it to quickly decipher what company or product is all about. For instance, if I mention Wal-Mart, the first image that will come to most people is a large store. Mostly due to the name recognition, however also due to the "Mart" part of the name. Another good example would be Home Depot. One doesn't need to have advanced training in code breaking to figure out that this is a store that sells home improvement products.
The human mind is amazing at deciphering things through our subconscious, sometimes though that can play against us which is where creative marketing and advertising comes into play. I am sure everyone has seen an ad located in a magazine, poster, billboard, or bus stop bench where the creative advertising team spelled a word in large letters SDROWKCAB in order to get your attention. The human mind sees this as strange and awkward and it draws our attention immediately no matter how hard we try not to notice. The mnd is also amzing at addng lettrs for wrds we are fmiliar to complte thm corrctly shld thy be mssing and it does so quickly without effort (thank goodness for Spell Check or we would all probably send out letters and documents with errors on a regular basis!)

All this brings me to one simple question: What is in a name? If I mention the name of a company like: Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, many people would think this was a law firm simply because of the format of the company's name (and you'd be correct). The architecture world is at a crossroads with many firms changing their names to reflect better what they do as well as create a brand name that becomes synonymous with high design and architecture. Kurtz Design Studio is a fine name, but is it the best name to express what I do and who I am? I am hoping to receive lots of feedback and perhaps some ideas and suggestions that could make my company's name even stronger and identifiable. Please help, I'd love to hear from you.

http://archrecord.construction.com/practice/firmCulture/1101practice.asp

- Design is what you make it.

Hear ye, Hear ye...Construction to start again!

You heard it here first (second if you read the NY Times). In 2011 it is anticipated that construction in and around the country should start to begin again. In the Boston area specifically, there are numerous apartment rental buildings in the works and some large private office buildings are set to get underway. While the commercial building sector is still at a stand still, the residential rental market looks strong as many "potential homebuyers" are weary of the real estate market still and opting to rent rather than buy.

How does all this news affect you? Well as we saw some nice boom times in the early to mid-2000's, the U.S. economy truly is driven by the construction industry. The more construction that is going on, the more trickle down effect should be felt regarding jobs and drop in unemployment. It may be too early to jump up and down saying the financial woes are gone, however it is a bright spot on the horizon and I for one am going to use as much optimism as I can muster because it feels much better to think positively than it does to worry.
Check out the article attached below for more information on this:

http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2011/01/02/construction_will_start_to_pick_up/

- Design is what you make it.

New England Charm

What makes for a beautiful home? While tastes vary from place to place, it is difficult to argue that the selected home shown in a slide show through the link below, is not only unique but also admired by all who see it. This Victorian home has gorgeous frescos, built-in casework, molded plasterwork, and original wood carvings that put contemporary builders and the McMansions they build to shame. This is a great example of how to add character to a home and create a space that oozes what New England homes are known for...charm. Enjoy the slide show

http://www.boston.com/realestate/gallery/homeoftheweek/121910/

- Design is what you make it.