A suggestion for renovation.

Recently with the advent of stronger energy code requirements, I have begun to suggest that you up the size of any new exterior wall components.  For example, we now hope you spring for the extra expense of a 2" x 6" over a 2" x 4" so you can insulate the wall with a higher u factor insulation ( r - ratting)  This will save you $$  in the long run while only slightly increasing the initial cost.  In many cases this is necessary to abide by the new energy codes anyway!  So ask your contractor about better insulating your home.

Can you live where you are at any age?

The determination of where we live is usually based on socioeconomic forces on our life.  One of the primary questions I ask any potential client involves the span of time they expect to live there.  I often point out that the neighborhood they currently are living (as most of my clients are on Staten Island) in is usually very livable, meaning it's a place they could live in for almost there entire life.  Many have lived in their homes at least ten years and have no inclination to live elsewhere, they would rater improve than move.  I hear this all the time they just need a little more space or need to rearrange spaces to make them more comfortable.  I even had one client buy a neighboring home to stay in the neighborhood, and build the home they wanted.  So if you can live in a neighborhood at almost any age, consider yourself in a good place.  Many of the so called "suburbs" are homogenized places where you find all the people are the same.  Same age, same income, same homes .... I find that very unlivable.  

Is your house a good neighbor?

If you have a porch, it probably is.  A porch is an amazing asset to a house, along with a stoop or some other building component that allows you to speak to a neighbor without the requirement of having them come inside.  Now if you have a porch it also serves as a security device, since the possibility exists that someone is there, on the porch it is less likely your car will be stolen, or any other non-neighborly behavior will occur.  It could be as simple as a small bench with plants around it.  Just the impression of a place for people makes your house more neighborly. In almost all of my residential work a porch is almost always present, in some form or another.

Ok I guess I should start!

I have been contemplating this blog idea for a while now and I just can't procrastinate any more.... so here it goes.  I became an architect for a very simple reason, I always wanted to design houses, not buildings, but houses ... I love clever spaces, the unexpected favorite corner of a room or a particular window. I try with every project to have my client create one special room or space, that makes the whole project truly theirs.  I also study the spaces between houses, sounds odd at first, but with out the proper understanding of buildings and their relationships to each other and the street, you have unfortunate, and odd places that people do not have any use for.  When a house is properly done, regardless of style or type, the spaces between the house and other building as as well as the street are enhanced and best part that space is practically free!



Now with this little blog...
I would like to give people advise on what to do depending on their questions so, ask away,  and feel free to leave any comments.  I will post my credentials and some photo's soon.

JMC