With every profession applying the term architect to a title, what does it really mean to be an architect? It seems funny to me that for the past few months, several publications have revealed architecture has the highest unemployment rate as a degree. So I started asking questions, why would somebody want to be an architect during these times? Is the title of architect becoming just another buzz word or are we more than the latest profession in the spotlight? It took a minute to ponder, so I rubbed my eyes in an attempt to wake up and thought if I would rather be anywhere else. I knew the answer to that question before I even finished that thought; there is no other profession out there for me. Maybe I am strange but I love the long hours, sleepless nights, and more cups of coffee than any one person should drink in a lifetime.

Architect used to mean “master builder”, but what does it stand for today? Are we still considered a master builder or just simply a luxury item, when aesthetics are concerned? Now I will admit that we don’t know everything about something, but we do know something about everything. The goal of an architect should be to create sexy solutions for everyday issues, through the collaboration and knowledge of various disciplines. The critical part of our job it to be able to cast a vision on the end result of the project and develop a plan for getting there.

The key in the success of any project is communication. Our ability to bridge the gap between professions and find a solution that works for everyone is critical. An architect understands the rules of thumb and generalities of each discipline, but doesn’t have a full technical knowledge of everything. This is why collaboration is critical, and why bringing everyone to the conversation is so beneficial. We must be a leader, but in order to be a great leader we must surround ourselves with individuals that possess the strengths we do not.

A view down a side street in Boston, that features walk up housing.

Not only is the architect the leader of the design team, but they also help to lead change. With gas continuing to rise in price, I believe we will start to see the decline of suburbia. My hope would be to watch density rise and a rebirth of our cities. The days of spending hours in our cars is coming to an end. As an architect we have the ability to re-imagine our urban spaces and create places that enrich our daily lives. We must remember that design doesn’t have to be force fed to the public, but can be done in a subtle way that compliments the existing situation, whatever the conditions may be. The greenest buildings are the ones already standing, but we must find ways which facilitate the functions those buildings never anticipated.

I could not be more excited for the challenges we will face ahead. They  will not be easy, but they will begin to challenge the way we think. From the places we choose to dwell, the way we look at our cities, to the way we design our landscapes; these will be changing. It is up to us to decide if they will change for the better.

Welcome to the most important part of the design process and woe to those that try and cut this corner altogether, or fail to go through it properly. Believe me, there are those that try, and all regret it without exception. So pay attention and listen up! Ready? Here it is…

Programming.

Sounds technical, and by all appearances it is. So what could it possibly have to do with design and how could it possibly be so important to design? Well, you probably remember the term GIGO from high school or maybe even grade school; Garbage In, Garbage Out. A piece of software, a website, a digital application of any sort, only works as well as its programming. So, in a similar fashion, if you aren’t designing with the right information, you are doomed from the start.

Especially when it comes to designing small, programming is about asking the right questions and answering them honestly and thoroughly. It includes questions to which you think the answers are obvious, but beware, this is where assumptions and misperceptions live and they have the potential to undermine everything. It’s not all about avoiding disaster though – programming is the best part, the most exciting part. Programming is where creativity is born and takes root, where opportunity hides, and where magic waits to transform your project.

A quick moment has to be taken here to shamelessly plug the profession of which I proudly belong – architecture. But this is exactly where design professionals show their experience and talent, and value. Working with a professional saves time and improves the quality and potential of the end product. Save a dollar here and spend hundreds later as a little good planning goes a long way. I’d say “trust me”, but we’ve all experienced rushing into something that we didn’t give due attention beforehand, and we paid the price. As most people will likely only engage a design professional once in their lives, if that, it’s important to not learn this lesson after suffering the consequences.

Now, it’s so tempting to jump straight into the fun stuff, but as with any building you have to build a good foundation first. We start with the three biggies; budget, schedule, and quality. To the best of your ability, be specific and prioritize so that a decision-making framework is established and clear. Some insight on how this works; the more you expect from one, the more the others have to give or else things get hairy really quickly. For example, if you want a lot of house for a little money, plan on lower quality and an expanding schedule. If you have a tight schedule too, then quality will plummet. Say you want high quality but don’t have much time, be prepared to pay dearly for it. The advantage to designing small is that the pressure on all of these items is eased from the start. All things being equal, the less you build, the quicker you can build it and the less it will cost. It’s a win-win-win situation, so congrats on picking the smart path! You can indeed have it all…sort of….

Next we start talking specifics; functions, features, and relationships. Prioritize them again so that everybody understands their relative importance and why. List the functions of your house and sketch them at their most essential. Often these functions are “rooms” but to call them rooms already would be one of those assumptions to be wary of. Be honest with yourself and distinguish between a want and a need. Size spaces to their function and furnish only to accomplish the task (“form follows function”). Watch out for duplicate functions and look for opportunities to overlaps too. Every bit as important, identify what you do NOT want or need, and why.

Discovering the difference between a Want and a Need comes out when answering the question “why”. Be honest and note, if you WANT something bad enough that it is non-negotiable, it does indeed qualify as a NEED. Squeezing out a bunch of low priority Wants is the best way to reduce the area of your house. As you start thinking about the number of “bedrooms” you list, ask some questions. Why three (to pick a common number)? Do you have two kids?, or just one and the other is really just a guest room?, or is there just an assumption that three bedrooms is what the market will want come time to sell? Could two of the “bedrooms” be combined even, as long as there’s some ability to achieve privacy, or could one be storage now and finished later if needed? Of course these questions are numerous and most of the time an answer leads to another question, exactly like a really good in-depth interview.

Sizing spaces for functions is about furniture quantity, size, and placement. In non Master Bedroom sleeping areas for example, are full size beds necessary or can they be twins?, or how about bunkbeds? Can they be pushed into a corner?, built into an alcove?, or even be hideaway like a Murphy Bed? An opportunity in small houses we’ll discuss later in this series is, you can actually buy less but higher quality furniture, and smaller spaces beg for smaller and simpler furniture.

Next, watch out for duplicate functions, as with separate Family and Living “Rooms”, or Breakfast Alcoves, Kitchens with seating, and Dining “Rooms”. Seek instead to overlap or combine spaces with related functions, like only sitting to eat in one centrally located farm-style kitchen area. Last but certainly not least, since circulation constitutes about 75% or more of the actual square footage of a house, consider how to put more functions within reach of the same paths, like with laundry and office functions “in” corridors. A function that’s directly accessible from another space uses much less space than a “walk-in” room dedicated to the function.

Design is fluid process. It’s not always obvious, is rarely quick, and is never all fun and glory as reality shows would have you believe. But it is those nuts and bolts components that make the overall process an enjoyable one, and the result seem so perfect. Others will ask “how could it have ever been anything else?” and you will know the simple truth- it all started with asking the right questions.

Stay tuned for more installments on this topic in the coming weeks.  Derek can be reached via email to discuss a specific project.

I know we keep discussing the bad economy but in reality, it is a shifted economy that we now live in.  As with the weather patterns, the rules of business have changed and will change again in the future.  The one thing that remains constant is the need to “sell” yourself to potential employers, clients, and business associates.

My philosophy on self-promotion and marketing is somewhat different than most.  I don’t believe in shameless self-promotion, I abhor it actually.  I believe in being informative and helping people.  Here are a few things I picked up in my career that I hope will resonate with you as you enter your next working relationship.

1.  know your audience – I believe this is an essential technique for success.  Put yourself in the other person’s shoes.  Ask questions, pay attention to subtle clues and adjust your message accordingly.

For business dealings, make sure you aren’t pitching an expensive remodel to someone who is looking for DIY advice.  For a job interview, it is important to learn more about the company than they know about you.  It is as much an interview of them as it is of you.  

2.  know your strengths –  There comes a time in your career where you are comfortable with what you don’t know and are confident with what you do know.  Don’t be afraid to call in someone else when you are in over your head.

Your clients and boss will respect you that much more when you complete the project on time with the help of someone else versus costly mistakes to your client or employer. 

3.  keep it real, keep it personal – People do business with people they like.  Simple.  Be friendly and personal in all of your professional dealings.  Don’t be afraid to let your sense of humor and little quirks slip into the conversation.  Work doesn’t need to be so formal & serious all of the time, we’re not brain surgeons!

You are a unique individual and promoting what makes you special will get you far in life.

4.  expand your network – A common phrase is “it’s all about who you know.”  Fortunately, it is true, especially, in a smaller city like St. Louis.  This city is full of amazing people and they often aren’t found in your generic networking seminars.  Don’t underestimate the importance of getting outside your “circle” to meet new people.

Listen to those around you; get involved in larger organizations and causes greater than your own.

5.  admit when you are wrong – I think this is essential to being successful in business as well as in life.  We don’t always make the right choices, even with the best intentions.  It’s okay.  Own your successes and failures and learn from them.  Doing so will make you a better business partner, team member or employee.

Every thing that has happened to you has gotten you to this moment and shaped you into who you are.

Most of us love, or at least appreciate, architectural moldings and finishing touches in our homes.  However, not everyone’s home is “born” with these elements.  I am often asked how to decorate a room that looks like a white box.  Bare walls, no moulding, basically a square.  While seemingly uninspired to some, for designers this is a wonderful challenge.  We get to create!

Here are my ideas to help differentiate your space from every other “white box” on your block!

– First, you could experiment with adding simple elements such as a picture ledge.

These can be installed at various heights depending on it’s desired function.  In this instance, we did the shelf along one wall above the headboard and the pictures and objects are within reach to change out regularly.

In the second photo, the ledge was installed higher up on all 4 walls as a purely decorative element.  This is great in a contemporary home that doesn’t have crown moulding.  Make sure you allow enough space for a mirror or TV to hang on the wall.

– Another idea is to add really special elements that don’t make you miss the architectural details.  These uniquely beautiful pendants make a statement all on their own.

– Just because you don’t live in a loft doesn’t mean you can’t achieve the look.  This home is in the middle of a brand new development outside of San Jose.  No lofts for thousands of miles.  The brick wall adds a much needed urban element to the space.

– A basement is really an extension of your home and offers much needed entertaining space.  Boring white walls and extra high window sills left this vast lower level feeling lifeless even after the furnishings arrived.  My solution was to add beadboard paneling up to the windows on 2 major walls.  We painted it a rich caramel color which tied into the color scheme and immediately warmed the whole room.  Topped off with a picture ledge full of personal accessories and this room has been transformed into an inviting family space.

– Another area to consider is the coffered ceiling.  More often than not, the builder stops with just the soffits that step up.  Adding in crown moulding and even painting an accent color will make such a finished statement to the room.

Some of these projects you could tackle in a weekend, others require a professional.  With the right amount of imagination, you too can be proud of your home’s unique appeal!

Previously written by Kimberly for St. Louis AT HOME’s website.  Read more of Kimberly’s work and view her portfolio at www.kimberlyreuther.com.

Smarter and Smaller Houses, an Introduction to Design

Last year, Merriam-Webster voted “austerity” the apparently coveted status of Word of the Year.  The negativity around the term can be seen in the riots of Greece and Spain and Great Britain.  The word “austere” includes definitions such as “stern and cold in appearance”, “markedly simple or unadorned”, and “giving little or no scope for pleasure”.  No word better captures how many people would react if I were to suggest the concept of building small, particularly at a time when more is perceived as better.  And no word could be more misleading and wrong to the great potential of this “other” design approach.  So, to establish a new frame of reference, let me throw some new words into the pot for consideration;

Efficient

Effective

Essential

Economical

Connected

Comfortable

Convenient

In only sixty years, we have witnessed an interesting phenomenon in the United States.  The average size of a family has seen a 30% decrease, from 3.6 to 2.7 or one person.  Over the same period, the average house increased by 140%, from 1,000 to 2,400 square feet.  I’ll let you make any connections between life then versus now, as that is another conversation altogether and getting preachy here detracts and distracts from the power of a very powerful design methodology.

Put simply, when built using the same conventional methods, small houses cost less to build, operate, and maintain.  It seems obvious, but building less means a directly proportional reduction in the materials and time required to build, and in many cases the actual per-piece costs for materials is reduced as well.  Operationally, costs are reduced by limiting the resources needed to make the house work and be comfortable to live in.  And from a maintenance perspective, less time and money is put into cleaning, repairing, and eventually replacing all the components that go into a house. When capitalizing on the full capabilities of new technologies and the better understanding of traditional ones, these savings are compounded.  And by corollary, for the same cost, if you reduce the square footage, you can increase the cost per square foot, meaning a smaller house provides an opportunity for higher quality or more features.

This is a topic that has been covered by smarter people than I, and in greater detail than I’ll get into.  I intend only to provide an overview, emphasize a few simple points, and show some commonly pursued tactics as well as some uniquely innovative ones.  Most importantly I hope to reveal the underlying philosophy that supports it all, to shed light on the “other” design approach I mentioned at the top.

Architecture specifically is commonly perceived as an answer to some problem, a solution, a thing.  The emphasis is on the result.  However, architecture specifically and design in general, has been more accurately defined as “problem solving” or “problem seeking”. Design as process, not product.  In order to solve a “problem”, it is critical to first understand it, to ask questions in order to discover its essence in as much detail as possible.  So, when it comes to designing a small house, let’s focus on the questions being asked as a means to understand the answers that result;

What do you want in a home?

What do you need in a home?

What limitations are there?

What opportunities are there?

I would invite you to go through a sort of design process with me moving forward, answering these questions as best you can.  Consider the design of your dream home, your vacation home, or just reimagine your current home.  Consider the addition or renovation you’ve been contemplating.

Designing a small home, as it should be with any home or any building, is really nothing more than being smart about it, balancing what you need with what you want with what you have.  Designing small, is designing smart.

Stay tuned for more installments on this topic in the coming weeks.  Derek can be reached via email to discuss a specific project.

Thrilled at the prospect of creating a room, really creating a retreat from an existing garage was all at once exciting and challenging at the same time.

Let me take you on this adventure……….

The Vision:

Collaborating with my clients, their thoughts, needs and wishes….”I’ve always wanted, thought about…”

Ahha…a lake retreat with emphasis on relaxing and comfort was born…

The Challenges:

The existing garage had no plumbing or HVAC.  In collaboration with top contractor Mike Lemke of Renovation Specialists, plans were drawn, discussed and decisions made.

A bath with shower, sleeping and lounging areas were all components of this retreat, a great get away, so close yet so far away.

Using only no VOC (toxic free) paint by Sherwin Williams, local lumber, recycled fabrics, treasured family antiques and adding lots of comfortable surroundings (gotta have a TV, fridge and microwave) put smiles on my clients faces and definitely one on mine and contractor Mike Lamke.

View more of Diane’s work at www.dianeroseninteriors.com

September saw us host our 1st annual “ispeak” event, a joint celebration for design professionals and homeowners where we unveil our ideas for the coming year.  Park Pacific was gracious enough to offer their lovely clubhouse and rooftop with amazing views of downtown!  (Note: in our third attempt at a rooftop party, this one takes the cake, the weather was gorgeous!)

Huge thanks to our sponsors!  We couldn’t have done it without you!

Park Pacific – visit website

Integration Controls – visit website

Colt Industries – visit website

Hammer & Hand Imports – visit website

the fabulous group of people that makes it all happen!

we had a hella good time! did you?

And many more thanks to the following contributors for services & raffle prizes!

Proxy Photos – visit website

Pairings Catering – visit website

Hotel Ignacio – visit website

Arts & Education Council – visit website

Check out more photos of the festivities courtesy of Proxy Photos!

The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) is the annual platform of the kitchen & bath industry’s latest products, design trends, and innovative technology. This 4-day conference and expo is hosted by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and typically hosts roughly 1000 exhibitors and 45,000 attendees, though it was clearly a bit more intimate this year.

This year, Kitchen and Bath professionals from around the world converged on the scene in Las Vegas. After attending the past 2 KBIS shows in Chicago, I was excited for a change of scenery in Sin City.

It was my first journey to this convention center and I found the layout to be a little choppy and difficult to navigate. It felt like we were constantly missing sections and found ourselves backtracking quite a bit to make sure we saw everything. Maybe I’m just spoiled by the open layout of Chicago’s McCormick Place. Regardless, rather than focusing in on the layout, lets get down to what we all really want to know – what kind of new products and trends are out there for your kitchen or bath?

There were so many inspired and innovative products exhibited at the show, but if someone was to ask me what product stuck out in my head over all others, I must say Kohler’s Numi integral toilet + bidet takes the cake! It is the ultimate in tech-savvy toilet technology and there is very little that this brilliant fixture won’t do!

The lid opens when it sees you approaching, and then it may sing to you through its integral speakers – your choice of Kohler’s playlist or yours. If that’s not enough, it has a heated seat AND floor warmer for those cold winter mornings. No more chilly bums or tootsies if you have a Numi in your household! Numi also has an air dryer, a deodorizing filter, ambient lighting, a touch-screen remote, multiple user settings, water conserving flush options, AND it even knows if you are a man or woman. All this for a mere $6,400.00. Get your crown for this throne!

My favorite material was the Ann Sacks tile. Ann Sacks has long been one of my most favorite tile lines. A large selection of their gorgeous tiles are designed by some of the world’s most renoun designers such as Barbara Barry, Michael S. Smith, and now Vincente Wolfe. Vincente Wolfe was in Vegas launching his new Vincente Wolfe Textures Collection which includes a multitude of amazing tile designs, all reflecting his appreciation for “the way nature engages the senses.”

Brizo’s new Art Deco inspired bathroom faucet, Charlotte was a frontrunner for faucet introductions. Not only is the style stunning and streamlined, the dual finish really put this one over the top for me. Combining Polished Nickel and Cocoa Bronze is an elegant, unexpected twist on the bathroom faucet. Charlotte is not yet available to ship, but I will be one of the first in line to spec this one out as soon as it becomes available later this year.

Toto introduced their Luminist Vessel Sink, which I love. Who knew that a LED illuminated ring could be used as an uber fabulous sink?

Digital was everywhere. Kohler first introduced the DTV (Digital Thermostatic Valve) a few years ago to streamline their carwash showers. While the DTV is still available, along with the DTVII, some smaller-scale options have become available. Temperature control and water conserving shower systems are hot items. Kohler’s DTV Prompt, Moen’s ioDIGITAL, and Hansgrohe’s RainBrain systems (though HGR was nowhere to be found on ths show floor this year) feature electronic panels that control shower preferences for multiple users.

The most recurring theme that I noticed is that EVERYONE is making at least some products with water conservation and sustainability in mind. I can’t say whether the motivation to introduce so many “green” products comes from a true enthusiasm for environmentally conscious designs, or the necessity to keep up with the “green” innovators, but it was refreshing to see so many options! I must say, it is rather ironic to see the juxtaposition of low flow toilets and faucets often showcased next to car wash showers with multiple bodyprays and showerheads or with a family-sized tub that would require a commercial-grade water heater just to fill with warm water.

I noticed a stronger focus than previous years on the changing demographic of the kitchen and bath consumer. The Ageing in Place scenario was a large factor for some manufacturers, addressing the flourishing needs of the Baby Boomers as their changing physical needs influence kitchen & bath design.

Overall, there was definitely a shift in the type of products being shown. There has always been a dominance of plumbing and hardware vendors, but there was an obvious void in the appliance and cabinetry world this year. However, for every appliance or cabinet manufacturer that was missing, there seemed to be scores of obscure foreign manufacturers with fun little booths and some unique products to fill the voids. Looking forward to see what suprises Chicago holds for next year!

Whether you are building your retirement portfolio or training for your first marathon, you may search for advice online but ultimately you covet a face-to-face experience with a professional.  When it comes to tackling a home remodeling project, however, homeowners often don’t know where to get the information needed to ensure their project’s success.  Searching for advice online usually results in more confusion and frustration.  Where are all the design professionals when you really need them?