In this blog, we discussed buying online plans vs hiring architects. We touched on the difference between floor plans produced by architects versus generic plans websites, why architects produce more drawings, clients don’t understand hierarchy of information and phases, pre-fabricated homes vs pre-designed floor plans, how to save money on a tight budget, clients need to know their budget, construction cost isn’t everything, accessibility of building quality homes, difference between The Shift House and generic floor plans, and more.

In this blog we discuss David’s favorite buildings. We touched on the Ronchamp Chapel; the emotional impact of architecture; Le Corbusier’s architecture; The Eiffel Tower; the difference between a building, sculpture, and monument; the Taliesin West Building; the Bird Nest; craftsmanship and experimentation in architecture; and more.

This week, we discuss The Shift House, our pre-designed model home for the Pacific Palisades. We cover the purpose of The Shift House, conceptual thinking, site planning, form and massing, indoor/outdoor connections, procession & privacy, optionality, material palettes, fire resiliency, and more.

This blog explains the diffusion port strategy, a cost effective and efficient alternative to traditional vented roofs. Diffusion ports increase fire resiliency by preventing embers from entering the house envelop whilst allowing moisture to escape from the attic.

In this blog we discuss the importance of Construction Administration to achieve a successful project. We touched on what is construction administration, the role of an architect during CA; why CA matters for clients; how CA saves time and money; real world scenarios during CA; what construction administration is not; questions to ask architect about CA; collaboration between architect and contractor; and more.

In this blog we discuss discuss Marina’s 3 favorite buildings. We touched on Farnsworth House’s radical design; building code and modern architecture; Frank Lloyd Wright’s work; the Pompidou Centre; beauty in architecture; architecture juxtaposition; buildings in winter; and more.

This blog serves as a guide for rebuilding homes in the Pacific Palisades covering site cleanup, permitting, rebuilding, and incorporating expert insights from architects, engineers, and fire management specialists.

In this blog we discuss beauty in architecture. The two cover formulas for beauty in architecture; symmetry vs beauty; teaching beauty; style vs beauty; music and architecture; lighting; materials and textures; project context; movement; what makes a building beautiful; favorite beautiful buildings; and more.

In this blog, we discuss how homes can be built to resist wildfires using a 3-layer design approach. More posts about fire-resilient design are forthcoming.

In this blog we discuss the different types of architecture fee structures including the percentage of construction cost model; the fixed fee model; the hourly fee structure; and hybrid fee structures. We also cover the benefits and challenges of each fee structure; interior design fees; why architect’s fees vary greatly; the amount of work involved in each project phase; and more.

On this blog we discuss the responsibilities and roles of the Design Architect and the Architect of Record (AOR) also known as the Executive Architect when working together during each project phase from pre-design to concept design; schematic design; design development; construction documentation; bidding; and construction.
They also discuss legal liabilities; fee differences; knowledge overlap; and more.