Choosing an architectural style for your project

The architectural style of a building should be determined by carefully weighing a number of factors. For example, what is the median income of your target market? What is the prominent material used for the entry signs flanking their gated community? How many architectural “features” will your budget allow? Is there a simple beloved historic building which could be copied … Read More

We give awards to the worst architects

We give awards to the worst architect When I was in school I admired award-winning architects displayed with honor on the cover of magazines and dreamed of following their path and one-day receiving awards and recognition for my work. It took years for me to realize that this might be misguided. Awards are rarely given for quality, for hard work, … Read More

But somehow this is all my fault

So, I’ll tell you my favorite architect joke: A man is flying in a hot air balloon, aimlessly drifting for hours when he realizes he’s lost. He spies another man standing in the field below and he lowers the balloon to yell at the man. “Excuse me, could you tell me where I am? And how to get to Lerwick” … Read More

The art of cost estimating and whispering

It’s going to cost what now? Have you ever played the telephone game? You know, that game where you whisper something into someone’s ear, and then they whisper it into the person beside them’s ear, and they whisper it to the next person, and so on until you get back to the original person? You’ll start with “please pass the … Read More

HGTV can kiss my ass

NO, it does not take 5 days for construction of a 1750 s.f. addition. Please stop telling people that. Sure, 5 days, if you adhere the cabinet doors with double stick tape in lieu of hinges. Just so they hang in place long enough to get that blurry “after” shot. Sure, it takes 5 days if you never show the … Read More

JOB POD!!!!

NEW FOR 2018! THE REDESIGNED JOBSITE TRAILER FOR THE MODERN CONTRACTOR INTRODUCING – THE JOB POD! It’s small and efficient. Lacking all detail (which was value engineered out of the design). Made of all glass and perforated metal! Well, at least it was designed that way conceptually, but it was executed in “no glass” ™ and chained link to save … Read More

Notes from my clients friends niece who is a designer

Hi Svehn, I just wanted to drop you a line to share some thoughts on the home addition you designed for us. My friend was in town this weekend for the azalea festival and she brought along her niece who just happens to be a designer. Maybe you’ve met her? Sarah S____? Lovely girl. So smart. Since she was here, I … Read More

Architects Valentines 2018

It’s almost that time of year again. That time to show one’s love for our significant other. The one who’s been by our side all these years. Our reason for getting up in the morning and missing deadlines. Of course, I’m referring to Architecture. I just Kahn’t resist valentine’s day or a good pun. So here’s a batch of my latest … Read More

State of the Architectural Umion

The architect walks slowly towards the podium, clad in black, waving, and smiling. *crowd bursts into applause* Good evening my fellow architects. I stand here before you all today to say, proudly, that the state of our architectural umion is strong. *pauses for applause* The economy has continued to climb, inexplicably, upwards, lifting all boats, and firms, and “ateliers” in its … Read More

Tips for Architectural Marketing

Try to write your firm descriptions in as esoteric language as possible. If the potential client doesn’t need to use a thesaurus at least once, you don’t need them anyway. Show your work, including some sketches from your undergraduate school days at RISD. Show only work that has won an award. Do not point out that the award was given to … Read More

Absence

Sometime in 2014 I just stopped writing. Actually, I started to fizzle out a few years before. I started to lose my focus I think. When I started this blog I was not in the best place. I had lost my job. I was floundering to find my way in a new economic climate. I was still idealistic about my … Read More

20 Things to do to it with the architecture

Align it. Simplify it. Order it. Place it on axis with it. Remove the barrier between the interior and the exterior of it. Repeat it. Repeat it. Refer to that thing that someone else did to it sometime before in Norway, probably. Establish a datum line through it. Make a half-hearted and somewhat esoteric reference to the context in which … Read More