The Art of Lego Architecture

During the Great Depression Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen started building smaller projects due to lack of demand for his typical projects such as custom furniture and ground up new construction homes. Building smaller items was the initial inspiration towards making toys and eventually Legos.

Initially Legos were not a hit like they are today but during the last 3 decades of the 20^th Century the Lego industry exploded.  “Annual production of Lego bricks averages approximately 36 billion per year, or about 1140 elements per second. If all the Lego bricks ever produced were to be divided equally among a world population of six billion, each person would have 62 Lego bricks.” en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lego

Legos are a staple for almost every child in this country just like pb& j sandwiches.  Kids can be happily entertained for hours by these little bricks. Girls, boys, toddlers, tweens;

all kids love Legos.

There are additional benefits to playing with building bricks besides just having fun and giving mom & dad a break.  The educational benefits include:

• ·         provide a meaningful context for children to learn concepts, skills and divergent thinking
• ·         make learning fun and enjoyable while improving fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination
• ·         encourage children to explore and discover together and on their own which improves their social skills
• ·         allow children to extend what they are learning and build confidence
• ·         encourage children to experiment and take risks
• ·         provide  opportunities for collaborative learning with adults and peers
• ·         allow for the practice of  spatial skills, language skills and problem solving skills

Legos play on children’s strengths. It helps work on strong building skills which come naturally to some children and constantly exposes them to new ideas. Is this where the future architect or general contractor is molded and shaped?

Legos aren't just for kids anymore. There is Lego Architecture which is a specific line of products for adults that celebrates architecture and construction. They have sets for Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower, Guggenheim Museum and Frank Lloyd Wright’s “Falling Water”.

So next time you sit down to play Legos with your kids embrace the chance to reconnect with you inner childhood architect. Play well.

San Francisco Building Permit Process

Many of our clients have had questions about the process from the initial design meeting to obtaining permits. How does Studio J Architecture start from talking about your dream home to finding the right builder? How does Studio J Architecture work and what is our process?

Remembering all projects are different and each site has its own challenges we have written a simplified step by step process that outlines the process from design to permit. Also, it is important to note that all counties have a slightly different process. This blog is based on the processes of the San Francisco Building Department. Some projects may require variances, neighborhood notification, tree permits, civil engineering, surveys, environmental reports….. The list of “may” require is daunting. This is why you hire an experience architect like Jay at Studio J Architecture to help prevent unnecessary delays and expenses and efficiently overcome the obstacles in your way.

Step 1:  Initial Meeting

The first step of the design process is listening. We believe that designing your project should be a creative and rewarding collaboration from start to finish. 

Once you contact Studio J Architecture we will set up a complimentary appointment to meet with you at your property. We walk your property with you, asking questions about your intentions, timeline, design ideas and budget. Once we have an understanding of your project we will send you a proposal outlining, in detail, our design phases and estimated cost.

Step 2:  Schematic Design & Feasibility Study

Our crew will come to your property and we will take dimensions of any existing structures and gather important information about your lot. We will create an existing drawing of your property & site and conduct research with the building department if needed.  We will start designing based on your requirements and we will present you with a few different options based on your budget as well as a rough estimate of construction cost.

Step 3: Design Development

After our meeting we will work the design based on your feedback. Design edits might take a few rounds based on your comments or if you decide to make changes during the design process. Once complete, and you are in love with our design, we will review all drawings with you and present you with a set of plans that are ready to be submitted for your planning permit or to present to your builders for an estimate.

Step 4: Planning Permit Submittal (if required)

If building permits are required, we will submit your plans to the Planning Department for planning approval. Most counties require both planning and building approval for your building permit. The Planning Department will tell you what you can build and the Building Department will tell you how it can be built.  We will keep you updated throughout the process and respond to comments or questions from the planning department if needed.

Step 5: Building Permit Submittal (if required)

Once we receive Planning approval we will order drawings and calculations from the structural engineer and a Title 24 energy report if needed.  Some projects, such as minor renovations, do not require structural engineering.  Once we receive structural drawings Studio J Architecture will review and help value engineer the project to reduce your construction cost while preserving your design. Now its time to submit for your building permit and show your structural plans to your contractor for a bid. 

Step 6: Choosing your contractor and builder

Studio J Architecture is here for you every step of the way. We help clients review bids and meet contractors at the site to review the project if needed. The more information we can give the builders and the more questions we can answer the more precise bid you should receive. We also work with your builder during the process to answer questions and make edits if needed to solve problems due to unknown site conditions or reduce your cost of construction. From design to done Studio J Architecture will guide you through.

Step 7: Permit Approved

Congratulations! Your permit has been approved and you are ready to begin building. 

Now, time to plan your housewarming party to show off your new home.

Bringing your Inside Space Outdoors

One of Studio J Architecture’s favorite challenges is creating an illusion of outdoor spaces that look and feel like a continuation of indoor spaces. We have mentioned creating an outside room as a solution to increasing your space in our Small Home Blog and thought we would revisit the idea and supply some tips on extending your indoor area into you outdoor area. 

Making your outdoor area a continuation from your indoor area can be done on any scale. Larger budgeted projects might include new doors, windows, fireplaces and flooring to create a feeling of similar or seamlessly transitioned space between outdoors and in. This project is a perfect example. The flooring in the house was chosen because it was effective both inside and out. Floor to ceiling glass doors disappear into the walls and the railing was designed to literally blend in to the scenery. Can you see the balcony railing below? It is there.

Making this project look simple and streamline is extremely difficult. Water proofing was our toughest challenge because everything needed to be hidden. Making something look simple is very difficult. 

Everything in moderation so find the best balance that suits your needs. No need to completely bring the world in or your world out. Don't you think this is a bit much?

It is also possible to create an outdoor room on a budget. If floor to ceiling remodel is not what you are looking for to bring the inside out (or the outside in) here are some low budget tips.

The first thing to take into account is the climate of the area. No use creating an open area with couches, plush rugs and beautiful items when you have extreme weather conditions and have to worry about storing the furniture at the first hint of rain or snow.  Keep in mind where you live and create a design idea around that. If you are in a hotter climate think of misters or built in fans and of shading.  If you are in a colder climate think of heat lamps and fire pits.  Take into account the materials of the furniture you want and how they will fade and wear in certain climates.

Remember that the area will be an extension of your home so try using the same color scheme and style to blend it in with the house. Usually keeping the flooring the same, or even extending the wall colors to the outside, creates a flow from room to room. The next step is to think of what the space will be used for. Will it be for entertainment, an outdoor work space, a relaxation nook or a combination of all three?  Make a list of all the details and items you want in your ideal space and set a budget to stick to. Getting creative can get pretty expensive when you just go out and buy everything that catches your eye. 

Don’t forget to think of the small details. These will personalize your space. Water features will help deaden traffic noise, mood lighting, lanterns or candles create a cozier area and can be set up to highlight beautiful accent pieces.

If you have an open patio, using the walls of the home, trellis with vines and potted plants will create a sense of enclosure. It will also give you an opportunity to display unique treasures and object d’art. Use mirrors to make the space seem larger and cast more light into smaller areas. Create space by using different levels. Steps off of the deck or even different height containers will help. Container gardening is very helpful in small spaces. Grow some herbs for your garden and bring fragrance into your space.  They also create a sense of lushness and there are a lot of varieties of plants that are low maintenance and beautiful.  Containers themselves are designed to be eye-catching and unique and add to any room. 

We love the idea of creating outdoor rooms and with summer around the corner it is a great project to take on. Don’t forget the margaritas… cheers!

Let's Talk Energy Efficiency

Living in California we seem to hear about reducing our carbon footprints and becoming more energy efficient a lot. Being green has become a way of life and it’s not just visible in our actions but in our lifestyles too.  We walk, run and bike everywhere, we consume copious amounts of organically grown products and are generally aware of our carbon footprints and most of us will definitely stop and pay attention at the mention of saving money! The federal offer of big financial incentives is one every homeowner loves to hear when contemplating renovations.  Luckily for us updating our house to become more energy efficient has the added benefit of improving our comfort, reducing annual energy bills (up to 20% at times!) and we get a healthier indoor air quality. You can go large and make improvements such as window replacements, solar panels and residential wind turbines or you can do it on a budget and focus on “tightening up your house” with insulation. There are energy improvement mortgages available for those who just want to bite the bullet and do the larger renovations.

The first step is to initiate a home energy audit first. This is the process where someone will come into your home and pinpoint where the house is losing energy. They will also assess health and safety issues and report back to you on various options. These can cost anywhere from $300 or free by some local utilities.

We have found a few projects that anyone can do. Every action, and yes penny, counts!

•       Replacing light bulbs with florescent ones
•        Power strips, switch off or pull the plug on idle appliances
•        Water heater blankets
•        Foam pipe insulation 
•        Programmable thermostats 
•        Door sweeps
•        Clotheslines
•        Timers for lights
•        Clean and replace your furnace filter on a regular basis
•        Install low-flow water appliances 

So let's head to the nearest hardware store and make a weekend project of increasing our energy efficiency and  saving some money.

 

Living Large in Small Spaces

Hello all! So this is our first week back after a much needed 2 weeks off and we are rested and ready to design.  You have to love a job that allows you to close for the holidays!

During the time off I was able to spend time with relatives who have beautiful and big homes. Some may even say huge when compared to our bay area homes.  Architecturally I really enjoy the spaces. Walk in closets, storage rooms and rooms with well spaced couches, vaulted ceilings, wonderful finished basements; totally unlike what I am accustomed to living in and designing. Jay commented on how nice it would be to design in unlimited space, to have the possibility of not worrying about space limitations as we do on every project. That got me thinking, “How would it be to start designing in extremely limited space?”  Half a notebook later I realize I am a bit obsessed with creating the perfect floor plan for a tiny house. What is the minimum space that can be livable? For a family of four, how small could you go? When does coziness become too claustrophobic? Most importantly what tricks are out there to maximize the use of hidden nooks and crannies we usually pay no attention to in our larger spaces?

So here are some do’s for making a limited space seem large:

•      Keep your window to wall ratio high.  Natural light is your new best friend.
•    Create outdoor living spaces which will increase your square footage without increasing your cost and as an added benefit you get lots of fresh air!
• Create more multi-purpose rooms and have fewer walls in your house.
•     Add lofts!
•    Get creative with mirrors. I’m sure all women know this trick.
•      Keep your lines simple and your home clutter free.
•     Use any spare space you can. Under the stairs seem to be a go to. 
•   Have sliding walls instead of doors. 

A Decade of Design

Welcome to Studio J Architecture’s very first blog post. After 10 years we have decided to give this blog thing a try. We are looking forward to sharing some ideas about architecture, giving a few home design tips and sharing with you a bit about what we do. We welcome your feed back and look forward to answering any questions you may have.

A bit about us; Studio J Architecture specializes in residential and commercial architecture in the Bay Area. We work with new, ground up construction as well as kitchen and bath remodels. 

We pride ourselves on meeting our client's requests while working within designated budgets, restrictions from the Building Department and requirements from engineers, all while creating beautiful architecture.​

The key to our success over the last 10 years is that we listen to our clients. We are here to help make your vision a reality creating beautiful spaces.

Stay connected for more.

Cheers-

Jay Sherlock & team