A set of construction drawings does not simply show room layouts, dimensions, etc. It documents decisions made by you and your architect. It communicates the big decisions such as which walls get demolished, the shape of the addition, and the location of doors and windows. It also can convey smaller decisions like cabinet hardware, trim profile, and light fixture selections. All of these decisions are necessary for the builder to complete the construction, but not all of these decisions need to be... more

Previously in this column, we discussed Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in our entry titled A Little Place for Mom.  ADUs are often called “mother-in-law” apartments, and a major hurdle for homeowners in constructing one is the $7,500 to $12,000 in city systems fees imposed. The Portland City Council passed an ordinance on March 3 that waived the System Development Charges (SDCs) for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) beginning April 15, 2010 and ending June 30, 2013. So, during this period, the... more

This issue’s musings from across the drawing board ponders what it means to be green. Kermit the Frog got it right. It’s not easy being green. The word is thrown about so cavalierly that the term is poised to lose its meaning completely. If you are planning a renovation project and want to be green, I will give you advice in only one word. The word is not “plastics” like Mr. McGuire said to Benjamin in the classic film The Graduate starring Dustin Hoffman. (If you have never seen the film,... more

When planning an addition to your home, a number of meetings are involved. Which is the most important? You will meet with architects in determining who should design your project. These meetings are necessary, but not the most important. You will meet with contractors to decide who will build your addition. These meetings are informative, but not the most important. Many homeowners opt not to hold the most important meeting of the project, the pre-construction conference. Having a great team of... more

This issue’s musings from across the architect’s drawing board ponders how to talk to an architect. When I was in college, which seems like centuries ago, I had two favorite cartoons. One showed a hot dog shaped man opening his mailbox. He was withdrawing an envelope displaying the statement “You may already be a weiner!” The other illustrated a dapper gentleman strutting down the street with cane, beret, and cape. He was flanked by curvaceous supermodels on each arm while another man... more

This issue’s musings ponders how to be sure a contractor’s competitive bid is fair, accurate, and complete. Not only is comparing apples to apples important, getting to the apple core is equally essential. The Seed for a Shiny Apple Place yourself in the contractor’s position. How would you determine how much a project is going to cost before you actually do the work, and also be certain it is exactly what the homeowner wants? You would need a very clear description of every aspect of the... more

This month’s musings from across the architect’s drawing board reflect on matching the client with the architect. Most articles about selecting an architect suggest checking references, viewing previous work, and taking the time to talk to a number of architects before hiring one. These are important aspects in the selection process, and should be followed. But I would like to introduce another idea that may be even more important: Defining who you are as a client. Just as each project, house,... more

Today’s musings from across the architect’s drawing board ponder a city’s support for sustainable ideas and the hurdles one must sometimes cross when proposing cutting-edge green ideas. Once a policy is defined, rules are adopted to put the policy in motion. A project may comply completely with the policy’s intent, but run into rough water when measured against the policy’s written rules. A cute little mother-in-law project I designed illustrates this perfectly. Accessory Dwelling Units... more