We use digital modeling programs, hand sketches and CAD drawings to investigate and finalize all of the key connections, in support of the design idea.
read more »
Napa ADU- SWAP! A New ADU transforms into the Main House
The Napa ADU SWAP creates an initial 1200 sf ADU on a property with a Primary Home. The ADU has built-in infrastructure to allow for a seamless transformation.
read more »
A Designer in Italy: Highlights from Milan Design Week
In early April I crossed the Atlantic to attend this year’s annual Design Week in Milan. It didn’t take much convincing when I first shared the idea with Mark.
read more »
David Easton – 45 Years of Rammed Earth
Building materials and resilience are intrinsically linked. Rammed earth is perhaps the longest-enduring building material.
read more »
Steven Miller: The Next Big Thing
“There’s an assumption of durability for architecture. Interior design is more temporal, focusing on subliminal cues in the built environment. It’s not about following a formula. Rigor isn’t clear unless it’s opposing chaos. Anything can be beautiful – in the right hands.”
by Rebecca Firestone with Mark English AIA
read more »
Earthen Construction as Earthquake Relief: A Case Study in Rebuilding a Rural Nepali Community
“We could never have understood local needs without growing closer to the villagers themselves. Over time, they gave us insight into the most pressing issues of their community.”
– Oliver Atwood
read more »
An Urban Experiment in Northwest Arkansas
There’s a bold plan afoot to transform Bentonville, AR from a rural business hub into an international, cosmopolitan destination. (Image is from one of the competition winners, Kevin Daly Architects)
by Rebecca Firestone with Mark English AIA
read more »
Structural-Architectural Integration
Using 3D visualization tools and other methods, one design team worked out a cost saving of $220K without sacrificing the building’s structural integrity.
by Rebecca Firestone with Mark English AIA
read more »
Arcosanti: Why?
“It’s legendary within urban planning and architecture as a utopian idea… and yet it seemed sad. A failed experiment. It’s romantically inspired, but It’s not an appropriate response to the climate. Unlike the original Pueblo settlements, it’s not self-sufficient.” (Images: Mark English)
– Mark English, AIA
by Rebecca Firestone with Mark English AIA
