AIBD magazine Spring 2020

AIBDmagazine The official publication of the American Institute of Building Design

Special issue: 2020 AIBD Building Design Awards Members’ Corner

Cover and Table of Contents Image: Castle Street Cottages (See page 18)

TABLE OF CONTENTS Editor’s Note 03 President’s Message 04 Executive Director’s Message 06 2020 Building Design Awards Judges 08 2020 Building Design Awards Reception 10 2020 AIBD National Leadership Profile 12 AIBD Building Design Awards

Castle Street Cottages 18

Center for Resort Relaxation 24 Sports Academy 26 Grouse Point Office 28

A Coffee and Roasting Facility 30 Articles

AIBD Design & Build Conference Series 32 Starting Your Own Firm 34

Marketing a High Performance Home 36 Members’ Corner Casual French Chateau 40 Modern Tradition 44 Custom Homes 48 Lakeside Neo-Prairie 52 The Treehouse 56

Editor’s Note

Welcome to the Spring 2020 issue!

The AIBD magazine is dedicating the Spring 2020 issue to AIBD’s new Building Design Awards ! We will be covering the winners of this brand new award program this year.

In addition to the awards programs, we are also featuring cool projects by our members in the Members’ Corner section. Needless to say, we always welcome you to submit your cool projects and/or articles to be published in the AIBD magazine!

While our annual American Residential Design Thank you for your support and enjoy!

Awards has been greatly successfuly, AIBD would also like to celebrate the excellence of non- www.AIBD.org/magazine residential projects designed by our members. As a member of the Building Design Awards committee and one of the judges this year, I encourage you to submit your projects next year! The Building Design Awards will be held once a year in addition to our ARDA program; stay tuned!

Yu-Ngok Lo is the founding principal of YNL Architects, Inc. His work received numerous design awards and was published at various international media such as ArchDaily, Hinge Magazine, CONDE, Commercial Architecture Magazine and Hospitality-Interiors Magazine. Yu-Ngok is currently the Editor-In-Chief of AIBD magazine and the National External Vice President of AIBD.

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President’s Message

I am very excited to update you on our happenings

and accomplishments of late.

AIBD is experiencing great energy and growth.

We are reaching out to areas across the country with a series of four yearly conferences that are typically held in Houston in winter, Colorado in spring, various locations in summer and Orlando in fall. Each conference is themed to a topic of education. Our current conference schedule looks like this...

• 2020 Annual Student Design and Build Day Weber State University April 9, CANCELLED • 2020 Spring D&B Conference Gahanna (Columbus) April 23-24 – NOW VIRTUAL!!

SEE DETAILS AT AIBD.ORG. • 2020 Business in A Box Annual Virtual Conference May 22 • 2020 Summer D&B Conference and Board Meetings Colorado Springs August 13-15

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• 2020 Fall D&B Conference Orlando November 12-13 • 2021 Winter D&B Conference Houston Date TBD • 2021 Spring D&B Conference Colorado Date TBD • Site planning 2021 Summer D&B Conference North Mid-West Region (ex.

Minnesota) • 2021 Fall D&B Conference Orlando Date TBD Our chapter program headed by Ben Tabolt of Colorado is experiencing new energy and increased participation. This is the grass roots of AIBD, where membership begins and designers flourish.

We added a new design awards program for commercial and multifamily projects headed

by Rob Klob of Arizona. The program is called Building Design Awards. We had our inaugural awards presentation in Houston in February where we gave 7 awards.

We created a new program called Gov Fund to solicit and house donations utilized for governmental affairs activities for our members.

Currently we have collected over $6500 and are always asking for support from members and nonmembers alike.

NCBDC is always amazing me with their dedication and accomplishments. Proudly, we have submitted our formal application for accreditation after years of conforming to the preapplication guidelines.

The nominations committee is gathering names for election to the Board. If you are interested, Our programs that continue to flourish are ARDA, please call Kevin Holdridge. It appears we will be BIM management training, High Performance having a couple of elections. My last conference Home Team and the AIBD magazine. We also have as President will be Colorado Springs this summer. a dedicated member liaison to the ICC and NAHB. It has been a privilege and an honor to serve AIBD. I hope to see some of you there.

AIBD is constantly enjoying new opportunities for exposure and member enhancement. Most recently, a partnership with Davis Bews Design Group to create a new scholarship program, participating in the NAHB Fair Housing Act Educational Grant, Skills USA partnership, partnership with the SIPPs panel association, expanded exposure and marketing through NAHB, and the Resilience Building Coalition to name a few.

The College of Fellows is preparing to roll out a new mentorship program at the summer conference.

The Fellows have created the guidelines and fees, please see www.AIBD.org/business-coaching.

Karen R. Kassik-Michelsohn is Vice President of Michelsohn and Daughter Construction, Inc., in Anchorage, Alaska and a Certified Professional Building Designer. She is currently the President of the American Institute of Building Design. Karen was awarded “Designer of the Year� in 2014 and is an AIBD Fellow.

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Executive Director’s Message

We

have the results of the inaugural 2020 Building Design Awards, and the winning projects are spectacular. As you’ll see in the following pages, one project stood out among the others and received our first “Building of the Year” award.

Once again, the caliber of work produced by the AIBD membership has proven to be first-rate. Now that there will be examples to show the world, I can’t wait to see what’s entered in 2021.

As always, not all entries get recognition. It’s one of the distressing parts of being the program’s administrator. I know how they feel; I often create and submit an unbuilt design and have yet to receive an ARDA, or now, a BDA. But with every attempt, I can’t help but feel that my talent has improved by the experience.

Although entry in an AIBD awards program is judged on its merits and not formally competing with the other entries, there always seems to be a consistent level of excellence each new jury is seeking and rewarding. What you’ll read about in this magazine is no exception.

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With each year, I’m delighted by the new designers and firms our awards programs attract to the association. There are always new names, and the list is growing with building designers, architects, and developers from all over the country, some with multi-national firms, many creating buildings around the globe, one highlighted in the following pages.

As you examine the winning entries, most will be familiar names you recognize from the American Residential Design Awards (www.AIBD.org/ ARDA), Keesee Associates, Mileti and Mountain Works, Gaver Nichols, Architect, and Danie van Loggerenberg of DVL Custom Concepts. You will not be disappointed when you view their creative ideas, polished presentations, and exemplary results.

young and enthusiastic builder in Rhode Island, he and his company, East Greenwich Cove Builders, is transforming housing development.

Please join me in applauding everyone who participated and congratulating those recognized.

AIBD is a fantastic organization of specialized professionals, and I’m pleased to be the one chosen to introduce them to you.

Now I’m proud to introduce to you two new names, James Garritani, RA, and Jerry Zarrella.

James is an architect in Florida who has introduced an entirely new menu of services to the already successful design firm, Keesee Associates. Jerry is a

Steve Mickley is the Executive Director of AIBD and a Certified Professional Building Designer.

He is a past winner of the AIBD’s President’s Award and AIBD Designer of the Year.

Steve is also an AIBD Fellow.

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2020 Building Design Awards Judges

Robert J. Klob (BDA Chairman) is the son of an elementary teacher & general contractor in a small farming town in Southeastern Colorado, Robert Klob has been around construction sites for most of his life. His passion escalated when he was in his teens and met William “Bill� Nielsen, the only architect in nearly a 100-mile radius. Although he initially had aspirations to teach and follow his mother and grandmother, Robert became Bill’s apprentice and his 30+ year journey in Architecture began.

Mark Tremmel has over thirty years of experience in providing design excellence in creating beautiful, client-driven, and sustainable places and spaces. Mark is founder of sustainability-driven, design and production firm specializing in mixeduse community design, public and civic buildings, historic preservation, small commercial, multi-family, and high-end residential architecture. His residential experience covers assisted living, multifamily and private residences with both new construction and renovation on a variety of local, regional and international projects.

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Yu-Ngok Lo is the founding principal of YNL Architects, Inc. His work received numerous design awards and was published at various international media such as ArchDaily, Hinge Magazine, CONDE, Commercial Architecture Magazine and Hospitality-Interiors Magazine. Yu-Ngok is a recipient of the 2019 AIBD Designer of the Year, the Editor-In-Cheif of the AIBD magazine, the national External Vice-president of AIBD, and a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects.

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2020 Building Design Awards Reception

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AIBD National Leadership 2019 - 2020 OFFICERS

Karen R. Kassik-Michelsohn President

Bernie Kern Internal Vice President

is Vice President of Michelsohn and Daughter Construction, Inc., a Design/Build company located in Anchorage, Alaska.

has developed code approved working drawings for new custom and model residential homes, multiresidential, additions, remodels, and light commercial projects for nearly 30 years. He assists clients in all stages of building design, including planning, design fees, budget, education, specifications, special services, and consultation. Over the span of 30 years he has collected his best residential plans. As a professional member of AIBD, Bernie founded the AIBD, Central Colorado Chapter.

As an award winning designer with over 30 years of experience, she specializes in custom home design and remodeling design, with an emphasis on promoting and providing accessible and aging-in-place design.

Karen is currently the President of the American Institute of Building Design, a national association for Residential Designers, and has qualified by examination for the designation of “Certified Professional Building Designer”, awarded by the National Council of Building Designer Certification. She was awarded “Designer of the Year” in 2014 for “Outstanding Contribution to the Practice of Residential Design” and was inducted into the College of Fellows in 2015.

Karen is also a long term member of the National Association of Home Builders where she is a member of the Board of Directors and is appointed to the national Design Committee and Remodelers Board of Trustees. She is currently serving as immediate past President for the Anchorage Home Builders Association, receiving the “Builder of the Year” award in 2016.

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p Profile

Yu-Ngok Lo External Vice President

Richard Emigh Treasurer

Lisa Schaffer Secretary

is the founding principal of YNL Architects, Inc. His work received numerous design awards and was published at various international media such as ArchDaily, Hinge Magazine, CONDE, Commercial Architecture Magazine and Hospitality-Interiors Magazine. YuNgok is a recipient of the 2016 AIA National Young Architects Award, 2016 BD+C 40 Under 40, 2015 ENR California 20 Under 40 and the winner of the 2015 AIACC Young Architect Award.

is a Certified Professional Building Designer and is the Past President of the California Society of the American Institute of Building Design. He has been a member of AIBD for 24 years and has served on the State Board for the past ten years including five as the President of the Society. He has a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Oregon. He is currently the Chairperson of the National Finance Committee.

holds a BS in Art from Miami University – Art & Education double major, Minor in Geology and German, and an MA in Administration from Xavier University. She also holds an Ohio Bookkeeping Certificate. Lisa has eleven years experience in Education as an Art and Music Teacher and as a principal, as well as thirty one years in manufacturing, holding positions in Production, Quality Control, Product Development, Marketing, Administration and HR.

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AIBD National Leadership 2019 - 2020 DIRECTORS

Michael J. Battaglia Director

Lyle Breeze Director

Felicia Foster Director

is a graduate of ITT Tech of Dayton with an Associate’s degree in Architectural Engineering. Michael spent many years of working in architectural firms and as a staff designer for various home builders throughout those experiences. In 1990 Michael opened Michael J. Battaglia Residential Design providing home design service and his work can be found in many states throughout the country.

takes pride in his career-long effort to keep himself educated in both the classical principles of architecture and in the modern technologies of home design. Lyle is also a member of the AIBD certification board, the National Council of Building Designer Certification (NCBDC), a past AIBD President and former AIBD, Florida Society President. While serving in that position, he orchestrated the merger of the Florida Residential Designers Association (FRDA) and the Florida Society.

celebrates 30 years in the design and construction industry this year.

After many years working with an Architect, Felicia left to work for a builder to get experience on both sides of the fence. In 2003 she started her business on a referral only basis.

Her company is continuing to grow in areas that compliment design- from development to building. Felicia’s company is also growing across state lines and into many other parts of the country.

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p Profile

Ted Hake Director

Robert J. Klob Director

Joseph Sirilla Director

is the owner of Hake Custom Design LLC in the Canton, Ohio Area with more than 20 years in business. His work received numerous awards over the years and he is currently serving as a national Director of AIBD and on the local BIA board of directors.

Ted is a professional AIBD member and a Certified Professional Building Designer, as well as Certified Green Professional of the NAHB.

is the son of an elementary teacher & general contractor in a small farming town in Southeastern Colorado, Robert Klob has been around construction sites for most of his life.

His passion escalated when he was in his teens and met William “Bill” Nielsen, the only architect in nearly a 100-mile radius. Although he initially had aspirations to teach and follow his mother and grandmother, Robert became Bill’s apprentice and his 30+ year journey in Architecture began.

is the President of the Central Florida Chapter, and the Director of the AIBD’s BIM-R Taskforce. As a residential designer, residential BIM industry professional, and a leader in the advancement of residential design and home builder joint efforts using BIM toolsets, Joseph joins the usually closed-ended trade professionals in efforts to build a better building.

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AIBD National Leadership 2019 - 2020 DIRECTORS, EX OFFICIO AND STAFF

Benjamin Tabolt Director

John Fought NCBDC President

Jim Wright College of Fellows Chancellor

is a 2008 graduate of Syracuse University. He has in-depth experience in both commercial and residential design. He has worked with numerous companies. Ben has successfully customized Revit software for multiple companies and has completed many commercial and residential design projects using BIM technology. His passion is to support individuals and companies in using the latest technologies available to create the best possible project solutions. Ben has served AIBD in the past as chapter chair of the central Colorado chapter, chair of the BIM-R committee, and on the board of directors.

created his own firm, Baker Street Designs. Baker Street Designs projects have varied from small FHA housing to multi-million dollar estate homes as well as commercial jobs. John involved in his professional society, the AIBD, American Institute of Building Design as a past state President, officer and director. For the past ten years John has been the chairman for the Concept Awards competition, a portion of the Southeast Builders Conference Aurora Awards program and was the chair of the 2013 Aurora Awards.

is principle and lead designer at Residential Designed Solutions, Inc. and The Plan Drawer, Inc. A Certified Professional Building Designer, he has served in many offices and committees with AIBD including as National President. Jim has also spoken at AIBD conferences and written for the AIBD blog.

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p Profile

Kevin Holdridge Immediate Past President

Steve Mickley Excutive Director

Garrett Mickley Communications Director

is President of KDH Residential Designs in Charlotte, NC. He is currently the Chair of the Membership Committee. Kevin is a Certified Professional Building Designer designation through the NCBDC. He is also a member of the National Home Builders Association (NAHB) where Kevin received his Certified Green Professional (CGP) as well as his Certified Aging in Place (CAPS) designations. Kevin is involved on a local level with the HBA of Charlotte where he sits on the Associate Council, Green Builder Council and Remodeler Council.

is the Executive Director of AIBD and a Certified Professional Building Designer. Prior to his current position, Steve most recently was the Managing Director of SGA Architecture in Palm Beach, FL and spent 10 years as owner of a residential design firm.

Steve holds numerous awards, such as AIBD’s President’s Award and AIBD Designer of the Year and is a member of the AIBD College of Fellows.

is the Communications Director for AIBD. Garrett handles, among other things, the oversight of all AIBD digital media and electronic communications, AIBD’s social media platforms and the AIBD websites.

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AIBD Building Design Awards

Castle Street Cottages (Buil

PLATINUM AND GOLD BUILDING DESIGN AWARD WINNER - Sustainable Design and M DESIGNED BY Jerry Zarrella, East Greenwich Cove Builders PHOTOS BY Matthew St. Hours, Sara Zarrella, Aaron Ferro

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lding of the Year)

Multi-Family Design

Castle Street Cottages is also a winner in the following categories: Sustainable Design - Gold Building Design Award Multi-Family Design - Platinum Building Design Award

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AIBD Building Design Awards

The

Castle Street Cottages were born of their context. Situated on a hill looking out to the harbor and up to the main street to the west, the cottages draw their inspiration from both the workers’ cottages and the grander homes of this “Hill and Harbor District”.

They represent an appropriate, but extremely creative solution to the challenge of situating a multi-unit project in an historic neighborhood of single-family cottages.

Added to the intrinsic efficiency of compact units, and a relatively high density, the inclusion of 2 units deedrestricted to people with low to moderate incomes ensures this is affordable to many.

Because much of the site was elevated from Castle Street, the most prominent theme of the site design are the grand steps which lead up to the shared courtyard.

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These steps solve the grade issue while providing a fitting and impressive “address” on Castle Street for this pocket neighborhood. Contrasted with the monumental scale of the steps is the intimate scale of both the cottages themselves and the beautiful courtyard they share. “Taken together the outdoor kitchen, perfectly-scaled gathering spaces, and front porches of the highly efficient homes themselves, make a place where neighborliness is not taken for granted.” -Lead Architect This project offers compelling and repeatable lessons for building densely in an historic neighborhood of single-family homes. In the northeast this challenge is common, and this project shows the way forward. Americans want and need more diverse housing choices in walkable neighborhoods; homes that are attainable, sustainable, and beautifully designed.

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AIBD Building Design Awards

“The jury applauds the dedication of two units for low to moderate income families and the concentration on sustainability.�

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AIBD Building Design Awards

Cen

The

project is an eleven story ultimate holistic relaxation spa with breathtaking views of the sea.

The building breathes with striking undulating lines of concave and convex curves. Features include boutiques, cafeĚ , shops, and restaurants to support forty luxury rooms and suites.

There is a rooftop swimming pool with a pool bar, as well as an indoor exercise pool. Other amenities consist of a gymnasium, yoga studio, and massage, hydrotherapy, and sauna rooms, with steam and hydrotherapy baths.

All capped off by a rooftop tropical garden where visitors can relax after treatments.

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nter for Resort Relaxation PLATINUM WINNER - Multi-Family

DESIGNED BY DvL Custom Concepts DRAWINGS BY Danie van Loggerenberg

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AIBD Building Design Awards

Sports Academy GOLD BUILDING DESIGN AWARD - Aseembly / Educational DESIGNED BY Keesee Associates DRAWINGS BY Align 3D

This

is a one-hundred fifty-five square foot facility designed to house a charter school, sports academy and a sports village that will host football, soccer, lacrosse and sand volleyball games as well as soccer camps for local and international players.

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The Academy consists of state-of-the-art classrooms, media center, pro-style courts, fields, locker rooms and scout lounges with two levels of viewing decks to the outdoor playing fields.

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AIBD Building Design Awards

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Grouse Point Office

GOLD WINNER - Business Office Building

DESIGNED BY Mountainworks PHOTOS BY Elevated Partners Developers / Contractors

Built

in a small town where a charming, rural style of architecture is required, the goal is to create the look and feel of a repurposed farm/homestead. The designer did a nice job of accomplishing the goal by creating a historical theme for a commercial space, both inside and out. This

“farmhouse like� office building is the first of three to be constructed on the same property. The vision for the other two is a cabin and a large rustic barn, which will house a furniture showroom.

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AIBD Building Design Awards

A Coffee and Roasting Facility PLATINUM BUILDING DESIGN AWARD WINNER - Adaptive Reuse DESIGNED BY Gaver Nichols Architect PHOTOS BY Gaver Nichols

This

project was an Adaptive Reuse/Historic Preservation of an existing warehouse into a Modern Urban Coffee House and Coffee Roasting Facility with Offices for the business. Located in a neighborhood continuing a rebirth, the obsolete and vacant warehouse structure was redesigned to allow for a new multi-use facility. The project has become a neighborhood hub

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and meeting place where visitors and customers can enjoy coffee and watch coffee beans being roasted. The space has three functions: coffee roasting, retail coffee bar, offices for the business. The design objectives were to create a multi-use retail and production facility that could also serve as a community gathering space as well as an educational space for the public to learn about the coffee roasting process.

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Articles

AIBD Design and Build Co VIBRANT CONFERENCES THAT CONSTANTLY KEEP GROWING AND CHANGING

BY Bernie Kern

2019 to early 2020 was a pivotal year for AIBD’s Design & Build Conference program. It was the first full year of creating venue led conferences opposed to selecting high priced hotels to host the conferences. In full swing with four yearly conferences, the AIBD saw positive attendance and most importantly, exposure across the country.

From south central Texas site of the Alamo, to the Great Smokey Mountains, further south east to the beaches of Clearwater, over 3,100 miles to Puget Sound, and back in Texas for a winter conference in the 4th most populous city of the United States, Houston.

After such great exposure across the United States, the AIBD Design & Build Conferences are now looking at temporarily hosting virtual conferences amidst COVID-19 to ensure the safety of all our members, families, and industry partners.

Last winter, the AIBD created a successful conference in the city of San Antonio at the Institute of Texas Cultures.

The AIBD hosted A two-day conference that featured an onsite field trip tour of the Texas Timber Frame facility.

The second day of the conference featured a full day of education classes on Timber Frame Construction.

In early May 2019 the AIBD Design & Build visited Knoxville, Tennessee, site of the Great Smokey Mountains.

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The lush and green spring scenery in Knoxville treated AIBD Members with an awesome two-day conference on High Performance Homes. At the University of Tennessee Conference Center, our traditional Trade Show was hosted by a great number of sponsor attendees that included Build Block, MiTek and MiTek Wrightsoft, DFA Solutions, Plastpro, Portfolio Home Plans, Prova by MD Pro, Braydon Consultants of East Tennessee, the Tapco Group, and WebReps. Pictured at the Concerts on the Square in downtown Knoxville are AIBD members (left to right), Past President Dan Sater, award-winning High Performance Homes Designer Jennifer Pippin, the current AIBD President Karen Kassik-Michelsohn, and behind “Jenny” is her husband and one of our newest AIBD members, Wes Stearns. Dan, Jenny, and Karen are all members of the AIBD College of Fellows.

The 2019 AIBD Summer Design & Build Conference sent us back to Clearwater, Florida at the popular and favorite Sheraton Sand Key Resort located right on beautiful Clearwater Beach. Our summer conferences typically include additional gatherings such as meetings by our Board of Directors, National Council of Building Designer Certification, and the AIBD College of Fellows. Plus, this conference includes events such as the AIBD Compass Club and the American Residential Design Awards Gala. For complete details of the 2019 ARDA winners, check out our special 2019 AIBD Magazine Special.

onference Series The Compass Club is AIBD’s recruitment program.

Individuals join the club when they recruit new members.

The event was held at the SimCenter Tampa Bay, a virtual reality experience that included sixteen simulators to choose from, such as the Virtuix Omni simulator, an omnidirectional treadmill simulator, the spaceship “Lola” that offers a virtual tour of the planets, and a 360 degree VR haunted house. And let’s not forget the fantastic educations classes that were presented on the conference theme: The Business of Building Design. The conference finale included introducing our 2019 Designer of the Year, which happened to be our AIBD Magazine Editor-InChief, Yu-Ngok Lo. If you want to know what’s new in our industry, where do you go? To Seattle of course! The AIBD Fall Design & Build Conference was held in Seattle, Washington at the downtown Seattle Public Library. The conference theme was on emerging technology and the site field trip took us across the Puget Sound Bay to visit the Loom House, a Living Building that is designed to regenerate the home to connect its occupants to light, air, food, nature, and community. It is also designed to be self-sufficient and remain within the resource limits of their site, and to create a positive impact on the human and natural systems that interact with them.

As we headed into 2020, our first quarter conference was at the Greer Lowdermilk Conference Center in Houston Texas.

The Greer Lowdermilk Center is a center for the Houston Firefighters Relief and Retirement Fund. Houston, situated in south Texas and near the Gulf of Mexico, has seen its share of natural disasters and has become the ideal spot for a conference on High Performance Homes and Fortified Home Design, the theme for AIBD’s Winter Design & Build Conference.

The AIBD Design & Build Conferences have been a great resource to AIBD members, friendship, and colleagues, and the design information has been priceless to attendees. The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has changed the lives of many people. AIBD shares the concern for all of its members, their families and the people affected by COVID-19. In response to the pandemic, AIBD is hosting its upcoming Spring Design & Build Conference virtually. AIBD is dedicated to ensure we continue to fulfill its mission to AIBD members, to build a better profession, one member at a time. Our goal is to continue to grow our conferences to even better than before, and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming conferences, be it a virtual setting or on site. It’s going to be amazing!

Bernie Kern founded the AIBD, Central Colorado Chapter, and is currently the Internal Vice President AIBD.

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Articles

Starting Your Own Firm THE DREAM OF ALL DESIGN PROFESSIONALS

BY Yu-Ngok Lo

It is common among residential designers to ponder at some point the possibility of starting his/her own firm; however, not many of us manage to pull it off. There are a variety of possible reasons why this is the case: family issues, financial reasons, and inability to find enough clients are just a few. While I wouldn’t consider myself to be highly successful yet (although that certainly is my goal), I am among the lucky few architects who managed to start my own practice. So, I would like to take this opportunity to share some of my experiences and recommendations with readers who are considering becoming their own boss.

It goes without saying that it is important to have ample savings to back you up before starting your own firm. Why? Because it will take a while before you get your first check from a client after you quit your job. In order to ensure your savings last until you begin receiving payments from clients, it is always a good idea to keep your overhead as low as possible. Don’t hire anyone (unless necessity requires it) when you first open your firm; use your home as your office; buy used equipment instead of new. These are some examples of how you can reduce your overhead expenses. If feasible, allow yourself time to secure your first commission/ project before quitting your job.

I would argue that “starting your own business” requires planning and a tremendous amount of effort and would normally recommend that a person not start their own company right after college/school. In fact, it is always a good idea to work for a design firm for a few years to get some experience, save some money, and, most importantly, get all the credentials you need (for example AIBD’s CPBD). In addition to learning all the technical skills necessary, basic business management skills are equally important. Firms might not have resources or budgets for you (an intern) to be involved in every aspect of a project; however, that should not stop you from learning on your own time. Volunteer to accompany your boss to a jobsite whenever possible; ask technical questions (there are no stupid questions); on your own time, review construction documents for other projects you might not be working on; ask your boss to let you attend a meeting with a client or a consultant meeting, then stay late at work to make up the time (if needed). It is important for you to take the initiative and prepare yourself to be on your own. Guess what? Once you start your own business, there will be no “boss” or “supervisor” you can go to with questions. You must seize opportunities whenever possible.

One thing I learned early on is how important “public speaking” is. I used to stammer when standing in front of a big crowd. So, I decided to force myself to overcome my awkwardness and began signing up for speaking opportunities at professional conferences. I also sought professional help from a speech therapist to improve my project presentation skills. Developing client relationships is another crucial aspect of business development that needs to be mastered. It is NOT simply do whatever your client tells you to do, but rather understanding what your clients’ needs are and collaborating with them to come up with a design solution. As a residential designer, you are likely to be working on something that is extremely personal to your client – a home they will be living in for the rest of their life.

Gaining the trust of your clients will go a long way toward building good relationships with them.

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Obtaining and maintaining talent in your firm is another important lesson an owner must learn once your organization begins to expand. This is particularly important in the current economic climate. One way to attract valuable employees and retain talent is to offer them flexibility in work hours and workplace. Instead of mandating employees stay in the

office eight hours a day, five days a week, give them a project/task and a deadline and allow them to finish the work at their own pace. Many studies show that employees, especially the younger generation, work a lot more efficiently this way. Some younger design firms don’t even have a fixed office space; the entire workforce is mobile. If necessary, managers and staff meet once or twice a month at a mutual location (such as a coffee shop) to discuss certain projects. All other communication is handled via email, text, and teleconferencing.

The most significant and most frequently asked question is: How can I get new clients/projects? There is really no perfect answer to this question. I’m reluctant to admit it, but luck sometimes plays a huge role in getting new clients or projects. However, there are many ways to increase your chances of successfully winning new projects or clients.

Developing your portfolio, so that you have something to show your perspective clients, is the first step. Although it might be difficult to develop your portfolio while still employed, there are many ways to expand your design skills on your own time. Speaking from my personal experience, I used to participate in design competitions that were launched by real clients (such as GoPillar and Arcbazar) and work on un-built projects on weekends and after work. It not only allowed me to continue developing my design skills, I also learned how to tackle real life design problems and talk to real clients. Some of the projects I completed were submitted to design award programs such as AIBD’s American Residential Design Awards afterward and received recognition. In fact, I received my first residential project commission at a design award gala.

Marketing is also a continuous effort, and that’s putting it mildly. You have to constantly brag about your work and explain to the public how you can bring value to your

clients. With the help of today’s social media technologies, online marketing is made easier than ever. Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are some of the basic channels that can be used efficiently to market your firm at no cost. Some firms occasionally host design exhibitions to showcase their work, while others sponsor events to get their name recognized.

Many bigger firms hire a dedicated person to do nothing but business development marketing. Whatever the case, you must keep thinking about and be actively engaged in promoting your business 24/7. One of the best ways to boost your firm’s (or even your personal) reputation is to start entering design awards. You never know what you are going to get!

It is true that starting your own firm is never easy. It takes planning, hard work, and patience. It sometimes requires luck! However, with the right mindset and preparation, the rewards can be tremendous. One of the reasons for starting my own firm was to be able to realize my design on paper and get it built. The satisfaction cannot be described with words. The excitement of being able to do the things you love at your own pace as a career is worth the sweat and tears. There is no better time to become an entrepreneur than now, so start planning!

Yu-Ngok Lo is the External Vice President of AIBD and the Editor-InChief of the AIBD magazine.

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Articles

Marketing a High Perform A CASE STUDY OF THE PIPPIN-STEARNS GREEN HOME

BY Jenny Peppin

Between 2004-2006 I took the courses in the Diploma Series at North Carolina State University, in their Green Building and Renewable Energy Technologies Diploma programs and received both Diploma’s. There was also a program within the NCSU Solar Center, called the ‘NC Healthy Built Homes’, and I became certified in that program, as well. During this same time, the concept of Green Building was just being talked about in our local Homebuilders Association, although no one in our area had built a certified Green Home yet.

My husband and I discussed needing a new roof on our home, and some additional living space, as well as, a new Home Office so we could relocate our business to our home, to eliminate the hour commute we had to our office building. Therefore, we decided to add onto our home, using all the info I had learned, and design a ‘Green / High Performance’ transformation of our home. Since this would be the first home of this type in our area, we also chose to promote the project:

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• • •

as an educational and awareness opportunity for the local community, through the local Homebuilders Association to educate and convert the Builders to building Green and High Performance to promote our Design business as Green / High Performance Design and Building Experts.

At that time, I was also a Licensed Contractor and the CoChair of the Lake Norman Homebuilders Association’s Green Building Council, along with another local Builder. This was a great way to get more of our local Builder members on board with building Green / High Performance (HP) homes.

They could see one being built and through the educational opportunities that we would provide to them and the public, we would create more demand from existing homeowners, new home buyers, and realtors, for homes to be built this way.

Our first step was putting together our project Team, and then we developed a Marketing Plan and a brand identity for our project. The Team had to be assembled first and the list of Team members included: our CPA and the bank Lender, who both had to be educated on the Green Building / High

mance Home Project

Performance concept, to get them on board to assist us in funding the project, and also to help promote it. I held lunch meetings with them several times to create an educational opportunity for them to learn about the HP concepts and our goals.

The Team also included: a Builder friend of ours to be a consultant on the build, who had a certification in Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), the Director of the North Carolina Solar Center as a consultant on the ‘Healthy Built Homes’ Certification we were going for and the solar aspects of the home, the Interior Designer, Tracie Johnson Sawyer, who also had earned her Diploma’s in Green Building and Renewable Energy Technologies through NCSU, having taken the courses along with me, and she was building her

own green / high performance home at the same time, and the Landscape Designer, who had training in xeriscaping.

We also teamed up with a local marketing firm, whom I had worked with before, to develop the project Name, the Marketing Strategy, the Branding, and the website.

The following is the what and how of our marketing program: • • •

We created a brand identity for the project, called: ‘Project: Live Green’.

Developed a Logo and Business cards for each of the main Team members of the project.

A Website, a Media Packet, Press Releases, brochures, fliers, car magnets, Green / HP drawings of the Site

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Articles

• •

•

Plan, Floor Plans and Elevations with the Green / HP elements indicated on them, Invitations, etc.

Created a multi-phased billboard to start generating public interest, which we added to over time.

Collaborated with the local Habitat for Humanity to develop a series of weekend fund-raisers at our home, to raise funds for Habitat, allowing them to fund more of their green built homes.

Invited the whole Team, along with other members of the HP community including the Director of the ‘Center for the Environment’ at a local college, and the local media including newspaper reporters and magazine writers, to a ‘Ground Breaking’ event, which

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•

•

•

gave us a lot of free local press coverage.

During the build process, we documented it with numerous photos, and invited builders and related industry professionals out to tour it during the construction.

After it was dried in during the framing stage, we held an ‘Art, Wine, & Green’ event there where several artists were able to display their work throughout the home on any available stud, and invited others by invitation to tour the home, drink wine & hot chocolate (it was cold!), and enjoy and buy art.

Upon completion, it was certified as a Silver level Green Built home in the ‘NC Healthy Built Homes’ certification

•

•

•

•

program, and also as an Energy Star rated home.

Then, we opened the home up to the fund-raising tours for Habitat for Humanity, for 3 consecutive weekends, where all proceeds went to Habitat. We set up an entrance table in the Foyer, staffed by Habitat members, to sell the tickets and accept the proceeds, and our staff and Wes & I were then free to give the guided tours.

After these weekend tours were over, we then invited the local Homebuilders Association’s Green Building Council to our home for their monthly meeting and a tour, as well as, the state chapter of the AIBD, the local NARI, the Director and students from the Center for the Environment, the Director and students of the NC Solar Center, and hundreds of others in the community.

As a result of the press releases we sent out to national publications about the home, it was featured in the ‘Smart Homeowner’ magazine, it made the cover and was featured in ‘Natural Home’ magazine, in the local magazine ‘Today’s Custom Home’, and numerous other publications and newspapers, all for free.

We made appointments with Realtor offices, bringing breakfast in to them, to talk about the project, and invited them out for tours.

•

We also had relocated our Design Studio into our home, so every client and prospect that came through our doors for 6 years also received a tour, as well. Our home became very well known in our community, and was a very successful marketing campaign for our design business, as well as, for the other Team members.

For additional photos of the Pippin-Stearns Green Home project: Click Here

Jenny Pippin is a Certified Professional Building Designer and a Fellow of AIBD. She is also a Past-chairperson of AIBD’s High Performance Home Team

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Members’ Corner

Casual French Chateau EXTERIOR ELEMENTS THAT CREATE A WARM FRENCH CHATEAU STYLE

BY BARRON CUSTOM DESIGN

“The builder seamlessly included the clients reclaimed antique elements.”

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The home was built on a subdivided lot from the original homestead, nestled between a grove of oak trees to maximize privacy. Exterior elements such as brick, stucco, wood columns, and window shutters create a warm French chateau style. The builder seamlessly included the clients reclaimed antique elements. Beyond the entry door is a shiplap wrapped stairwell and a reclaimed newel post from an old French cathedral. Included is a dedicated library space for the client’s vast book collection. The powder bathroom door and hardware are reclaimed from an old post as well.

Merging the hand selected antique table with the custom cut white pearl quartzite to creates a statement powder bath vanity. An open layout connects the living room, dining room, and kitchen. Old Texas brick replace and the reclaimed beam mantle give the space a cozy feel. The master bathroom’s

neutral colors, large mirrors, pedestal tub enhance the French style. Extending the living space to the outside maximizes the family’s capacity to host. The simple yet well-designed pool, hot tub and outdoor kitchen enhance the family’s ability to entertain family and friends.

The collaboration between the design-build team helped to enrich the details of this home.

Photos by: Mark Adams Media - Ellie Fleetwood Website: www.barroncustomdesign.com

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Members’ Corner

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Members’ Corner

Modern Tradition A DESIGN THAT COMBINES MODERN AND TRADITION SUBURBAN LIVING

BY JAN GLEYSTEEN ARCHITECTS, INC.

One of the main features and challenges of this project began with a client request. The homeowners enjoyed the modern aesthetic and furnishings they had been accustomed to from their upbringing in Northern Europe, but they had fallen in love with the traditional homes of their new neighborhood and wanted a traditional floor plan and massing to reflect their new home. The result is a stone and shingle residence with a unique combinations of modern and tradition.

An early challenge and opportunity came in the form of the site itself. Large deposits of ledge and steeply sloping grade had left an undeveloped lot in the middle of a wellestablished, largely traditional residential neighborhood.

Deemed “unbuildable” by developers, our client encountered little competition for the lot.

We first needed to address the challenges of the site.

Rather than fighting the natural conditions of the site, we chose a compact footprint with a multi-level basement kept ledge removal to a minimum. For example, a larger deposit of ledge was left intact under the garage slab while the opposite side of the house took advantage of the steep slope with a sun-lit walkout basement. The street facing front façade was leveled to meet the neighboring lots, while the steep slope of the terraced rear yard provided dramatic views and terraces for the family. Glass railings provide unimpeded views from the family and breakfast rooms which appear to sit among the treetops. By siting the house to face the street in a traditional manner, the rear façade faces almost directly south. Generous windows and several skylights take advantage of the southern light along the rear façade.

Once the house had been sited, we turned to the client’s request for a modern and traditional home. The simple massing of the home reflects both the traditional floor plan and restrained modern aesthetic. Traditional shingle

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and stone details wrap the exterior of the home and a curved copper portico marks the central entrance to the main entry hall. The stone “tower” is a play on articulated stair towers often found in shingle style homes and brings asymmetry to the façade. However the traditional details are kept in check by the modern aesthetic by pairing back the mouldings at the rakes and eaves. Simple proles give a clean look to the exterior trim.

On the home’s interior, on the other hand, the modern detailing steals the show in spite of the traditional floor plan layout. Dark oak floors contrast sharply against the white walls. Skylights bring in diffused light in unexpected ways throughout the home – over the master tub, trickling down the mudroom stairway, and in a dressing room tucked in the center of the house. Moulding and trim proles were chosen for their simple, clean lines. By using almost identical paint colors on the wall, trimwork, and ceilings the line between wall and ceiling becomes blurred. When combined with the diffuse light from the skylights and the treetop views, the home takes on an unusually light, open, and airy quality.

A linear gas fireplace with a floating stone surround is the focal point of the family room – also visible from the kitchen and breakfast room. Kitchen counters received a leathered finish to give a new twist to a common material. White vessel sinks pop against the gray counter in the master bathroom.

Much of the tile throughout the house is ceramic – chosen for durability and cost.

The design of this home is not only a combination of modern and tradition, but also a true representation of the clients.

The result is a refreshing take on traditional, suburban living.

Photos by: Richard Mandelkorn Website: www.jangleysteeninc.com

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Members’ Corner

“The homeowners enjoyed the modern aesthetic and furnishings that had been accustomed to from their upbringing in Northern Europe...... The result is a stone and shingle residence with a unique combinations of modern and tradition”

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Members’ Corner

Custom Homes A CONTEMPORARY FARMHOUSE THAT BRINGS THE SOCIAL LIFE OUTSIDE INSIDE

BY LOW TIDE DESIGNS INC.

Being in a golf course community - this contemporary farmhouse brings the social life outside inside. With the living / kitchen / dining areas all open to each other, the home flow well with family or social gathering.

The homeowner wanted to take in the views from the golf course and have views from most all of the rooms by staging rear views. With the Master Bedroom downstairs and the additional bedrooms upstairs this home lends itself to a growing family.

The kitchen is large enough to provide ample space for guests to gather and converse while appetizers or dinner is being prepared. The living room provides room for the local game to be watched and still enjoy the company without being closed off.

The views to the golf course allow a mid hole view with the tee box and the green on each end giving the ability to sit out around the fire pit and relax as golfers play by or just enjoy the view while cooking outside.

Photos by: Jessica Nelson Website: www.nelsondesigngroup.com

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Members’ Corner

“With the living / kitchen / dining areas all open to each other, the home flow well with family or social gathering.”

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Members’ Corner

Lakeside Neo-Prairie A RETREAT THAT ENJOYS AMAZING LAKE VIEWS

BY HOBBS’ INK, LLC

“Some wizardry was necessary to take advantage of the SIDE lake view to the right”

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With wide overhangs and bold lines, this modern home was constrained by a very shallow lot. Some wizardry was necessary to take advantage of the SIDE lake view to the right. Garages had to face front but are split to minimize visual impact. One garage doubles as “man cave.” A semi conditioned owners’ retreat enjoys amazing lake views and provides a spirited spot for a “woman enclave”. Dogtrot entry separates master from public areas. The L shape of the plan turns upstairs and dining with their porches, and even a hanging bed, directly to lake views, while downstairs a stepped rear wall and walls of glass gain views from

nearly every space. Home office is off main traffic flows and provides hidden storage for messy office functions. The master dressing and baths (his and hers) are so spa-like it’s hard to leave. Glass walls and large telescoping glass doors blur the line between in and out inviting you to enjoy lake life no matter where you are in the house. Interesting lighting, materials and textures dress the home, making it modern but livable.

Photos by: Miro Dvorscak Photography Website: www.hobbsink.com

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Members’ Corner

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Members’ Corner

The Treehouse A VERTICAL CRAFTMANS STYLE HOME

BY PIPPIN HOME DESIGNS

The homeowners desired a multilevel 4-story home, designed to take advantage of their lake views from numerous heights on their property, due to it being heavily tree lined, and the lake environmental requirement that no trees can be removed in the designated lake buffer. They desired a modern Craftsman style home that would not look too tall or out of place in its surroundings. The wife desired a 4th Floor Library that feels like a Treehouse with maximum height views of the property and surrounding lake, as well. This was accomplished with the interior rustic finishes of wood walls, ceilings and bookshelves, which includes a rolling ladder.

This is also their retirement home, so it needed to have an Elevator to access all 4 Floor’s and a wheelchair ramp hidden in the Garage. The clients like to use the stairs for the exercise it provides, and the Elevator gives them the ability to move large items easily from floor to floor. Their Laundry Room is located near the Kitchen, which she preferred, although the Master Bedroom is located a level above, we included a niche in the Master Suite Closet area to store a mobile rolling cart for transporting the Laundry via the Elevator, rather than the stairs.

They also desired a home that is very energy efficient and utilizes solar PV panels on the roof top for generating electricity, as well. We designed the roof structure in a way to maximize the amount of south facing roofs for the PV panels, along with strategic window locations to maximize lake views and work with the path of the sun and we provided 2’ overhangs on the roof to work with the sun locations and provide ample rain protection for the structure. They installed energy star windows and doors, and appliances, used spray foam insulation, an internal thermal house wrap that makes it look like a futuristic spaceship, and utilized a HERS rating company to verify the performance of the sealed structure. They hired a Team of professional HVAC designers to design the high-tech thermal envelop around the entire structure, including a sealed attic space, a custom designed extremely energy efficient heating and air conditioning

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system, with its own dedicated electric meter to monitor the actual electric usage of the HVAC equipment, separate from the rest of the main house electric usage, and this company provides a guarantee on the total amount of electric usage from the HVAC system, with a money back guarantee if it ever exceeds the guarantee, for the life of the home. The company, Energy Innovations, also includes features in the HVAC system, which improves the quality of the indoor air, and the clients couldn’t be happier with the results!

Our goal was to design the home in a way to not look like a towering structure from the street side, while being a 4 full level home, which works for their lifestyle, and gives them all the rooms they desired in the home with maximized lake views. The Treehouse level, the 4th Floor, needed to be centrally located on the home, to maintain a balanced look to the structure and tie in with the central location of the Elevator, as well. They also wanted the home to be handicap accessible, to allow for aging-in-place and the ability to have a Master Suite on the First Floor, as well as, a larger Master Suite on a private level to themselves, which was designed as the entire Second Floor level. The home only has the two finished Bedroom suites, with the ability to finish a third Bedroom suite in the Basement level, if needed in the future. There is also a fold-out sleeper chair in the Library, when needed for additional guests, which includes a full Bathroom and a Closet, to function as a Bedroom, when / if needed in the future. There is also a Man Cave in the Basement with access to a full Bathroom and a Hall Closet, so it could potentially function as another Bedroom, as well.

They currently own the home next door, as the Guest House, so there was no need to have more finished Bedrooms in the home at this time. The current monthly heating and cooling bill for this home is less than $100 per month, for a conditioned space over 5,000 sf.

Photos by: Wes Stearns Website: www.pippinhomedesigns.com

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Members’ Corner

“Our goal was to design the home in a way to not look like a towering structure from the street side, while being a 4 full level home.......”

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issue

SPRING 2020

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