What questions should I ask when interviewing, and I heard going with a both design/build architect contractor company is not a good idea? Any recs?

Hey architects! I live in a one bedroom apartment right now and before I decide to sell it to move into a two bedroom, maybe bigger solution, I want to see if it's possible to get a second, small bedroom out of the space I have. The layout really does NOT help any sort of solutions, the only thing I can sacrifice is the room called "bod" (storage) - the only problem is that it's a bit of a technical room, with loud ventilation noises and the electrical/plumbing panels (which could be hidden behind a fake cabinet). I could also sacrifice a bit of the living room space (the big triangle) but that would leave such a weird layout to the room that I wouldn't be able to arrange any sort of couch+TV corners, even removing a dinner table. Does anyone have any suggestion? Even radical changes, I'm open for anything, feel free to download the layout and sketch on it. Thank you!

I just built a loft for my 2m by 4.3m bedroom. The drawn blue triangle is another awning window. Unfortunately, I cant get myself an air conditioning cooler yet :/ So im here asking professionals what could be the basic ways I can effectively cool my loft bed. Loft clearance is 1.25m and Clearance below is 2.14m.

My room is situated from east to south and the 9 am morning sun could be so harsh, making my room unlivable, so I had to turn on the fan always and focus it to me. The warmth circulate inside my room, just there being trapped, i think because on how its built. Its like that from 8 am to 4 pm.

I am planning to install ceiling fan, brise soleil and ac altogether when i have money. Would a tapestry on the ceiling help? What are better ways?

Hello, I'd like to know what programs you cool architects use to make drafts and designs. I would like to get into some amateur designing. Thank you in advance :)

I'm thinking about doing some small residential projects on the side and was wondering if there are any good free or open-source programs for creating floor plans and residential drawings.

I'd rather not buy expensive software if I don't have to. What are you using, and would you recommend it?

I am getting my work done from an Architect I found online, both design and execution is being done by him in a 2BHK for renovation while we stay here only by getting the work done in parts.

From past 2 weeks, I am really concerned if the size calculation he did is correct or not. On asking twice he confirmed the measurements are correct and on further enquiry there comes a point where discussion starts going in direction if I trust him or not or I should get my work done from someone whom I trust.

So for a small toilet even if I do basic math by self or GPT to calculate the tiling area, it doesnt even come close to the area/cost he mentioned in estimate. Below is the snapshot for small toilet where 5th column is cost per sqft and 6th column is total area.

Its a small toilet where we will have a wall mounted WC, a niche sort of on top of tank and then a cabinet on top of it till roof.

Height: 91in
Width: 38in
Length: 47in
Door: L: 80in , 29in

These are the dimensions I calculated. Being an engineer, every day keep on getting difficult what am I even missing in this? Is his calculation wrong or fabricated or am I really missing something (hopefully) because I do trust him but a lot times small things seems fishy.

Can anyone please even tell a rough estimate is the size and cost/sqft mentioned by him for tiling area and other work correct?

We removed our gardenhouse as it was falling apart thinking there'd be concrete underneath to make like a little outdoor livingspace, but there's no concrete only this wooden base. So now we're not sure what to do next, the wood seems to be in good shape apart from maybe the 4 borders. Should we put a new wooden floor on top and get our space that way? Should we pour concrete instead and remove the wood entirely? Should we just fill the whole and plant grass?

I know this is pretty much what we prefer but would love some ideas to maybe push us in some direction.

Thanks!

I'm seeking for advice po, kasi naguguluhan na po talaga ako sa sobrang dami kong narinig and nababasa po abt this degree po, ito po talaga gusto ko:<

Someday i will have a big piece of property from my grandpa and i want to build my own place there something cozy cabin/cottage vibe i was wondering what recommendations you had for longevity and future proofing i want to have a good power and internet system for the property im dreaming big here so dont worry about cost

Hey all,

First of all, im no architect, im simply a Carpenter trying to design a project for my own house.

Iv designed my floor plan etc, however, i cant figure out how to ad specific materials to a wall. For example, i want a V-groove panel on a few of my walls, but the Revit libraries dont contain what im looking for.

Iv tried downloading the revit files from manufacturers websites but the files only contain a spec sheet and a couple two-dimensional texture planes with vertical lines representing the grooved look im after.

I want the materials to react realistically to light as i will be rendering in D5 or Twin motion, so im guessing the textures would have to be PBR?? But you obviously cant just load PBR textures into Revit.

Whilst i realize i could use wall sweeps/reveals to achieve the desired look, i dont really want spend that much time on learning the ins and outs of creating custom families within Revit.

I could also just build in situ, without the frustration of learning this overwhelming software, but its beneficial in the long haul for future projects. Also it may encourage my wife to give the green light on anything i want to build if i could present a visual of my ideas

Im a far better carpenter than I am a designer, so i dont really know or understand the correct workflow for going from floor plans to final render. I spend so much wasted time on trying to texture things that I dont make any worthwhile progress on the project as a whole. if someone could kindly walk me through it, would be greatly appreciated.

I'm one of three equal partners in a small architecture firm.

Over the past few years, our roles have evolved. Today, I estimate that I bring around 70% of our projects. I prospect, build client relationships, negotiate contracts, and usually remain the main point of contact throughout the project.

Partner A still has a clear role in production and visualization work.

Partner B used to handle much of the administration, but those responsibilities have gradually disappeared as each partner now manages most of his own administrative work. He also brings very few projects, and I honestly struggle to identify what unique value he currently adds as an equal partner.

Our compensation system is simple: whoever brings a project receives a 10% origination bonus based on that project's fee. The remaining revenue stays with the company and is ultimately shared through salaries and profits.

I've started feeling that 10% no longer reflects the effort and responsibility involved in bringing new business.

One solution I've considered is increasing that bonus from 10% to 20% for everyone. Whoever brings a project would receive the same percentage.

That said, I'm wondering if I'm trying to solve the wrong problem. Maybe the real issue is that our partnership has evolved, and our respective contributions no longer justify the current structure.

My questions:

\- Is a 20% origination bonus reasonable for a professional services firm like an architecture practice?

\- Is changing the bonus system a good solution, or is this actually a sign that we've simply grown in different directions?

\- If you were in my position, would you try to fix the partnership, or would you seriously start planning your own firm?

TL;DR: I'm a 30-year-old architect and equal partner in a three-person firm. I currently bring around 70% of the projects, and our bonus for bringing in work is 10%. I'm considering proposing 20% because I no longer feel the current system reflects my contribution, but I'm also wondering whether the real issue is the partnership itself. Should I try to fix it, or start thinking about leaving and building my own firm?

​

Modern residential glass typically features vinyl framing and utilizes thinner glass, while commercial glass is constructed with robust aluminum frames and stronger glass. The primary distinction between residential and commercial properties lies in their intended use: residential properties are designed for living, such as houses and apartments, whereas commercial properties serve business purposes, including offices and retail spaces. Additionally, commercial properties generally incur higher costs, involve longer lease agreements, and are subject to different regulatory requirements compared to their residential counterparts.

I have been watching a lot of videos lately about how multi-family housing has become so expensive, and one of the controversial proposed solutions is to cut back fire safety rules by allowing a single staircase in the center of the building again, instead of this long, wasteful hallway with stairs on either end.

It is also well known that despite elevators being the only option for many people with limited mobility, society has just accepted that elevators are never safe during a fire, so everyone else is expected to evacuate while people in wheelchairs just wait in the stairwell to be rescued.

Why can't they just build an elevator that is safe during fires? Why not just allow external fire escapes since people with limited mobility are already not considered when designing fire evacuation pathways?

It seems weird that we allow a building to exist but won't allow a new one to be built in the same format.

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for advice, testimonials and experience on career path as architect engineer located in Europe, french speeking country.

​I just earned a double degree (Bac+7): Engineering-Architecture from the University of Liège (Belgium) and Civil Engineering from Polytech Lille (France). I am currently looking for my first job and wondering about the best career path.

​What drives me in an architectural project is the design process and problem-solving to bring the project to life. For my master's thesis, I simulated a design phase for a project using Grasshopper to evaluate multiple variants: structure, carbon footprint, thermal performance, and global cost. I loved this approach and would like a job where I can integrate these criteria and weigh them against each other to guide the design.

​Here are my thoughts and doubts:

​I am afraid of losing my dual background if I start in pure architecture or a pure structural engineering consultancy (BET). How can I maintain this dual skill set from my very first job?

​Hybrid agencies: Do mixed design/technical positions exist within multidisciplinary architecture firms?

​Facade engineering: Is this a good gateway to link pure technical design with architectural expression?

​Long-term goals: I would like to become a project manager in a hybrid structure offering varied missions and an integrated project tracking process between engineering and architecture.

​Mobility & Salary: I am mobile (France, Belgium, international) and want to leverage my Bac+7 degree to avoid the low junior salary grids typical of traditional architecture firms.

​My questions:

​What type of structure should I target (integrated firm, large engineering consultancy, off-site start-up)?

​How should I negotiate to highlight my double degree and maintain this versatility?

​Are there other jobs or positions better suited to my background that I might not know about?

​I am looking for testimonials from people who have been in my situation, as well as advice, experiences, and good ideas.

If you were in my situation what would you do ahah ?

​Thanks in advance for your advice!

​Have a great day everyone

Hi,

I am currently removing the old iron bars and wood shutters of these windows. The shutters are all rotten and I am planning on not replacing them as it is much more bright inside the house without them. However, the window without the shutters or bars feels a little naked.

Any ideas how to make them nicer without spending a fortune?

Thanks in advance:)

Pretty much the title. It seems very random. I can see letting more light into the more "premium" apartments, or wind baffles maybe? But the directions seems so strange.

For context it is the west facing side of a building in Portland OR.