Buying a home and designing it

When it comes to buying a home, a lot of attention is given to details like location, neighbourhood, price, community services, communication etc. While these exterior factors need due attention, the looks and arrangements of a home's interior plays an important role tooSuitable fittings and furniture make a home look attractive and ensure comfortable living. Today a variety of cabinets and custom made furniture are making interior designing a state-of-the-art affair. Cabinetry and furniture include a wide range of options from where one can choose the best combination suiting the needs of the interior space in different rooms.

However, alternative to a new installation or complete remodelling, one can improve the look and feel of rooms by an inexpensive cabinet refacing or a minor trim. Cabinets that are usually familiar include kitchen cabinets, outdoor kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, office cabinets or home office cabinets, built-In cabinets, Other furniture that are normally required for making an optimum use of the space include various custom wood furniture like bookcases, hutches and credenzas, wall units, closet systems, solid surface and laminate countertops, furniture for entertainment centers etc.

While these are mostly designed for home use, many of them are extensively used in small offices, corporate buildings, shops and stores. Commercial casework is a common requirement in shops and stores. In these places, standard and custom moldings with occasional trim are also frequently needed. Whatever are the designing needs, it is always a professional installation that makes the money spent behind the fittings and furniture worth.

Interior decoration and designing aim to achieve primarily two things. It focuses on the most optimum use of space without unnecessary cluttering and aim to achieve the best output from the fittings and/or furniture fixed from the utility point of view.

It is always better to look at the design drawings of your home and plan the cabinetry or furniture accordingly. There are numerous custom wood furniture companies who would do the same with your needs of cabinet refacing, minor trims, and new installations or complete remodelling. You may be a master on carpentry but when it comes to renovate, remodel or trim your home interior, it is better to rely on a professional installation. Moreover, when renovations like solid surface or laminate countertops with standard and custom moldings are needed, you will have very little freedom to play with your home design.

Interior designs with furniture or cabinets come in different style categories like traditional, contemporary, country, renaissance etc. You may choose different kitchen cabinets, bathroom cabinets, bookcases, display cabinets, hutches and credenzas, wall units, closet systems or your home office cabinets from a variety of styles available from the catalogues available with the furniture and cabinets companies.

Job of professionals is best performed by professionals! It is therefore better to handover a copy of the engineering drawing of your home to the professional designers who can plan a number of alternatives for you to choose from. They may even suggest a cabinet refacing instead of a new cabinet you already planned for and thus save your money. Professional installations of cabinets and other custom wood furniture for entertainment centers, office cabinets, commercial caseworks, solid surface or laminate countertops, minor or major trims with standard or custom moldings may cost you a little more cash. But the cost is worth it. Good luck.

By: naveen3



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Structural Engineers of Northern California Say Advancements Will Save Lives, Property and Infrastructure When Next Hayward Earthquake Occurs

HAYWARD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As part of the commemoration of the 140th anniversary of the 1868 Hayward earthquake -- the first great “San Francisco earthquake” and one of the most damaging earthquakes in the nation’s history -- members of the Structural Engineers Association of Northern California will present important information at the upcoming Hayward Earthquake Symposium. Their presentations on the advancements of engineering knowledge and technical guidelines in the past 140 years will collectively demonstrate that few lives will be lost and total building collapses will be rare as a result of future earthquakes “if we all work together and get prepared.”
Scientists warn that the Hayward Fault is a “Time Bomb” that releases huge amounts of damaging energy every 140 years. The next big earthquake on the Hayward Fault will affect the lives of the two million people who live, work, attend school and rely on the utilities and transportation systems in the vicinity.
“We may not be able prevent earthquakes from occurring, but catastrophe is not inevitable,” said Reinhard Ludke, a prominent Bay Area structural engineer and president of SEAONC, the premier association of practicing Structural Engineers in the Bay Area and one of the sponsoring groups of the Symposium.
“Earthquake preparation includes strengthening structures as well as public agencies, businesses, and families developing emergency response plans. The tragedy is that we have the knowledge to prevent major damage and protect public safety, but public officials and people often don’t take advantage of it. Structural Engineers want to be in a position to look back after any quake and be able to talk about what we protected and saved, and not recall what we lost.”
The Symposium takes place October 22-24, at the California State University, East Bay, Hayward Hill Campus. The media is invited to attend any of the sessions. The public is invited to attend an open forum on October 23, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Here is a rundown of the presentations by Structural Engineers:
David Bonowitz is presenting a talk on how the advances in engineering standards can even better support community efforts to reduce earthquake risk. “In the past ten years, technical guidelines for earthquake evaluation and retrofit of buildings have proliferated,” Bonowitz said. “These guidelines are invaluable to engineers working on specific projects and now we want to make them even more useful to the people who decide whether and when to reduce earthquake risk in our built environment -- legislators, emergency planners, lenders, developers, and insurers. Guidelines and reference home retrofit drawings are widely available from local building officials who support residential building strengthening.”
Structural Engineers Joe Maffei and Karl Telleen will discuss advances in techniques to assess the potential earthquake damage to a structure, before an earthquake actually occurs. “We tested a set of new guidelines on several buildings near the Hayward Fault in Oakland, Berkeley and other locations,” reported Telleen, “and found that these new, probability-based methods allow engineers to better quantify expected structural performance and measure it against specific performance goals, such as allowing safe entry to a building after a quake.”
Structural Engineers Kit Miyamoto and Amir Gilani will present an overview and evaluation of the extensive Sichuan Earthquake damage and draw comparisons to SF Bay Area. For example, in past earthquakes in California, not unlike the earthquake in China, URM and nonductile concrete buildings have performed poorly and nonstructural and equipment damage has been widespread even in moderate earthquakes. “Fortunately for residents and businesses in the Bay Area,” said Miyamoto, “robust assessment techniques and conventional and innovative retrofit strategies are available to address such vulnerabilities.”
Engineer John Osteraas will talk on important assessment guidelines -- and the associated research and testing -- that can facilitate repair of residential wood-frame buildings. “While we expect that total building collapse will be rare in future quakes, overall building damage may be extensive,” Osteraas said. “These important assessment guidelines will help design professionals and contractors quickly and efficiently determine the damage and required building repairs of any structure.”
Engineers Alan Kropp and Wayne Magnusen review some innovative foundations for structures in the East Bay hillsides, areas that are currently experiencing slow downhill creep even in times of non-seismic conditions. “Our studies show that the performance of these mat foundations has been good in non-seismic times and will certainly be beneficial during an earthquake,” said Kropp.
Founded in 1930, The Structural Engineers Association of Northern California is committed to advancing the art and science of structural engineering.

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An Architect ??? ... a Structural Engineer ???

An Architect is artists, a Structural Engineer is scientist.An Architect design a building and makes it attractive and functional, a Structural Engineer ensures its still standing in ten years.
An Architect deal with more of the design, the look and layout of a building, a Structural Engineer makes it work.An Architect would design a building and then take it to a Structural Engineer for editing determining feasibility of the design with issues of balance, loading bearing walls, and materials.A Structural Engineer study a lot more physics and materials science while an Architect involve themselves more in aesthetics.
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Find A Good Church Architect For Unique Church Design Ideas

The local church is a very important place for each community of believers. The church design and construction process bears great importance, as a good church architecture that is representative of a certain community and their faith is the best way to bring God closer to believers. Aside from expressing purpose and faith, church architecture can make a powerful invitation to those who want to express their faith and repent of their sins. Church architecture has experienced tremendous changes over the past decades. With churchgoers looking for different kinds of ministry, new church design ideas have emerged. These new forms of expression include both functionality (such as allowing access for people with disabilities) and symbolism. There are many aspects to be taken into account when considering church design and construction. Whatever your church plans may be, the insight of a good architect who has a wealth of experience in church architecture is extremely valuable. A good church architect can give you some excellent church design ideas and help you turn your church into a place that is both welcoming and inviting, as well as very representative of your individual values and theology.

The number one question that all the people involved in church design and construction ask themselves is how to find a good church architect. The market is abundant with architects whose background and expertise is extremely varied. It would be wrong to assume that an architect who has not handled a church design and construction project before would not be able to complete such as task successfully. However, an architect with considerable experience in church design is more likely to be able to provide valuable church design ideas that are most appropriate to your specific needs and requirements, as well as to your individual theology and values. Many architects have their specific design style, which may not match your ideas and intentions. Furthermore, your church plans may include specific style and size, as well as a certain budget limitation. Good architects can generally meet such specific requirements, but they don’t always manage to express your individual nuance of worship style and denomination. Therefore, it is highly advisable that you use the services of an experienced church architect who is already familiar with all the specific aspects of designing and constructing a church. As has been said before, an experienced church architect can provide some unique church design ideas, which will add value to the architecture of your church and make it a special place for your congregation. If you are asking yourselves how to find a church architect, you should look no further. There are quite a few aspects to take into consideration when looking for an architect for your church plans, but I daresay that a church architect who has handled numerous projects of the kind is by far your best choice. His insight and unique church design ideas will prove extremely valuable whatever your church plans may include. An experienced architect’s church design ideas and expertise are all the more valuable when you want to build a new church from the ground, expand your church or convert warehouses into church facilities. These, and many other projects concerning church design and construction, are best completed with the help of a good church architect.
By: Groshan Fabiola

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Architect Or Building Designer – Who Do You Choose?

Thinking of building a new home or complex? Will you use an architect or a building designer? Both are involved in the design of buildings – their appearance, layout, structure, and so on. But what’s the difference?
The simplest difference is a legal one. To be called an “architect” in NSW, you have to be registered with the Board of Architects of NSW. The title “building designer” can be used by anyone designing buildings.
But that’s hardly even scratching the surface. Brian Basford is a building designer and treasurer of the Building Designers Association of NSW. He suggests that building designers are generally less expensive, and mostly involved in less flamboyant buildings. “It’s horses for courses. Most architects probably wouldn’t want to design a single bedroom extension for a pensioner, whereas I’ve done a lot of that.”
Brian also stressed that there are quite often overlaps between what architects do and what building designers do. There’s no simple rule. “But no matter what the job, good building designers and good architects both produce quality work”, he says.
Architect Gary Kurzer agrees that architects are more likely to be involved with more distinctive, “up-market” buildings. But not because of cost. “Architects work to your budget just like building designers. The real reason is that architects are a little more likely to stretch the boundaries and challenge convention.”
According to Gary, you should generally choose an architect if you want more than just a literal translation of your brief. “My clients normally have a rough idea of what they want. I take that idea and transform it into something they love, but could never have imagined themselves.”
The most important thing is knowing what you want from the service, and choosing someone that suits your job.
And whether you choose an architect or building designer, remember, qualifications are no guarantee of quality. Always ask to see previous examples of their work. Ask for references from previous customers. Ask to see their qualifications. Ask how long they’ve been working. Do they have professional indemnity insurance? Are they a member of an accredited body?…
In the end, it’s like anything else… there’s no substitute for common sense.
Thanks to Gary Kurzer, Architect, 0411044448, and Brian Basford, Building Designer.
FAQs
Q: Are architects and building designers the same thing?
A: No. Architects must be registered with the Board of Architects of NSW.
Q: Will I get a better design from an architect?
A: Not necessarily. The only guarantee is a minimum level of qualifications. Architects must have a Bachelor of Architecture degree (5 years) as well as the demonstrated ability to deal with clients and satisfy their requirements. Generally this means at least a couple of years experience in an architect’s office.
Q: Are building designers more in touch with builders and other trades?
A: Not necessarily. Architects are trained to deal with and manage all aspects of the building project. It all comes down to the individual’s experience and abilities.
Q: Are Building designers “would-be” architects?
A: No. Building design is a recognised profession with its own national body (the BDAA) offering 3 levels of accreditation based on experience and quality – but registration isn’t compulsory. Many building designers have the qualifications to register with the Board of Architects but they choose not to because they don’t think the name “architect” is worth the ongoing cost of registration.
Q: Are architects more expensive?
A: Not necessarily. An architect will work to your budget like a building designer. They can do anything from a simple design to very complex interior and exterior detailing to superintendence of the building process. Your building costs and ongoing running costs may also be less. For example, find out if your architect is incorporating cost-saving measures into the building process. They may also design to take advantage of natural lighting, ventilation, heating, cooling, etc. which will save you less in electricity.
Q: How do I tell if they’re really an architect?
A: Call the Board of Architects of NSW – (02) 93564900 or visit http://www.boarch.nsw.gov.au/f_consumer.html.
Q: How do I look for an accredited building designer?
A: Call the Building Designers Association of NSW – Sydney (02) 49264855 or visit http://www.bdansw.com.au or http://www.bdaa.com.au/index.htm.
Q: Where else can I go for further information?
A: http://www.architecture.com.au - Royal Australian Institute of Architectshttp://www.bdansw.com.au - Building Designers Association of NSW

By: Glenn Murray ...Read More...

Architects Now Designing Homes For Mortals

Owining a architect designed home is now possible as overseas prooperty developers empoy the use of famous modern architects to help sell thier homes.

The concept of owning a home designed by a well known architect is something most of would only dream of. Times are changing and so are the marketing plans of many property developers who are increasingly using well known architects to sell their homes.

It is true that international property investors have a huge choice of luxury resorts from around the world to choose from. With so much competition attracting the most desirable customers is becoming increasingly difficult. One way in which some resort developers have decided to attract potential buyers is by using high-profile architects on their projects.

Shigery Ban, who designed the Pompidou Centre in Metz, Zaha Hadid, Piero Lissoni, Chad Oppenheim and Japan's Kengo Kuma are all well-known architects and designers and they are all being employed to design luxury hotels and resorts. What's even more astounding is that this group of celebrity architects is currently working on one resort - Dellis Cay. This private island is part of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean.

Dellis Cay is being developed by Turkish tourism magnate Dr. Cem Kinay. Piero Lissini is designing the main hotel and a set of villas in his typically modern, bold and simple style. In a recent interview in The Independent, Dr. Kinay notes that "The architects are our biggest selling point." One bedroom apartments on Dellis Cay start at £835,000.

Another new development that is making use of well-known architects is Portugal's Bom Sucesso, north of Lisbon on the Silver Coast. There are more than 20 popular European architects that are working on different designs and buildings for Bom Sucesso, including Alcino Soutinho, Goncalo Byrne, Alvaro Siza Vieira and even England's award-winning David Chipperfield. The architects adhered to a set of rules that provide the formal unity of the project, but which simultaneously enabled them to follow their own original and specific objectives. Most important among these rules and vital for the originality of the resort, was that all rooftops should be covered in greenery and any walls should either be covered in greenery or else simply not exist at all.

Other resorts around the world are using architects to get a leg up on the competition. Melvin Villarroel is working on a community in Marbella, Spain called Lomas Club. Homes at this development are also being designed by Angel Taborda and Victoria Guana, and Villarroel is also working on several other new resorts in Spain.

Matteo Thun is designing a new set of fascinating apartments in the Austrian resort of Katschberg called Edel:Weiss. Sir Norman Foster is working on several projects; one is in Egypt called Serrenia and there is also Corniche Bay resort in Mauritius. These villas will only cost £1.7 million.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Author: Nicholas Marr is CEO of overseas property investment web site http://www.homesgofast.com/David_Chipperfield.php ...Read More...