Architecture 400 Ideabooks

One of the most common questions people have about their own home is, What style is it? This is not always an easy question to answer. "Style" is an elusive term, because it can be applied to many different things, and style is frequently... more »

As a client, how can you avoid paying for design work you don’t want? Making sure you know what you're getting before you have it built helps. Today there is no better way to understand and have a feel... more »

Whether you're planning a simple addition to your house, a comprehensive remodel or a brand-new structure from scratch, the services of an architect can be a worthwhile investment in a home tailored to your specific site, taste and lifestyle. Architects... more »

The floor plan, or plan, is the most common of all architectural drawings. From builders to architects, Realtors to appraisers, everyone uses a floor plan. More than likely this is because the floor plan is the one drawing that tells us the most about... more »

Simple uses of sunlight can transform our homes from the static and expected to the dynamic and unexpected. Anyone who has visited a building close to water will be familiar with the delightful effect created by shimmering sunlight reflecting on the walls... more »

On some days it seems that modern architecture has 10 times as many detractors as proponents, even though the movement has influenced a great deal of residential architecture — from open floor plans to means of construction. Some of the dislike for... more »

A while ago I took a crack at defining the differences between modern and contemporary architecture by looking at the exteriors of 10 homes. In my view modern architecture is rooted in the early- and... more »

Leonardo da Vinci once said that simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Simplicity in design calms us and somehow inspires us, not only in architecture but also in other forms of design. Apple, for example, has refined its products over the years... more »

The architect's job is not to use the client as a means to accomplish his or her own creations, but to design a celebration of the client's life by meeting all the necessary program requirements with creativity and imagination. A piece of architecture... more »

In many respects the foundation is the most important element of any building, be it a house or a high-rise. Simply put, the foundation is what everything rests on. So getting the foundation right will go a long way toward having a sound and stable... more »

One of my predictions for 2013 was "breaking up the house," by which smaller detached volumes are able to respond to unique site conditions, such as existing trees, slopes and water's edges. Smaller... more »

The modern architect's office looks much different today than it did 20 to 30 years ago. Gone are the days spent bent over a drafting table, pushing pencils on paper. While we all love our... more »

The owners of this midcentury modern house in New York's Hudson Valley liked the casual nature of the original 1952 design, but they wanted a stronger connection to the landscape. Jeff... more »

Whoever thinks time travel is not possible should come work with me sometime. I recently had a great blast from the past when I was called by new owners to look at a house they had just purchased. On the phone the house was described as a "fixer," and... more »