The Empty Space Blog

Master Planning Process for Commercial Architecture

barron@theschimgroup.com (Barron Schimberg) — Wed, 08 Jun 2022 19:40:50 GMT

Whether you're still researching architectural firms for your commercial project or engaged with one already, the likelihood is you've come across the term “master planning.” You might be wondering, “what's actually involved in the master planning process?” and “what are the benefits of master planning for commercial projects?” You're not alone. New clients ask us these questions all the time.

In this article, we’ll take the mystery out of the master planning process and explore what it is, why we do it, and how we create master plans for our clients. Keep reading for a peek behind the scenes at Schimberg Group Architecture & Interior Design and how we handle master planning.

What is master planning?

“Master planning gives us a holistic view of your property and the project.”

-Barron Schimberg AIA, LEED AP

Master planning is how we, as architects, understand how to orient and place the building(s) on your site before we begin designing the floor plan or vertical design and is most often used when designing developments with multiple buildings, multiple uses and for larger sites.

In most cases, a master plan is presented as a graphic drawing to show proposed building footprints, roads, and existing landscape conditions like trees, utility lines, etc. in order to depict the proposed future of the site's building and associated components.

Master plans are the ultimate tool to help our clients make informed decisions regarding site selections, financial viability, scale, and timelines. Commercial master planning helps our clients consider multiple sites to determine which will deliver the best return on investment.

What does the master planning process look like?

Master planning should begin when you either intend to acquire land, have recently acquired a property, or decide to develop a project, i.e., at the beginning, before the architectural design phase commences.

While every master plan will look different depending on the project, the process is fairly consistent and can take around 2-3 months, assuming 15 acres or less.

At Schimberg Group we follow five key steps to develop master plans for our clients:

1. Conduct site survey

Our team will conduct a survey of your selected site to assess various factors including soil quality, natural features, landscape, topography, and orientation to determine how these may impact the layout and planning of the property.

2. Determine codes

Our architects perform rigorous code analysis, looking at zoning laws, legal attributes, and accessibility to roads/utilities to understand what is and what isn't possible under your site's jurisdiction.

3. Create concept ideas

In several collaborative sessions, our architects work closely with the entire design team and owner to perform a property, demographic, environmental, and program analysis - pulling out all the possibilities for your building or buildings and creating initial ideas/concepts for the building's footprint and site layout.

4. Sketch ideas

Now the fun part. Our architects will collate everything they've learned about your site and represent our ideas through several internal charettes and meetings. We typically develop multiple options, providing cost-effective and compelling approaches to your project.

5. Visualize master plan

The final step is to take everything we’ve learned and create a graphic representation of your master plan including renderings in 2D or 3D. A successful master plan will allow everyone to understand the characteristics of the site and how the building elements will best be arranged and oriented on the site. We'll then present this to you for approval.

What are the benefits of master planning?

“A master plan is used as a roadmap to help the owner and design team move forward on a commercial project.”

-Barron Schimberg AIA, LEED AP

Without going through the master planning process with our clients, projects may suffer from more revisions, higher costs, and untapped potential. Master planning helps us foresee issues specific to the site and determine the best location and orientation for a commercial property. There are several important benefits to following this process:

Save money

Master planning can help you save on development and architectural design costs. By fully understanding your site before construction you avoid the issues of discovering problems later and having to endure expensive changes to correct them. Master planning also helps us identify the best sites to develop for greater ROI.

Phase your project

Phasing a commercial construction project can prove quite lucrative, but only with proper master planning in place first. Once architects perform their site surveys and research, they'll be able to help you decide how to phase your property's construction for your budget and timeline.

Confident decisions

When you know that your architects have thought your project through and assessed all your options, you'll be able to confidently move forward with your design, rather than second-guessing your decisions or rethinking your design.

Holistic approach

With master planning, we are trying to understand your commercial project from a holistic perspective, rather than approaching each component individually. We can look at your project from every angle, spotting issues before they happen and uncovering new ideas we may not have considered without the master planning process.

Unlock potential

By working through the master planning process, team members will have the knowledge and insight to be able to bring new ideas to the table and assess more possibilities. We also involve engineers, contractors, and other consultants during the master planning phase to check our ideas and get their expert viewpoints.

For whom is master planning best suited?

If your project consists of multiple buildings, is spread over a large site, or is a mixed-use development (combining residential, office and retail spaces, for example), a master plan will help you understand your options so you can find the best solutions for your commercial development.

Master planning is the key to understanding your project’s potential before you've gone too far.

Investing in an architectural master plan is a cost-effective way to understand the value of a potential project well before getting into the details and cost of design.

Need a master plan for your commercial project?

We hope this blog has given you some insight into how we work and has helped you better understand how master planning benefits both you and your architectural team during the pre-design phase of your commercial project.

If you're interested in our commercial architecture services for your next commercial development project and would like to see how we can help you, or if you'd like to learn more about our master planning process, please give us a call at (941) 894-6888, or email barron@theschimgroup.com .

How & Why Architects Create Construction Documents

barron@theschimgroup.com (Barron Schimberg) — Mon, 02 May 2022 19:59:09 GMT

An architect's work is sometimes a mystery to many people. If you are new to working with an architect for your commercial project or remodel, you may be wondering what construction documents are and why they're so important.

At Schimberg Group, once our team has finalized the project’s design, we’ll create detailed construction documents that help your construction teams execute that design.

In this article, we’ll dive into many of the common questions we get asked about construction documents, including:

What are they?
How are they created?
How do we prevent mistakes?

Understanding the construction documentation process will give you better insight into why they're so essential to the success of your project.

What are construction documents?

Construction documents are a set of detailed drawings and building specifications our architects, interior designers and consultants create for three reasons:

To get an accurate quote for the construction of your project
To submit your project for permitting
To inform and guide contractors during the construction of your project

At Schimberg Group, our entire design team is heavily involved in developing construction documents, including our architects, interior designers, engineers, and consultants. Collaborating to deliver a comprehensive set of construction documents from the beginning helps us increase accuracy, minimize construction discrepancies, and speed up the project timeline.

Why construction documents are so important

In essence - if architects didn’t provide contractors with construction documentation, contractors would need to prepare their own documents by interpreting our set of schematic design drawings. This would lead to inconsistencies, construction errors, delays, and higher costs.

Construction documents give your contractor and subcontractors a clear and precise plan to guide the construction of your project and ensure your contractor isn't guessing.

Including as much information as possible in your construction documents will lead to less confusion and fewer questions (and misunderstandings) during construction. They will also ensure a more accurate cost estimate, and a smoother, more successful project execution. They are crucial to minimizing delays, keeping your project on track, and reducing cost overruns.

How we create construction documents

In general, architecture teams produce construction documents in two ways. Prior to the computer age, architects would draw construction documents by hand. Today, most architecture firms, like ours, use Computer-aided Design (CAD) or Building Information Modeling (BIM) software, such as Revit.

Your construction documents must incorporate every possible detail to take your contractor through every step of the building process. These documents should describe even the tiniest elements to show your contractor precisely what we envision, from sitework to floor plans to systems to materials and finishes to furniture and equipment.

In a 2D CAD format, we do this by layering plans and elevations, sections and details on separate sheets to express the final design. These also include site work details like drainage and utility design, structural foundation elements and roof framing plans to plumbing and electrical line locations. These 2D drawings go into an incredible level of detail, like old school hand-drawn designs but generated by a computer for better accuracy.

With BIM, we go even further. Revit allows us to create a highly detailed model of your project in a virtual, three-dimensional environment. This provides incredible control and coordination of every detail of the design.

Revit allows us to integrate all of the systems within the design to ensure complete coordination between all trades. We can define the precise products and materials to be used, including the ability to update specifications for added or related elements whenever they are changed. This gives us much more control over the final product, as well as flexibility to make pre-construction revisions, giving a better result in the end.

What we include in a set of construction documents

Depending on the project, there can be hundreds, or thousands, of individual elements included in your construction documents. To give you an idea of what we include, here is a general guide:

Civil : Everything below the ground (utilities, grading, drainage, etc.)
Landscape : Outdoor hardscapes and softscapes (trees, paving, benches, etc.)
Architectural : The building design itself (elevations, floor plans, sections, etc.)
Interior design : Interior finishes (flooring, countertops, paint colors, millwork, etc.)
Structural : Structural elements (foundations, beams, walls, etc.)
Mechanical : Mechanical equipment (air conditioning, exhaust vents, ducting, etc.)
Electrical : Power and lighting (light fixtures, panel sizes, solar, etc.)
Plumbing : Conveyance system of water (pipes, drains, fixtures, etc.)
Consultants : Additional information beyond the trades listed above (restaurant kitchen equipment, lighting, acoustical, etc.)

How long does it take to create a set of construction documents?

It can take quite some time to get all the components together, considering we must include all floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, elevations, sections, details, specifications, schedules, materials, and more for every "layer."

So, the length of time it takes to create construction documents is different from firm to firm and based on how efficient their processes are within their office. The scope of the project plays a major part in the overall timeline also. In general, and from our own experience creating countless construction documents:

Large commercial projects can take up to 6 months or more
Medium commercial and residential projects can take up to 3 months or more
Small tenant buildouts can take 1-3 months

Mistakes to avoid in creating construction documents

At Schimberg Group, we've been developing construction documents since 2004 and we've learned quite a lot over the years. Most importantly, we learned pitfalls to avoid when creating construction documentation. Significant errors on construction documents can derail your project, causing delays and budget increases in the process of trying to correct them, not to mention unnecessary stress.

To be clear, it is rare not to have some discrepancies or mistakes when completing construction documents due to their inherent complexity. With so many tiny elements at play, it's completely normal and understandable. However, if you have a solid design, a good design team and an experienced construction team, any mistakes will not have severe consequences in the long run.

Some of the common mistakes we have seen include:

Incorrect dimensions : Incorrect or inaccurate dimensions will make things difficult for your contractors to follow and lead to mistakes.
Mislabeled wall finishes : Drywall when it's meant to be plywood, tile when it's meant to be painted - these mistakes can inevitably delay your project.
Incorrect lighting fixtures : Reordering or repricing can negatively impact the timeline and potentially cost money.
Missing specifications : Some construction documents simply miss specifications, forcing the contractor to either make an educated guess or call the architect and take more time.
Vague instructions : Construction documents should thoughtfully reflect the exact process the builder will take to execute a specific part of the project.

How we prevent mistakes

At Schimberg Group, we create construction documents using Revit, a highly detailed building information modeling (BIM) program, which shows every layer of your project in 3D and exposes elements if changed. Essentially, BIM tools allow architects to build a design in 3D space before hammers start swinging.

With 2D programs, it is more common to have discrepancies, for example, one drawing may show one ceiling height while another has a different height. Your contractor and architect must work together as a team before construction to highlight these mistakes, fix them on paper, and minimize discrepancies in the final construction documents.

What we do differently

We have a rigorous system in place, which means we check every set of drawings throughout the process, from schematic design to the construction phase. We always have at least two people continually improving the documents in a process we call "redlining," where we markup corrections or add new information.

As the lead architect, I give each construction document a final check before delivering it to our clients and construction teams. Another factor that makes us unique is collaborating with in-house interior designers from the beginning to create a more complete and coordinated set of documents - and a better, more cohesive result.

“Concierge Plus” architecture, a great solution for clients who appreciate a long term relationship with their architect.

barron@theschimgroup.com (Barron Schimberg) — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 19:40:45 GMT

Are you a real estate developer with multiple projects on the horizon? A restaurateur needing to open several new restaurants? What if, instead of treating these projects separately, you could manage them under one agreement, where you only have to make one call to know where your projects stand?

We've built our unique approach to architecture services for people like you and other business owners who need several projects designed by an architect but don't want the hassle of approaching each one from scratch. We call it "Concierge Plus."

Concierge Plus gives you premium access to the Schimberg Group team. Essentially, we act as your "quarterback" for any projects in your portfolio. This unique approach eliminates overlaps, redundancies, and unnecessary fees associated with working on individual projects separately. It also reduces delays and duplications caused by rehashing the same information over and over.

Keep reading to learn more about Concierge Plus, how it solves major challenges for our clients and the many advantages that come along with it to see if it's a good fit for you.

What is Concierge Plus?

Concierge Plus is our approach to streamlining multiple architectural projects and creating stronger relationships with our clients. While most architecture firms approach each project independently - even when it's the same client who needs several properties designed, at Schimberg Group, we prefer to take a more holistic approach.

In the same way a concierge doctor gives their patients special attention, while being ‘on call’, our concierge service helps to build a trusted relationship with our clients, allowing us to attend to every element of their projects under a single agreement at a fixed monthly rate.

When you sign up for our Concierge Plus service, we become your personal architectural advisor and an extension of your team. As a result, it’s in our best interest to help you make informed decisions and understand the "bigger picture" when it comes to your architecture projects.

How does Concierge Plus work?

Discovery: We start with a discovery meeting to better understand your needs and make sure Concierge Plus is a good fit. It's best suited to clients who have multiple projects, spanning a timeframe of at least a year.
Scope of work: We work with you to define a clear scope of work so we can accurately and fairly determine a monthly rate proposal.
Project management: We're here for you, from consultations and feasibility studies to master planning, architectural and interior design services and construction administration.
Project execution: Our team manages your projects simultaneously and acts as your single point of responsibility for every project in your portfolio.

The fundamental problems with traditional approaches

While every architecture firm has its processes and methods, there aren't many who offer anything like our Concierge Plus service. Traditional techniques can sometimes cause issues when handling multiple projects.

Loss of momentum

If you're hiring different architects for different projects, you inevitably lose momentum and become overwhelmed while interacting with multiple firms.

Lack of attention

Multiple projects means multiple plates are spinning, and often in different directions. As a result, some projects may not receive the attention they need, when it’s needed most.

Avoidable admin

Email threads, contract approvals, phone calls, discovery meetings, and more can get repetitive, tiring, and time-consuming when executing projects separately.

Overlapping fees

Architectural fees are traditionally based on the individual project. With multiple projects, you may be paying additional fees for services which are repetitive and redundant.

Feasibility studies

For developers or entrepreneurs who just want to figure out what to do with their property, paying an architect to help with that is financially risky and hard to accept.

How does Concierge Plus solve these problems?

Concierge Plus flips the traditional architectural approach on its head, offering clients a single source of responsibility and guidance for all of their project needs, whether you have two projects or ten! Here are some of the key benefits of Concierge Plus:

Drives consistency

Having one architect for all your projects keeps a thread of consistency throughout every project and ensures cohesiveness to every design.

Creates efficiency

We don't need to create a new proposal and scope of work every time with Concierge Plus. Instead, we can revise based on previously approved scopes, designs, and master plans.

No hiring mayhem

We take care of every moving part of your architecture project, including sourcing and managing contractors and other professionals, so you won't have to worry about hiring a new team for every project.

Offers peace of mind

You'll feel calmer and more reassured knowing we address your entire portfolio holistically and attentively.

Access architects on-demand

With Concierge Plus, you'll get unrivaled access to our architectural services as needed (within our defined scope) without paying additional fees.

Make confident decisions

Acting as your trusted architecture consultant and strategist, you'll be able to make decisions confidently and know we're as invested in your future success as you are.

Get exclusive attention

We prioritize your projects, giving you our most responsive level of service so you can be assured that your project is moving forward.

One point of contact

No more telephone ping-pong. You only have to contact "YOUR" architect, Schimberg Group, who acts as your business consultant managing your design and construction teams.

Save time and money

Eliminating the need to rethink every project component drives efficiency, creates familiarity, and saves time and money. Since we're working on multiple projects, we can also develop cost-effective solutions that traditional approaches can't - similar to buying in bulk in order to save money.

The "bigger picture" benefits of Concierge Plus

Along with improving the relationship between business owner and architect, which you can read about in our previous blog , there are some key “bigger picture” benefits to Concierge Plus:

Long-term goals

Instead of working towards your goals project by project, we take a holistic approach to help you reach your broader, long-term strategic business goals.

Budgeting and costs

With a set monthly fee rather than larger incremental payments, we help you manage cash flow while still achieving your desired results.

Decision making

A continuous flow from one project to the next and from one year to the next mitigates the need for building new teams or starting from scratch on each project.

Feasibility planning

We build feasibility studies into our monthly fixed rates, so you don't need to pay for a new feasibility study every time.

Project continuity

With our team focused on your projects, you are assured of project continuity. No more getting bounced from team member to team member, your main point of contact stays the same, across all projects.

What our Concierge Plus clients say

"As a Concierge Plus client, I really enjoy the access I have to Barron and his team. He has become “My Architect” and an integral part of my own team. His role has expanded from architect to confidant and I get his opinion on every decision related to our projects."

– Tony Cocchiola, owner

Get in touch if you think Concierge Plus is right for you.

We hope you enjoyed learning about our Concierge Plus approach to architecture for multiple projects and understand why it works so well for our clients.

A relationship-based project is far more meaningful, fulfilling, and fun for us. We enjoy getting to know our clients and their goals on a deeper level vs. being "just another architect." We want to be "YOUR" architect, trusted sounding board, and "always there for you" guide.

So if you're interested in this type of partnership for your multi-property projects, we'd love to hear from you. Please get in touch with us today to see if we're a good fit for each other and kick start your next project. Or learn more about our Concierge approach.

Also, don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insight, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

Architects Vs. Engineers: Differences Between Them

barron@theschimgroup.com (Barron Schimberg) — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 17:59:09 GMT

Similar goals, different methods: Architects, engineers and the differences between them.

Have you noticed that, in many relationships, there is often the big idea person and then alongside them is the more practical, detailed partner? The relationship between architect and engineer is similar.

On a micro level, this could be as simple as building a treehouse. While your partner is thinking about how it will look aesthetically, you're doing all the groundwork and calculations to make sure it's safe for the kids.

On a macro level, an architect is responsible for planning, designing, and overseeing the construction of a building. At the same time, engineers use a combination of physics and mathematics to ensure the building's safety and functionality. This is, of course, a simple way to explain two different roles with many complexities and differences between them.

If you'd like to learn more about what an architect does vs. an engineer, the key differences between them, and whether you'll need both for your commercial construction project, you've come to the right place.

To understand the differences between the roles of an architect and an engineer in constructing a building, let's begin by describing an architect’s and engineer's responsibilities in more detail.

What is the role of an architect?

In Latin, the word "architectus" directly translates to "master builder" and, though architects these days don't actually construct buildings with their bare hands, I like to consider us as the "quarterback" of the project. Architects are responsible for designing a building, often using design and modeling software, such as REVIT , to meet the needs of those who'll eventually occupy the building.

Architects are more focused on creative design and problem-solving; they have the ability to think outside the box, visualize your design, and translate your needs, wants, and tastes into a finished product. They also think about how you will ultimately use and experience your space, and take into consideration how the space and different elements need to be arranged, how your business will fit in with its surroundings, and so much more.

What is the role of an engineer?

An engineer uses a blend of physics and mathematics to ensure the architect's designs are structurally sound and technically functional. They're primarily involved in answering the question, "How will the design work?"

Engineers tend to be more focused on more practical elements of the project; they're not responsible for coming up with the big, creative ideas for your building; instead, they're more concerned with whether the support beams will prevent your roof from collapsing or whether the temperature in your office is comfortable.

The differences between architects engineers

Training

Architects act almost like an orchestra conductor, making sure all the moving parts are running smoothly between the client, interior designer, engineers and contractor. They're the visionary behind the design and the project manager who brings it successfully to life.

Architects are trained to:

● Analyze the feasibility of a site

● Ensure a building's layout is functional

● Design the aesthetics of a building’s interior and exterior

● Oversee the construction process

● Manage the project and client relationship

● Adhere to the client’s budgets

● Ensure the building meets building codes

● Help to keep construction projects on schedule

● Measure a building's environmental impact

● Adapt designs if construction issues arise

Engineers undergo rigorous training to foresee any problems that could occur before construction begins and find technical solutions to those problems. They help select suitable materials, structural processes, and internal systems needed for a solid, safe, well-functioning building that is site appropriate, won't collapse, and meets the needs of the occupants from a system standpoint.

Engineers are trained to:

● Ensure a building will operate efficiently

● Identify and solve technical problems

● Test and assess building systems and structure

● Use design software to draw technical plans

● Design based on practicality, safety, and cost

● Assist the architect in making the design safe

● Evaluate environmental conditions

Licensing

A key difference between architects and engineers is in their areas of specialization and licensing. While architects only need one license to work on a variety of project types, there are different licenses for different types of engineers, including:

● Civil engineering focuses on the needs of the site, and the routing of utilities, such as water and sanitation piping.

● Structural engineering is all about the stability of a building including beams, columns, footings and trusses needed to create a sound structure.

● Mechanical engineering refers to a building’s HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems and plumbing systems, and can have a huge impact on energy consumption.

● Electrical engineering refers to how power is distributed throughout a building, including lighting and outlets, but also environmentally friendly systems like solar and daylight harvesting.

Though architects and engineers often work closely together and share similar goals, their training is very different.

Do you need an architect, an engineer, or both?

The answer really depends on the complexity and size of your construction project.

For most commercial projects, you'll likely need both an architect and engineer working together on your design for the best possible result. For residential projects, an architect may suffice from a design standpoint and a structural engineer may suffice for permitting.

(Did you know that in the United States, residential construction permitting can be handled by the owner and the only signed and sealed documents required are by a structural engineer?)

Our advice? Always start your project by talking with a registered architect first. Learn more about why this is essential in our blog post " Use a registered architect . "

Why is collaboration between architects and engineers important?

At Schimberg Group, we firmly believe that it is important to assemble a team early in the building design process, and this includes involving skilled engineers as soon as possible.

As designers, architects may have great ideas, but those ideas can only be realized if they can be safely and functionally constructed. This is where the engineer’s input can help architects stay grounded and avoid wasted time and effort pursuing ideas that won’t work.

Also, early and close collaboration can lead to a better design and more efficient result for the client.

For example, as part of our design for the new Suncoast Humane Society animal rescue and adoption campus, the design of the shelter included exposed structural components. Knowing this early on and working with the engineers closely allowed us, as the architects, to effectively integrate those components into our final design solution.

Another example can be found in restaurants. Often, ceiling heights and building forms dictate where AC ducts are run or ventilation hoods are located. For all three of The Chiles Group restaurants, we needed to condition the spaces from side wall grills to cool the dining areas. Gathering that information early in the design process allowed us to incorporate that aspect of the design into the interiors and work with the mechanical engineer to specify the appropriate grill design.

Sustainability for profit

Collaborations between architects and engineers can also contribute to better solutions for the environment.

We worked with LTA civil engineers to design a restaurant parking lot for The Chiles Group that used layers of rock instead of pipes and asphalt to handle stormwater run-off. This design provided a more sustainable approach, allowing water to percolate into the ground on-site rather than impact the local aquifers. In addition, the final cost of this system resulted in a savings to the owner.

Another project of ours required large openings to be placed in an existing masonry wall. Our first inclination was to remove the wall and rebuild it, but after visiting the site with the structural engineer, we determined that the masonry wall could remain and the openings could be created using concrete portals. These portals then became part of the design and a unique element reflective of the client’s and our aesthetic. It also turned out to be a more cost-effective approach, which made the client even happier. It was truly a win-win for everyone involved.

At Schimberg Group, we work closely with engineers

We hope this blog has provided you with a better understanding of the differences between engineers and architects and how we work with our engineering partners to find better, more cost-effective and sustainable solutions.

When thinking about your next project, be sure to hire an architect who has a similar appreciation for constructive relationships, and if you're ready to get started, why not benefit from our close collaboration with trusted engineers to ensure your building is safe, efficient, and long-lasting.

If you're interested in our architectural services for your commercial or non-profit project and would like to see how we can help you, please get in touch or to share your thoughts, email barron@theschim.com .

Photo by Daniel McCullough on Unsplash

A New Year...New Experiences

barron@theschimgroup.com (Barron Schimberg) — Tue, 08 Feb 2022 14:26:39 GMT

Trying something new can be motivating.

With every year that passes, there are new opportunities to grow, new things to learn, and new experiences to enjoy. We always enjoy the annual ritual of working on new projects, acquiring new skills (this year it’s REVIT), and challenging ourselves to try new things. These help us stay motivated, stimulated, and gives us a sense of accomplishment at the end of each year.

But ask anyone working at a gym in February, the reality is that many of us start the year with great intentions, but then we get busy, the work piles up, the routine sets in, and before you know it, those opportunities to grow, learn and create are overshadowed by other priorities. The pandemic has certainly created additional challenges, and over the past couple of years, for many, it’s been especially challenging to stay motivated, stimulated, or to feel any sense of forward movement, let alone accomplishment.

I recently had the opportunity to try something new, and it turned out that I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. So much so, that it has motivated me to pursue more of these opportunities.

An opportunity to share my knowledge & expertise .

Late last year, I was interviewed for the Non-Profit Digital Success Podcast , hosted by David Pisarek of Wow Digital, a Canadian-based digital marketing agency catering to nonprofits.

Having worked with several nonprofits over the years, I was very honored to be invited to appear on David’s show. The recording was just posted online, and you can listen to it on David's website here, or click the widget below..

The show aims to serve nonprofits with high-value information to help them be more successful. Each month, David interviews guests who have demonstrated experience and expertise working with nonprofits.

Trying a new experience.

I’ve never been on a podcast before, so this was definitely a new experience for me.

It was interesting to see what goes into the process of recording an episode, and to later compare the experience of creating it with the resulting end product.

Overall, I think David was a great host, and, from my perspective, the recording went very smoothly.

We started with some small talk to get to know each other, and David spent some time explaining how the recording would work.

The interview started with David introducing me to his listeners. It was clear he had done some research, enough so to be able to go into detail about my background, and explain why I was relevant to his audience.

We then got into the interview. David was well-prepared with a number of relevant questions, which were the focus of the recording session.

I don’t want to rehash what was covered in the interview—you can listen to the episode if you want to hear that. However, there were some interesting insights I learned from this experience.

Standing out from the crowd.

The first insight I gained from this experience, and probably something useful for anyone considering guesting on podcasts, is the importance of standing out from the crowd.

Many of David’s past guests focused on sharing branding or marketing advice. Knowing that I was the first architect to appear on his show gave me a sense of satisfaction, and possibly somewhat of an advantage.

I don’t know the full extent of David’s audience, but to have the opportunity to provide his audience with information and advice that is unique to what his previous guests covered will certainly help me stand out.

I think this is really powerful. Had I been one of many architects on his show, I would likely have simply blended in with the others. Instead, I’m able to stand out from the crowd, with a unique angle that had not been discussed on the show before.

I think this is a great strategy for entrepreneurs and business owners. Ask yourself where the opportunities to be seen as unique or different exist.

Giving something back.

In general, I believe that most business owners are interested in giving something back.

Whether it’s through philanthropy, volunteerism, mentoring, or other opportunities, there seems to be an innate desire among entrepreneurs to pay it forward.

Until recently, I did not see podcasting as a way of paying it forward, but I do now.

Ask yourself, what’s your greatest resource as a business owner?

Most likely, it’s you—your experience, your expertise, and your talents.

The experience of recording the podcast with David brought me to an important realization. It confirmed for me that my team and I have a lot of valuable experience and expertise to share with others who are considering expanding their operations. Whether they are nonprofit or for profit businesses, we have a lot of knowledge to share.

I’ve come to see podcasting as a great way to share my insights and pay it forward to others.

Gauging the opportunity.

The other thing I learned from this experience is that podcasting has the potential to be a great way to showcase yourself and your personality. People don’t buy from businesses, they buy from other people at those businesses, and the more you can put yourself out there and allow people to see (and, in this case, hear) the real you, the more opportunities you’ll have.

To be clear, the expectation is not to secure numerous new opportunities as a result of this interview. However, as an architect, one project, if it’s the right project, can make all the difference.

It could happen tomorrow, it could happen a year from now, but all it takes is for one person to hear my interview, like what I have to say, and contact me about a project, and that one interview could result in significant opportunities for our firm.

The year to come.

Looking back on this new experience, it’s both amazing and obvious that podcasting can be a powerful form of communication.

For all the reasons I mentioned, that you can stand out from the crowd, that you can give something back, and that there is great opportunity in this medium, it’s clear that there is a ton of potential in podcasting.

So, in the year to come, I’ll be looking for more opportunities to appear on podcasts. Who knows, I may even start my own.

What do you know about podcasting?

I hope this article has given you some insights about podcasting. If you have a podcast, or you are an experienced podcast guest, I invite you to reach out with any of your own insights or recommendations. If there is a podcast you think I would be a good fit for, please let me know.

We’d love to hear your thoughts and welcome any comments or questions you might have about podcasting. And if you listened to my episode on the Non-Profit Digital Success Podcast , please feel free to share your thoughts.

To share your comments, email barron@theschim.com. Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insight, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

An interview with Dr. Sidney Turner of Resilient Retreat

barron@theschimgroup.com (Barron Schimberg) — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 18:41:42 GMT

What it's like to work with Schimberg Group, from a client's perspective.

At Schimberg Group, one of our specialities is architecture for non-profit organizations in Florida and beyond. We've helped many non-profit organizations design facilities that create a positive, lasting impact in their local communities.

Dr. Sidney Turner is a trauma psychologist, a researcher, and she is the founder of Resilient Retreat. Barron Schimberg recently sat down with her to talk about her motivations, hopes and vision for the project, as well as her experiences working with Schimberg Group.

Listen in to:

Discover the story behind Dr. Turner’s mission to help trauma and abuse victims and front-line workers heal, recover, and rebuild
Learn how Dr. Turner left her academic position to bring life-changing therapy to those in need
Explore Dr. Turner’s vision of creating a central hub for trauma recovery, to serve the United States, right here in Sarasota
Learn how a generous donor made this non-profit’s dreams come true with a gorgeous 84-acre piece of land
Hear how the Resilient Retreat team interviewed and assessed potential architect partners to find the right team to bring their vision to life
Get important insights about how to assemble the right team of architects, interior designers and contractors to work with your board of directors, staff and committees
Hear Dr. Turner’s tips for other non-profit organizations

Click play below to hear the entire interview.

Restaurant design: It all starts with the menu

barron@theschimgroup.com (Barron Schimberg) — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 17:19:20 GMT

For us, designing restaurants is like solving puzzles. From the flow of movement between tables to the functional layout of the kitchen, every component needs to fit together - sometimes within the limitations of an existing structure.

The challenge intrigues us, especially within the realm of restaurant design, because unlike other commercial projects, restaurants are personal. The owner or chef has their own vision of how their design should complement their menu and the unique dining experience they wish to create - adding an extra dimension to the challenge.

Today, we will discuss why we begin every restaurant project with the menu and why working with a food service consultant is essential to your success. So, if you’re a restaurateur in the midst of planning your new venture and want to avoid some common mistakes, please keep reading.

Why begin with the menu?

There’s a common misconception that the design of a restaurant doesn’t matter, as long as the food is excellent. However, good restaurant design is what ultimately leads to more return customers - because not only did they enjoy the food, but they also loved the atmosphere, hopefully the service, and the well-thought-out design.

A menu has value when it comes to restaurant design. It dictates everything from the equipment required in the kitchen to the layout of the dining spaces to the type of clientele desired and ultimately, the interior design and aesthetic.

For example, if your menu has a luxurious, evening offering, that might lend itself to romantic, dimmed lighting with intimate spaces, an elegant front of house, and high-end interior finishes. Whereas for a casual brunch menu, we might look at maximizing natural daylight, expanding outdoor dining spaces, and increasing seating areas for walk-ins.

However, it’s not just the look and feel of the restaurant dining areas the menu impacts. Depending on the food and how it’s cooked, every kitchen will need different equipment and a custom layout that maximizes efficiency.

That’s why at our firm, we closely collaborate with food service consultants (along with engineers, construction managers, and interior designers) from the very beginning to ensure the layout and equipment choices are conducive to a well-functioning design.

Restaurant design mistakes to avoid

At Schimberg Group, we partner with numerous food service consultants. One of our favorite food service consultants is Marisa Mangani of TBCI design . For today’s blog, we wanted to get her perspective on some common mistakes restaurateurs make, her process, and how her important work benefits our clients. First, let’s go over some common design pitfalls.

According to Marisa, there are some common mistakes she sees time and time again when it comes to chefs planning their kitchen/bar design:

They’ll search for equipment on the internet, price it up themselves, then hand over the equipment details to their contractor - thinking they’ll have enough information to lay out their kitchen based on the specs alone.
Some chefs or restaurant owners will attempt to save money by doing the legwork themselves. Unfortunately, they’ll likely wind up paying for costly mistakes and deal with damaging construction delays.
Sometimes the client will draw a rough sketch of their kitchen layout, basing it on a kitchen they’ve worked in before - not on how to make the best use of their new space.
They underestimate the importance of the mechanical requirements for hoods and the complicated permits involved with their equipment needs.
The above factors tend to lead to an unrealistic budget. Without a detailed and planned set of drawings, the full scope of costs is lost beyond just the equipment.
Some chefs fall victim to equipment dealers who promise to design their layout for free and end up with a poor design that doesn’t meet their needs. Many of these dealers don’t have the expertise to layout their kitchen; they’re only concerned with selling their equipment.

Why should architects work with a food service consultant?

Unique expertise: Food service consultants offer a higher level of specification to restaurant designs. They understand the relationship between taking orders, actually cooking the food, storing ingredients, what equipment is needed, and how meals leave the kitchen.

Cost-effective: In Marisa’s view, you get what you pay for. Either smartly pay on the front end to design a kitchen properly or pay more than necessary on the back end for costly mistakes. Insufficient storage, stressed staff due to the kitchen being too hot, or extended tasks due to poor layout are all potential issues resulting in higher costs.

Compliant and efficient: Food service consultants know how to prepare a highly functional kitchen and bar layout. They complete a set of documents that will be easy to bid and build from - all meeting necessary codes and health approvals.

Reduces the risk of oversights: Working with architects and engineers early on means there’s less risk of discrepancies between the equipment placement and the architectural design. For example, food service consultants can alert the design team to specific layouts needed - like an extra high ceiling in a particular area to account for a tall ice machine.

Marisa's process for successful restaurant design

1. Ask the right questions

First, Marisa asks the chef a series of questions to pull out the information she needs to influence equipment specifications, storage solutions, and the kitchen layout. This in-depth understanding of the operation helps her collaborate with our architects and engineers to plan the space effectively. She asks questions like:

What is on the menu?
How many seats are there?
What are your hours of operation?
Do you plan to have a liquor license?
What components do you prepare from scratch?
Are there any pre-made products you use?
How many staff will you have working per shift?
What’s your vision for the restaurant?
What makes your menu special?

2. Create the initial schematic design

Next, she goes back and forth between our client and our team to see what can be accomplished within the architectural and structural limitations of the space to create the initial schematic design.

3. Decide on equipment specifics

Once the client approves the flow and it makes sense from an operational perspective, we get into the specifics of the equipment selection. Working with a pre-agreed budget, she helps the client plan where every appliance, utensil, cleaning product, and ingredient will go.

4. Design the mechanical drawings

Once Marisa helps select the equipment and everyone’s happy with the initial schematic design, she works with our architects and engineers to size the utilities coming into the building and helps plan the locations of floor sinks, drains, gas, and electrical components.

5. Get approvals and permits

Marisa takes care of the tedious process of getting health department approval and securing permits with detailed scopes. She also helps prepare bidding documents at the request of the client.

6. Oversee the construction process

Working with our internal team, Marisa can provide assistance during the construction process and walks through the final design to ensure the contractors have installed the appliances accurately. She makes sure everything is sealed correctly and level, and the finished result meets the necessary requirements.

How will your menu impact your design?

We hope you’ve gained a better understanding of what makes restaurant projects successful and our approach here at Schimberg Group. If you’re currently dreaming of opening your own restaurant and want a design partner that thinks of everything, we can help.

We take great pride in our commitment to our clients. We don’t want to just be any architect. We want to be your architect. If you’d like to discuss your upcoming project, please get in touch with our team.

If you’re feeling inspired by today’s blog, we’d love to hear your thoughts and welcome any questions you might have about our approach to restaurant design.

To share your comments, email barron@theschim.com . Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insight, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

Photo by Amanda Vick on Unsplash

Resilient Retreat Construction Journal

Fri, 01 Oct 2021 13:41:45 GMT

At the end of 2020, Resilient Retreat, our latest project, broke ground. This 30-bed facility will provide survivors of abuse, first responders and others free and confidential evidence-based treatment modalities, such as equine therapy, yoga, art and music therapy, experiences in nature, and more.

The 84-acre campus, designed by Schimberg Group Architects and PS Interior Design Studio and built by Tandem Construction, will include guest quarters, administrative offices, a “great room” with a commercial kitchen, and “The Barn,” a 5,000 square foot community event center, with exercise studios, therapy rooms and a residential unit for on-site maintenance.

Utilizing the Danish concept of “hygge,” Resilient Retreat will serve the needs of our community by providing a comfortable and warm environment for victims of trauma and abuse during their recovery.

Please continue to check this page every two weeks to watch the evolution of construction and design as we build this unique project.

January 6, 2022

There is something beautiful about the moment that trusses are installed on buildings. The Community Center Barn building at Resilient Retreat has recently received the trusses and the shadows and patterns and plays of light and wood are always mesmerizing.

December 21, 2021

We’re expanding …

As the project continues, we are now starting to see the other components of the campus come to life. Interior cabinetry and the community center represent the pieces of the puzzle that show this is more than just a few buildings on 85 acres of conservation land.

November 26, 2021

We are now seeing the relationship of the different materials start to complement each other and reflect the owner’s request to create an Old Florida-style environment but in a modern-day aesthetic.

October 21, 2021

Two things are now happening simultaneously. We've begun construction on the new Community Center. By reusing the existing slab, we were able to save on time and money. The second event is that the natural materials, reflective of the design and the environment, are being installed. As the owner keeps saying, "It is really starting to come to together."

September 28, 2021

We had the chance to visit the site and practice our drone video skills. In these shots and the accompanying video, you can see the main buildings coming along nicely, as well as the nearby pond and rest of the campus.

September 1, 2021

As we are closing in on the final months of construction for the main building, we are starting to see the architectural details really shine and express themselves. We selected an exterior paint color today and along with the natural colors of the raw materials, the project’s connection to nature and its environment is expressed.

August 19, 2021

We’ve entered into two new phases of the project. The old metal building is being demolished to make way for a new community center for the campus. Also, we have begun approving interior and exterior paint colors with the concrete porch slabs being poured. Now the real fun begins …

July 13, 2021

This post is focused on the roof. As you can see, the metal galvalume roof is being installed. The flashing details create interesting shapes and the key to this roof is the edge detail as it turns down the wall, creating a fluid transition between roof, wall and ultimately, the canopy below.

June 23, 2021

We're now starting to see the interior take shape. Framing, insulation, drywall and even plumbing fixtures. It only continues to get better from this point on through construction.

May 15, 2021

An architect colleague of mine has a tagline, "It's all in the details." As this project gets further along in the process, the details start to emerge and the attention to those details begin to present themselves.

April 27, 2021

The Porte-cochère takes form.

There is something amazing that happens when unique elements on a project start to take shape. The entire concept and design approach also starts to make sense. One starts to understand the relationships between elements, proportions and materials. Seeing the steel I beam, knowing it will be mixed with the wood beams and metal roofing, is exhilarating.

April 14, 2021

It's starting to take shape.

As we start to see the buildings get closed in and architectural elements constructed, the project begins to speak to the design and gives people an idea of both the architecture and the unique spaces created by the design.

April 1, 2021

Trusses are flying and the buildings are now really going to start to take shape. It is amazing how wobbly the prefab trusses are before they get into place. Always fun to watch.

March 18, 2021

As the walls continue to rise, the buildings are starting to clearly take form. We are starting to have discussions about the interiors and soon we will see trusses and the roof take shape.

March 3, 2021

Masonry is going up. At this point in the project, scale and proportion begin to take shape and visitors start to say things like, "It's so much space!" or "Wow, look at the view from right here..." Tandem Construction is moving along at a great pace and the project is continuing to be as interesting and satisfying as it was on day one.

February 19, 2021

The most anxious moment for me in any point of new construction is right before the slab is poured. We're there! Pipes are run, conduits are placed, vapor barrier is down, and the next images should show a sea of concrete. It's fun to watch.

February 4, 2021

We’re moving along at Resilient Retreat. As you can see in the photos, the building footprints are starting to take shape, utilities are beginning to be run and grading is almost ready for slabs coming soon. The exposed concrete walls are beautiful.

January 20, 2021

A beautiful day for an update on the construction progress. The decorative concrete walls were poured and dirt is beginning to be graded for the future slab. More to come next week …

January 8, 2021

Designing To A Budget For Non-Profits: Our Approach

barron@theschimgroup.com (Barron Schimberg) — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 16:17:29 GMT

If you’re planning a development project for your non-profit organization, designing to a budget is vital. Working with an architecture firm like Schimberg Group not only helps you develop a cohesive design that reflects your organization’s mission, we also have a unique approach when it comes to staying within budget.

In today’s blog, you’ll find out how we keep non-profit designs within 5% of the final construction costs, how our approach differs from other architecture firms, and the many ways you benefit from our innovative methods.

The traditional approach

In most cases, architecture firms will meet with you to talk through your vision, timelines, material preferences, and budgets.
They then draw up the designs in-house, often without direct input from external contractors.
The architects may have a good idea of costs or they may call external contractors for quotes. This allows them to provide an idea of costs and then finalize the drawings.
Typically, the architecture firm then submits their final drawings to the contractors involved in your project at the construction phase.
The contractors review the designs and give their final quotes for labor and materials. These quotes can end up far more expensive than any estimates provided during the design phase.

Our approach at Schimberg

Designing to a budget for non-profits is second nature to us as we’ve been focusing on this sector for many years. We’ve helped numerous non-profit organizations navigate the pricing of their project from permitting through construction by collaborating with contractors from the very beginning.

We meet with you to discuss your vision, organization’s purpose, budgets, timelines, and functional needs.
We assess any contractors, vendors, and/or subcontractors you’ve already chosen to work on your project and any additional parties you need help sourcing.
We contact everyone involved in your project to work collaboratively with our team from the very beginning.
We create the designs working closely with the contractors, engineers, consultants subcontractors, and material suppliers to inform our drawings.
They’re able to ask questions and make suggestions to ensure your design stays within a given and understood budget.
They give us pricing estimates in our schematic design phase, usually within 10-20% of the final costs.
We make adjustments in the next round of design based on these projections, ensuring you fully understand where your budget is going.
Then we move on to the development design phase, which aims to achieve more accurate pricing estimations. These usually lie within 5-10% of the final cost.
Based on these more accurate quotes, we can make any final adjustments necessary before moving to the construction phase.

The benefits of our collaborative approach

It embraces collaboration and leaves out the egos

At the heart of your non-profit design lies a distinctive passion and mission that shapes the entire process.

You construct your project to serve a meaningful purpose, and that’s what we love about it. Every cent counts in helping you achieve your goals with the community, and our approach fully respects that.

Unlike some architecture firms, you won’t find big egos at Schimberg Group. We design to your budget, not only to our aesthetic desires, and do everything in our power to ensure that your final costs are as close as possible to what was originally quoted.

It prioritizes transparent, accurate pricing

With the traditional approach, contractors often cannot provide an accurate estimate, and the entire project totals can end up costing a lot more than expected.

If the final quote is way over the original estimate, non-profits can’t always stretch their budget to accommodate the discrepancy. So they often have to make changes to the design that can impact some of the key features they had their heart set on.

By collaborating with contractors directly in the beginning, we can explain to them the intricacies of our design early on in design stages.

Since they’ll have a more holistic understanding of the design and how everything interconnects, they’ll be able to accurately price their services rather than give a number based on guesswork.

It streamlines communication for a smooth execution

We make an effort to bring together everyone involved in your project’s engineering and construction from an early stage.

This collaboration opens lines of communication that traditionally stay closed off between architects and contractors.

There’s less time wasted relaying information and less risk of errors due to miscommunication because everyone is fully informed.

It creates more wiggle room for adjustments

In our schematic design phase, we closely collaborate with contractors to develop an estimate that usually lies within 10-20% plus or minus of the final cost.

Then we enter into the second phase of design development, where we break everything down into more detail, including engineering and consultant’s input. These drawings end up around 5-10% plus or minus of the final costs.

At this stage, we might realize that certain elements will cost more than we initially thought. Where other architecture firms can run into trouble with this because they’re already too deep into their design, we have the opportunity to make changes before it’s too late.

It creates a design based on forethought

Buildings designed with input from everyone involved in the construction process inherently leads to a more cohesive design.

Since you’re combining many talents, skills, and knowledge of people from different disciplines, the design makes sense for every party.

Everyone works together to ensure all the puzzle pieces fit together perfectly, rather than forcing them to work later on in the process.

Our approach in action

We recently worked with a non-profit organization that helps the community-at-large with parenting classes, mental health support, and preschool services.

During the schematic design phase, we determined with the contractor, an estimated budget based on the client’s direction. After finalizing the costs of our second set of design development drawings, however, the quote exceeded the original budget extensively.

Since we hadn’t changed the design drastically from the first set of drawings, we explained that the increase was mainly due to labor and material costs alone.

Though the current cost estimate was more than the organization wanted to spend, this latest set of drawings, based on a coordinated effort between all engineers, consultants and contractors, gave them comfort knowing how to make informed decisions about what needed adjustment.

We could then look at other ways to maintain the design intent and aesthetic while lowering the cost as directed and necessary.

Final thoughts

Our recent project with this non-profit demonstrated why we bring contractors on at the beginning. It gives the client and us a better understanding of costs before moving to a more committed phase like construction and ultimately helps us stay on budget.

We avoid compromises in the design by shaping the project by the cost restrictions instead of going with a design first, budget later attitude. Our approach ensures our non-profit projects go into construction with no costly surprises waiting to occur.

As architects, it’s our responsibility to use budget constraints as a challenge rather than a roadblock. Our work with non-profit organizations exemplifies our commitment to staying within budget while delivering a design that meets their every need and represents the design quality Schimberg Group is proud to provide.

Our work at Schimberg Group aims to help non-profit organizations increase their impact in local communities with cost-effective designs that help them expand their services.

If you’re involved in a non-profit seeking to renovate your property or acquire a new one, we can help you choose the perfect location and create a master plan to present to your donors and external stakeholders.

Get in touch today to get started to talk to our architects about your vision.

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insight, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

Photo by Ray Reyes on Unsplash

What An Internship Looks Like At Schimberg Group

barron@theschimgroup.com (Barron Schimberg) — Sat, 25 Sep 2021 15:13:54 GMT

At Schimberg Group, we are passionate about enabling future architects to enhance their skills through our coveted internship programs. We asked one of our recent interns, Daniela Abreu De Cabo, about her internship experience at Schimberg Group to help other prospective interns know what to expect.

Going after my dream role

During my senior year of high school at Sarasota Military Academy, I decided to get some real-world experience and take my first steps into a career at an architecture firm. While researching positions, I was introduced to Schimberg Group and immediately knew this was the right internship for me.

I researched Schimberg Group’s portfolio and decided I wanted to be a part of the firm. After some initial meetings and exposure to the office, I was welcomed onto the team with open arms.

The early days

The initial internship was for the summer of 2021, so I was ready to soak up as much as possible in this short amount of time. On my very first day, I already felt like a core part of the team. Everyone at Schimberg Group was so welcoming and friendly that they immediately soothed my first-day jitters.

My first days involved visiting a project’s site, building a design model, and learning about their SketchUp, AutoCAD, and InDesign software. During the site visit, I watched the construction workers install the project’s roof - seeing the blueprints come to life before my own eyes was amazing!

A few months later, I revisited the site to see their progress, and as the team taught me about the spaces taking form, I could envision exactly how people would eventually use the new building. I also learned a lot about materials and interior design during this visit. It was truly an incredible experience. - I even got to sign my name on the wall as a memento.

What I learned

My first project was a sketch-up model I built from scratch based on the team’s plans. Through this process, I began to understand how much precision and patience it takes to cover intricate details. After I created the existing building on the computer, we used it for experimenting with colors and materials from a design standpoint. The team was super supportive of my first model and always on hand to help me improve it.

Next, I built my first architectural model and got to choose what materials I wanted to work with. The team brought me to local art stores to source supplies and taught me about material differences and how these materials influence the model’s aesthetics. The team really valued my input with this project, making the learning process super rewarding and exciting.

While cutting the materials, the team showed me how to represent the design using different techniques, and I learned how much the tiny details impacted the final output. I got to experiment with materials like bass & balsa wood, silicone sheets, wire, paper, and cardboard to create the model.

I enjoyed overcoming the challenges of this model, such as making a tree out of copper wire. I also learned how to simulate a rock wall using mesh and represent contours by building layers of cardboard. Looking back, creating the site was probably one of the most complicated parts of building the model, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

I also had the opportunity to use AutoCAD and InDesign for the first time and learned how to create a room using this software, a skill I’m now confident enough to use in my next role.

Though it took a lot of trial and error, we achieved the perfect model design in the end.

Final thoughts

Other than the work and experience, I always felt welcomed at the office and could express myself. My opinions mattered to the team, and I always felt comfortable asking questions. I made amazing friends and have learned techniques I’ll never forget.

Schimberg Group always showed interest in my future and how this opportunity could shape my academic career. Overall, working with them has reassured me of my career choice and has given me unforgettable memories and experiences of which I am very proud.

Become an intern at Schimberg Group

Each summer, Schimberg Group accepts summer interns who express an interest in future studies in the field of architecture. Our program is flexible and works with the intern’s schedule, both in and out of school. We encourage interns to be available as many hours a week as they feel comfortable, in order to benefit the most from this opportunity. Payment ranges on an hourly basis from $0 to $10, depending on the time committed and purpose of the internship. We provide all necessary tools, though personal computers sometimes help for outside of the office.

To apply for our internship program, please forward your resume and letter of interest to info@theschim.com .

How Our Collaboration With Contractors Benefits You

barron@theschimgroup.com (Barron Schimberg) — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 15:20:12 GMT

If you’ve worked with an architectural firm before, you’ll know there are hundreds of moving parts in any design project.

Managing those moving parts is one thing. Applying costs to each element in order to stay within your budget is an entirely different challenge.

Often, architects create your design independently and without contractor input. At Schimberg Group, we take a different approach.

We work with contractors, vendors, and subcontractors early in the design process to ensure we keep your budget to the forefront of the design.

In today’s blog, you’ll find out how you can benefit from collaboration with contractors, the advantages of our unique process, and how it differs from other architecture firms in the industry.

How traditional architectural firms work

Many architectural firms do not work directly with contractors and other suppliers or vendors during the initial design phase of your project.

Often, they’ll create the set of design documents in their office and submit them to the contractor and/or other parties only after the design is completed.

Creating designs without collaborating with the construction team means the contractor’s lack of involvement in the design process delays them from providing pricing estimates until the drawings are complete.

As a result, this approach often leads to unanticipated pricing surprises later in the project development. It may also contribute to some of the negative experiences that owners have shared with us about their experiences working with other architects.

Any lack of communication or understanding of scope during the design phase of a project can result in significant discrepancies between the estimated and final costs. There are simply too many variables that can affect construction costs, including time, labor, materials, and market fluctuations, such as those seen recently as a result of the pandemic.

How architects working with contractors more closely benefits clients

For Schimberg Group, we ignore traditional design processes in favor of actively seeking the involvement of contractors, subcontractors, and vendors for every project. We believe that the earlier we can bring the entire team together to inform our designs, the better. Here are some of the advantages of our approach:

• Reduction in unwanted surprises

One of the most significant advantages of joining forces with your contractors is creating your design with forethought. With the architect and contractor working together, costs can be considered early in the process, and this creates fewer surprises. And when surprises do occur, it is much easier to work together to overcome them.

• It gives you peace of mind

You want to know everyone is on the same page when it comes to your project. That means your architect, engineers, contractors, and other suppliers are all communicating effectively.

We ensure that no crucial details get lost in translation, and you have confidence that every element of your design is carefully considered for your budget.

The positive working relationships we develop with these contractors ultimately benefit you as it streamlines the entire process and reduces miscommunication.

• It creates a well-rounded design

By welcoming contractors’ opinions and working together, our design is coordinated from every angle, rather than from a design perspective alone.

When we collaborate with your contractors, it means we’re combining multiple talents, experience, and skills to create a more holistic final result.

• It gives us more flexibility

When it comes to the next phases in our design, such as construction documentation, we can make modifications to the design based on provided pricing estimates rather than guesswork. We take what we learn in our meetings with your contractors and apply those lessons accordingly and appropriately.

• It generates a more accurate quote

We have a good sense of material and contractors’ costs from our own experiences. However, it requires communication from day one with others on your team to give a precise estimate.

We explain every design component in our meetings, so your contractors understand precisely what’s involved.

• It helps us stay within budget

We’re proud that our approach means that the final cost of the majority of our projects lie within 10% of the original quote. We see budget management as vital for our work and our reputation. No one can afford to waste time and money because of unnecessary and avoidable surprises.

Our process

Though we develop the design, concept, and aesthetic to figure out how we want the building to look and feel, it’s important that all elements work together.

That’s why we welcome all stakeholders involved in your project to attend collaborative meetings with our team.

These meetings are highly structured to ensure that all of our bases are covered and questions are answered. Typically, we’ll go through every aspect of the design and its relation to each contractor or vendor.

Our meeting agenda might include a discussion on the sitework, followed by structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components. Lighting, materials, flooring, glazing and doors are often included.

When you incorporate all of those thoughts, opinions, knowledge, and experience, the end result is a holistic, synergistic design that simply works better than not having them on board.

You can’t design a building without considering how it will be built, what materials will be chosen, and how much everything will cost. That’s why our approach reaches outside the confines of our office and embraces the involvement of others.

Don't just take our word for it.

We asked Brian Leaver at Tandem Construction , one of our key collaborators over the past several years, for his insights on the importance of collaborating early in the project process.

“We believe that being brought on early in the process is absolutely the right decision. We get to understand the project much better than if we were to price it from a set of documents. The collaborative approach that Schimberg Group uses avoids unwelcome surprises for the client.

Our industry is so crazy with cost increases, as well as material shortages, right now. Our construction team being onboard early allows the architect and the client to know that what they're buying is the right choice, and is relevant in the marketplace today. With the full team approach, as opposed to an owner sitting in one spot, an architect sitting in another, and the contractor sitting in another, we're all pulling together, working for the project's best interests.”

Why does our approach work?

Our unique approach means you’ll have accurate pricing and realistic expectations at all stages of your project.

You won’t have to worry about relaying information between different contractors. We advocate on your behalf for your vision and your budget.

With every project, we embrace open communication, collaboration and implement an effective cost management system.

We see budget constraints as a welcome challenge, not a limitation and our collaboration with contractors helps us solve those unique and interesting challenges.

We take great pride in our commitment to our clients. We don't want to just be any architect. We want to be your architect.

If you'd like to discuss an upcoming project, give us a call at (941) 894-6888, or to share your thoughts, email barron@theschim.com .

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insights, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

– Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

Photo by Billy Freeman on Unsplash

Our clients are benefiting from a major upgrade in our architectural services – introducing … REVIT

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 15:45:55 GMT

At Schimberg Group, we’re fueled by innovation. To deliver the best possible outcome for our clients, we’re constantly searching for new ways to drive efficiency and improve our architectural services.

Recently, we’ve made a major upgrade in how we produce designs and manage projects by integrating a new technology into our process.

This technology is the state-of-the-art Building Information Management (BIM) software system called REVIT, which integrates architectural, structural, and MEP designs into one 3D model.

Keep reading to learn more about REVIT’s amazing features, how it’s changing our architectural services, and how our clients will benefit from this major upgrade.

Our team is extremely excited about this new addition to our office and this blog post will show you why and … why our clients should be excited too.

“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” -- Steve Jobs

Why upgrade to REVIT?

Up until now, we have been using AutoCAD to create drawings and construction documents. Though AutoCAD served us extremely well up until this point, we knew REVIT would give us the freedom, accuracy, and coordination to take us to the next level.

In a very short time, REVIT is doing just that, and much more. We’ve now successfully integrated this highly-advanced software into our architecture firm, and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned so far.

Keep on reading to learn how our team is utilizing REVIT’s key features and the benefits those features are bringing to our clients.

Interactive 3D visualization

A key feature of REVIT is that it allows us to create 3D designs on a macro and micro level. Up until now, our office, having worked in AutoCAD, had a limited set of design and drafting tools in comparison to BIM software.

Now, we are able to design complete 360-degree models illustrating everything from high-level building structure to miniscule details like door frames.

The key benefits: 3D models give us an incredibly clear view of each design and helps us pinpoint any changes we need to make.

It also gives our clients much more detail and information, helping them envision and understand the end result, making it easier to gather feedback and move forward.

Automated reworks

With any design process, inevitably, there are going to be changes and revisions. Move a wall here, elevate the ceiling there.

Prior to REVIT, with every small change, we’d have to revise a number of design documents, for example floor plans, reflected ceiling plans, sections and more.

As you can imagine, this was a time-consuming process, but now, with REVIT, these adjustments are instantaneous.

When a change is made to one element, REVIT will intelligently update the design model for that revision.

The key benefits: REVIT mitigates the need for reworking multiple designs, saving us countless hours in editing and revisions. This gives us more time to focus on design.

With REVIT, we’re able to see new additions and adjustments to the final design prototype much faster than our old system.

Endless design possibilities

REVIT is far more sophisticated when it comes to the level of detail we can include in our designs.

We can easily communicate things like curved, sloped, or spherical elements, accurate shadows, and even furniture and equipment.

The key benefits: For us, this means we can demonstrate the nuances of our vision accurately and create a more cohesive design.

Considering the software is extremely accurate, we are able to identify possible issues before they happen and know that our design is 100% coordinated.

For our clients, it ensures faster turnaround, a precise depiction of our vision for their project, and peace of mind knowing exactly what they’re getting.

Intelligent calculations

Our old software could not identify elements like windows, doors, lighting fixtures etc. If we wanted to calculate how many doors were in the entire building, we had to manually count them.

With REVIT, we can include not only sizing and visual information for things like doors, flooring, windows, etc. but also cost and source factors too. This is a real game changer for us and for clients.

The key benefits: REVIT gives us the ability to truly understand the holistic nature of the building, connecting the dots from architecture to interiors to mechanical, electrical and plumbing to the structure. We save precious time and enables us to work with the contractor for earlier and more complete cost estimating.

This empowers clients and gives them confidence to make better, more informed decisions.

Communication across teams

Collaboration across our internal team, consultants, engineers, and construction teams is streamlined into one central hub. Everyone is given assigned tasks and has detailed insight into the project.

Rather than sending an email or organizing a call to discuss changes, everyone can see the design progress and updates in real time.

The key benefits: This reduces the need for some meetings or emails to review changes and how they affect each party. Instead, everyone is on the same page throughout the design process.

For our clients, they can be assured that there will be minimal coordination errors seamlessly communicated across all team members.

Built-in sustainability projections

Measuring the impact of new builds on the environment is a crucial part of our design process. Previously, we had to use various software and sometimes consultants, to gather this data and get a clear picture of environmental impact.

REVIT gives us the opportunity to evaluate the energy consumption and energy efficiency of your build with integrated sustainability analytics software.

The key benefits: For clients concerned about their carbon footprint or the construction and maintenance costs of their project, REVIT can help better understand environmental impact.

We can help them increase the sustainability of their project with data-driven recommendations and long-term energy conservation plans.

Unlimited ability to create building sections

Building sections are how we show space within our designs. Imagine slicing through our 3D model horizontally or vertically. What you’ll see is a “section.” The point is to show you different views of the project to help you imagine the layout, flow, and relationships between different elements of the design.

Our traditional methods had limitations when it came to creating sections. REVIT allows us to create virtually any section we want from anywhere in the building.

The key benefits: Creating sections allows us to see the relationships between different spaces, including proportion, scale and circulation. For example, if we want to see how one floor connects to another, creating a vertical section will give us the view we need.

Post-build performance

With REVIT, sustainability, energy efficiency, maintenance costs, and much more can all be monitored well after construction is completed.

The key benefits: This gives us the opportunity to monitor the performance of a building. Since our 3D model will have extremely detailed information about the project, if a client wants to make a change in the future, we’ll be able to better understand how that change will impact the original design.

As an example, imagine that it’s costing too much to maintain the flooring in a completed building. With REVIT, we can easily see how many square feet would need to be replaced, estimate the cost, and recalculate the sustainability rating.

REVIT is revolutionizing architectural services at Schimberg Group

As we and our clients are discovering, REVIT is driving efficiencies across the entire design, construction, and post-build lifecycle. Every detail is in our control and can be manipulated for a holistic, well-rounded design.

Our team is already feeling empowered with this new software and that’s impacting our clients and projects as well. Our creativity is no longer confined by software limitations. Our ability to conceptualize and craft a more detailed model helps us provide better service and is making our projects more successful.

We can’t wait to share this journey with new clients and show how REVIT enhances every aspect of their project.

We take deep pride in our commitment to our clients. We don't want to just be any architect, we want to be YOUR architect. Learn more about our unique approach to architecture services .

If you'd like to discuss an upcoming project or learn more about our new REVIT software, give us a call at (941) 894-6888, or to share your thoughts, email info@theschim.com .

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insights, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

– Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

Is it worth hiring an architect for your new residence?

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 15:54:00 GMT

The decision of whether to hire an architect can be a difficult one.

You are probably thinking:

“I don’t need an architect. Architects are too expensive and I personally love design. I know a builder that says he can handle it, he has a draftsman that he uses and it’s all included in his price.”

How do you know if it is worth hiring an architect?

The answer to this question will depend on what your needs are and what your budget allows.

In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of hiring an architect to design your personal residence and when that choice is most appropriate.

When to hire an architect

If you are in need of an architectural design and want to make sure your house is designed reflective of your personal desires, then hiring an architect will be worth your time and money. You’ll get exactly what you want.

Licensed architects follow their own specific design process. The design phase of a project addresses the owner’s style preferences, current building codes, and ultimately produce detailed drawings and floor plans to ensure builders know exactly what they are required to build.

If you have specific construction requirements due to geographic location or desire a specific aesthetic style, an architect is best suited and in some cases necessary.

A professional architect will also provide project management services - making sure that contractors stick to the architectural design agreed upon, delivering the project on time and keeping the budget in check.

As with all things, you get what you pay for.

Consider these three important factors:

1. Builders build. Architects design.

2. Architects have architecture degrees, laboriously sweating through years of schooling, resulting in a career in architecture.

3. Paying an architect upfront to design it correctly, usually outweighs the pain of ending up with a poor design or a building that costs much more to fix after the fact.

If there are specific construction and design requirements that cannot be met by the builder alone (e.g. if you’d like something site specific and beyond a builder’s standard comfort zone), an architect is essential.

Architects are well-versed in creating beautiful spaces that make the most of what is available in the local region, for each client's budget. When you hire an architectural firm that is knowledgeable about a specific area, they know what the building's users will need, want, and expect.

If you are not experienced in building and cannot judge or supervise the builders closely, an architect is key to keeping things on track during construction. Architect’s backgrounds include knowledge of construction methods and materials and are often able to anticipate problems before they become expensive issues.

If the budget for your project is small, you can avoid unexpected costs down the line. An architect can help create a master plan to design your scopes of work in phases over time.

In reality, the upfront cost of hiring an architect may end up being less expensive than other alternatives. Trying to save a poorly designed building can be incredibly expensive - far more than simply paying an architect's fees to get it right the first time.

If an architect's fees are intimidating, maybe take a different perspective. The value of our talent can far outweigh the cost of our fees. Starting from the design and visualization stages through construction, an architect can save you money by reducing change orders and representing you the owner, throughout the permitting and construction phases.

Let builders do what they are good at: building.

Let architects do what we are good at: designing.

So, is it worth hiring an architect?

If you answer yes to any of the following, then clearly, it is worth hiring an architect.

Do you want exactly what you want without compromise?
Do you want a site specific, sustainable design with a long-term life cycle approach?
Do you prefer a design that is true to the chosen aesthetic, proportion and scale?
Do you prefer a modern, contemporary or true to selected style design?
Do you need drawings that are completed by someone who will consider options for engineering challenges such as material capacities, wind loads, seismic capabilities or ADA compliance?
Do you prefer a level of quality, design and attention to detail that is above average?

Should you hire an architect or contractor first?

If you want your project to ultimately be a success, stay on budget, and be delivered on time, then it is best to hire an architect as early on in your project as possible.

By hiring an architect early in the process, there is a much higher potential for project cost savings.

The earlier you hire an architect, the more time available to make changes before construction starts and potentially decrease final costs. Once a project moves into the construction phase, even the smallest of additions or changes to architectural plans can dramatically change the cost of the build.

Now that you know if hiring a professional, registered architect is a good choice for you or not, the next step is figuring out how to sort through potential architects and choose the right architect for you .

We hope reading this blog has helped you understand the true value of hiring an architect to reduce your next project's long-term costs and see that the upfront expense is completely worth it in the long term.

We take deep pride in our commitment to our clients. We don't want to just be any architect, we want to be YOUR architect.

Learn more about our unique approach to architecture services . If you'd like to discuss an upcoming project, give us a call at (941) 894-6888, or to share your thoughts, email barron@theschim.com.

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insights, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

How owners/developers can avoid common pitfalls when working with architects

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 20:24:55 GMT

Over the past 17 years, we’ve spoken with a number of developers and owners about potential projects. It’s not uncommon for them to approach us after previous and sometimes “traumatic” experiences working with other architects.

We hear a lot of stories and unfortunate situations that include but are not limited to:

Limited or poor communication from the architect to the owner or other team members
Architects who “disappear” or “ghost” their clients after being hired on a project
Lack of attention to project details from architecture firms too busy attending to other priorities
Unnecessary frustration and cost overruns due to incomplete or poor quality construction documents
Negative impact to the client’s proforma and project schedule due to missed deadlines
Additional or unexpected fee requests from the architect
Architects who disrespect their clients’ budget by designing for their own personal fulfillment
Poor coordination and communication due to architects not involving interior designers

At Schimberg Group, we have long taken these concerns to heart. Our approach is about building solid relationships built on communication, transparency, trust, and reliability with our clients, and the entire project team.

To avoid these pitfalls, our team adheres to five core principles to guide us in our client interactions.

1. Communicate Constantly

Our internal systems and organizational tools are deliberately set up to ensure that all team players, including the client, contractor, the design team, and everyone involved are aware of the status of the project at all stages. Learn more...

2. Be Accessible

As the owner of the firm and the person initially hired, I am always accessible. How? By not overextending ourselves. We only take on as much work as we can effectively handle. We say no to projects or clearly set a reasonable timeline that fits into our workload. As the owner and lead architect, I do not suddenly disappear halfway through a project. A key advantage to this approach is that the entire team works collaboratively to ensure the project is a success from beginning to end. Learn more...

3. Build Relationships

Relationships are the cornerstone of any professional services firm, but especially for architects. Great client relationships are built on trust and a deep commitment to delivering results, by doing what we say we will do. Some architects cast a “proverbial net” in order to acquire as many projects as possible. Our focus is on quality, not quantity. By staying focused on our client’s needs and developing strong relationships with them, our projects have become more varied and interesting, while also more enriching and fulfilling for our clients and for our team. Learn more...

4. Focus on Quality

Drawings and construction documents, what we used to refer to as blueprints, are probably the most common deliverable that people associate with architects. It is imperative that these documents are of the highest quality and detailed properly. Complete documentation is the key to eliminating confusion, saving time, and reducing on-site cost overruns. Drawings, sketches, models, renderings, and 3D visualizations like virtual reality are also a key to communicating our ideas and helping the client understand how we will solve their problems. We use Revit, an integrated building modeling program that holistically and completely coordinates all aspects of the design and construction including architecture, interior design, structural, and all mechanical and electrical systems. Quality is at the core of our success as a firm. Learn more...

5. Save Time, Save Money

For our clients, design and construction scheduling can have a major impact on revenue. Tenants or businesses must be up and running to avoid losing time and money. At Schimberg Group, deadlines are created from the beginning of the project and issued to all team members, and updated throughout the project’s development. Our team is committed to helping our clients move quickly, efficiently, and effectively to complete their projects, so they can start generating revenues as soon as possible. Learn more...

By adhering to these five core values, Schimberg Group sets itself apart. Our commitment is to our clients, not our egos.

We approach every project with open communication, a collaborative spirit, and an effective and efficient cost management system. We want you to see us as an integral part of your own team. Of course, and without question, we look for ways to create the highest level of design, no matter what scale project or what type of client.

We take deep pride in our commitment to our clients. We don't want to just be any architect, we want to be YOUR architect.

If you'd like to discuss an upcoming project, give us a call on (941) 894-6888, or to share your thoughts, email barron@theschim.com .

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insights, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

Photo by younes farfra on Unsplash

Good design makes money and reduces building costs

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 13:40:19 GMT

There exists, without a doubt, a perceived notion that architecture services are expensive. Unfortunately, this deters many people from enlisting an architect’s help. They go it alone, and attempt to manage a number of vendors, contractors, and designers to knit their project together.

The reality is many clients end up losing money if they don’t retain an architect. Problems arise that could’ve been avoided, costs aren’t accounted for, and projects take longer than expected. This isn’t always the case, but something that’s very common in the industry.

Hiring an architect to design and manage your project thoughtfully will reduce overall costs, streamline the entire process, and increase profits. How? There are many ways in which good design makes money, and we’ll demonstrate those methods in this blog. Keep reading to learn more.

Substandard design drives costs

Unexpected delays.

Let’s face it; time is money. Building projects that encounter unexpected delays due to inadequate planning lose out on precious revenue while their business is shut. This is especially true for restaurants that rely heavily on clientele dining-in and a functioning kitchen to make money.

Not only do delays negatively impact your pocket, but they can also lead to personal stress and strained relationships between the client and the contractors. The quicker a project reaches its completion, the quicker a business can get back up and running and reel in profits.

Escalating costs.

Poorly coordinated projects often result in unforeseen issues that widen the scope and drastically increase costs. This usually happens due to a lack of foresight and inefficient planning on the part of one or more of the vendors or contractors.

At times, escalating costs can even result from stubborn architects who let their egos get in the way and might try to influence the client to move outside of their strict budget constraints. Without thorough planning and budgetary boundaries in place, sudden changes can drastically hike up costs, and come as a shock to the owner.

Issues post-build.

With so many plates spinning between interior designers, engineers, and contractors, without an architect to make sure plates don’t move too slowly or fall, construction defects can easily happen. There is a lot of moving parts in any new build, or renovation. It requires an experienced architect to keep everyone, and everything on-track and organized.

Even minor miscalculations and errors in the planning or building phase can have a snowball effect, leading to unforeseen repairs costing thousands or even millions of loss revenue if the business must close for reconstruction.

The benefits of good design

Collaborative efforts.

Though working with an architect will incur an upfront fee, the costs will inevitably pay for themselves in the long run.

At Schimberg Group, we quarterback a single collaborative team made up of trusted architects, interior designers, engineers, and contractors. This allows us to streamline every aspect of the build with a cohesive design, strict deadlines, efficient planning, and quicker execution.

With the key personnel working together in-house needed to fulfil each project, construction runs smoother and faster, so that businesses can open on time.

Seamless design.

By offering interior design in-house (a rarity for an architecture firm) our designers are involved at every stage of the process, ensuring design is consistent, logical, and practical.

This also ensures that the exterior and interior design flow together fluidly to meet the exact goals of the client. It also guarantees that the client has a clear view of furnishing, materials, and decor costs from the outset.

By employing the help of an architect with interior design capabilities, you’ll receive an intelligent, functional, and on-budget design that will appeal to your customers and boost profits.

Eliminates uncertainty.

When we are tasked with a new project, we go through extensive planning protocols to ensure that the client fully understands the project specifications, cost estimations, and scope. At Schimberg Group, we do not use hourly billing, as this can lead to escalating costs.

Instead, we determine the scope and agree upon the monthly fee upfront. We will never invoice outside the predetermined price unless the scope dramatically changes, in which case a new agreement will be drawn-up.

We understand that every project will require changes to some degree, but we don’t let this affect the agreed-upon price, meaning you won’t face unexpected fees.

Transparent pricing.

We require that contractors are fully involved in each project from the get-go. We work closely with them to define the scope and estimate costs accurately, giving the client complete transparency before moving forward.

With ‘PAAT’ (pricing as a team), our 3-phase cost estimating approach, we give our clients the clear information they need on expenditure from day one. Our packages are designed to respect our clients’ budget limits, and protect them from pricey surprises.

Phase 1: Schematic design package.

In the first phase, we outline the complete project execution costs along with estimated pricing for design plans, preliminary specifications, consultations with our engineers, and at least one meeting with subcontractors and vendors. Our estimate typically lies within 10% of the actual total costs.

Phase 2: Design development package.

The next phase includes additional architectural information, interior design plans and documents, furniture, fixings, equipment costs, engineering design, and a second meeting with subcontractors and vendors. This package estimate lies within 3-5% of the final expenses.

Phase 3: Construction documentation.

The final phase includes the cost based on our detailed bid documents. These documents are created to clearly state the goals, scope and expected outcomes of anything related to pricing, permitting and construction.

Revenue outweighs fees.

We manage every aspect of your project. This ensures that projects are completed on time, costs don’t unnecessarily escalate, and each design is purpose-built to meet your goals now and in the future.

We give you more time to focus on making your business stronger, alleviate project management stress, and offer a perfectly executed, cohesive design that won’t leave you a victim to hidden expenses or issues down the line.

Increased return on investment.

Our architects and interior designers are trained to maximize the potential of any property or plot of land. We study the site or building thoroughly to indicate any cost-saving measures that can be put in place in areas like refurbishment, lighting, and materials.

With our help, buildings are designed to function exactly how you need them to, look exactly how you want them to, and cost what you expect them to.

Allowing an architect and their team to take on your project safeguards you against surprising fees, financially damaging delays, and costly construction oversights.

Final thoughts

We hope reading this blog has helped you understand the true value of hiring an architecture firm like us to reduce your next project's long-term costs and see that the upfront expense is completely worth it in the long term.

We take deep pride in our commitment to our clients. We don't want to just be any architect, we want to be YOUR architect.

Learn more about our unique approach to architecture services . If you'd like to discuss an upcoming project, give us a call on (941) 894-6888, or to share your thoughts, email barron@theschim.com.

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insights, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash

How A Modern Take on Florida Vernacular Architecture Helps a Non-Profit Serve Its Vision

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 18:00:28 GMT

UPDATE: On June 15 , 2021, Resilient Retreat celebrated with a topping-off and wall signing ceremony to mark the halfway point for construction of the nonprofit's new facility, designed by Schimberg Group. Our team is immensely honored and proud to have the opportunity to help bring this innovative and unique project to life. Thank you to Dr. Sidney Turner and the Resilient Retreat team for your trust; and thank you to our partners, Tandem Construction .

Resilient Retreat is a non-profit organization that helps those impacted by the trauma and hardship of abuse. Working with the group’s founder, Dr. Sidney Turner, our team, in collaboration with Patty Schimberg of PS-Interior Design Studio, developed a new facility to house up to 30 guests during their time at the retreat.

Early in the project, Dr. Turner introduced us to the concept of Hygge, a Danish word representing a feeling or moment as cozy, charming, or unique.

This helped us to envision and create an interior that would help visitors feel at home.

When it came to the exterior, we wanted to connect that comforting environment with the location’s beautiful natural surroundings.

Our design process led us to the architectural concepts of Florida Vernacular.

In this article, we're going to talk about the ideas and inspirations behind the design of Resilient Retreat, the architectural thinking that was incorporated into the building designs and why Florida Vernacular became a focal point for our design thinking.

What is Resilient Retreat?

Resilient Retreat is an organization that provides free and confidential programs to help heal the impacts of trauma on the mind and body.

These programs cater to treating post-traumatic stress for:

Survivors of abuse
First responders
Helping professionals

Resilient Retreat also offers their participants the chance to try out a variety of treatments for trauma, such as:

Equine therapy
Yoga
Art and music therapy
Nature experiences

Our involvement with this project means a great deal to the entire Schimberg Group team. We are honored to have designed a place like this which will help foster hope for people struggling with trauma.

To best aid future residents’ healing journey, we decided the best approach to the building’s design was to utilize the powerful healing force of the location’s beautiful natural surroundings.

An introduction to vernacular architecture

Vernacular architecture is a style of architecture that takes into consideration local needs, availability of local materials, the traditions of the locally built environment and the natural environmental attributes of the site.

Traditionally, vernacular architecture didn't employ trained architects, it relied more on traditional skills passed down within the community.

What is Florida Vernacular Architecture?

Florida Vernacular is focused on adapting to, and working with, Florida's humid and subtropical climate.

The earliest example of this style originated in the 1800s and resembled the elevated huts that were built by the Seminole Indian tribe.

This design approach evolved into “Florida Cracker” style, using wood from cypress swamps and pine forests. These designs featured high ceilings and large windows to allow the home's heat to rise above the living area, while enabling a natural breeze to enter the property's interior.

Large porches and extensive roof overhangs were common features of Florida Vernacular, offering additional protection from the harsh sun and excellent access to cooling breezes.

What are some other features of modern Florida vernacular architecture?

Florida Vernacular is still widely used throughout the state in response to Florida's unique climate.

It makes use of several unique features, including:

Multi-pitched roof lines
Porch railings, columns, or posts
Wood siding
Hip roofs
Large windows
Raised floor elevations
Breezeways

How did Florida Vernacular inspire the design for Resilient Retreat?

Resilient Retreat will be located on 84 acres of conservation land in Sarasota, Florida.

Early in the project’s development, on an initial visit to the site, our team spent several hours connecting to the natural environment.

With its mature oak and pine trees, incredible foliage, and songbirds, you can’t help feeling close to nature.

We quickly realized that we didn't want to design an overwhelming, intrusive, or modern-looking building.

We felt that the Florida Vernacular style could provide inspiration for this project as it would provide visitors a link to the outdoors.

We felt that this approach could help participants connect with the environment and feel more relaxed. As a result, creating an experience connected to the healing and therapeutic process that Resilient Retreat offers.

Dr. Sidney Turner agreed with our approach.

The challenge then focused on taking the inspiration of Florida Vernacular and creating a modern, contemporary structure, which can serve the needs of the staff and visitors.

Obvious outcomes of our design direction are the deep overhangs and porches throughout the facility. Raising the finished floor enhances the views towards the natural surroundings. Plenty of seating areas create special spots for both guests and counsellors to gather or to simply find a place of solitude adjacent to nature and throughout the facility.

What is passive cooling?

In the early 1900s, Florida Vernacular architecture used raised floors, deliberately placed operable windows, and porches to allow for passive cooling. This kept the air flowing, passively cooling the space by creating natural breezes underneath and around the building.

In the 1950s, terrazzo floors were used for their cooling effect in the space, and clerestory windows located on both sides of a room allowed airflow through the spaces without the need for mechanical ventilation.

How did we use passive cooling in the design for Resilient Retreat?

Resilient Retreat’s design deliberately lays out the bedrooms and public spaces in a floor plan that creates breezeways between the buildings. Covered porches both keep the rooms cool with shading and provide a natural cooling effect throughout the retreat.

By keeping the spaces both interior and exterior naturally cooler, guests can enjoy the peaceful ambiance and are reminded of the natural beauty and location of the retreat.

Project Status Update :

Resilient Retreat is currently under construction, and is due to be completed in December, 2021 with plans for guests to arrive in 2022.

Reflecting back on our design process, this project is a great example of having a clear vision.

From the moment we first toured the site, it became clear to us that to serve Dr. Turner’s vision we needed to create a space that would respect the natural environment, while also respecting the nature of the organization’s mission and clientele.

Rather than creating a structure that may have had more mass and site “presence,” we turned to a more appropriate design with more rooted ideals. Designing a facility that felt like it belonged, was meant to be in its location, and held a sense of permanence for the future was a better response to the client’s wishes, desires and vision for her project.

If you are interested in learning more about this project, you can read all about it here.

Ready to start your own project? Get in contact with our team today.

10 things you might believe architects do but they actually don’t

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 12:31:26 GMT

As architects, we tend to believe that we can do almost anything, but here are 10 things we don’t actually do.

In my previous post, I discussed several services which some readers may have been surprised to learn that architects can provide. Several of these services go beyond the common understanding of what architects do.

Continuing this theme, I thought it would be interesting to discuss some commonly mistaken assumptions and preconceived ideas about architects. This is meant to inform, but possibly, and more importantly, put a smile on your face, which we all need right about now.

These misconceptions include assumptions about how architects dress, our artistic skills, our mathematical skills, our career focus, construction abilities, architectural genre, our DIY skills, our approach to business, our choice of eyewear and our rate of pay.

You may find some of these line items applying to some of us at Schimberg Group Architecture, but surely not all.

1. Architects only wear black

Architects are not permanently clad in black! When you think of architects, an image of the Saturday Night Live character Sprockets as portrayed by Mike Meyers may come to mind, but the truth is that architects don’t have a uniform style.

We don’t have to wear a suit and tie all of the time either. In fact, we are just as comfortable in a pair of blue jeans, dressed up with a collared button-up shirt and a sports coat.

However, that’s about as much of a uniform look as you’ll see by any one architect.

We do often care about our clothes and because a large part of our business is based on presentation, most architects would agree that it does matter how we look.

I often dress according to the type of project I am presenting to my client.

For example, for our project Resilient Retreat , a 30-bed retreat for trauma patients, the property was situated in a rural setting with conservation land. For the first presentation, I opted for jeans, an earthy button down dress shirt and sports jacket.

For our presentation to Imeca , a retail hardware chain with properties throughout the country, I chose something more formal: nice slacks and a tailored button-down shirt.

While architects are keenly aware of the importance that clothing can play in client meetings and presentation, we definitely do not wear all black, all of the time.

2. Architects can paint and sketch

It’s not at all true that all architects can draw and paint.

I happen to be one of those architects that can draw and paint, but that’s because my mother started me off taking private art lessons from the age of 6.

I learned to use pastels, water colors, oils and acrylics.

I’ve always loved fine art and as I developed more into an architect, I developed my hand sketching skills as well.

In fact, I learned how to sketch with ink after a trip to study architecture in Greece.

However, not all architects can sketch or paint.

Today, architecture can be so computer-centric that the graphic quality of drawings, or even the process to design, allows architects to use software tools to construct and visualize their ideas.

Architects can design their projects without having to ever hold a pen in hand or use paper to write on.

I prefer to start with a sketch, but sketching or painting is not a requirement to be an architect.

3. Architects are good at math

This is one of those concepts that is typically lumped into the conversation of why someone chose not to become an architect.

Whenever I get into the conversation with someone that I’m an architect, the first thing I hear is, “I wanted to be an architect, but I wasn’t good at math.”

I confess, I was good at math. Calculus II to be exact, but I hated trigonometry.

Math is surely an integral part of our field, but on a more basic level than most people outside our industry might assume.

Addition, subtraction, calculating area, and maybe a Pythagorean Theorem once in a while, but one does not need to be a math wizard to be an architect.

I should note that an understanding of proportion and scale is extremely important for architects. However, I would argue that these elements are inherent rather than calculated.

And similar to my comment above regarding sketching, it definitely helps to have an understanding of math, but with the help of computers, and computer aided design, the math is often done for you.

Architects are typically good at math, but they are not “mathematicians” by trade, and becoming an architect is not contingent on understanding mathematics at a high level.

4. We only do … architecture

In my last blog post , I wrote about all of the other services and skills that architects can provide.

However, it is a common misconception that architects only do architecture.

We can develop property.

We can become contractors.

We can become real estate attorneys.

We can protect clients as owner representatives.

In fact, my firm began as a construction manager/owner representative company. After a couple of years, I then began focusing on architecture and interior design.

As architects, we can do much more than design buildings.

Because architects are exposed to many diverse roles during their careers, they can often find themselves drawn in other directions and possibilities.

I always tell students, interns, and younger architects that one of the most appealing aspects of our choice of career is the plethora of opportunities that architecture provides.

An architecture degree can expose you to a vast array of different career opportunities, whether becoming a developer or designing and fabricating furniture.

The options are endless.

5. Architects actually construct buildings

Typically, architects do not build the projects we design. There are some that do, but for the most part, architects design, contractors build.

This is a common misunderstanding in residential architecture and design, but we also encounter it in the commercial arena.

We get asked questions like, “So when do you start construction?” or “Who do you use to pour the concrete?”

Most architects are not general contractors, especially on commercial projects.

We work with contractors.

We recommend contractors.

We may even be able to hammer a nail, but we do not build the projects that we design.

Contractors or builders build buildings. We design them.

6. Architects only design houses

When I mention to someone that I am an architect, after they tell me that they couldn’t be an architect because they aren’t good at math, they often follow with, “So, you design houses?”

Some architects focus only on residential design. Others only design commercial projects. However, it’s also quite common for architects, like us, to design both commercial and residential structures.

At Schimberg Group, our primary focus is on commercial projects. We are very selective about the residential projects we choose to work on.

Personally, I prefer commercial projects because they have clear deadlines, they often have a broader impact on the community, and the decision-making process is less about personal preferences and more aligned to clear business goals or needs.

The residences we have designed have typically been for select commercial clients who desired to build a new home for their family.

However, many architects choose not to focus solely on residential design because the design of homes does not require a registered architect, whereas commercial projects do.

Commercial projects also require that architects remain in good standing with state licensing requirements and retain a substantial liability policy.

For those architects that fulfill these requirements, designing commercial buildings is an obvious alternative to designing homes.

7. DIY @ home

Let me be clear. I will hire an expert to fix my home 9 out of 10 times before I try to fix it myself.

Not all architects are handy.

Yes, I worked construction for a year during college. I know how to properly use a hammer and how to nail studs together. I can typically figure out how to fix minor plumbing issues and I love demolition!

But I, as an architect, I am not a Do-It-Yourselfer.

Many architects are, and I recognize and I admire that very much.

But many are not.

Often, paying an expert for their knowledge and experience is much more satisfying, and less frustrating and time consuming, than trying to figure it out for yourself.

I’ll stick to hiring professionals and I know many architects would agree.

8. We work for free in order to get the job

I have had clients who honestly believe that architects should provide preliminary work for free to win a project.

Sometimes this work may just take a few hours, but it can also involve an extensive investment of our time.

Quite simply, this is not how architects should operate, though some will provide this work for free.

With any given project, an architect is often willing to invest time and energy into winning that project.

But it should not be an expectation, on the part of clients, that this will include free services.

In Europe, projects are often awarded based on competitions. The architectural firm often pays for the work involved in order to win these competitions and the related projects. This is understood from the beginning and is culturally accepted. Often, this investment is recovered in the resulting project fees.

However, in the United States, we very rarely hold competitions that take architects through some level of design before the project is awarded. We go through a proposal process, an interview process or sometimes may provide an initial sketch to tempt a client’s interest.

However, the expectation that architects provide any amount of free work in order to get the project is simply bad business. I do know architects that follow this business model in order to create cash flow and because they believe this is necessary to win the client’s trust.

I personally have found that by not approaching projects in this manner, but instead providing an appropriate, up-front few hours gratis, and then requiring a fee to move forward. commands a level of professionalism and business acumen that by most client’s standards results in respect and ultimately hiring us to do the project.

Working for free is not only an unfair situation for a firm, it’s also just not fun.

9. We all wear funky glasses

I love my collection of glasses.

I don’t wear watches or collect tons of shoes.

I do love to wear glasses and I have owned many pairs over the years.

However, the stereotypical, funky looking, dark rimmed, thick frames that Le Corbusier used to wear is not typical for architects.

In fact, just for the record, I find that many wear contacts.

Glasses provide an opportunity to make a statement, while also giving a level of distinguished presence to any architect’s aura.

But … they are all not big, black and chunky!

My favorite glasses have gray rims with tortoiseshell temples.

I prefer sophisticated to funky.

10. Architects get paid commensurate with lawyers and doctors

I saved the best for last.

This is probably one of the most inaccurate realities architects face.

One would think that architects, the people that design the edifices we live in, the buildings we work in every day of our lives, the communities we walk in and stroll along urban storefronts or museums or restaurants would be paid commensurate with lawyers and doctors.

Doctors save lives.

Lawyers tend to legal matters.

Why do architects, whose designs impact everyone’s daily lives, who are responsible for public health and safety on multiple levels, who create environments that affect the way we live and breathe and function, not get paid in the same way that doctors and attorneys do?

I really don’t know why, but we don’t.

Don’t get me wrong, I make a very good living and most architects will tell you that not only do they do well, but more importantly, they love what they do.

It is rare to find a successful architect who does not love being an architect.

I know plenty of doctors and attorneys who cannot say the same.

Unfortunately though, architects notoriously do not hold the same value in our society as doctors and attorneys.

Maybe I’m a little biased, but other than the select 1% (as in anything), we’re on the second tier of appropriately paid careers below those other two.

What do you think?

I hope that anyone reading this post enjoyed it and learned a bit about some of the stereotypes architects contend with on a regular basis.

I’d love to hear from readers what you thought about this list.

If you happen to be an architect, I’d especially love to know if you agree or disagree with any of my points.

To share your comments, email barron@theschim.com .

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insight, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

10 things you didn’t know architects do

Fri, 30 Oct 2020 19:08:25 GMT

As architects, we tend to believe that we can do almost anything, but there are 10 things that you may not know we actually do.

Architects have always held a romantic stigma in the eyes of most people. There’s something about designing buildings or spaces that people find fascinating. In order to become an architect, we go through a rigorous education and take more rigorous exams, encompassing a plethora of concepts from design to engineering to site planning to structures.

As architects, we tend to believe that we can do almost anything, but there are 10 things that you may not know we actually do. These include: graphic design, interior design, property assessment, landscape design, construction administration, lighting and plumbing fixture selection, design and procure furniture and design sculptures.

Our firm provides all of these services.

1. Graphic Design

We have found that there is a direct relationship between architecture and graphic design. When a new organization or development is beginning and a new building is being designed for that project, the logo or branding of that project is best when it relates to the concepts of the architectural or environmental design.

We are creative by nature and have the tools to work in formats that allow us to create graphics that reflect a name, collateral packaging for non-profits, or signage.

Architects’ knowledge of colors and materials often play a part in the design of the logos or graphics that result in interesting solutions to marketing and branding challenges.

2. Interior Design

Actually, once a person becomes a registered architect, they are automatically considered a licensed interior designer. Though that does not go both ways, yes, architects can provide a level of interior design to enhance the final product.

Though our office employs interior designers separately, collaborating as an architect allows the design to be looked at from multiple angles including architectural, while coordinating with the interiors and even inclusive of final accessorizing and decorating.

An architect’s sense of space, color and material gives interior design an added bonus quality when it comes to designing buildings and interior spaces.

3. Assess Property Opportunities for Future Developments

Though realtors have access to properties and understand the transactional side of real estate, architects provide another important aspect of determining potential usage of land for future developments.

Architects often are hired to perform feasibility studies or master planning to help developers figure out what fits best on the property. That final determination can help a developer achieve a successful pro-forma with income producing results or optimal usage of the site.

Our knowledge of working with surveys and understanding how to work with existing conditions like trees, natural wet lands or certain habitats gives us the ability to incorporate these elements into a potential layout of the property in order to confirm a developer’s wishes.

Under our concierge plus program, this invaluable service has helped clients of ours like Cocchiola, LLC determine whether or not a food vendor concept could work on one of the owner’s properties. By laying out the site and producing renderings to submit to the City, we helped the owner make a sound decision regarding the development of his vacant site in order to generate the most lucrative outcome.

4. Landscape Design

As an architect, I find landscape design to be one of the most important components of completing a project than almost anything else. It gives the final exterior and sometimes interior that extra refinement and necessary enhancement of the design in order to finish the project.

Though often a registered landscape architect is required, as architects, we also have knowledge of different trees, bushes, plants and grasses appropriate for the project.

In addition, landscaping is not just about softscape. Architects can design hardscape also, including pathways, boardwalks, covered structures and fountains. These elements become part of the design rather than after thoughts when an architect incorporates them into the process from the beginning.

For smaller projects, it is absolutely acceptable to take recommendations from the architect when it comes to landscaping and for larger projects, architects work hand in hand with landscape architects to design the best possible softscapes and hardscapes along with the architecture for the best possible results.

5. Construction Administration (CA)

I’ve always said that the best projects are built projects. And once a project gets to that point of construction, there is often a question of why an architect is required if you have a contractor.

Construction Administration involves periodic observation of the actual construction work to review conformance with the design intent (Construction Documents). Architects visit the project at appropriate intervals during construction to monitor the progress and quality of the Contractor’s work and to determine if the work is proceeding in general accordance with the Contract Documents.

We review the contractor’s shop drawing submittals. We review sample materials or mock-ups. We evaluate the contractor’s requests for payment to make sure the client is paying the proper amounts at the proper times. We attend jobsite construction meetings to answer questions and review the contractor’s work. We issue clarification drawings or changes to the scope that are inevitable and inherent to any project and finally, we issue a final punch list, which finds anything that needs to be fixed or modified or cleaned up before final occupancy.

All of these services fall under an architect’s capabilities and ultimately protect the client.

As explained in previous blog posts, I originally created my firm as a construction management (CA) company. CA remains an integral part of our architectural services and owners quickly understand how our involvement protects them as owners and helps complete the project more successfully than if not involved.

We have learned that the best way to approach CA is on a monthly fee basis during the time of construction. This allows the GC to have constant access to our firm. We don’t track hours and in the end, it saves the client money.

6. Select Light Fixtures

Lighting is a tricky thing. Depending on the scope and level of requirement, often, a consultant or the engineer provides the design or recommendations for light fixtures. However, an architect makes lighting selections also.

For restaurants, the lighting foot candles, or level of light intensity, is very important for patrons to be able to read the menus. But also, the ambiance created and the aesthetic of the fixture can help define the space and create a certain look that works with the rest of the design. Architects meld lighting with design in a unique and creative way beyond consultants and engineers.

7. Select Plumbing Fixtures

Similar to lighting, architects select plumbing fixtures. Though an engineer is perfectly suited to make toilet and sink selections, an architect understands the relationship of those fixtures to the surrounding room features.

For example, a sink cabinet or even countertop may require a certain size bowl to fit properly or simply the decision about whether a toilet should be a tank type, a single unit or held off of the floor for maintenance purposes. These are all factors that an architect determines initially and puts the responsibility more on the architect than the engineer.

8. Design Furniture

Architects, by nature, are detail-minded, they want to ensure that every element of a space conforms to their vision. Often this includes the design of custom furniture.

It was quite common for architects such as Le Corbusier, Mies Van De Rohe, Frank Lloyd Wright and many others to create carefully crafted furniture to perfectly complement the homes and buildings they designed.

Despite the abundance of furniture options and choices available, this tradition continues today.

Though perhaps not as widely expected by clients, architects still find opportunities to design custom furniture pieces as part of the design solutions they recommend.

Sometimes, furniture design is motivated by a desire to reclaim or repurpose existing materials.

For the renovation of Mar Vista Restaurant , Schimberg Group designed new outdoor benches to provide additional seating in the extended outdoor lounge area.

These benches were fabricated from Australian Pine, a highly invasive tree common in Florida.

Rather than destroy the material entirely, we gave it a new purpose, however, it didn’t end there.

Through this design solution, the owner of Mar Vista, Ed Chiles, and myself, saw another opportunity.

Earlier this year, we established AP furn, LLC, a joint venture project to design, sell and install outdoor furniture made from Australian Pine and other invasive species.

In this respect, we are creating furniture that is made from the natural environment, and which also serves the health of the environment.

9. Procure Furniture

In most commercial projects, whether an office, or restaurant or multi-use, furniture is required. Not custom designed furniture as described above. Commercial grade furniture, typically in bulk, like work stations or tables and chairs.

In my architectural office, we have a tax id # and use it often to order and procure this type of furniture. We have relationships with vendors that allow us to coordinate delivery of furniture for owner sampling and then coordinate final installation in the field.

As architects, the ability to coordinate furniture, provides an aesthetic advantage and also creates a high level of coordination both in layout and during construction. For example, work stations have electrical requirements. As architects, we ultimately work with the contractor and their electrician during construction to coordinate power locations and installation.

At our latest office build-out for Tarpon Towers , we worked with Beaux-Arts Group to design and coordinate the installation of their work stations, office furniture and conference room furniture.

Though this took place when Covid-19 first hit Florida, we were able to complete the job for the client, coordinate all punch list items and ultimately give the owner a finished product, on budget and on schedule.

10 . Design Sculptures

Though we don’t get this opportunity very often, every once in a while, a project warrants a sculpture. And I use the word sculpture loosely, since as architects, our creative minds are always going, and this includes almost anything artistic.

For one client, a media outlet, we designed an abstract newspaper tape wall, made out of electrical tape. It took us three days and three people to complete two walls, sculptural in nature and commissioned by the client.

This time lapse video shows our progress and completed artwork. It has become an iconic backdrop for the clients and a part of their branding.

Architects have designed sculptural pieces to enhance gardens or a building lobby. It is not out of the question for architects to expand their design capabilities to include fine arts or sculpture.

I hope that anyone reading this post enjoyed learning about things that you may not have known architects do. I’d love to hear from readers who have had experience working with architects that have done some of these and how your experiences have turned out. To share your comments, email barron@theschim.com . Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insight, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

Interior Design: Important for Commercial Architecture Projects

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:37:33 GMT

Don’t underest imate the important role of interior design in your commercial project.

Quite often, when working on commercial projects, clients will ask us if interior design is a necessary part of our architectural services.

To be clear, yes, they are.

Though it is true that architecture typically leads the way, engineering, landscape architecture and especially interior design are critical to the successful completion of a commercial project.

At Schimberg Group Architecture and Interior Design, we have always recognized the important role of interior designer and have included interior designers on staff since the founding of our firm.

In every project, interior design plays an important role in helping businesses:

Communicate their brand
Create the right type of impression for visiting clients
Increasing employee engagement and morale

Interior design selections are highly influential to the final look and feel of a space. These are not decisions you want to leave to your contractor or busy client.

Keep reading to better understand the role of an interior designer when it comes to choosing:

Flooring Selections
Restroom Finishes and Fixtures
Lobby, Kitchen, Restroom and Retail countertops
Wall Finishes (Colors, Coverings, Tiles, Veneers, etc.)
Decorative Lighting
Furnishings and Artwork
Interior Detailing
And more…

It has always made sense to me to include an interior designer on our projects. The choice to include interior design translates to true costs rather than arbitrary allowances that do not solidify an actual budget number.

At Schimberg Group, our architects and interior designers work together throughout the project to make sure we minimize, or in most cases eliminate, any allowances that would negatively impact the budget.

So let’s look more closely at the role of the interior designer on a commercial project.

Flooring Se le cti ons

We work closely with our interior designers to select flooring throughout a space.

Depending on the occupancy, there are typically multiple types of floor materials required.

Starting from the entrance or lobby, moving thro ugh high-traffic common areas and hallways, employee offices and work stations, and on to specialized areas such as event spaces, kitchens and restrooms.

The initial decision of whether to choose wood, tile, carpeting or other floor materials is only the beginning. There are thousands of options for patterns, colors and styles.

Take for example, the decision to select a wood floor. There are hundreds, if not thousands of varieties of wood grains and colors to choose from.

A knowledgeable interior designer can simplify the process of finding the right fit, from myriad options.

Another reason it’s important to involve an interior designer is that you want to avoid making costly decisions on the fly, once construction has already begun.

By involving an interior designer early in the process, we can provide a clear direction from the beginning so the cost is well defined and the aesthetic is achieved.

Restroom Finishes & Fixtures

There are a multitude of considerations when it comes to finishes in a restroom.

Flooring and countertops, as mentioned above and below respectively, are obvious starting points, but don’t overlook other details, such as faucet fixtures, sinks, paper towel and soap dispensers, mirrors, wall and backsplash finishes, toilet partitions, urinals and toilet seats.

Just consider that there is a very distinct difference between polished chrome and brushed chrome. Involving an interior designer in these decisions can make all the difference between creating the right impression for clients and employees and raising the quality of the design or … simply settling for something your contractor recommends.

An experienced interior designer doesn’t let these inconspicuous details pass by.

Lobby, Kitchen, Restroom and Retail Countertops

Most commercial spaces include lobby reception desks, kitchens, restrooms, retail display and transaction areas, not to mention storage and work areas.

These all require careful selection of countertop surfaces.

As you can imagine, similar to flooring, there are countless options to choose from for countertops.

In commercial projects, codes require certain requirements pertaining to cleanliness, sustainability and maintenance, and it’s important to match the surface selections to these requirements.

Countertop thicknesses can also impact seating and chair heights or ADA requirements for accessibility for people with disabilities.

Making these selections is critical to staying within budget and maintaining a consistent aesthetic throughout the space.

Wall Finishes (Colors, Coverings, Tiles, Veneers, etc.)

When clients ask us to, “… paint it white!” we ask, “Which white?”

Benjamin Moore, just one of the many popular paint manufacturers, carries more than 150 different shades of white.

Choosing the correct shade of white is an art in itself.

Enter our interior designers.

They have years of experience with color and understand the subtle nuances of choosing the best white for your commercial projects.

But rarely are wall finishes limited to one color on a given project.

The combination of colors, both as base colors or accent walls, requires an interior designer’s eye.

Working closely with the architect creates a symbiotic solution that addresses people’s experiential color association and provides the best possible spatial solution.

For example, on a recent project for Resilient Retreat, a non-profit abuse recovery organization, color played an important role in creating the right atmosphere in their therapeutic areas, while office spaces required something very different.

And their community and event rooms called for altogether different considerations.

Beyond color choices for walls, interior designers are well versed in different types of wall coverings, upholstery and materials.

Our architects and interior designers work together to design spaces with the best possible acoustics, sustainability and aesthetic in mind.

Decorative Lighting

Lighting design often requires multiple professionals.

In most commercial jobs, basic lighting considerations focus on the typical recessed can light fixtures or the 2x2 LEDs we are all familiar seeing in offices.

And certainly, these basic decisions can be addressed by the architect and engineer.

However, decorative lighting to accentuate reception areas, conference rooms, event spaces and other special requirements can benefit greatly from an interior designer’s experienced eye.

The final result, interior designers working with the architect, engineer and sometimes lighting consultants, can enhance the space tremendously and provide an unanticipated quality of light that may not be thought possible at the start of a project.

Furnishings and Artwork

Though typically procured under a separate contract, the transition between architecture, interior design and furniture selection is subtle.

It doesn’t make sense to design a space without thinking about the furniture that will occupy it.

Working with our interior designers, we are able to comfortably design our spaces, knowing that they can accommodate the necessary furniture required in that space.

Offices require desks.

Conference rooms require a large meeting table and comfortable seating.

We’ve even designed furniture to fit within rooms designed to house adoptable cats, requiring special consideration for the wear and tear that cats can cause due to scratching, defecating, etc.

The interior designer through their own expertise and working with furniture vendors, can successfully ensure that once the building is built, the furniture will actually fit, both from a spatial and a style perspective.

Interior Detailing

All of our drawings and final designs incorporate important details.

Often, these details shift from architectural details, like wall partitions, sections and ceiling details to interior details, like wood base profiles or integration of acoustic wall panels, including what type of fabric wraps those panels.

Another example are millwork details.

Our office provides sheets of millwork elevations and sections, including the laminate, countertop and even hardware selections so that once out for bid, the millwork sub-contractor is pricing an accurate representation of the design intent and scope versus the contractor needing to guess.

Does the millwork have shelving?
Is the kick base set back 4” or more?
What is the design of the backsplash?

These are all examples of why an interior designer is critical to the final design and final coordination of any commercial project’s completion.

Interior Elevations & Schedules

Included in our final set of documents for any size or type of project are ID drawings.

These ID drawings include all of interior detailing we just covered, but also cover interior elevations and finish schedules.

Interior elevations help define the location of paint and wall coverings, giving the owner and contractor a clear understanding of what each wall should look like once built and helps give a sense of proportion and scale to the spaces for construction purposes.

All finishes are called out with specific numbers or letters and those then trace back to schedules that clearly specify those finishes or materials.

Finish schedules define actual materials, colors, textures and vendor contact information for the contractor’s use and reference.

There are accessory schedules that define all of the extra information that goes into restrooms, like paper towel dispensers, mirrors and toilet paper dispensers.

These drawings provide all of the necessary information that are handled by an interior designer in order to coordinate often missed items or items that are sometimes included as allowances only, which do not help with the final budget determination.

The True Value of Combining Architecture & Interior Design

All that said, the reason I have always included interior design in our scopes and our projects is to make sure that a complete and full coordination of all of the different components of any project are successful.

The ultimate goal is to provide a final package to our clients that is both aesthetically appealing and more importantly within an established budget.

In order to achieve that level of success, combining architecture and interior design provides that opportunity for the entire team.

It gives the owner a complete understanding of what they are paying for.

It gives the contractor a complete understanding of what they are pricing.

And it gives the design team an opportunity to completely coordinate all aspects of the design to make sure the final product is cohesive and inclusive.

It is not just about the shell of a building, rather a well thought out and finished project from the exterior façade to the floors, to the cabinetry and all of the details we’ve covered.

All involved will appreciate the time and effort an interior designer provides enhancing the end result produced by the collaboration with the architect towards the final project.

I’d love to hear from readers who have either worked with interior designers and architects before or readers that have chosen to not work with interior designers and what their experiences have been with those consultants.

To share your comments, email barron@theschim.com .

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insight, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

"The Story" and how important it is to selling a non-profit project

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 17:14:31 GMT

The Importance of "The Story" for Non-Profits

When working with non-profits that plan to expand and build new facilities, we have found that an important component for organizations to attract donors and increase capital campaign dollars is to formulate "the story” behind the design of your new buildings. The impact this “story” has from beginning to end provides a number of advantages for the success of any non-profit organization. Below is more about why "the story” is so important.

Over the last few years, we have been lucky enough to include numerous non-profit organizations as clients, ranging from human services to performing arts to animal services. We choose to work with non-profits because we enjoy the process of designing buildings that impact the communities they serve. We find that the design approach for non-profits is unique and we appreciate the passion that follows the staff, its directors and its donors.

What do we mean when we say “The Story”?

Different than a private development, a non-profit’s building pr ojec t brings unique elements to the final completion of the project. Where a real estate developer’s main focus and pro-forma is based purely on profit, a non-profit organization’s approach centers around the mission and their purpose for the community. The project includes an inherent passion felt and displayed by the people that work in the organization, the people that run the organization and the founders that began the organization. This passion translates to what we call “the story.”

The story provides a set of book ends for the design of an organization’s future building and master planning. On one end, the story influences the initial design phase. It provides inspiration and ideas that allow the layout and the building aesthetic to take shape, while always harking back to the organization’s true essence.

On the other side of the book end, the story gives the organization a meaning behind its proposed development to present to donors. It provides enhancement to the capital campaign; similar to how an advertiser uses a slogan to promote a product, the story helps to promote the project’s needs to potential donors and capital campaign opportunities.

Understanding how “The Story” supports the project’s success

At Schimberg Group , we believe that there are three crucial ways the story can help shape a non-profit’s future development and final success in creating donor interest and project completion. They are:

The location and nature of the site and property
The organizational mission
Donor engagement and fundraising

Location, location, location

The location of the site and property can provide an important and integral part of the story, which should not be overlooked.

Sometimes, it’s simply about location.

As my real estate friends may say, the three most important things about real estate are location, location, location.

Often, in the case of non-profits, location can be guided by proximity, which in itself can greatly contribute to the story of the project.

For a non-profit educating underserved communities, it will be important to be near those communities.

For a non-profit involved in animal rescue or abuse counseling and treatment, it may be more important to provide access to a natural, more open environment.

For a performing arts center, the location may be closely tied to access to the property.

Whatever the situation or need, location must be carefully considered in how it can be part of the story and support the overall mission of the non-profit.

As hinted above, a site’s location, landscaping and/or natural setting can add an element to the story that captures an interest beyond the buildings. The environment may have natural water features, protected trees or simply a beautiful hammock or landscape that influences the design from day one.

In designing a new facility for the Suncoast Humane Society , the property included Gopher Tortoise habitats and was located in Scrub Jay territory, an endangered species in Florida.

These two habitats provided an opportunity to impact our story about protection of the environment and all living things, in line with the organization’s desire to protect the same, serving adoptable dogs, cats and small animals in the area.

The story created itself in this case and allowed us to proceed with an exciting approach to the design and master plan.

The organizational mission

In contrast to typical private developments, a non-profit’s greatest asset is the inherent and consistent passion pulsing through each involved person’s heart.

Whenever we first meet with our clients, much of the meeting can involve us simply listening to them speak about their organization’s beginnings, purpose and community impact.

This is especially true when we are fortunate enough to speak directly with the founder.

However, even when that is not possible, we have found that listening to executive directors, board members or staff gives us great clarity for the passion and purpose of the organization.

This provides us with the basis for our design that both reflects the needs of the building and gives us a story that helps to mold decisions about circulation, building aesthetic and building orientation.

For our client Resilient Retreat , a 30-bed retreat for people that have experienced a trauma related to domestic or sexual abuse, the essence of the organization’s goals helped determine the relationship of the bedrooms to the outdoor decks to its setting in a naturally wooded lot.

The story of the organization’s mission helped determine how we arranged the floor plans and oriented them on the property to maximize the views and relate to the needs of the client.

Understanding the mission and being able to convey that through the design and layout of the facility, we were able to create a unique identity and sense of place for the organization and for the people serviced by the organization.

Donor engagement and fundraising

Often, the bottom line for a non-profit’s sustainability and success is donor participation.

When expanding and building space to increase the organization’s ability to provide community services, raising money through a capital campaign is a critical step in real estate development.

Detailed renderings are necessary to helping donors visualize the future, but ultimately, it comes down to how those images are presented that makes all the difference.

How do those rendered elevations, 3D perspectives or fly through animations capture a donor’s heart and inspire them to be generous with their philanthropic support?

“The Story.”

The story enhances those images and provides deeper meaning and connection. They give advocates the ability to market the collateral in order to connect that donor to the project and remind them why they supported the non-profit in the first place.

The story can touch their heart and inspire them to give their time, their money and to become a part of the success of that organization’s progress and how it impacts the community it serves.

Often, these donors can see their name on a building or a room memorializing themselves or a loved one as a form of honor or remembrance, making them a critical part of the organization’s future story.

Recently, we were asked to design a new warehouse for the Sarasota Opera to house a recently acquired collection of vintage costumes, the largest known collection of its kind in North America.

The renderings we produced included the front entry. Incorporated into the building’s entry design was a signage band to provide potential donors an opportunity to visualize their own name as they walk into this unique new building with its own unique purpose.

What better way to engage donors than to show them how they can play an integral role in an organization’s future story?

A story’s success

It is always our goal to provide our clients with a quality design, but possibly more important for non-profits is the ability to sell that design and attract potential donors for capital development and ultimately to see the project come to fruition.

The story does just that.

On one end it provides a starting point for that high level of design that visually connects to certain people, the community and its supporters. On the other, it provides the background for anyone in the organization to sell the project in order to appeal to the good hearted, the philanthropic and the committed patrons and supporters of the cause.

I’d love to hear from readers who have their own potential project that they are considering beginning and what their experiences have been with their story and how it allowed them to find potential donors and create a successful project. To share your comments, email barron@theschim.com . Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insight, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

Good Management Practices

Thu, 20 Aug 2020 20:19:31 GMT

What Gets Managed, Gets Done - Best Practices for Managing Your Daily Work

I often find myself saying to clients, “Anyone can design a building, but not everyone can manage it well.”

My firm began as a construction management company, so I understand that the connection between design and management is critical to the success of any project.

Forming good habits

I’ve come to realize that my approach to management and the best practices that have worked well for me were rooted in skills I started to develop at an early age.

Thinking back, I can remember, even as a 10-year-old, being encouraged to be as well rounded as possible.

Growing up, I played sports competitively in baseball and yes, even duckpin bowling . I painted, sketched and sculpted, developing skills that would later serve me well in the design profession. I was a first chair, All-County flutist and I played the piano. Along with secular school, Hebrew school, my youth group (where I held numerous committee and political positions), and as a working teenager, I always had a lot to manage.

Being involved in all these different activities taught me valuable lessons that help me in my business to this day.

That’s not to say that you can’t form good habits later in life. All you need is an open mind and a commitment to learning and mastering new skills.

Keeping it simple and staying the course

In 2004, I started my own construction management company providing owner representation and construction management for projects ranging from large grocery stores for Whole Foods Market , to multi-family town homes and multi-use 10-story buildings.

Eventually, that company evolved into Schimberg Group , my architecture and interior design firm, where I incorporate and utilize those skills I developed as a teenager in my daily business acumen in order to keep things moving along smoothly, efficiently and in a timely fashion.

What I have learned, as I continue to hone my craft, is that the majority of the skills and techniques required to manage any level of project, or even our day-to-day lives, are inherently simple by nature.

They do not necessarily require deep or intense thought, but more, a commitment to completion without hesitation and without procrastination. Some are simple to do and some take conditioning over time. However, all of them give a person the ability to consistently get more things done and manage multiple projects, while not being overwhelmed, allowing you to focus and complete tasks efficiently and effectively.

Below are some key insights, based on my 16 years of experience as a firm owner. If you are an architect, designer or anyone that needs better management skills, I hope you use these recommendations to keep your projects and your firm on the right track.

Organization

Organization is a critical component of effective management.

On a daily basis, I have a regular routine that helps me keep the essential elements of my business organized and managed:

Making and managing task lists
Keeping emails and project folders organized
Managing email responses and maintaining open communication

Below are examples and explanations of how each component can be utilized as a management tool to help create a better business and more successful project.

Making and managing task lists

A typical day for me includes completing a number of different tasks.

I like to approach tasks in a linear fashion, one after the other. I create my task lists with this approach in mind. As I complete each task, I move onto the next one. I try not to go backwards or skip ahead. I keep my goals, thoughts and tasks in front of me and take them one step at a time.

There are always multiple things that need to be completed for any one project. Often, once complete, the next item is critical to the completion of the previous task. Don’t let too many items overwhelm you. If you pursue each task linearly, they get done quicker and more efficiently.

This approach requires a specific mindset and by doing so, it eases the pressure created by an overwhelming list and, instead, allows you to focus on each item singularly. Once complete, you can press the “that was easy” button and move on to the next task at hand.

I could not survive without my task lists. But I have some basic rules when it comes to creating lists and keeping tasks on track.

Create your lists using one pad of paper.
IMPORTANT: Keep all of your lists in one place. Do not use multiple pads of paper or different notebooks. Having different pads of paper with only the front page written on is not organization, that’s a collection. Eventually, those pads get misplaced.
As you complete your tasks, cross the items out.
Science shows crossing tasks off of lists equates to an endorphin rush.
When all the tasks on that page are completed, rip that out and go to the next.
Don’t languish on the past. Those tasks are done and ripping that page out signifies that you can now forget about them and move on.

PRO TIP: GO DIGITAL WITH LIST MANAGEMENT

An even better and more environmentally friendly approach is to use a tool like One Note from Microsoft. I use One Note to manage my lists on my computer, phone and/or tablet.

I’ve been doing this for 16 years and the number of trees I’ve saved and trash I’ve prevented is extraordinary.

The satisfaction of erasing a task from existence and rewriting a new task in its place is exhilarating. There are other programs out there that provide similar tools, so find one that’s compatible to your technology and get it.

The important takeaway is to start making lists.

Keeping Email and Project Folders Organized

The beauty of Outlook is that it allows a great degree of organization. I use Outlook folders as an organization tool to keep my projects well managed and in a clear, concise format.

For my business, along with many other different folders, I keep three main folders:

Current Projects
Potential Projects
Old Projects

In each of those folders are project names.

In each of those named folders are associated topics and subjects.

As I add new topics, I create new folders.

Folders are further organized into sub folders.

Under a folder named 'Contracts', each consultant gets a folder.

Under a folder named 'Submittals' is every different type of submittal.

Under the 'Construction' folder is a folder for every facet of the construction phase.

As you can imagine, this approach is applicable to any business and any type of project.

Immediately upon receipt of an email, it goes into a folder. It doesn’t stay in the Inbox. We want to avoid seeing the number 1,234 in parentheses.

Email Etiquette: the fine art of managing email responses and maintaining open communication

Proper email etiquette helps to keep you organized. What do I mean by email etiquette? When someone emails you and leaves it open for a response, respond. Don’t get to it later. This keeps your mind from having to think about it or worry about whether or not you responded. It becomes one less thing that requires organization, which means it is one more thing that you have managed.

Final Thoughts

If I can leave you with one golden nugget of insight, it’s this: Be like Nike , Just Do It.

By constantly approaching projects in a manner that keeps your files organized and provides you with a clear, visual list of what to do next, it gives you the ability to systematically check things off of your list and put them out of your mind.

This provides two important benefits:

It reduces the pressure and stress of worrying about whether you did something or need to do it or worse, forgot to do it.
Seeing those tasks get completed not only provides a visual queue and sense of accomplishment, it builds your confidence for moving onto the next step, next goal or next task.

The end result is that you get closer to reaching your goals and even better, a continued progression of success.

I’d love to hear from readers who have other organizational tips for good management practices and what types of success you have had whether in the architectural world or other business environments. To share your comments, email barron@theschim.com . Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insight, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

Performing Arts Venues

Tue, 04 Aug 2020 19:51:08 GMT

How performing arts venues are responding to the COVID crisis

Now that the reality of COVID-19 has settled in and performing arts venues are realizing the impact this pandemic will have on their organization’s future, we need to begin thinking about how to navigate through and ultimately over this hurdle.

Gaining insight from leaders in the performing arts

What are the opportunities presented by this situation today and what opportunities will exist for the cultural arts world after a vaccine is found?

As an architect who has worked on numerous performing arts spaces, including theaters, rehearsal halls, outdoor venues and large event spaces, I recently listened in on a webinar through USITT about the status of performing arts organizations around the globe. We are also currently working with local performing arts organizations on projects and the discussion regarding how to deal with these difficult times repeatedly surfaces.

There are a variety of different approaches worldwide, both for musical venues, theatrical venues, local theaters and nationally recognized theaters. They range from specific architectural modifications to creative, out-of-the-box ideas utilizing social media and virtual technology.

Social Distancing

This will be a difficult challenge for any theater or performing arts venue. By keeping mandated distances, capacities will reduce to only 25% and that will not work from a revenue standpoint. Theaters and performing arts venues will need to come up with alternative ideas to generate income and sustain their operation.

Mobile Venues

Locally, our Sarasota Opera came up with an ingenious idea to take their opera performances on the road. Driving around on a flatbed truck, giving different audiences an operatic experience, has taken the once stationary concept of listening to opera in a theater to a whole new level. Adding a simple pop-up scene in the foreground or behind the singers on the truck transports both the singers and the audience back to the streets of Italy or that opera’s origin.

Other organizations can do the same, whether theatrical, ballet or orchestral. Rather than bringing patrons to a building, now the cultural arts take their performances to the audience, changing their approach to the industry.

By utilizing social media to announce these activities, you can create interest and buzz to ensure that audiences know when and where things are happening. In addition, partnering with other organizations or sponsors to co-brand such events enhances the results. We’re all in this together and the more collaboration now, the more success later.

Education

One of the more interesting ideas presented in this international webinar was from a fascinating woman in Nigeria who owns a local theater. Her company began offering online courses, (requiring a subscription/payment) to teach people how to build scenery, play an instrument, or even act and sing.

This wonderful approach has the potential to broaden the reach of an otherwise local organization to a worldwide audience.

This is just one example of the interesting opportunities that COVID-19 has brought to our lives.

Any type of arts organization can do this and whether it gains a local presence, continuing the interest of its faithful members, or reaches a broader audience, expanding their patronage and increasing their visibility, it’s a win-win for everyone.

YouTube

YouTube is a highly popular platform that billions of people often turn to for education and inspiration. It’s also a very popular platform for artists, musicians, and performers who use it to connect with existing and potential audiences through video.

If you are creative in your videos and posts and you give people that are already fans or potential new fans a reason to watch your performances, there are lucrative opportunities for any size operation to have access to a worldwide audience.

Probably the most positive result of this horrific pandemic is the realization that, pre-COVID, what we thought was global was only scratching the surface through channels like YouTube, Zoom , Go To Meeting , Microsoft Teams and other similar platforms. Venues are not just given a voice, but now are able to connect people and organizations from around the world with one another.

Community Challenge

Inspire and integrate your community with a local challenge to create monologues, one-act plays, favorite operatic songs or Broadway acts. Have patrons submit them so that they are engaged and then post them for your members to view.

The goal now is to stay in front of people, stay engaged and stay relevant. Though not necessarily revenue generating, it will generate interest and show an effort that your organization cares and is at the forefront of creativity and credibility.

Outdoor Theaters

Without question, there will be a movement towards outdoor venues. Not only does this make sense from a health standpoint, but it creates another type of experience, previously overlooked by patrons and organizations alike.

Outdoor structures provide flexibility for the organization to accommodate patron’s needs and increases the opportunity to present shows to a larger audience and accessing new interested people previously unaware of the group’s cultural benefits.

Typically, outdoor venues can be less expensive, which expands the patron demographic with a more diverse group of people while spreading the impact of cultural arts in a community.

Though weather will be a factor, architects will need to consider temporary fixes to existing outdoor structures or when designing a new place. Attention must be given to architecturally treating an open roof while allowing participants to enjoy different types of performances. Two examples that come to mind are the Globe London and the Santa Fe Opera (pictured).

Interior Design

There will now be a need for more sanitary measures throughout the interior of the space. We want to avoid ugly, plastic dispensers haphazardly installed on walls that lessen a building’s aesthetic sophistication. Visibility of these stations is key, but they can be designed with some thought.

Whether recessed into walls or surface mounted with additional architectural detail, stations for hand sanitizing or washing can be creative and add aesthetic enhancement throughout the building.

Seating

I predict that theaters will increase private booths over general seating. Long rows of seats that require people to cross over and enter into personal space are avoidable. Additional aisles can shorten rows of seats giving patrons a better comfort level for attending these events.

A clear circulation pattern for entering and exiting can be worked into the design to keep people from, again, crisscrossing within a narrow aisle width. We follow strict circulation patterns in museums, some restaurants and other spaces that require a clear traffic pattern order. Theaters can have the same approach to their circulation patterns and design of the interior spaces.

This may also impact the number of entry and exit points in a building, allowing opportunity for people to safely distance themselves when entering and exiting larger populated venues.

Conclusion

Performing arts organizations have a challenging road ahead. A local executive director is currently surveying his patrons to find out what aspects of a “new normal” give the audience a comfort level moving forward. Masks, sitting next to someone, being in an interior air conditioned space, being in an exterior space open to the elements; these are all questions currently being asked. These are all interesting topics that must be discussed in order to figure out how performing arts organizations can sustain themselves into the future.

As discussed in this blog, now is not the time to sit back and wait for a vaccine. It is not the time to simply hope that people will come back to watch shows. Rather, it is an opportunity to think outside of the box and generate ideas that will strengthen your local ties to your committed patrons, broaden your connections with other communities and creatively invent potentially lucrative, revenue-building ideas to keep the coffers filled during these difficult times.

Though the importance of cultural arts on society may not always get appropriate credit and people may not always understand its impact on a global stage, now more than ever our performing arts organizations must figure out how to keep culture in our lives in order to keep us grounded, to keep us engaged, and to better our society.

From our standpoint, it’s exciting to think about the opportunities that exist for performing arts organizations. I’d love to hear from readers as to what they’re learning and finding in their own experiences with their local theaters, operas, orchestras and culturally diverse companies. To share your comments, email barron@theschim.com . Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insight, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

Concierge Architecture

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 16:36:45 GMT

Improving the architect/owner relationship

Owners, restaurateurs and developers who have multiple projects have a challenge. It is hard enough to complete one project, but how do you complete numerous projects that require an architect’s involvement?

For us, we see this as an exciting opportunity.

A New Approach That Helps Architecture Clients with Multiple Projects

Owners see separate projects with separate sets of drawings, separate designs, separate sets of change orders and separate agreements with separate fees. They see multiple site visits from potentially multiple people creating multiple supervision issues.

For clients with numerous projects extending over a year or more requiring architects, the traditional approach architects take for treating those as individual projects is a mistake. It is a mistake for the architect and it is a mistake for the owner.

We offer a new approach. We see only one client. We see one fixed fee making it easier for that client to manage costs and we see the opportunity to consolidate multiple projects under one roof in a holistic, collaborative effort.

We call it Concierge Plus .

Why the Traditional Approach Does Not Work for Some Architecture Clients

Since each project is unique, architects often provide fee-based agreements for each project. Payments are based on the percentage of completion for each project, translating to a scattered payment schedule that creates unnecessary chaos and uncertainty for the owner.

Traditionally speaking, the relationship between architect and owner is singular. If an owner has multiple projects, every new project often requires a new architect, which costs more money. This means starting over every time with a new team, new approaches and new drawings.

Change orders, master planning and feasibility studies become additional scopes with additional fees. Owners often rightly fear that these critical components are not included, yet, they are always needed in order to determine the next move or how to deal with a current issue at hand.

Unfortunately, another challenge is that owners simply lose priority in the office of the architect they hire. The “boss” disappears and you become just another client with another project, in a busy firm’s schedule.

So how does our Concierge Plus approach solve challenges which are so often ingrained into the relationships between architects and owners, restaurateurs and developers? Let’s look at an example.

Case Study: The Chiles Group Reaps the Rewards of Concierge Plus Architecture

After working on multiple restaurants and development projects with the Chiles Group , a major Sarasota-based restaurant group, in a traditional manner over a period of five years, we transitioned the client to our Concierge Plus approach. This relationship continued for the next 6+ years of project renovations, additions, developments and studies.

We realized that every time they called us to look at a renovation for one of the restaurants, or to determine what to do next with a new piece of acquired property or even help with one of the owner’s personal residences that they wanted to redesign, we were reassessing the scopes. The fees increased every time and we were missing an opportunity to treat our relationship as just that, a relationship.

It did not make sense to continue in the traditional format.

It was costing the owner money and keeping us from providing a smooth and cohesive service, having to readjust every time a project arose.

As a result, the owner was not attending to those necessary projects because they were hesitant to ask for our help, thinking it would cost more money.

So we came up with what we call Concierge Plus Architecture .

For an established monthly fee, based on the larger understood scopes, we set ourselves up to solve all of their challenges and become their exclusive architect.

We eliminated surprise fees and made their CFO’s life much simpler. The burden on their bank account eased and we created a smooth and efficient payment schedule.

As their concierge architect, we were always available to address any changes, questions, master plan studies or feasibility studies, all included for no additional fees, under the Concierge Plus agreement. By working in this manner, it enhanced our relationship with the client, allowed us to focus on getting the work done, and we became a part of their professional “family,” rather than just another consultant.

They called me whenever they needed something and I answered, ensuring things got done quickly and efficiently, without concern about time or dollars.

In our Concierge Plus approach, that commitment between us and the owner translated to understanding consistencies between projects. We learned exactly how the client wanted the work completed, resulting in cost and time savings. We learned about their needs, nuances and approaches and we applied that knowledge to each project as we continued to develop them together. They counted on that and we delivered.

Ultimately, I become the restaurant owner’s friend, confidant and business partner. If decisions were made, we were included in that process. We helped develop ideas and increased revenues by being given an opportunity to provide our opinion as not just any architect, but as his architect.

As Ed Chiles stated, “I’ve worked with Schimberg Group for more than 11 years. I don’t call any architect, I call ‘ my architect .’ I call Schimberg.”

The Real Value and Benefit to our Concierge Plus Approach

The end result is to create a situation that takes the traditional architect/owner relationship and reinvent that to give you an opportunity for us, as your architects, to look at your projects not myopically, but holistically.

We become positioned to give you knowledge that your projects are being assessed and considered not as a single project, but as an extension of your business and for your success as an owner, restaurateur or developer.

A given monthly fee produces better pro-formas and increases revenues.

Not having to worry about additional fees or master plan studies allows you to focus on your business and produce lucrative results, leading to future opportunities that may not have been considered previously.

Having your architect on board without having to rethink every component of your project creates familiarity which saves time and creates a good, trusting relationship. Peace of mind creates a healthy environment.

Rather than three separate architects focused on three separate projects, you get one and one that acts as your business consultant and a member of your team, to effectively manage all of your projects and keep your best interests at hand. Our answers are provided quickly to give you a sense of confidence and security in your decisions.

Our unique concierge-style architecture reimagines the roles and relationships between architects and owners. It removes the stigma of architects being only interested in the project and creates a relationship between the two parties that connects our services to yours in a collaborative and successful experience.

We are not looking to become just another architect in your growth and development. Rather, we are looking to become “ your architect ” – someone you can confide in, trust and enjoy working with on a regular basis.

I’d love to hear from readers who are interested in this approach to architecture and what their experiences have been with architects they have worked with in the past. To share your comments, email barron@theschim.com . Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insight, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

Photo by Hans-Peter Gauster on Unsplash

Series: An architect’s advice for non-profits

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 16:01:44 GMT

Master planning during and after Covid-19

Master Plan Now

There are two types of non-profit master plans. As described in Cramer and Assoc.’s article, Does Your Non-Profit Need to Develop a Master Plan , there is the business type of master planning for non-profit organizations.

There is also an architectural master plan where we holistically approach your project as architects to provide overall guidance on:

What and how to build your proposed building or campus
What and how to design your new building or expansion
Where to build your new project
Overall input on your real estate development

Why we are huge proponents of master planning.

Just like it is critical for a non-profit to have a clear mission statement, it is just as important for a non-profit to master plan their future growth and expansion, giving them the ability to think ahead.

Master planning is not just about a single idea or building. Its purpose is to truly dial into the needs of the organization’s future.

Though good design is critical to a project’s success, proper master planning sparks the beginning of that process and creates the backbone for future design success.

We look at master planning as a puzzle.

How do you solve it by taking a proactive approach, while avoiding a reactive response?

Here are the main pieces of the master plan puzzle for non-profit organizations:

Having a supportive board that understands the organization’s needs
Creating a committee to determine the best courses of action
Finding the right property
Creating a well thought out program based on the organization’s needs and desires
Creating a collaborative team to look at the project holistically

A Supportive Board

Before any organization proceeds with expansion or master planning, a group of board members that believes in the cause, the need for expansion and the understanding that growth is critical for the mission is necessary. Just like the corners of a puzzle. (At least a rectangular one.)

Board members need to understand that money will need to be spent at different phases throughout the process and that this financial commitment has long term benefits, not short term financial strains.

It is always best to have a person(s) on the board that has experience with construction and working with architects. Being able to speak the language or at least understand some of the terminology helps everyone involved during a master plan process.

I am also a believer in keeping conflicts of interest out of the board setting. There should be no ulterior motives or inside goals of any members to acquire any part of the project for themselves. This is one of the reasons why I do not like architects sitting on boards that then do work for that organization. It is a conflict of interest.

There should be a clear designation between hiring an architect to further the organization and board’s goals and getting an architect’s input who happens to be on the board. The two should be completely separate. (The same goes for general contractors.)

A Building Committee

Committees should be small, no larger than 5 people, and should absolutely include at least one person with building experience. This will help when presenting the architectural team’s ideas to the board. This committee may also participate in local jurisdiction meetings for approvals and work with City officials, engineers, etc. Familiarity with the process can only help in the ultimate success.

The committee helps the architect and the team as a liaison to the board and even to the Executive Director, providing guidance and recommendations to help the project move along smoothly. They keep the puzzle defined and from falling off of the table.

A good committee allows the team to be creative, but also guides them based on the needs of the organization and the desires of the decision makers. This keeps the master plan in check and from deviating too far off course.

Finding the Right Property

Finding the right property is critical and it sometimes takes an inordinate amount of time. This is one of the reasons why we promote starting master planning as soon as possible. Given the current situation with Covid-19, this is a perfect time to begin looking for properties. Not only is there a bit of a downtime in the commercial world, but there is also a possibility that land costs may be more beneficial to buyers than sellers.

Due diligence takes time and until things get totally "back to normal," time is on everyone’s side right now. We should take advantage of this while we can.

As I often say, there is no reason to hire an architect to design a project if you don’t own a piece of property. However, an architect is uniquely suited for helping a non-profit organization find that property.

Either working with realtors or without, the architect can help make determinations like parking, or setbacks or what size building can fit on a site. This level of information can potentially save organizations a tremendous amount of time and money during the due diligence process.

A Good Program

A good program is the basis for a good building design. The best programs are not created by one person in the organization. The best programs include staff or other people that know the operations and the needs of all involved, including patrons if appropriate.

When master planning, programs should include everything and the kitchen sink. When beginning this process, a building program, for master planning purposes, allows the architect to fully understand the scope and then incorporate that scope into the design.

We often meet with members of the staff ourselves to fully understand the needs of the organization. If an existing non-profit is expanding, walking through the spaces is always helpful when figuring out the ultimate layout.

Programs provide square footage needs, adjacency requirements, and circulation paths and ultimately give the architect and their team a true understanding of what the master plan should achieve. (Like the picture on the box, right?)

It also sets up the team properly to accommodate the typical design and engineering aspects, along with specialty components and consultants required to successfully complete the job.

A Collaborative Team

This brings me to the final stage of master planning. A good team is the key to any project’s success. You can have a good architect. You can have a good engineer. You can have a good committee. You can have a well-intentioned and much needed organization. But if the team is not in place to begin the master planning phase, the final success of the project will be hindered.

Creating that team in the beginning is critical to any project’s success. This team should include the architect, the contractor, engineers, consultants, a building committee and a strong executive director.

Not every member may be necessarily retained or involved from day one, but we have found that creating that team sooner than later allows us as your architect to have access to these consultants to answer questions that may come up along the way.

With any non-profit, compared to let’s say ... commercial developers, there are typically more questions than usual during the master planning process. It is our goal as your architectural team to provide you with the answers to those questions quickly and succinctly. They often impact decisions critical to the mission and almost always have financial implications.

Master Plan Success

The goal in master planning is to prevent reactive decisions or short term fixes. Instead, we look to achieve proactive, long term gains. That’s where proper master planning comes into play, focusing on the needs of the non-profit organization, allowing them to envision their future in a thoughtful and strategic manner.

We understand that any non-profit organization’s main concern is financial stability. Everyone is hesitant to spend money in a down market, to say the least, during a pandemic.

We also understand the need to find balance between operations and future growth.

However, both are connected in more ways than one. An organization cannot lose sight of the fact that if they are to continue to provide services to the public, to their patrons, to their community, to people that need their services for personal growth and stability, than those benefits will never disappear.

In fact, by hesitating to move forward out of financial concerns, it can cause greater problems down the road as the needs of your organization does grow and become more necessary for the community they serve.

By aggressively moving forward, the organization may increase the opportunities to grow and take advantage of donors and community interest during these trying times. As architects, it is our responsibility and commitment to help and work with organizations in these situations.

Conclusion

We enjoy the puzzle. We enjoy the challenge. We enjoy the satisfaction of working with non-profits that we believe in and we feel are truly providing a positive service to society.

So what does this all mean? In my opinion, there is no better time in recent history to maximize and expedite the opportunity to focus on master planning your built environment in order to sustain long term community services specific to your mission.

Professionally, it’s exciting to think about the opportunities that exist for non-profits organizations, boards of non-profits and executive directors of non-profits to navigate through this new phase of our lives. I’d love to hear from readers as to what they’re learning and finding in their own experiences with their organizations. To share your comments, email barron@theschim.com . Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness for more insight, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

USITT New Member Nine

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 18:24:45 GMT

Schimberg Group is proud to support the USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology). Recently we were invited to answer nine questions about our firm. Read them here .

An architect’s advice for non-profits as they recover from the Coronavirus crisis

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 15:12:56 GMT

The non-profit world will need to re-think multiple issues.

As restrictions begin to relax, the non-profit world will need to re-think multiple issues:

How to address systemic challenges pertinent to their cause
How to attract donors for capital campaigns
How to grow quickly in times that may require their services more than ever
How to safely contribute cultural arts to their community

These are not only difficult challenges, but potentially difficult decisions for organizations to make moving forward.

As an architect who works with several non-profit organizations, I wanted to share my ideas, insights, and predictions for the changes we will likely see and offer several suggestions on how to deal with the inevitable impact this will create in our communities, here in Sarasota and beyond.

Master Plan Now

There is no better time than now to take a step back and really think about where your organization is going. How critical is your mission to the needs of the community?

In time, society will begin to provide and need the services that we expect, in order to help ourselves, enjoy ourselves and function as ourselves.

In many cases, the current pandemic has highlighted required needs of our community, whether culturally, socially or physically. These needs force non-profits to consider the opportunity to grow, requiring additional building needs, a rethinking of your current building functionality and possibly future expansion.

There are three factors that impact a master plan design: ownership of property, a board and a structured capital campaign.

With these three important pieces of the puzzle, an organization can grow and positively impact the community it serves.

Ownership of Property

We as architects can help organizations find property and determine the most economical and efficient use for that site.

It may be hard in these times to gather numerous people to visit properties, especially ones that can make thorough decisions. Architects are uniquely suited to help figure out if a site can benefit the organization’s growth for the future. We have the tools to quickly determine the feasibility of a building based on asking the right questions, gathering a program and scope and then inputting this information onto the site through our plethora of computer programs.

Often, we provide this service as front end due diligence gratis, in order to further the organization’s cause and continue their efforts to keep balance and a positive impact in the community.

Board Members

Given our current situation of social distancing, appealing to a donor’s ability for charity is difficult.

More often than not, board members are also major donors. They become the glue that keeps non-profit organizations together. It is critical for the architect to understand how to work with these board members with these new parameters.

As a rule of thumb, communication on a regular basis should be a standard practice. Constant updates and schedules sent through emails or video conferencing is a must in order to keep momentum and not lose sight of the ultimate goal.

Structured Capital Campaign

At the end of the day, it always comes down to money. What is the cost of the project?

This impacts the decision to move forward, its impact on financial reserves and board members’ comfort levels on whether or not the organization should decide to build.

The key to working with a non-profit is to understand that when they ask for the cost, that does not just mean the construction cost. They also need to know soft costs, FF&E costs (fixtures, furniture and equipment), maintenance costs, permitting costs, ancillary fee costs and more.

Our job is to do our best to provide these numbers in as thorough and complete a presentation as possible.

In order to achieve this goal, our unique approach to design incorporates the contractors input early on in the process. This requires the organization to select a reputable general contractor up front, but as a team, the architect and the GC work together to determine the budget and even value engineered design choices from the beginning.

Bidding projects is passé. Negotiating up front, creating a relationship and a collaborative team secures the project’s success from beginning to end. By working with a contractor in the early stages of the design, construction costs are exposed sooner than later, kept in line with a pre-determined budget. Costs are communicated openly, whether regarding changes to the scope or to get approvals as necessary. Teaming with contractors early allows us to design creatively and build a cost effective but aesthetically pleasing structure.

Ultimately, the costs are then used for capital campaigns and to encourage donor interest and philanthropy.

Fees

When working with non-profits, there is a mutual and even given understanding that one reason architects chose a client is because fees are secondary.

Fees need to be fair and reasonable, but in my opinion, it is the architect’s responsibility to make a full commitment to achieve that organization’s goals for a successful project, expanding their needs and contributions to the community.

From the start, there needs to be an understanding that there will be time and money and renderings and documents provided by the architect to further the cause.

We wouldn’t take the project initially if we didn’t believe in the mission and its contribution to society, which makes this approach even more satisfying.

Performing Arts Venues

Unfortunately, as we are seeing throughout the country, there is less inclination to hold major events with large gatherings. Performing arts venues will struggle given the physical challenges of their organization. Outdoor venues will fare better, but there are only so many of those structures and available land to accommodate that need.

This challenge creates a void in reaching potential donors. So to help these organizations with future projects, it will become the architect’s responsibility to create presentations that can be presented to potential patrons and donors through mail or online that will visually pull their supporters into the proposed building. It will be our responsibility to not just design the space well, but to create the format in which a donor sees their name on the wall or a patron’s passion for the organization comes to reality.

Our role will exponentially grow and our responsibility, though challenging to compensate for the lack of events, will include renderings, virtual reality experiences and 3D models that can be visited in person.

Rather than counting on one event to raise money, it will become imperative to take those “events” to the donors and patrons in order to expand capital campaigns.

Renderings

I often say, “A picture speaks a thousand words.” In order to generate interest and even community buzz, renderings can hold the magic key to those doors. People associate best with visual tools.

Talk is good, but pretty pictures are sometimes better. However, in order to capitalize on this approach, an organization needs to be far enough along in the design process to present an accurate depiction of the future plans for development.

These renderings just don’t create themselves. A lot of design and thought goes into even getting a schematic idea of what a master plan or a 3D building model looks like. Don’t wait too long.

Build-up of Donor Money

I believe there is going to be a build-up of donor dollars. As the country is basically on hold, so is our money. We are holding onto it, whether for a rainy day, security or because we just don’t know what’s next.

In time, as certain non-profit organizations start to get a clearer understanding of their needs in the community and how they will survive, money will become available to those that present themselves as most needy and as most prepared to grow and provide community benefits. As they say, the early bird gets the worm. In this case, the most prepared organization will get donor money.

In conclusion, our role as architects is often a pivotal part of an organization’s growth, development, and ongoing success. At different moments in a non-profit’s life, they must expand or move or renovate to accommodate their evolving needs.

Our goal is to provide services that allow organizations to continue to fulfill their mission, whether that is renovating a theatre to serve its audiences or designing and constructing a new building to meet the increased need for therapy. Our services allow these organizations to continue to impact our communities and society as a whole.

Professionally, it’s exciting to think about the opportunities that exist for non-profit organizations, boards of non-profits and executive directors of non-profits to navigate through this new phase of our lives. I’d love to hear from readers as to what they’re learning and finding in their own experiences with their organizations. To share your comments, email barron@theschim.com . Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insight, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

Thoughts on what restaurateurs need to be thinking about

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 15:04:35 GMT

As the State of Florida and many others begin to relax restrictions on restaurants, the food service industry will need to re-think how they can make their customers feel comfortable and safe.

Following are my ideas, insights, and predictions for the changes we will likely see, and the impact this will create within the restaurant industry, here in Sarasota and beyond.

ZONING

Zoning rules for restaurants will need to change. Outdoor dining is reviewed differently than interior dining in most locations throughout the country.

I anticipate outdoor dining will have greater impact on seating limits, minimum parking requirements and the plumbing fixture requirements necessary to open and operate a restaurant.

Cities will also need to consider allowances for restaurants to utilize sidewalk space for outdoor dining. Urban zoning codes will need to take into account their property locations and uses for those properties.

In some cities including Sarasota, streets are being closed to automobile traffic to expand pedestrian zones and allow restaurants to offer outdoor dining.

Though temporary, minimizing traffic to increase outdoor space will be addressed in the future.

RESTAURANT DESIGN

Layout

More restaurants are now going to incorporate outdoor spaces into their restaurants to provide social distancing, but they will also need to maximize total seating to maintain or increase revenues.

Restaurants cannot survive on 50% capacity, whether literal or even based on new table spacing.

Outdoor dining will become more integral to the layout of restaurant spaces and as mentioned above, zoning regulations will need to reflect these needs.

This will impact how one enters the restaurant, where people choose to sit and potential views from inside and outside.

In places like Florida, the orientation of a restaurant to maximize air-conditioned interior space may shift significantly with the expansion of exterior areas.

Finishes

Finishes will change given outdoor exposure.

Exterior-grade finishes use different components than interior-grade finishes, so they can stand up to different weather conditions and greater wear and tear.

We as designers are excited about the potential design opportunities this presents.

Climate Control

Restaurant owners will certainly need to reconsider how to keep customers comfortable in outdoor spaces. Climate control will inevitably add costs to the final design and require consideration be made to ceiling heights, clearances and more.

In hot humid places like Florida, restaurants have thrived on outdoor seating, but they have also learned the importance of climate control.

Many Florida restaurants balance equal square footage of interior air-conditioned seating and exterior seating with fans, misters and drop-down curtains.

In winter months, some restaurants prefer ceiling mounted gas or electric heating systems, while some prefer moveable propane heating “columns.”

Ceiling-mounted heating systems require more upfront investment, but the moveable systems are bulky and take up valuable floor space.

Curtains will become an important design consideration:

• The material used for durability

• Whether they have windows in them for views

• Manual or automatic?

These are all cost factors that will now become part of the design process for any restaurant.

And I haven’t even mentioned different types of flooring, drainage, bar countertop materials, security and more.

Building Costs

Will restaurant build-out costs and operating expenses go up?

It may be too early to tell, but it is possible that the answer is yes.

Uncovered outdoor dining spaces are typically less expensive than indoor spaces.

However, restaurateurs may decide to redesign their exterior space to extend its use throughout the year, and to create a more welcoming and inviting environment with covered outdoor seating areas.

These spaces require additional attention to detail and focused design.

A great example of this approach is our design for the BeachHouse Restaurant in Bradenton Beach, Florida.

The structure we designed allows the restaurant the ability to let light in on beautiful, sunny days but still allow patrons to comfortably enjoy sitting outside on days when the weather is more inclement.

Furnishings

Exterior furniture is very different from interior furniture in composition, materials and durability. Also, costs can vary greatly.

There is less expensive, but good-looking outdoor furniture versus higher-end, more sustainable, outdoor furniture.

I predict that decisions regarding exterior furnishings will come under greater scrutiny as owners give greater attention to the wear and tear based on extended use and try to balance that with associated costs.

Pest Mitigation

With exterior dining, you cannot ignore the need to mitigate insects like flies and mosquitos and even birds. With more dinners served outdoors, it’s a good bet that these pests will also increase.

Curtains, netting, and louvered systems can help solves these challenges.

Many restaurants also use fishing wire and other obstacles to keep birds from swooping in for food.

Restaurant owners will need to consider how to control pests when adding outdoor dining.

Change Presents Opportunities for Restaurants

Adding outdoor dining in any environment can provide incredible design challenges, unique solutions, and ultimately, great success stories.

Professionally, it’s exciting to think about the opportunities to help restaurant owners solve many of these questions as we move into this new phase of our lives. I’d love to hear from readers or patrons as to what they’re learning and finding in their own restaurants or restaurants they’re visiting. To share your comments, email barron@theschim.com . Also, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter, Methods and Madness , for more insight, information, and visual stimulation for all things architecture and interior design related.

In the news - Business Observer

Mon, 15 Jun 2020 14:26:21 GMT

What will office space look like post-coronavirus?

“As workers contemplate going back to the office, one architect shares his thoughts on what tenants and landlords need to be thinking about.”

Read Barron’s guest advice column in the Business Observer.

The amazing sketch

Sat, 30 May 2020 22:57:14 GMT

In this new world, we are constantly figuring out how to reinvent the art of presenting and designing.

Our office works in an extremely collaborative fashion. All projects begin as a team, inclusive of everyone in the office. We perform site walk-throughs with our client, we go on separate site visits as a team and, we provide in-office design charrettes*. We pride ourselves on the fact that the design is a culmination of all our different ideas, unique perspectives and personal experiences or thoughts. The ability to sit in a room together and bounce ideas off of each other is a critical component to our success as an architectural and interior design firm.

So when our world changed and we each migrated to our homes, remote working put a bit of a damper on that approach. Suddenly, we were thrust into our "new normal" of each of us working from behind a screen.

So we devoted ourselves to virtual meetings, sharing our morning stories not in person, but to each other through our computers or our phone.

We show each other our ideas and drawings, not on a piece of paper, but on a screen. We review our project schedule, not on the conference room whiteboard, but on a screen. Because we typically work and think in three dimensions, we each had to adjust to working in a flatter, two dimensional perspective.

I’m proud of my team that we were all able to adjust and figure it out, and it’s working. Day by day, we have learned how to adjust to this new, collaborative approach for running our architectural firm.

So recently, while working on a building design for our client, Forty Carrots , a non-profit organization focused on strengthening and enriching the lives of local families through education, outreach and support, we went all in with our new approach.

We built models in our personal homes and took photos of them from different angles. Then, as we had now done consistently, we pulled those photos up onto the screen. The model couldn’t be touched and the photos couldn’t be interacted with, but we showed every angle possible.

How could a client not understand what we were presenting to them?

Then we showed a floor plan on the screen. Next, a section through one of the spaces and pulled it up onto the screen. We put our heart and soul into formatting our presentation with photos of models and section cuts and floor plans and site plans in order to present this seemingly magnificent design that we had created.

And then, and only on a last-minute whim, we took the models, printed out 2D photos of the 3D models, and created several hand-sketched perspectives using pen and colored markers. It was impulsive, but the images had a playful quality, like watercolor renderings.

What to wear to an online meeting or at home when working

Tue, 19 May 2020 17:01:20 GMT

How to dress for business, during a pandemic.

This past Thanksgiving (2019) was one of the best holiday trips my wife and I had taken in a long time.

We visited our son at college, who is studying philosophy at Macalester in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

We had planned the trip the previous year, and we committed to taking him and some of his friends out to dinner for the holiday. We spent a wonderful event at a great restaurant. The food and the company were great. We enjoyed the time with our son, and we enjoyed meeting and learning more about his friends.

However, I will admit, there was another special part of this holiday getaway. I took the opportunity to visit my favorite clothing store in the country, Martin Patrick 3. I was overdue for a new wardrobe, with my last shopping spree taking place more than five years earlier.

They say clothes make the man, and as an architect, I believe that clothing and how you dress are essential to communicating your personal and professional style.

Not only do they “represent,” but they also “present.” The clothes I choose – the fabrics, the textures, the patterns – are an extension of my ideals, my aesthetic, my personal style, even our brand. What I wear helps me create a presence in our meetings.

My apparel can provide a hint, and sometimes blaringly obvious signals, of how I, as a designer, design.

What architects choose to wear sets the tone for how they will be perceived and received when meeting with clients, contractors and consultants. A well ironed button down from Stenstroms can set a tone of authority and positivity. Subtle, simple patterns and solids may say, “My work speaks for itself,” while multi-colored shirts may send a very different and more casual tone.

Enter COVID-19.

I haven’t worn a single stitch of those clothes since we were ordered to stay at home. They are beautifully hanging in my closet, barely touching one another, respecting their space while longing to be touched.

Of course, we still hold meetings, and I still get dressed in the morning. But, with all my meetings being held online and the meetings being focused on our drawings and other representations of our work, the need for my MP3 wardrobe has greatly diminished.

When I am going to be visible, I may put on a collared shirt, but it really doesn’t matter anymore. Now, I wear anything I want.

It’s actually quite refreshing. I can wear shorts, t-shirts, sometimes a sweatshirt and tennis shoes. On days I really want to show the world who’s boss, I wear my über comfortable Ugg slippers.

There’s an exhilarating feeling of being in a meeting, with important clients, discussing their incredibly needed project, wearing whatever makes you comfortable. The clothes just don’t make a difference in this new environment.

But rest assured, soon we will pull out those button downs and nice slacks, those stylish blazers and Bally shoes. Until then, wear what you want and enjoy the freedom. Your clothes will understand.

To Face or Not to Face?

Tue, 12 May 2020 15:25:48 GMT

For architects, the Coronavirus crisis has made client presentations more challenging.

Meetings are now different. For architects, our bread and butter is the presentation. That ability to pull up on the screen an image of the building that you know will surprise the client. That moment where you can witness the expression by an owner of seeing their building for the first time in plan or a 3D model. It is exhilarating and it is one of the reasons why we become architects.

We strive for those times when we can hand a client a chipboard or wood model for them to maneuver around in their hands, giving them an empowering but delicate sense of ownership. Or the ability to walk around the conference room table as if they were walking around the site, looking at their building from all angles. Or the tactile nature of picking up a fabric and touching it for the first time. Or running one’s hand over a porcelain tile, contemplating the reaction of their patrons when they themselves walk on it or brush up against it. These are the moments that architects dream of when designing a building for a client.

Though, in today’s world, those moments have morphed into a different type of meeting and presentation. We are now online. We now video conference. Not because we want to or because it’s the latest technological advancement, but because we have to present in this manner. And because we must approach our projects this way, we find challenges inherent with this new form.

Gone is the opportunity to see how a person reacts instantaneous to the presentation. We don’t see them wince or their eyes expand or even their enormous smile of satisfaction.

It’s a debate in our office whether or not to allow people’s faces on the screen. Faces take up space and monitors are only so big. Architect’s super power is the ability to present unbuilt structures without building them. The rendering, the model, the floor plan are our utility belts, our wings, our special suits. We now need as much space on the screen to wield those tools and unfortunately, people’s faces on a screen hinder that ability. So, if we choose to not have a square of a face on the screen, it means we cannot see emotion, reaction or satisfaction. It changes the playing field and increases the need for us to heighten our superpowers even more.

When sitting in a room full of people, we can talk freely. Even if you are interrupted, respect is given quickly, and a smoothness of transition occurs. There is no need to establish boundaries or order, other than the presenter, as we can all react and play off of each other’s looks, actions or acknowledgments.

Online, presenting a project requires an imperative order. To keep people from talking over each other, which becomes a gargled mess of noise, there becomes an order to who can talk and who can listen. On most programs, the mute button becomes a superpower, wielded at will in order to keep the presentation moving along. Who speaks when and figuring out how to control that is integral to the ultimate success of the presentation.

In our latest presentation, we showed images of a model that we built. We even showed a video of the model being built. (Boooorrring…) We took up to a dozen shots, moving around the white, chip board model to attempt to express our ideas for the vertical construction of our design. Simply speaking, it’s just not the same. One can’t pick it up. One can’t get down low and look at it close up. You can’t even break it. It’s a hard sell but a worthwhile attempt.

So then we presented drawings and sketches, which I’ll discuss in another post, but after a 45 minute presentation, what we as architects live for, there is silence. And because it is all online, without visual connection, there is a moment that the presenter wonders, “Do I have to go through this all again? Maybe the button was turned off.” That is what makes presenting online for architects a challenge. We will continue to innovate. We will continue to present online. We will continue to design. But a captured audience, in the same room, will never replace a computer monitor.

Cool masks set the tone to make one feel comfortable

Tue, 05 May 2020 15:18:07 GMT

A new representative of social pecking order has emerged.

Masks.

At first, I was very reluctant to wear a mask. I felt like it meant that we were admitting there was an issue and possibly more importantly, it felt and looked weird.

At first, most masks were surgical looking. Robin’s egg blue or white with white strings snapping around one’s ears. I’m not a doctor … I’m an architect.

Then more masks started to emerge. Black masks, ski masks, bandanas turned into masks, balaclavas (a little scary), and finally patterned masks.

An evolution was occurring. Masks were becoming cool. First it was 10% of people out of the house were wearing masks. Then 30%. Now at least 80% wear masks out of the house.

But what is interesting is that the mask selection itself makes a difference. I initially began wearing a surgical type mask for safety sake. Then, my cool, baseball adorned, cotton mask arrived. It was like getting a new car. I felt confident. I felt cool. I felt like I belonged. I felt like … an architect.

And once you wear a cool looking mask, it sets the tone for everything. How you feel when wearing the mask. How people around you “admire” your mask. How you actually want to wear a mask. I can’t stress enough … get a cool mask. It’s worth it on multiple levels. And remember, the mask isn’t about you. The mask protects the people around you. Not wearing a mask is disrespectful to your fellow shoppers, clients, consultants or neighbors. It’s not about you when wearing a mask. It’s about everyone else.

Wait … I take that back. Get a cool mask. Then it’s about you and that creative, interesting, impressive mask you chose. You feel comfortable wearing that mask and you own that mask. No … it is not about the mask. It’s about staying safe. You get the point.

Read a lot!

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 13:53:00 GMT

I’ve been into spy thrillers lately. Like good airport books, but I actually get them from Barnes and Noble or online. Daniel Silva , David Baldacci and Brad Taylor are three of my favorites. In interviews with prospective architects, I always ask the question, “Do you read and if so, what genre?” If the answer is “no,” I move on. If the answer is “books about architecture,“ I also typically move on. I prefer answers like, “biographies” or “science fiction” or anything other than the first two I mentioned. Reading says a lot about people. It makes them interesting and intelligent and actually does expand your vocabulary. I find that people who don’t read write poorly written emails. Put down the phone, turn off the TV and read a book.

Philanthropic Architecture

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 14:51:00 GMT

As an architect, there is a certain type of satisfaction when working with non-profits. It requires an understanding of how to find a balance between providing a high quality product, but in a cost effective way. The clientele and/or staff must feel comfortable, but donors should be encouraged to give. Listening to the board with multiple opinions provides design input, but everyone cannot be pleased. It is important to determine what is most important for the most successful results without becoming overwhelmed with information. Regarding time, there should be a real commitment to provide the necessary time in order to get the project right, even if the fees may not be quite commensurate. It is our duty as architects and interior designers to make a non-profit project successful, maybe even more than other for-profit projects.

Stay relevant

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 14:52:00 GMT

After working in this industry for over 25 years, though I hate to admit, I often think about Simon Cowell on American Idol (fyi, he’s not my favorite celebrity) saying to contestants, “You must be relevant.” What does that mean for an architect? It could mean different things. It could mean to adjust one’s design aesthetic, depending on the project’s location or costs or trends in the industry. It could mean focusing on different types of projects, whether residential, commercial, cultural or tenant finish outs, depending on the market. It could mean changing your source of revenues from architectural design to interiors to furniture procurement or even product design. It could mean updating your social media presence through your website, SEO or PR. We’ve done all of these periodically and consistently throughout the years. Never get too comfortable.

Use a registered architect

Mon, 20 May 2019 14:53:00 GMT

Let me explain how a person becomes a licensed architect. We attend a university or college and receive a B Arch, (5 year program) or an M Arch (equal to 6 years of architectural education). After we graduate, we meet extensive requirements as an intern and ultimately take the exams. Exams require a tremendous amount of studying and commitment and equal approximately 2-3 days’ worth of time to pass. It is grueling and an impressive achievement. Once exams are passed, as “registered” architects, we must continue to uphold our license responsibilities by taking a minimum of 21 hours per year of continuing education. As licensed architects, we are also licensed interior designers, require expensive insurance and have earned the honor of calling ourselves architects, which only a licensed architect may use next to his or her name. Residential projects do not require licensed architects. All commercial architecture requires the design and associated work to be completed by a licensed architect. It is illegal for a non-licensed architect to practice commercial architecture. Don’t be fooled or convinced by low fees or other reasons to hire a non-licensed architect. Non-licensed architects sometimes hire licensed architects to stamp their drawings. This is unethical. Ask questions and make sure they have a license. It will only benefit the owner and other licensed architects in our industry.

Wow!

Tue, 14 May 2019 12:25:00 GMT

I recently came across Vincent Callebaut ’s proposal for rebuilding Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris . I had never visited the original, though we studied it intensely in architecture school. The church’s architectural history and impact on what I do for a living is priceless. After seeing the renderings produced by Callebaut’s firm , it became extremely apparent to me what this world needs right now. It needs more Vincent Callebauts . His brave and extremely risky design responds to both the need to rebuild a piece of long standing, passionate history and an acknowledgment that the world is changing. Religion is changing. The environment is changing. People are changing. His design addresses all those issues in one sweeping stroke of a pencil, or computer generated vector line, whatever worked in his office. His design reflects Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris ’ nod to its religious architecture, while challenging historical norms and an inherent acceptance of what “has always been right.” He turns design on its head to reinvent what Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris ’ architecture has kept tried and true throughout the years. By incorporating into the design a garden for homeless people to care for and an all glass ceiling to connect to the environment, he still respects the church’s shape and form in a brilliant manner. We right now do not need to start over in this world, as some may believe. We cannot go backward as some may wish. We need to take a look inside ourselves, be honest about our history, be brave about our future and be true to our soul. I can only hope that the powers that be select Callebaut’s design. It is truly spectacular.

When Indoor is Outdoor

Mon, 06 May 2019 04:00:00 GMT

We recently completed The Mar Vista restaurant project for an owner that wanted a space to function as both interior dining/bar and an exterior covered deck. How can a restaurant achieve both, one might ask? Through the use of materials suitable for exterior use like porcelain tile floors and cypress wood walls and a commercial line of outdoor furniture from a residentially known company, we achieved this duality of spaces. Glazing opens up the spaces and welcomes the outdoor environment inside. Sliding glass doors that disappear into a pocket give total flexibility to the space connecting it to an adjacent covered deck. When closed, they allow for a conditioned space, but visually allowing the patron to see outside. Large double glass doors stay open during temperate climates, but when closed, again remind diners where they are, close to the water. It is possible to achieve both types of spaces in one design.

There is no “I” in team

Tue, 27 Feb 2018 14:44:00 GMT

We have always had the pleasure and opportunity to work with clients who make decisions based on a team approach. A team brings opinions. A team brings challenges. A team brings ideas.

It always amazes me how often I hear stories about projects where the client, the architect, the engineers and the contractors are all separate, not engaged, and literally hand off each phase of their responsibility to the next person in line. The client finds himself or herself isolated without consultants or supporters. The architect completes his/her work in a bubble. The engineers get no direction. And the contractor is on his own to price, coordinate and construct.

There is no better formula for success than creating a team. Communication between each member of that team ensures that the client understands and approves the design. It ensures that the architect listens and responds properly to the client. It ensures that the architect coordinates details and systems with the engineers. It ensures that the contractor is involved from the beginning so that he understands the design, the schedule and the budget. Ultimately, it ensures that every team member has played a part in the entire process and respectively influenced the final design and project completion. That is the definition of a successful development.

Nostalgia in renovations

Tue, 13 Feb 2018 13:41:00 GMT

Sometimes, if one chooses to renovate a space with some history, whether a restaurant, a residence or even a building exterior, an opportunity presents itself for reinvention, rather than completely starting over. Renovations provide the ability for designers and architects to incorporate elements into the new design from the past. Rather than ignoring what was there before, we can figure out ways to include elements such as specific pieces of furniture, light fixtures or even a material used in one way originally but transformed into another in the new design. Renovations are often inherently nostalgic and they should be treated as such. A good renovation finds the balance between old and new, but more importantly, between creating a new experience while keeping the essence of the previous design.

Renovation is not Preservation

Tue, 30 Jan 2018 13:41:00 GMT

It is human nature to gain comfort with what was originally designed, built or installed, before a renovation. The idea of what will be designed gets outweighed by what we already liked and disliked. We may lean towards furniture that we grew up with; a bar countertop we drank at each night or even those first dollar bills the business made, put up for nostalgic reasons over the years. Our minds get caught visualizing or desiring these previous elements rather than looking forward to what a renovation can inspire.

Renovating a building or space refreshes, upgrades and even recreates the experiences patrons or residents or employees encounter once completed. Remember, there is a huge difference between renovation and preservation and we should not confuse the two. Preservation is meant to preserve what was originally built, most often associated with historic places or sometimes associated with a simple appreciation or attraction to the original design. Preservation is meant to copy or keep what was originally built.

Renovation, on the other hand, is an opportunity. It is an opportunity to make change and provide a newer, better experience than before through the use of design. Renovation can keep the essence of what was originally designed, but not exactly what was originally built.

By Jebulon (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons

VR is not perfect

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 13:43:00 GMT

Virtual reality isn’t for everyone. Well, at a high quality, I actually think it is and most people love it. But VR at a low quality … can give you vertigo. The higher the quality, the less staccato the movements. It’s also more expensive, but hey, it’s only money and extremely fun to use.

It is also not for every type of space. Smaller, tighter spaces are not conducive to the 360 degree motion inherent with VR. Talk about nausea. Larger interior spaces are perfect for VR. Fly-throughs are great because they keep you moving and balanced. Though hallways can be claustrophobic, walking down a hallway can be fine as long as you’re not stationary. Exterior buildings work well. Context becomes extremely important so one feels as if it’s real and you’re actually standing outside.

VR may not be perfect, but once you experience it, it is just so cool.

In the blue trunks … 2D, and in the red trunks … 3D

Tue, 02 Jan 2018 13:40:00 GMT

So what’s better, a 2D presentation or a 3D presentation? The answer is neither. The answer is both. The answer depends on the project and the answer depends on the end product. In all of our presentations, we have found a consistent pattern in how we express our design to the client. First a sketch, typically hand done whether rendered or not, then a more accurate plan based on an Autocad drawing, allowing us to determine real dimensions, adjacencies and site constraints. Then we take it vertical, as a model, so it can be rendered in perspective, sometimes abstractly, sometimes photo quality. And now, we put it into virtual reality for the client to truly experience the design. Ironically though, in the end, we go back to the beginning. We create product specific to the presentation, whether for marketing, for sales or for construction. The hand done sketch may entice that idealistic buyer. Actual floor plans may succeed in gaining a team’s approval of the project and a virtual reality tour may just wow everyone for that next big job. I think it’s a draw.

Photorealism demands accuracy

Tue, 12 Dec 2017 14:42:00 GMT

I continue to push my employees to generate higher quality in whatever we produce, whether drawings, design or renderings. As we push ourselves, we find that renderings have a broad range of styles and techniques from watercolor to using SketchUp to incorporating Photoshop to photorealism. As we continue to explore these techniques, the progression of styles become more and more real as they develop. The photorealistic side of presentations begins to create a correlation between virtual reality and photorealism, making them more and more relatable. The ability to provide a tool for clients to virtually experience their projects translates to their expectations that what they are visualizing is absolutely accurate. When one views a watercolor, the expectation warrants a romantic expression of the building or space. When one experiences virtual reality, however, the expectation expands to the desire for true accuracy in the experience. That accuracy requires a completion of the design within the photorealistic generation of that design. Ultimately, the architect and client reach a final product sooner rather than later. This impact on the industry will be interesting to watch in the future.

Is that really what it looks like?

Tue, 28 Nov 2017 13:41:00 GMT

A little known secret in the architectural and design industry is that as technology develops, like a computer program or a rendering technique or drafting capabilities, the requirement as designers for attention to detail increases. We cannot get away with lines that don’t cross, flooring that is ‘almost’ the right color or a tree approximately in the correct spot. The tools we use now demand from us our focus and care when designing and presenting to our clients. And now that we are producing renderings through virtual reality, the programs we use allow for that detail. Even more, our clients now expect that detail. It becomes even more imperative for us as designers to take the time to understand what that material really is that we’re showing or to ensure the orientation of the building is truly positioned properly. Most importantly, our client wants to know, “Is that really what it looks like?”

It sure seems real!

Tue, 14 Nov 2017 14:39:00 GMT

In my last post, I discussed 2D renderings as a tool for presentation purposes. And for most clients, renderings always succeed in telling the story. We use programs like SketchUp , Photoshop , 3D Studio Max and Rhino to create 3D models which turn into 2D presentations. But now, we can take it to another level. We can place clients inside the space or even standing on the sidewalk admiring their future building. Looking at a snapshot of an experience only allows the viewer to visualize what is shown in that snapshot. But with virtual reality, we literally place the viewer in the space, allowing them to view 360 degrees of details, proportions, materials and context. This amazing tool gives the client the ability to both feel the space or building, and also place themselves in an environment that is as close to reality as possible, even though it is not.

Can I see it in 3D?

Tue, 31 Oct 2017 12:42:00 GMT

We often get asked the question, “Can I see it in 3D?” And my answer is always the same, “Well, we can actually show you a 3D perspective, but it’s in 2D.” When an image is printed on a piece of paper, it is automatically 2D by nature of it being on a piece of paper. Interior perspectives of spaces or exterior renderings of buildings are all … well … 2D. And remember, 2D images and renderings are extremely valuable. They provide the client the ability to visualize the space or structure on a piece of paper as an image projecting something more real than what they can personally visualize. Just as still shots or photographs capture moments in time for people to appreciate and enjoy, so does the 2D rendering.

In our next blog post, we’ll explain how we are taking this technique to a whole new level of visual experience.

Always Look Up

Tue, 27 Jun 2017 18:40:00 GMT

We often find ourselves scanning our surroundings on only one level. We walk down the street, in a city or a park or in our own neighborhoods, we inherently focus on what is at eye level. We nod to the passerby, we look in a storefront window, or we avoid the stationary trashcan located exactly where we are walking. However, above all of this, there are experiences and moments that should not be missed. There are landscaped gardens visible from tops of buildings, the occasional majestic, bald eagle flies overhead, or even sculptures that make your mind think twice about what’s going on in the sky. Always look up. You may miss something important.

Colorado Series: Design for Reading

Tue, 28 Feb 2017 12:26:00 GMT

During our trip to Colorado Springs, we had the pleasure of actually staying in the house that we were hired to redesign. After the first day and a half of preparing for and taking interior photographs, we then got a chance to slow down and relax. After slipping on my Uggs and pulling out my latest Baldacci book, I was sitting in the living room and realized something. Before this moment, I couldn’t figure out why this classic modern home with a true wood ceiling, heavy timber beams, concrete columns, eight foot tall glass windows and real concrete tile felt like such a warm, inviting space. And then it hit me. The space made you want to read a book. All of those components; the oversized fireplace, the classic modern furniture, the wonderful scenery seen through the expanse of clear glass, were simply designed to encourage one to read. And I realized that using the act of reading as a benchmark for design, forces us as architects and interior designers to create spaces that are proportioned, appropriately sized and finished in a way that provides comfort and satisfaction.

Colorado Series: Design with Respect

Tue, 21 Feb 2017 12:23:00 GMT

It is not often that we, as architects and interior designers, get the opportunity to renovate a classically modern structure. It is just as rare that we get the opportunity to meet the original architect of that building and even more rare that the original architect still lives in the house we are renovating. We were lucky enough to have this exact opportunity in Colorado Springs . We had two choices: 1. to design something representative of our own aesthetic to show off our own design style or 2. to respect the original design with the only goal to complement the existing aesthetic and ultimately hope for the original architect’s approval. We chose the latter and got that approval. By renovating with respect and admiration for the design, the results were both aesthetically pleasing for all involved, but more importantly, we enhanced the original architecture and space by giving it the respect it deserved.

Colorado Series: Photos Should Tell a Story

Tue, 14 Feb 2017 12:41:00 GMT

Our website has morphed multiple times over the years, but the main purpose of any designer’s website is to express the visual success and achievements of that designer. The photography gives us the channel to express our talent and specifically, what our buildings or spaces look and feel like. Though always subjective in nature, our aesthetic and built form is our life and these photographs represent our careers. They show the evolution of our designs and they can also tell the story of a project. If photography is used properly, the photographs taken should allow the viewer to take themselves on a journey through the relationship between space, proportion, materials, the furniture and its context. The images, organized properly, can explain the thought process of the architect or interior designer, expressing how they approached the project and ultimately, the project’s success.

Colorado Series: Mix It Up

Fri, 10 Feb 2017 13:18:00 GMT

On a recent trip to Colorado Springs, Patty and I visited one of our residential projects renovating a classic modern home set at the base of Cheyenne Mountain. While there, we experienced a most amazing climatic transformation over the two days we were in town. As seen in the photos below, we went from a landscape covered in snow and clouds to beautiful green foliage, Cheyenne Mountain in the background and not a hint of snow or ice anywhere. This brings up an interesting awareness to appreciate and take advantage of the photographic opportunities the climate provides when documenting our buildings for marketing purposes. Don’t get stuck taking photos only when the project is complete. Be patient and take photos at different times of the year in multiple environments. It will only enhance the success of your project and help to tell your story.

Schimberg architects - residential architecture

Photo Taken on Feb. 3 from the front yard (can't see the mountains)

Photo by Don Jones Photography

Running your own business

Tue, 10 Jan 2017 13:00:00 GMT

They don’t teach you in school about running your own business. They may naively and ignorantly promote being on your own or starting your own firm, but they do not tell you how difficult it is to begin, and more importantly sustain, a company. Here are a few things to consider before jumping:

Employees – Hiring them, firing them, finding them, keeping them, befriending them, relating to them…

The Office – Should I lease, should I own, how much square footage, what location, what about signage, should I be downstairs or upstairs …

Technical Capabilities – How many and what kind of computers, how many and what kind of printers, how many and what kind of phone system, how many and what kind of cellular phones, how many and what kind of computer programs (there’s Autocad , Revit , Archicad , Sketch-up , Photoshop , InDesign , 3d Studio Max , Rhino …), should I video conference, should I back up on a server …

Insurance – Do I get general liability, professional liability, workman’s comp, auto, health, dental, eye, for my leased equipment, disability …

Projects – Should we focus on residential, commercial, renovations, new construction, locally, regionally, nationally, internationally, small ones, large ones, municipal ones, industrial ones …

Accounting – Am I a corporation, a partnership, should I use Quickbooks, what about a bank, payroll, sales tax, unemployment, 941s, W-9s, K-1s …

And this is just the tip of the iceberg …

To Revit or not to Revit?

Wed, 28 Dec 2016 18:50:00 GMT

For the last 10 years or so, the question of whether or not we as an architectural firm should move into Revit or a similar program has been a consistent topic of discussion. Is Autocad or Sketchup sufficient or should we make the jump to Revit? One issue has always been whether our engineers are using the program or not. Until recently, the answer has always been a resounding “no,” however, even today, it is still not a given. The BIM (Building Information Modeling) programs are clearly the direction we are heading, but for smaller firms, I find that it still is a struggle to make the leap. And now, there’s Archicad, which seems to be gaining momentum and giving Revit a run for its money. Just as in Hamlet, it is about questioning a decision and what to do. We must continue to ask ourselves regularly when it is time to Revit or not to Revit? (Or whatever BIM program you choose). That … is definitely the question.

Get Dirty

Tue, 20 Dec 2016 13:12:00 GMT

I’ve never understood how some architects prefer to only design projects and never see them built or only provide drawings for permitting, but do not provide construction administration to finish out the project. The process of designing a building, both the exterior and the interior, is exactly that … a process. It begins with a site, then initial sketches and ideas, then drawings and then, ultimately, it ends with construction. During the construction period, design continues, details are resolved and puzzles are solved. No matter how good a set of drawings are, existing conditions or even details that just can’t be foreseen due to the nature of the beast, are dealt with, but only during construction and not by oneself. It allows the architect to work out details, but more importantly, it allows the architect to create and foster relationships with the men and women building the project. These relationships create a team and that team creates a better project for the owner. The feeling of putting on boots in the morning, rather than my Pradas, grounds our profession in what architecture is really about … getting dirty. Because when you get dirty, it means it’s being built and you’re a true part of that accomplishment.

You never would have guessed

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 12:09:00 GMT

One thing architects strive for is to create new or updated architectural features. We look for opportunities for new shapes, materials, forms or even entire systems. The challenge is often related to modern technology, modern day desires or even the architect’s or client’s wish to simply be different. However, in a recent project, we found an ironic twist to this “new age” challenge of being beyond creative. For the renovation of the Mar Vista restaurant, an old fishing shack turned popular Florida restaurant, we chose to match the existing weathered cypress siding rather than create some new material. Those new features happen in the interior and in other ways throughout the exterior. But … in the process of determining how to go about recreating weathered wood, the contractor had an extremely creative and simple solution. Vinegar and steel wool pads. New material … old look … way simple solution. Sometimes, you just never would have guessed.

Away from Home

Tue, 06 Dec 2016 11:05:00 GMT

The opportunity to work outside of one’s home state is often eye opening. No matter what field, expanding your knowledge to other parts of the country or world provides the ability to:

… and for us as architects and interior designers, we get exposed to new aesthetic and architectural styles. We find the ability to broaden our comfort zone and design with new materials, new colors and new environments. Don’t be afraid to venture out into the world. Whether a plane ride or a road trip, the benefits outweigh any possible concerns.

Renovated home designed by the Schimberg Group in Colorado Springs, CO

Developing is tough!

Tue, 22 Nov 2016 15:24:00 GMT

As they say, if it was easy, everyone would do it. Our goal, as a firm, is to ultimately develop our own projects. There are many reasons for this decision, but recently, we bought a property and began the process of developing it. We created pro-formas, designed it, negotiated leases, worked with the city for permitting and the contractor on pricing. As the title describes, it is extremely difficult. Mentally, physically and financially. However, there is an inherent advantage for architects to evolve into developers. Our ability to constantly design during the entire process puts us ahead of other developers. It saves money and/or helps to resolve the financial pro-forma, in real time. There’s no need to call your architect and then wait for their response. We can do it on the fly which is invaluable. The only thing they don’t tell before you begin your venture is … developing is tough!

Be choosy …

Tue, 15 Nov 2016 14:22:00 GMT

Maybe it’s age. Maybe it’s experience. Maybe it’s even personality. I take on projects:

Life is too short and growing your business with a clear focus and selectivity in your projects and clients keeps your mind creative and your business streamlined. It is sometimes hard to say no to a potential project, but when you find yourself saying yes to the right ones, it all falls into place. And most importantly, the quality of work increases which then increases the quantity of work. Be choosy … it works as a business model.

Concierge Architect

Fri, 11 Nov 2016 16:22:00 GMT

Counting hours is the worst. Architects do it. Attorneys do it. Accountants do it. It requires a tremendous amount of effort and places the client and consultant in a precarious position wondering about how many hours have been spent.

Fixed fees are better, but they are typically based on completion of work and billing is based on a percent of completion. Retainers are often given, but if the project is delayed or just doesn’t happen, the retainer doesn’t matter much. I’ve had to give back retainers because the project didn’t get off of the ground. That’s not fun.

Instead, we have created a new format. I call it the “concierge architect.” Based on a defined scope and understanding the value of a long term contract, we provide that scope and more, within reason, for a pre-determined monthly retainer and a minimum one year contract. This provides cash flow for both parties, ours in and theirs out, removes any question of hours spent and gives the client an opportunity to get more than just the projects discussed. We are available “on call” in a way and our clients love it.

Sunlight Creates Art

Tue, 08 Nov 2016 14:57:00 GMT

What is it about sunlight hitting buildings. After a few trips recently, and more photos of buildings than my family, I noticed a distinct difference between the photos of buildings taken in diffused light and photos of buildings taken at certain moments of the day, when the light hits parts of the structure to create this incredible play of shapes, textures, materials and oddly enough … art. Photography is tough, and I’m not a photographer, but when traveling and snapping shots of your favorite architectural masterpieces, look for that moment when the building is more than just a building and becomes a piece of artwork.

Ch..ch…ch…changes….

Tue, 01 Nov 2016 07:36:00 GMT

In the world of construction, architecture and design, the word “change” has always been equated with another word, “order.” Change orders have always scared people and been directly related to additional costs. Whether a result of the architect or designer unilaterally making the change or the impression that the contractor was using it as an opportunity to charge the owner more money, it was never a positive word or term.

However, over time, I’ve come to realize that there are actually two other forms of, or use of, the word … “change.” There’s good change and there’s bad change.

Good change, which happens often, occurs when something does not go as expected, like an existing condition or an owner’s late night idea. Ultimately, a change is made in order to make the situation better or the detail work. This type of change, 99% of the time, has positive success and is better than the original idea or design.

The second change is negative. This type of change occurs due to lack of care or a deliberate choice to continue to make design modifications, layout revisions or construction decisions. The owner simply makes changes because they can, without regard for other consultants or team members and has little or no respect for the process of design or construction. Ultimately, these types of changes cost time, effort, and money with less than successful results and negatively impacting the final product.

Embrace change, at least the good kind. Other than that, move on and stop making changes.

The good news about the recession

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 13:17:00 GMT

The good news about the recession was that it weeded out the unnecessary draftsman, the incapable designer, and the architect that ultimately left the business. It, if nothing else, slowed down projects enough that, at least on the surface, kept good architecture alive and well.

However, now, we are starting to see bad design rear its ugly head again. Builders and designers (or non-designers), contractors and architects (or non-architects) are designing projects with little respect for context, the environment or in some cases, just simply color.

Let’s not forget what the last seven years taught us: that being conscientious and reserved in our approach to building and development and even design is not only appropriate for the project proforma, but also for the project’s aesthetic success.

We are falling into the same abyss

Tue, 18 Oct 2016 12:13:00 GMT

We are falling into the same abyss this industry fell into in 2009 and 2010. Laborers are taking on jobs out of fear. Architects aren’t saying “no” and instead are agreeing to any project that comes across their desk. Developers are building too many of what they think is necessary and not what is necessary.

Step back, please … Remember that saying no and focusing on doing a good job rather than increasing productivity and earnings ultimately … increases productivity and earnings. Quality is king and, in the end, doing a good job for the right price on schedule is remembered years from now. Taking the money now and running without quality gets forgotten and ends up looking for another career.

A Reflective Nature

Thu, 06 Oct 2016 18:15:00 GMT

In the Jewish religion, it is the New Year. Based on the Gregorian calendar, the year starts over around this time, providing Jews (and anyone else for that matter) to reflect over the last year or even one’s entire life, and to think about that past, but also look to the future.

It has been almost two years since I wrote my last blog post, so here we are, starting new. Architecture, by nature, is repetitive, cyclical, even sometimes dictated. Rarely does an architect have the opportunity to design something totally fresh and new. Rather, architects are reflective. We reinvent forms and styles and proportion, already given to us by history or nature into new ideas, reflecting our concepts, our design or our aesthetic desires.

Look around, and notice the reflective nature of buildings, not literally, but notice how the built environment reflects on forms or shapes or materials, often created within the architectural designs surrounding us.

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

Restaurant Design in Vacation Areas

Wed, 22 Oct 2014 11:00:00 GMT

When designing a restaurant in areas where tourists vacation, consider the following ideas:

There’s nothing like eating in a great restaurant with great food in a great location. What makes it truly special is a great interior and atmosphere.

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

Restaurant Design in Vacation Areas

Sandbar Restaurant, Anna Maria, FL – A Schimberg Group renovation

Top 10 must-haves for a remodeled grocery store

Thu, 16 Oct 2014 11:00:00 GMT

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

Top 10 must-haves for a newly-designed grocery store

Mon, 29 Sep 2014 16:13:00 GMT

1) Consistent bulbs throughout to minimize maintenance issues

2) Proper lighting over specific foods such as meat, seafood, produce, etc.

3) Smooth flooring on the sales floor

4) MMA or Epoxy in the back of house

5) 6’-0” minimum aisle width

6) Thoughtful location of check-out counters for easy circulation

7) Well designed and aesthetically clean restrooms

8) Perimeter cases with grocery in the center of the store

9) Appealing and interesting soffit signage and décor to attract customers and create a comfortable atmosphere

10) Easily accessible customer service desk

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

Repetition in Architecture

Mon, 15 Sep 2014 14:34:00 GMT

It always amazes me that some of the most interesting walls or ceilings or trellises are created by taking a simple shape or material and repeating it over and over again. Ultimately, the end result reinvents the original piece in an abstract, but well defined, building element. The patterns become kinetic objects that a person experiences, both visually and often physically. The fact that a wall can be made of hundreds of single elements placed in a repetitive pattern and manipulated to create a three dimensional relationship rather than a single material used in its normal form is an amazing opportunity to take advantage of when one designs. The array of materials and opportunities can appeal to both artistic architects looking to create magazine inspired photos and residential feature walls for the average homeowner. The materials are endless and the patterns are infinite.

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

Ben Parker Had It Right

Mon, 25 Aug 2014 12:17:00 GMT

Some people use the word “green.” Some professionals use the word sustainable. We find a more appropriate approach to architecture and interiors is about responsibility. Last time I checked, green is just a color. Sustainability pertains to the future. But responsibility … represents the here and now and most importantly, requires the architect to take ownership of decisions made for our environment, our lifestyles, our buildings and the spaces we occupy.

Responsibility is thinking about site orientation for maximizing sunlight and passive cooling.

Responsibility is selecting materials that can be easily maintained and possibly recycled.

Responsibility is working within a budget and communicating on a regular basis to keep the project moving forward efficiently. (See … it’s not just about design.)

It is an architect’s responsibility to design projects in the best interest of their client’s wallet, their client’s schedule and the environment that we live in. As Spider-Man’s uncle said, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” The power to shape the built environment warrants an architect’s great responsibility to do it properly.

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

Large Bodies of Water

Tue, 19 Aug 2014 15:42:00 GMT

When flying over large bodies of water, I can’t help myself to just find that school of sharks or whales or anything swimming in the water. It’s about connection, grounding and familiarity. Flying over water in every direction creates a feeling of endlessness. We can relate to earth and ground or buildings, because we can walk on them. We want and need to place our feet on something solid. It is human nature to feel more comfortable flying over mountains or fields or cities. We need buildings and land and rivers and ball fields to connect us back to reality. However, I have to admit that it is sometimes nice to escape and just look for Atlantis.

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

Housing Developments

Mon, 11 Aug 2014 13:00:00 GMT

We often talk about community. I have attended entire conferences dedicated to that word. What is a community? What makes a community? How does one navigate through a community? As I continue this series on flying, I often see these ‘communities’ set within the environment. Tracts of green or brown land and then gradually, tens, sometimes hundreds of homes, built in some pattern, interconnected by roads and all approximately the same size.The roofs are typically the same color, and from an airplane, the houses all seem white for some reason. Did the developer think about how this ‘community’ would appear from a plane? Though I personally believe communities are created at a pedestrian level, when looking down on a housing development from above, one cannot ignore the impact that all of the roofs and winding roads and spattering of pools has on the definition of community. It’s the 30,000 foot perspective of not living alone.

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

Manicured Tracts of Land

Mon, 04 Aug 2014 13:55:00 GMT

There is something very beautiful and architectural about flying over land versus water.

In different parts of the country, the Midwest in particular, tracts of land extend as far as the eye can see, in this incredibly geometric pattern. Each area of land is clearly defined with ’pathways’ or tan colored ‘roads’ creating squares, rectangles and parallelograms.

It resembles a city grid, imagining each ‘road’ as a city block and each square as a community unto itself.

Then, each defined grid shape is a different color. Shades of greens, browns and reds all seemingly related, but separate in their function.

One must consider what grows within those tracts to create the different colors and is it possibly deliberate? The farmers’ ultimate patchwork of art on the world’s largest canvas.

And ultimately, this field of angular shapes represents work, thoughtfulness and care. It is American and it is beautiful.

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

image: www.freeimages.co.uk

The Winding River

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 15:14:00 GMT

As I look out the window, all I see is land. I focus on something else on the plane’s fold down tray on my lap and then peer out again. Beginning somewhere, I’m not quite sure where, a winding river is snaking its way through the trees, or the desert or flat lands. It narrows and widens as it continuously curves, seemingly never ending.

I immediately want to know where it starts. A natural spring? A body of water? Are we near the coast or inland?

Are there houses built on the river, creating an opportunity to design a modern, custom home with fabulous views? Or is this just a natural environment home to local species like alligators, birds and mangroves?

In a way, the river is like drawing a line on a page with your eyes closed. There is no real order in its movement, but there is a beginning, there is an end and everything along the way has an interesting shape or turn or relationship to its surrounding.

Sounds a bit like life, huh?

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

Baseball Fields

Mon, 21 Jul 2014 12:10:00 GMT

I once heard that if you’re flying somewhere, the one thing that places oneself in a certain geographic location are baseball fields. They tell you, “You’re in America.”

There are no other places on earth that have as many baseball diamonds, spread out over an entire country, spotting the terrain.

Flying is always a disconnecting experience. You’re in a machine, fairly small if you think about it, compact in nature, hurdling 20-30,000 feet above land, seemingly floating in air with nothing around it. That’s disconnection.

When flying, I find myself searching for comfort. I find myself searching for a connection to a place or to the earth or to a familiar shape. The baseball diamond is that special shape, set in a field of green, red clay and white stripes, the baseball field simply says, “I’m home.”

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

The Lone House

Mon, 14 Jul 2014 18:52:00 GMT

While flying to D.C. from Florida, I thought it would be interesting to write a series on the view from above: the lone house, baseball fields, the winding river, manicured land, house developments and large bodies of water.

I always wonder who lives in that house? Vast areas of trees or hills or fields of grass and out of nowhere, a house appears. Typically white for some reason, it calls for attention.

What were the owners thinking? I don’t like people. I like a ton of land. I hope no one can find us. I always think, “How long does it take to get home from work?” and “Where does the mailman drop the mail, at the house or the entry to the driveway?”

Choosing to build a house in the middle of nowhere is like choosing to vacation on a very small island in the middle of the ocean. It must be fun to just get away.

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

Everyone’s An Architect Sometimes

Mon, 07 Jul 2014 14:39:00 GMT

I hear often, “You know, I was going to be an architect but I was terrible at math.” I typically chuckle and shake my head in an “I’ve heard that one before and I’m not quite sure what to say” way.

Here’s a secret: I’m an architect not because I’m good at math but because I absolutely love the essence of what architecture represents. I am one hundred percent passionate about this field – everything about it, even the bad. I love shapes and the spaces they create. I love watching people interact with each other while walking through a hallway, discussing their day. I love looking out of a plane and seeing the grid lines created by low tracts of land. I love how the ‘a’, the ‘r’, the ‘c’, the ‘h’, the ‘i’, the ‘t’, the ‘e’, the ‘c’, the ‘t’, the ‘u’, the ‘r’ and the ‘e’ create an inspiring and wonderful word and gets me just as excited today as when I graduated from college over 20 years ago.

If you love these things too, then go, be, learn, create and collaborate. Become an architect. It’s a wonderful career and an amazing foundation for other life choices. And it’s not a bad education either, though its code name is “archi-torture.”

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

Branding the Architecture

Mon, 23 Jun 2014 13:45:00 GMT

One may associate the word ‘brand’ with marketing or advertising or PR. What’s interesting is that as we continue to design or develop buildings, whether as designer or owner, spaces or site plans, residential or commercial, we are inherently branding something.

One of our first questions to most clients is, “What style do you want this project to reflect?” The answer typically leads to history, personal experiences, the tenant’s purpose and other influential design elements that help create a brand. Don’t underestimate that power and that opportunity to use architectural branding to help mold the final design. We do it naturally anyway.

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

Design vector created by Freepik

Stop Talking About Yourself

Mon, 16 Jun 2014 16:03:00 GMT

I recently attended a conference where I heard two speakers. The first speaker chose to relay a message that was applicable to our business, our life and our field. There was nothing really specific to architecture about it, however it addressed topics that we as architects could relate to and understand. We could use his insight to better our future endeavors. It was clear that his address could have been to anyone: architects, lawyers, accountants or doctors. It was interesting, engaging and helpful.

The second speaker spoke about himself. He started with a slide show of projects his firm completed, continued with projects his firm completed, interjected slides of two paintings that he painted himself, and ended with projects his firm completed. Though aesthetically interesting and even architecturally inspiring, I found the approach to educate and engage versus talk about oneself much more appealing.

Maybe at times, we, the architect or designer or lawyer or doctor, who love what we do and love to talk about what we do, look beyond ourselves to express our ideas. I know it’s hard, but the people around us may appreciate it much more than seeing an abstract we painted for over the mantle.

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

McMansion … McShmansion

Mon, 09 Jun 2014 13:17:00 GMT

Oh…this is a fun topic. Patty and I have been saying for years, “What are people going to do when these terrible, Spanish-Med(icated) or neo(not) classical mcmansions built and designed by builders need to be renovated?”

Houses built in the ‘50s, modern and simple, stand the test of time. Though not everyone likes modern, a ’50s home, with its rectangular floor plan, simple lines, lots of glass, flat or low roofs, can be modified into almost any style desired. They are an artist’s canvas. And we are starting to see a trend towards more modern renovations whether Spanish, Colonial, Key West or ranch.

Recently, we renovated a builder grade, Spanish-Med home into a contemporary, modern house. It was not easy. Arches with foam ornamentation, a red barrel tile roof, angles and roof pitches like Superman’s Fortress of Solitude, the dreaded octagonal-shaped entrance and the thickest troweled-on stucco imaginable. You could climb the wall without grappling hooks. And best of all, the house was painted pink! Yes … pink.

I always ask, “Have you ever been to the Mediterranean?”, when people ask if we design in that style. True Mediterranean architecture is simple. Arches are at entry ways only. Stucco is smooth. Columns are used properly and proportionately. Windows are rectangular without tons of ornamental bad trim.

So how did we resolve this design challenge? We purged. We simplified the building. We cleaned the house of the builder’s choices and modernized it as best we could.

We also created a very modern interior, which helps the entire house feel upgraded.

And don’t get me wrong, we’re not saying all houses need to be modern. We are saying they need to be properly and consistently styled throughout. Though typically less is more … more is ok if done properly.

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

The Glamour Shot

Thu, 29 May 2014 16:45:00 GMT

Our office recently participated in the ever so fun and creative exercise of office portraits. As architects and designers, we inherently made this process more difficult by not simply sitting on a chair with a very nice solid background color (or for those Sears Roebuck fans, the mottled teal, purple and pink drop down screen). Instead, we thought about it. We scouted locations. We brainstormed in the office for hours. We even thought about traveling to a distant setting. In the end, we tore apart our conference room and completely redesigned a 12 x 20 space with only two blank walls, one wall of closet doors and one wall of windows. Go figure.

The result: an extremely interesting photo to use for marketing purposes that not only looks good, but tells a story. It is not just a pretty picture. It uses the opportunity to capture a single moment in a way that provides the potential client, consultant or future employee a glimpse into what we do in our profession. Whether architecture, interior design, law, restaurateur or even janitor – if you’re taking photos, think about what the photo could say. Tell the longest story in the shortest time ever. You may even take two photos.

~Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

One of The Schimberg Group ‘s architects, Todd Anderson, ready for his closeup.

Photo Credit: Greg Dechow Photography

Ironically Satisfying

Wed, 21 May 2014 13:43:00 GMT

It occurred to me recently that the profession of architecture is the only field that I know of that celebrates, even embraces, the success of completing a task that doesn’t get completed. Yes… that doesn’t get completed. There are numerous award competitions in the world of architecture rewarding architects for their ability to design a project that doesn’t get built. Funny, huh? Here’s $2,000 for your efforts and your wonderful design of a building and oh, by the way, it’s a beautiful rendering but it will never actually be built. You won’t really make any money and you probably didn’t even get paid that much to do the ‘pretty pictures’ (actually hours and hours of thoughtful and detailed decisions to even schematically come up with a design), but hey, let’s celebrate and give you an award.

A client of mine reflects often that it amazes him how much time architects put into projects without getting paid, just to attempt to get the project. Doctors, lawyers, even accountants do not do that. They may choose to provide gratis work out of the goodness of their hearts, but it is not necessary or expected by society to do so.

Architecture is different. Expectations are different and in order for us to be successful, the ‘concept’ is sometimes our greatest tool. It may not buy us that Maserati, but it is what gets us up in the morning. I’ve always said that architects’ biggest problem is that we love what we do so much. Having said that, I’ll take the built project over the pretty picture any day of the week.

Strange Buildings - Schimberg Architects

IMAGE SOURCE: Vincent Callebaut Architectures

Which White Where?

Mon, 05 May 2014 15:49:00 GMT

“Just paint it white.” Really?! There are over 100 shades of white for paint and it’s paint-fully endless.

Depending on adjacent colors, location (exterior or interior), lighting, wall texture and other factors, unfortunately, it’s just not that easy to “paint it white.”

Some whites have little bits of yellow. Some whites have egg on their faces. Some are chalk. Some take on shades of pink, a soft edge you might not even notice at first, like a fine wine … or maybe a fine “pink” wine!

There is a gray white that matters and a matte or gloss-ish white that may not. So on and so forth.

Rather than asking your architect and designer to show you a myriad of ways to do white (and I don’t mean Walter White), think carefully about the space or wall that’s going to be “white.” Toss up three foot to four foot square swatches on the wall or ceiling of whatever you happen to be calling white that day. If outside, make sure you look at the color in the shade and in the sun. As you will see, it will change and sometimes dramatically. If adjacent to another color or even, say, immediately next to a lawn, those colors (green grass, red tile, brown garage doors) will change the color of your white to a notwhatyouwerethinking color.

White just isn’t that simple. Take your time and do it white.

Dreamy at Work

Fri, 25 Apr 2014 21:29:00 GMT

I was asked recently to define my dream job.

I’m sure every architect has a different answer, but for me, the unspoken wish includes a restaurant or retail space, a few floors of offices, and most likely (on the top floors) the perfectly developed and designed residences! (We then would expect to provide all interior design services for those residences, of course.)

And if we’re really going to get excited, then this dream job will possess a modern, contemporary aesthetic to appeal to the international and sophisticated clientele.

Why is this the dream job? Because it inherently creates a puzzle and at least, this architect, likes a puzzle. This edifice created is vertical, horizontal and spatial. There is fenestration, odors, an exterior veneer and furniture and kitchens and exhaust and interesting lighting to contend with. Believe it or not, I honestly do dream about these things.

There’s really nothing more an architect can ask for. Well…maybe a spectacular water view with snow capped mountains off in the distance. And…the review of a lifetime after its world renowned unveiling for media and invited guests. Don’t worry…that will include you.

Chairs Are Not Easy

Fri, 18 Apr 2014 13:50:00 GMT

Just sit on it!

Selecting chairs for a restaurant can be daunting and a little hard to sit through. There really are questions to answer right from the start: Do you want a solid back or open? Do you want to easily wipe crumbs off? Do you want wood, metal – upholstery? Do you want to spend $50 or is this a $450 investment per chair? Do you want a specialty custom fabric or is standard from the manufacturer acceptable? Do you want the chair to handle a 250lb capacity standard, or more?

So…just sit on it. Get a sample delivered or even buy one and return it if it doesn’t meet your standards. Don’t always depend on the picture in the catalogue. This is one of the most subjective of all room choices, particularly if you don’t stand for standing…

And after all, if the bottom is happy, the rest is usually doing okay!

Sketches: Matt Choto

An Architect’s Pay

Tue, 01 Apr 2014 19:23:00 GMT

If not the first, the second question is usually: “So, um, how do you charge for your services?” If it’s the first question, I say, “probably a fee that’s too much for you” and cleverly find my way out. It’s one thing to have to ask and another to want to know before any other detail.

There are really 3 ways architects can charge fees: hourly, by a project fee or through a percentage of the costs.

A professional interior designer charges in this manner too but typically on a percentage of cost plus basis because of the innate need to research and procure furniture and surroundings.

The “hourly” is an accounting nightmare and is frankly annoying. Imagine how much time is wasted keeping track (think timecards) and who needs that?

First, this is a relationship based on trust. Secondly, constantly paying hourly fees will make cash flow all but improbable for all parties.

So we set the fees. Whether based on an hourly rate and estimating how many hours the project will incur, or an empirically-achieved flat fee or even cost per square foot. The fee is king. It allows cash flow for the project to flow everywhere it needs to go.

If you are dealing with an architect on invoicing, be sure it is based on the percentage the architect is complete. Everyone knows that everything fluctuates after that first “perfect” plan. There’s no reason to pay fees or collect fees if the project falls flat on its well-designed face.

Design Trends Exposed in Competition

Thu, 20 Mar 2014 14:52:00 GMT

Recently, a project completed by our firm, The Schimberg Group, was recognized in a local magazine. We watch less for who won “Home of the Year” awards and more for “what emerging trends are winning” and we watch in coastal areas around the world. Much of what we design is built in a rather unforgiving coastal climate with beating sun, tropical rain and the occasional hurricane force winds. The closer the building site is to the coast, the closer it is to the roughest weather and we are always looking for innovations that artfully combine resistance to these elements with clean, modern design. Here are a few things we are seeing:

It is impossible to keep abreast of all the new ideas and materials available to architects and designers but award publications in print and online can be a quick way to spot the top line trends in a particular genre or specific climate.

Silver Award for “Best Renovation/Remodel”

Gold Award for “Best Bathroom”

SF&S (Shipping, Freight and Storage. It’s official!)

Tue, 11 Mar 2014 20:57:00 GMT

You’ve heard of FF&E (furniture, fixtures and equipment).

I am officially terming the acronym SF&S (shipping, freight and storage.)

Whether commercial or residential, these 3 items are often forgotten about when budgeting dollars towards FF&E. And if you have FF&E and you forget about SF&S you could get a HA&H. (heart attack and heartburn)

Typically SF&S are costs passed on by the designer without mark up and direct from the vendor. They typically range in the 5-10% of the total FF&E costs.

Freight costs are from the vendor providing the FF&E and shipping and storage costs are often costs associated with the designer’s warehouse.

Storage should only be a cost if there is a substantial period of time between the arrival of the furniture at the warehouse and delivery to the site.

Hopefully, your designer brings to your attention the SF&S costs before ordering FF&E. If not, ask for an estimate for budgeting purposes.

Bad Architecture

Mon, 17 Feb 2014 21:34:00 GMT

I live in the bad architecture capital of the world; along with bad clothes, bad boob jobs and leopard skin high heel shoes. Florida takes the cake for aesthetical breakdown.

However, rather than subjectively reacting to building design or interior selections, focus should be given to what architecture is truly about; proportion, scale, honesty towards materials used.

In a meeting recently, the client expressed concern with a building design style presented. In response, a different style, British West Indies, was suggested. The reaction, sort of like watching someone eat sea urchin, created a dialogue.

Architecture is about shaping elements into the built form in a cohesive, thoughtful and coordinated manner. I’m pretty sure leopards never meant to be high heels.

Restaurant Possible

Tue, 04 Feb 2014 19:11:00 GMT

Hire a kitchen consultant. Don’t try to design it on your own just because you’re a chef or you own or manage the restaurant. Codes, equipment options and coordination with other vendors as well as engineers impact the final design. A kitchen consultant will help you to avoid the pitfalls associated with designing a commercial kitchen.

Commercial kitchens are about efficiency. Determine the menu first. That will help select equipment and location of the equipment.

Try to locate beer and wine storage near the bar if possible. Provide egress in and out of the kitchen to allow for a circular traffic pattern. Allow for a minimum of 10’ clear to bottom of structure for proper hood installation and ventilation. Do not use wood when supporting a hood to the ceiling. Fire codes prohibit this and all too often we see this occurring. Use a non-skid, rough surface on the floor. MMA’s (resin) or a rough, quarry tile are good flooring options.

No Need To Look Far

Wed, 15 Jan 2014 13:52:00 GMT

‘From farm to table’ is phrase used widely in the local food movement of the restaurant world. It represents a process that food can take before it hits your plate. It represents freshness and, possibly most importantly, local vendors.

When designing a space, whether commercial or residential, whether expansive, just a lobby or a bedroom, we have found that local vendors provide wonderful opportunities.

With the internet allowing such accessibility to almost anyone in the world, it does take a bit of diligence to go local. For example, in a lobby, there may need to be a sofa or chairs. Rather than buying one online or at a large corporate store, consider buying a chair at a thrift shop and recovering it with contemporary fabric using a local upholsterer.

For restaurants, build the booths with a local furniture maker.

Build a Better Bar Top

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:58:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP

During a restaurant redesign, the importance of choosing the right bar top can’t be overstated. The surface should combine form, fashion, and function in a way that reflects the spirit of the establishment.

Bar tops can be made from dozens of different materials, including wood, laminates, granite, steel, clear or frosted glass, or resin. Two of the most memorable bar tops we have designed include an onyx bar top which was lit from below and a terrazzo bar top that was crafted to our specifications and sealed for durability.

Here are a few things to keep in mind, when designing a bar top:

Aesthetics. Think about the overall look you are trying to create for the space. Consider the bar top as an opportunity to make a visual statement.

Maintainabiity. The bar must be easy to clean and resistant to stains and scratching. Try to think of everything the bar top might be exposed to: water rings, alcohol, coffee, food, wine, salad dressings, etc. The softer the material, the more maintenance it will require.

Drink Rail. Find out if the bartenders have any preferences with regards to the drink rail. The drink rail is a lowered trough that can be added to the inside edge of the bar top to contain spills while drinks are being mixed. A rubber mat or stainless steel grate in the drink rail keeps glasses from sliding on a wet bar top. Don’t forget drains spaced about every 3‐4’‐0” for cleaning purposes.

Extra Support. At some point, bar patrons or employees may feel the urge to stand on the bar. In theory, a bar shouldn’t have to be designed to support the weight of people. But experienced restaurant owners know that in the real world, it’s necessary.

For the bar area in The Sandbar Restaurant on Anna Maria Island, we worked with Ben Nettles of Ben Nettles Concrete Design in Sarasota to create a custom‐mixed terrazzo bar top. We selected the base color of the concrete as well as the exact color and the sizes of the crushed glass mixed with the concrete. Before the final bar top was poured, cured, and sealed, we had samples made, then tested them by pouring wine, oil, and mustard on them. The key to a successful terrazzo bar top is allowing the correct amount of curing and sealing time. This process can take anywhere from one to four weeks depending on the thickness of the bar top and the type of sealant used.

On the Waterfront: The Sandbar Restaurant Gets an Old/New Look

Choosing the Right Flooring for Restaurants

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:40:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

One of the most important interior design decisions in building design or renovation projects is flooring. When planning your budget, don’t scrimp on flooring. It affects the feel and functionality of a space, and can be difficult to change out if you want to replace it.

Choosing the right flooring is particularly important in restaurant dining rooms. The right choice sets the stage for the overall ambiance of a dining room.

The wrong choice can make the room excessively noisy or cost time and money if it’s difficult to keep clean. Flooring for a large area can look too flat or linear if not selected properly.

Five Factors to Consider

The five main factors to consider when choosing restaurant flooring are:

Each restaurant has different requirements. For example, understanding traffic patterns is very important. When clients come to me with restaurant design projects, one of the first flooring-related questions I ask has to do with how guests and servers will move throughout the restaurant.

We also have to visualize how the diners will be dressed and how they will behave. For example, a fine dining restaurant attracts patrons wearing nicer shoes and stiletto heels. At a seaside restaurant, such as The Sandbar on Anna Maria Island, many people come in from the beach with sand-covered feet and flip-flops. They may be wearing damp bathing suits and carrying beach towels dripping saltwater.

In all types of restaurants, drinks or food will get spilled on a regular basis. The flooring must be easy to clean on a daily basis and provide a certain degree of resistance to stains and falls.

It’s important to know how often the staff plans to clean the floor, and whether they prefer to mop or vacuum.

How We Chose the Floor for The Sandbar

For the reconstruction of the historic Sandbar restaurant on Anna Maria Island, we spent a lot of time evaluating different flooring options. The flooring had to be durable enough to stand up to the high volume of traffic from patrons and staff.

In addition to being easy to clean, the flooring also needed to be resistant to potential flooding (although nothing except sand or concrete is totally flood resistant). Plus, the flooring (coupled with the ceiling treatment) had to enhance the acoustics of the room, so diners could talk to one another in a reasonable fashion.

We ended up recommending 24 x 24 inch iron-colored Plynyl Tiles from Chilewich . The Kono pattern we chose gave us the look of woven Sisal, which we felt was applicable to the beach and the environment. It also looks very nice with the chair and booth fabrics.

To avoid creating a flat look in the large dining room, we asked the construction team to install the tiles in a checkerboard pattern (above). Rather than rotating every other tile 90 degrees, we designed a larger checkerboard pattern by rotating every four squares 90 degrees. This larger pattern is a better fit for the scale of the space.

To test the durability of the tiles, we attached four large carpet tiles to a piece of plywood. We then placed the plywood in the most highly trafficked area of the restaurant. As mustard, ketchup, oil and dirt were dropped on the tiles, we asked the staff not to clean them up immediately. Rather, we allowed the spills to be wiped into the tiles and left for awhile. It was impressive to see how easily the stains were removed from the Chilewich tiles, even after they were left untreated for awhile.

Today, the installed tiles look great and should last for at least 15 years. If one or two tiles start showing excessive wear and tear before then, they can easily be replaced without redoing the entire floor.

Tips for Restaurant Owners

Here are a few points to keep in mind, the next time you tackle a renovation project:

Of course ultimately, the decision will be yours. Take your time to get it right.

Studio South Fitness Project: Transforming A Former Workspace into a Workout Place

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:01:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP

Did you see the article “ Sarasota’s Next Top Fitness Team ” in the January, 2013 issue of Scene magazine? The story describes Tiffany Liashek’s concept for the new Studio South Fitness center she opened in December on South Osprey Avenue. Studio South Fitness offers custom workouts that include one-on-one sessions with a personal trainer and a schedule of classes tailored to the each client’s goals.

The Schimberg Group helped Tiffany bring her vision for the gym to life. We provided the architecture and interior design services that transformed 6,000 sf of former office space into a contemporary gym with a stylish, homelike decor.

To support her concept for friendly, personalized training, Tiffany wanted the facility to look warmer and more comfortable than many big-box gyms.

The photos below highlight some of the design details. For example, carpet tile and vinyl wood flooring cover the main areas, and kitchen-like cabinetry, wood-look lockers, and restrooms with decorative fixtures and mirrors make you feel at home. Painted orange walls energize the workout spaces, while calming blues and earth tones add warmth and balance throughout.

Because Studio South Fitness is all about health and well-being, the facility uses eco-friendly carpet tiles, VOC-free paints and natural day lighting throughout.

Todd Anderson, who has worked as a fitness trainer, did a terrific job as project architect.

He says “Having experience in the fitness industry allowed me to better coordinate with consultants and contractors, properly space plan fitness equipment, and effectively communicate with the owner to create a successful project.”

If you would like to turn an existing property into something new and different, give us a call.

Whether you already have a fully formed vision for the space, or would like us to suggest some ideas, we would be happy to help!

LINKS

SCENE: Sarasota’s Next Top Fitness Team

PHOTO CREDIT: Greg Wilson, www.gregwilsonphoto.com

Everyone Makes Mistakes

Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:46:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP

Everyone makes mistakes—even architects. Do a Google search for “architectural mistakes,” and you’ll see that even world-renowned architects such as I.M. Pei and Frank Gehry have made errors in their building designs. (See: Ten Major Architectural Failures )

What matters to clients is how we handle mistakes. Be honest about the mistake, admit the mistake immediately, apologize for the mistake and then fix the mistake.

Ideally, we collaborate early in the process to identify and resolve potential mistakes. Those ‘future mistakes’ are easier and less costly to correct. Once the problem has been identified, we can review what we learned from the mistake and how similar problems can be prevented in the future.

Here are three real-life examples of the type of errors that have occurred on various architecture and interior-design projects and what we learned from them.

Mistake 1: The Wrong Bases for Custom-Made Tabletops

Recently, we commissioned an artisan to make 27 rectangular tabletops for a restaurant. To support the custom-made tabletops, we ordered bases from a national distributor of commercial restaurant equipment. Per the recommendation of the manufacturer, we made the mistake of ordering round bases for the rectangular tops. The bases were heavy, expensive, and took four weeks to arrive. Once the tables were installed in the restaurant, we learned that the chairs could not be pulled up to the table due to the shape of the bases.

After learning about the problem, we quickly found a local distributor to provide the cross-type bases typically used with rectangular tabletops in restaurants. Within three days, we had all 27 of the round table bases switched out, and the new ones installed. As the architect and principal of my company, I personally helped the laborers make the switch. I knew just how important it was to the owner to have everything in the redesigned restaurant ready for their scheduled opening.

Lessons Learned: You can’t always trust a salesperson to recommend the most appropriate product for a particular job. Do your own due diligence. Also, Restaurant Table Base 101 – Use cross bases with rectangular tops. Leave the round bases to the round tops.

Mistake 2: Incorrect Dimensions on a Residential Renovation

In the midst of construction, a contractor, following our drawings, realized that an incorrectly drawn dimension would cause a 2’-0” discrepancy. All work in the field stopped and the entire floor plan had to be modified.

In this case, one of my employees made the mistake when drafting. I immediately called the homeowner, admitted the mistake and committed to fixing it as quickly as possible. Within a couple of days, we provided the contractor with an updated drawing and kept the project moving. The client appreciated us making their project a priority and addressing the problem immediately.

Lessons Learned: As an architect, I count on my employees to be accurate in their work. Sometimes they aren’t. As the owner of the company, the problem is ultimately my responsibility. I simply explained the error and helped her fix the mistake. We all learned.

Mistake 3: Overcharging for Furniture

On a commercial project, we charged about $2,000 too much for some furniture we ordered. We immediately let the client know about the miscalculation and sent a new invoice. The client appreciated our honesty, and our good relationship continues.

Lessons Learned: Be honest. No amount of money is worth losing the trust of a client. Use accounting software to accurately track the costs associated with procured items. Then, make sure there truly is a mistake. If an error has occurred, let the client know immediately.

Advice for Clients

If you think the architect made a mistake on your project, call it to his/her attention as soon as possible. Don’t keep your concerns bottled up.

Don’t confront your architect in an accusatory manner. Discuss the problem in a reasonable way. After double-checking your facts, explain why you believe a mistake has been made. If you are correct that we are wrong, we will act quickly to make corrections.

No building project will ever proceed perfectly. Mistakes occur on every job—particularly if we are trying something bold and innovative. As Albert Einstein once said, “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”

On the Waterfront: The Sandbar Restaurant Gets a New/Old Look

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 17:35:00 GMT

If you have ever hung out at The Sandbar Waterfront Restaurant on Anna Maria Island, then you know why it is such a popular venue for destination weddings, waterfront dining, or watching sunsets. If you haven’t been there yet, check it out the next time you’re in the Sarasota area. Anna Maria Island itself is unique, and very few restaurants in the U.S. enjoy such a prime right- on-the-beach location.

When The Sandbar Restaurant first opened in 1911, the white, wooden bungalow with its dark wood-paneled interior felt like a local fishing shack. Over the years, the restaurant has undergone periodic renovations after fires, hurricanes, and tropical storms. Each renovation brought something new—a dance floor, expansive wooden decks, outdoor bars, and the wedding pavilion.

Over the past two years, The Schimberg Group has worked with owner Ed Chiles and many other team members on the restaurant’s most extensive renovation ever. The main dining room was totally demolished and has been rebuilt from the sand up.

After The Sandbar’s dining room reopens this month, we want to hear what you think! We played a leading role in the redesign—both on the building structure itself and the interior design.

We worked hard to preserve the casual, Old Florida atmosphere that has made The Sandbar so popular with tourists and residents alike while introducing some gorgeous new upgrades to the flooring, tables, walls, and lighting.

The Sandbar will still be the kind of place where you feel comfortable grabbing a burger and a beer in your bathing suit. But we believe the more contemporary ambiance will appeal to foodies interested in sampling some of the more sophisticated items on the menu.

We can’t show interior photos until the restaurant opens later this month. But we can tell you that Ed Chiles cares deeply about his gem of a restaurant. He wants to create a memorable beachfront dining experience for everyone–whether you are a first-time visitor or long-time fan.

So, yes, the design process on this project was intense, but super-collaborative. We went back and forth on a number of ideas, and gathered input from multiple members of the restaurant staff. And of course problems cropped up that had to be dealt with along the way.

So in future posts on this blog, Patty and I will talk about some of the unique elements of the design and why we made certain decisions about the flooring, countertops, lighting, walls, etc. We also plan to interview some of artisans and craftspeople who contributed so much to the stunning new look. We hope our series of posts will be inspiring and educational about how great projects happen. Stay tuned!

About The Sandbar Waterfront Restaurant

The Power of the Sketch

Thu, 25 Oct 2012 13:15:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP

We recently worked on a project with another architect. He was old school, using sketches and watercolors to express his thoughts and design. We’re new school, using technology to represent our ideas and accurately portray the space and how the building will look. We believe that if we show our ideas more true to form, rather than conceptual, we should be better able to sell clients on our visions and services.

So, the other architect and I went back and forth, almost competing for the love of the client. In true, ego-driven architect fashion, we urged the client to “Pick me! Pick me!”

At a pivotal moment in the design process, we had an opportunity to win over the client. We chose to represent an interior space in a colored pencil, hand-drawn sketch. Although technology was used to set up the perspective, we used the power of the sketch to create the rendering. The client was sold!

Personal, hand-drawn renderings seem to be what clients want. Why is this?

We find that hand-done drawings fire up the client’s imagination, giving them a better sense of what it might actually feel like to live or work in the redesigned space or building. It makes them feel good, which is what the client wants to experience.

As noted in a previous blog post , titled When Pen Meets Paper , actually, all of my projects begin with a sketch. It is the architect’s original tool to allow ideas to flow and creativity to thrive.

I learned to sketch buildings at a semester abroad in Greece. I was taught how to judge proportion and scale and notice more details in a surrounding environment.

Computer-aided drawings provide an extremely accurate and cost-effective way to plan every detail of how a building will be constructed. But to a person who doesn’t work in construction, that just doesn’t matter.

The graphics shown below are some renderings and sketches we have done in the past. They have successfully allowed the client to see the project in progress. But they have also been relaxing and enjoyable to draw.

So I am curious: Do you prefer the computer renderings or the sketches? If so, why?

When hiring an architect for your next project, would you like to see hand-drawn sketches along with your renderings? Let me know what you think!

When Pen Meets Paper

Taking the Fear Out of Buying Original Artwork

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:52:00 GMT

By Patty Morrison Schimberg

As an art consultant to clients, my intention is not to supersede the role of a gallery. If you want to become a serious collector of art, a reputable gallery may be an invaluable resource. Galleries offer expertise, bios, and established pricing track records for the artists they represent. Their presence provides exposure for artists, which can transform an artist’s career. Their guidance to clientele can captivate the interest of a novice buyer and over time, shape true art collections.

But there are alternatives to galleries in New York, Chicago, Miami, Los Angeles or other urban centers to find talented artists. Every community has an abundance of gifted painters, sculptors and craftsmen who are producing beautiful work. Many of these artists may never have the opportunity to be represented by a gallery.

So, purchasing artwork that can add something powerfully special to an interior is a win-win-win for the interior designer, client and artist. Clients are often amazed by the lasting joy they find in the artwork they bring into their homes or business environment.

Where to Look for Original Art

Many interior designers have established working relationships with artists who are open to working with individuals or businesses that have a decorative need for art. This type of commissioned artwork, when the artist is responsive to a designer’s input regarding dimensions and coloring, is not for all artists. However, some artists welcome the opportunity.

It is also common for architects to participate in the selection of artwork—particularly large-scale pieces or works for public spaces. Again, many artists enjoy the challenge of creating site-specific work, including interior elements such as an artistic staircase or a custom light fixture that merges form with function.

Other sources to discover extraordinary art include regional art and design schools, community-based exhibit spaces, and independent studios that offer art classes.

Art and design schools provide an extraordinary opportunity to purchase original artwork by budding artistic geniuses. Exhibits are usually open to the public; and both students and schools are extremely encouraged by the sale of their work.

Studios that offer art classes also love to show off their students’ work. Some of the “students” may be older adults who have retired from a first career to pursue their passion for art full-time.

Community-based exhibit spaces that are affiliated with a university, museum, or fine-arts organizations host ongoing exhibits of local artists. At these local art shows, the exhibit organizers will gladly share biographical and contact information about the artists.

Tips for Choosing Original Art

Buy original art that you love—and don’t ever “match” the sofa. Art that you love will bring you peace or make you smile. It’s OK to buy artwork for the sole purpose of decoration, but only if it complements or enhances your surroundings. Nothing detracts more from the beauty of original artwork than an overly coordinated “match” to the adjacent textile or general surroundings. When you choose art solely because it repeats the theme, patterns, or coloring in your interiors, the originality of the art is lost. Then, instead of enhancing your space, the art looks more like something from a furniture store vignette.

Take time to learn about the artist. Ask to visit their studio and understand more about how it was created and the thought process behind it. The more you know about the “story” behind your original art, the happier you will be with your purchase. As a “collector” of that artist’s work, you will become part of that artist’s story. Plus, buying artwork from a local artist is a way of contributing to the cultural strength of your community.

For commercial spaces, think about the type of message you want the art to convey . Integrating the work of a local artist into your décor can be a powerful public-relations tool. For example, the art can express support of the community’s diversity. Or, the art can imply that “this is a cutting-edge company.” As an interior designer, we help business owners find artwork that fulfills three criteria: (1) the design needs of the space; (2) the company’s overall style; and (3) the underlying business “message” that the business hopes their art work conveys.

So, one shouldn’t be intimidated by the process of buying art. Finding original art that you are proud to own and brings joy or provokes thought, can be an exciting hunt. This mindset relieves the pressure to purchase art primarily as an investment or works that simply blend in with the rest of the decor. Let art be it’s own special moment in the interior space.

Exploring The Built Environment: Always Look Back

Tue, 24 Jul 2012 11:56:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

What fascinated me the most about the High Line was the experience that this park provides pedestrians:

The question for me is: How many amazing experiences are out there in other cities that we are either missing, or could create?

Fun sculpture on a roof

Modern architecture juxtaposed with a 20th century building. Seeing it at 30-ft. above grade lets you truly experience the two styles.

Space between two buildings

Modern glazing juxtaposed with old, industrial building mass

I shot the photos above as we walked in the High Line. To glimpse other views from the park, visit the Image Galleries section on the official High Line website .

LINK

The High Line

The Right Lighting Adds Aesthetic Appeal While Reducing Energy Costs

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 20:22:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP

Architectural success is impacted by choices in lighting, both for the interior and exteriors of spaces and buildings. Lighting affects how we perceive the building itself, as well as the people and objects within it. Lighting can be used to define zones within a space, change the mood, and influence how we feel as we work or shop within the space.With today’s more sustainable and energy-efficient options for lighting, we can alter the look of a space while lowering the building’s energy cost.

By replacing incandescent light bulbs with LEDs (light-emitting diodes) or compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), we can apply warm or cool colors to spaces while considerably reducing energy usage and the amount of time between replacements.

For example, an LED has an average lifespan of 50,000 hours, compared to 8,000 hours for a CFL, and 1,200 hours for an incandescent bulb. A space that uses 30 incandescent bulbs would use about 3285 kilowatt-hours per year, compared to 329 KWh/yr for LED lights and 767 KWh/yr. for CFLs.

Considering some of the substantial savings that can be achieved, it’s not surprising that so many owners of commercial and office buildings are retrofitting their buildings to use more LED lights. Retailers and restaurant owners are discovering that LED lighting can be extremely versatile in showcasing merchandise or creating the right ambience.

In contrast, LED bulbs are exponentially more expensive, so the upfront, out-of-pocket expense is greater. For example, a 60W incandescent bulb costs approx. $0.50, a comparable CFL may cost $1.25 and an LED bulb could cost $20.

We have used LED bulbs successfully in a multitude of projects. We have incorporated them into retail displays in storefronts. They are used throughout food-display cases in the Whole Foods Markets we design.

On a lobby renovation project, we utilized LED bulbs in a unique fashion. LED bulbs were installed at the top of a long acrylic tube, allowing the light to illuminate through the tube, into the space, while not overheating the material or the wood dowels around it.

If you want some specific ideas on how lighting can enhance the look and efficiency of your office or retail space, give us a call at 941-894-6888 or email us at info@theschim.com .

The Value of an Architect during Construction

Thu, 31 May 2012 21:17:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP

Some architects prefer to focus solely on the building-design work and would rather not get involved in the construction phase. I prefer the opposite. While I enjoy designing buildings, it is equally satisfying when clients hire me for construction administration. Not only does it allow me, as an architect to engage in problem solving, but I can also resolve the problems in a way that preserves the integrity of my designs.

No matter what, changes will be required on every construction project—big or small. And each time a change is required, someone must make a decision about how to proceed. While many contractors are indeed qualified to recommend a solution, they may not have sufficient time or technical resources to determine the best solution for each change that occurs.

When clients hire me for construction administration, I am “on call” for the duration of the project. I set my fee to remain the same from month to month, whether the contractor needs advice once a week or every day during the month. We’ve been asked everything from alternative ways of building the structure to selecting a railing cap to waterproofing below a slab.

While the building is being constructed, there will be far less finger-pointing about who is to blame each time a change is required. We simply work together to fix the problem.

It’s a win-win-win situation for everyone. As a client, you’ll get the peace of mind that comes with predictable monthly fees for expert problem solving. Contractors often feel relieved that they don’t have to make decisions on the fly and I get the satisfaction of helping the project run more smoothly and seeing the buildings I have designed through to completion.

If you would like to learn more about construction-administration services, please give me a call at 941-894-6888 or drop me an email at info@theschim.com.

Working Construction Let Me See Architecture from a Different Perspective

Architects + Contractors = A Better Result

Reinterpreting Architectural Styles for the Home of Your Dreams

Wed, 23 May 2012 15:15:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

If you could design your dream home, what type of architecture style would it be? Mediterranean? Modernist? British West Indies? Or maybe, you would prefer a mix of two or more styles.

Architectural styles typically describe buildings with certain features in common, including: construction materials; roof shape and pitch; window size, shape, and placement; door shape and placement; ornamentation and floor plan. Some styles are named for historic periods or regional influences.

Although each style is defined by a certain vernacular, every architecture style is open for reinterpretation—either on new construction or renovations.

Mixing styles is a wonderful way of creating a successful aesthetic. As an architect, I enjoy creative challenges such as adding modernist elements to a classically styled home.

In some cases, a client’s preferred architecture style must be reinterpreted simply because building codes differ from those of the region where the style originated.

The key to successfully blending architectural styles is to start with a clear understanding of your preferences. I ask clients to provide photos or other visuals of architectural design elements that they like. Having a clearer picture of what you have in mind enables me to do some follow-up research on how to blend elements from different architectural styles.

Then, if the designs we create for you don’t represent what you had envisioned, it’s important to let us know as early in the process as possible! As we design your home, we’ll be making decisions that you can live with for years to come.

So as you start imagining the home of your dreams, keep in mind that it’s not necessary to limit yourself to one architectural style.

Instead, start clipping out magazine photos depicting the types of details you find most appealing. We can then translate your desires into an attractive, cohesive design that artfully merges one or more architectural styles.

Note that reinterpreting architectural styles to create a unique brand of architecture isn’t limited to the exterior of the building. In a future post on this blog, my partner Patty Schimberg will explain why interior design provides another opportunity to blend styles or marry the architecture to interior elements. Balancing different furniture styles (i.e. contemporary pieces with antiques) within a particular architectural environment is a very welcome challenge, and one that we’re seeing more and more often.

If you have any questions about architectural styles and how they can be blended for your home, please feel free to call me at 941-894-6888 or email me at info@theschim.com .

HGTV Guide to Residential Architecture: A Primer about 24 Popular Architectural Styles

Build Well for Environmental Wellness

Mon, 21 May 2012 21:22:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA, LEED AP

A well-designed, well-built building is not just structurally sound. It should also be environmentally healthy. Professional architects, designers, engineers and building contractors have expanded the concept of “building well” by learning how to do what is right for the environment.

In my opinion, architects have a moral and ethical obligation to learn how to keep the built environment healthy and well. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, buildings in the U.S. are responsible for 40% of the energy consumption, 39% of CO2 emissions, and 13% of our nation’s water consumption.

Because I care about the quality of life for my family and community, I am a proud member of the U.S. Green Building Council and became a LEED Accredited Professional (AP) in Building Design and Construction. (LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.)

Although many clients aren’t yet ready to adopt LEED’s whole-building approach to sustainability,
our design team can always recommend ways to make your building projects more environmentally sound. We can find ways to improve energy efficiency, control stormwater runoff, and/or reduce water usage, soil erosion, light pollution, and construction waste. Plus, we can suggest ways to help maintain the air quality inside your building.

Here are just three practices we routinely follow to design environmentally well buildings:

At The Schimberg Group, we like keeping up with the newest options for designing environmentally healthy buildings. And, we are always happy to share what we’ve learned.

You might be surprised to discover that many environmentally friendly options have become more affordable, more accessible, and more aesthetically appealing.

Personally, I am impressed that more clients are interested in using materials made from recycled products, or materials that were manufactured locally instead of being shipped from overseas. I look forward to the day when solar panels are sufficiently affordable for use on the roofs of the average construction project in Florida and society is truly ready to construct buildings with zero carbon footprints.

If you have any questions about sustainable building sites and environmentally healthy building designs, please do not hesitate to call us at 941-894-6888 or email us at info@theschim.com .

FOR MORE INFORMATION

About the U.S Green Building Council

What LEED Is

Public Debates about ‘Eyesores’ in Art and Architecture

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:12:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

Reading about a public debate surrounding genuinely historic architecture in a village in New York got me thinking about the lively debate we’ve been having in Sarasota about a highly visible piece of art that has a tenuous tie-in to history.

Debating Brutalist Architecture in Goshen, NY

Robin Pogrebin, who reports on culture issues for the New York Times, has written articles about an architecture-related debate among residents and preservationists in Goshen, NY. (Goshen is a village of about 5500 people located 50 miles from New York City.) After the Orange County Government Center building in Goshen was closed due to storm damage last fall, some government officials and area residents recommended demolishing the blocky, concrete building. They regard it as an eyesore in their quaint village, known for its picturesque Main Street and Greek revival, federal, and Victorian houses.

Preservationists are horrified that the building might be torn down. That’s because the Orange County Government Center was designed by celebrated modernist architect Paul Rudolph. Completed in 1967, the building is a prime example of the brutalist style of architecture . In her article, Pogrebin explains that the brutalist style “rejected efforts to prettify buildings in favor of displaying the raw power of simple forms and undisguised building materials.”

In the article, Goshen resident and trained architect Patricia Turner argues that the brutalist-style building should be viewed as part of the area’s history, because it “reflects a snapshot in time in the late ‘60s and ‘70s when our history was turbulent. Isn’t that just as relevant as something that happened in 1868?”

Pop-Art Public Statue: Tacky or Historic?

In some ways the “eyesore vs. historic gem” battle in Goshen reminds me of a public debate we’re having in Sarasota about the 26-foot-tall “Unconditional Surrender” statue by artist Seward Johnson. In 2010, a World War II veteran put up $500,000 to buy the statue on the condition that the statue remain displayed in a highly visible location on the Sarasota bayfront.

Some people in our city love the “Unconditional Surrender” sculpture. Others ridicule it.

Some Sarasota residents and visitors may see the aluminum sculpture as “historic” because it reminds us of the many soldiers and sailors who left home to serve their country in World War II.

But other members of the Sarasota region regard the statue as a cheesy piece of pop art that is simply a supersized rendition of Alfred Eisenstaedt’s iconic photograph, “ V-J Day in Times Square .” I have witnessed visitors and tourists taking their photographs under the statue while gazing upwards, under the nurse’s dress.

Because the sculpture is located in such a prime, heavily trafficked spot, some people have started referring to it as Sarasota’s “tackiest landmark.” This raises the question: Would we (as a community) willingly choose the “Unconditional Surrender” sculpture to become the most widely viewed visual representation of Sarasota’s flourishing arts scene?

On April 28, area critics cheered when a driver accidentally smashed into the statue, requiring it to be dismantled and returned to the sculptor for repairs. But according to news reports, the veteran who donated the statue to the city hopes to have it back in Sarasota by August 14, the anniversary of VJ-Day.

Personally, I don’t mind that the “Unconditional Surrender” sculpture has provoked public debate. Art will always be subjective—some people will love works that others despise. Is architecture a form of art? Is a sculpture representative of a photograph, artwork? Is graffiti artwork?

What Do You Think?

In my opinion, the truly historic brutalist building should be preserved—even if it doesn’t fit in with the rest of the community. Destroying it would be like wrecking ancient Greek buildings to make way for new structures that would blend with modern Athens.

As for the “Unconditional Surrender” statue in Sarasota, I would prefer to see it displayed in a less prominent location. It represents one man’s desire to pay for a sculpture. If it was in his backyard, that seems fair. If it was displayed in an alley, that seems appropriate.

We live in a community that values and displays all forms of art. But I agree with those who wonder whether we really want this particular sculpture to become a symbol of art in Sarasota at the most prominent corner in our town.

So, what’s your opinion? Should we strive to give extra visibility to art simply because it reminds us of a historic event? Or, should we work harder to preserve architecture as an art form that reflects our culture at different periods in history?

LINKS

NY Times: Unloved Building in Goshen, NY Prompts Debate on Modernism

NY Times: A Reprieve for Goshen’s Damaged Modernist Misfit

Grocery Store Design Projects Featured in “Green Retail Design” Book

Thu, 10 May 2012 19:30:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

It’s always a thrill whenever one of our retail projects is featured in a magazine, newspaper, or design book. Every project represents the collective expertise and ideas of many, many people, including:

We are particularly proud that two grocery store design projects Schimberg Group completed for Whole Foods Market were featured in the book “ Green Retail Design ” by Martin M. Pegler.

Pegler is a world renowned authority on store design and visual merchandising. He edited Retail Design International magazine for 29 years and has published more than 80 books on store design. “Green Retail Design” was published by ST Media Group International, which also publishes VSMD magazine for retail designers.

“Green Retail Design” is a 256-page, lavishly illustrated hardback book that was produced to provide ideas and inspiration to environmentally friendly businesses, designers, and architects around the world. The 60 case studies in the book range from department stores and big-box operations to small boutiques and vendor shops.

The book’s section on markets, specialty foods, and dining spaces describes two of the Whole Foods Market stores that The Schimberg Group designed: the store in Bayhill, Florida and the store in Naples, Florida.

In keeping with Whole Foods’ core values about local communities and the environment, we designed both stores to blend naturally into their neighborhoods, and reflect the shoppers and lifestyles within each community.

We designed the Whole Foods Markets with sustainable and recycled materials and used energy-saving technologies such as skylights, ceramic metal halide lamps and Glycol refrigeration systems. The lighting package was designed to create a consistent bulb type and manufacturer, simplifying the maintenance program and minimizing the costs. The design of the soffits and perimeter walls reflects local aesthetics per Whole Foods Market’s desires. We worked closely with the client to design tile patterns and colors, flooring and even interior signage.

Engaging in a project with Whole Foods market is just as rewarding as one may think. The team put in place by Whole Foods Market allows for an efficiency and smoothness to the final design and the final built space.

You can read the 8-page excerpt from “Green Retail Design” book by clicking on the link to the PDF below.

LINKS

Whole Foods Market: Core Values

Book: “Green Retail Design” published by ST Media Group International

Store Design Books by Martin M. Pegler

Working Construction Let Me See Architecture from a Different Perspective

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:13:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

In a previous post on this blog , I wrote about continuing improvements in the relationships between architects and contractors. Relationships that were often adversarial are becoming more collaborative.

At Schimberg Group, we have always had the utmost respect for contractors.

In my opinion, understanding construction and how things are built is fundamental to successful architecture. I learned this lesson early in my career, during a semester off from college when I spent about eight months working for a construction company. Like an internship, that on-the-job construction experience opened my eyes to how real-world projects get done.

For example, I installed windows in a commercial building as 40 mph winds swirled around us. I was taught skills such as the right way to hammer nails and take a dimension. I experienced firsthand some of the craftsmanship involved in bringing an architect’s ideas to life.

My experience on a construction crew also helped improve my ability to communicate with the subcontractors and contractors involved in the success of a project. The valuable lessons I learned as part of the construction crew have become a routine process for Schimberg Group as we consult with construction experts before submitting final designs to a client.

As an architect, I love coming up with innovative concepts for new buildings. But I know that my visions are unlikely to become reality unless the designs can be built—and built well.

Architects + Contractors = A Better Result

Are Apple Stores Too ‘Pane-ful’?

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:17:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

In his biography “Steve Jobs,” Walter Isaacson devotes an entire chapter (Chapter 29) to describing Steve’s involvement in the design of Apple’s retail stores. According to the book, “the architectural firm of Bohlin Cywinski Jackson designed the signature stores, but Jobs made all of the major decisions.” He wanted the store to “become the most powerful physical expression of the brand” and control the customer experience of buying an Apple product in a store.

Isaacson reports that in the newest stores Jobs insisted on replacing 18 smaller panes of glass with four huge panes made from newer technology. He says design-team member Ron Johnson told him that Steve’s goal was to build a glass box with fewer elements, because “it’s better, it’s simpler, and it’s at the forefront of technology. That’s where Steve likes to be, in both his products and his stores.”

Recently, an 83-year-old woman sued Apple for $1 million after she broke her nose walking into the door in an Apple store in Manhasset, Long Island. According to news reports, her lawyer is blaming modern high-tech architecture.

This incident surely wasn’t the type of customer experience Jobs was envisioning.

Blaming the architecture is absurd.

In my opinion, this is simply a reflection of our litigious society. PR-conscious, financially healthy companies such as Apple seem to attract an unusually high share of frivolous lawsuits.

What’s your take? Should modern architecture be blamed for an accident that could just as easily happen in any building with sparkling clean glass doors?

LINKS:

CNET: Women breaks nose on Apple store, sues for $1 million

“Steve Jobs” by Walter Isaacson

Architects + Contractors = A Better Result

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:49:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

In recent years, there has been a noticeable improvement in collaboration between architects and construction firms. Relationships between the two, often adversarial, have evolved into a more positive working experience. Due to the current economy, clients naturally expect to bid projects out in order to get the best possible price.

We have found that including a contractor or builder, negotiated up front, during the design process provides a more efficient and cost effective result. By requiring the contractor to have an open book policy and bidding the trades to multiple subcontractors, it still allows for a competitive and cost-conscious project.

It has been encouraging to see that many contractors recognize the value that a collaborative architect can bring to a project. Improving relations between architects and contractors will hopefully continue into the future.

Our built environments can only benefit from architects and contractors working together to make our visions as designers reality and cost effective.

Working Construction Let Me See Architecture from a Different Perspective

Improving the Relationship Between General Contractors and Architects/Engineers

We’ve Moved!

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:16:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

This is shaping up to be a year of change and growth for The Schimberg Group. In January, we announced the merger with Morrison Design. Now, we have moved from our previous location on South Palm Avenue into a more accessible and visible ground-level space at 40 South Pineapple.

Although our previous office was quite spacious, there were no direct windows to the outside. Any natural light we received was diffused through the glass of an adjacent atrium. The sunlight that streams in through the windows of our new headquarters is energizing and inspires productivity. Even the light bulbs throughout the office are designed to replicate natural light, giving a warm, inviting feel for visitors and employees.

Another thing I like about our new headquarters is that we aren’t hidden from view. We like being an active and visible part of the Sarasota community. We hope passers-by who notice the signage at our front door will feel comfortable enough to stop in and learn more about our building design, renovation, and interior design services.

Moving from one office building to another can be complicated, because we must keep moving forward with client projects while meeting the other day-to-day demands of running a business. So, over the next few weeks, we’ll probably still be unpacking, rearranging, and redecorating.

Patty and I have some awesome ideas for further improving the look and feel of our new offices. We have some concepts in mind that are unique to the field and hopefully inspiring to other architects. (We’ll talk more about these ideas when they’re finalized.)

Note that only our address has changed. The new address is 40 South Pineapple Ave., Suite 101, Sarasota, FL 34236. Our phone number remains 941-894-6888. Give us a call or stop by and see us!

Marina Bay Condominium Buildings Get a Makeover

Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:58:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

How a building looks from the outside matters more than ever. Many future owners of Florida homes and condominiums start looking for potential properties online, and a strong visual first-impression can really catch their eye. However, if the exterior of the building looks dated, buyers might conclude that units within the building have not been kept up to date.

That’s why we are proud of the modernization project The Schimberg Group recently coordinated in collaboration with residents of The Marina Bay luxury condominium complex on Longboat Key. In addition to updating the exteriors of the buildings, we modernized the entryways, lobbies and landings.

A 12 x 24 modern porcelain tile replaced pink marble flooring. Walls connecting lobbies were finished with a contemporary Porcelanosa wall tile. Old, inefficient light fixtures were updated with new, energy-efficient, modern-looking sconces and pendants.

While improving the ambience for current residents, the upgrades give visitors a first-class, first impression of the property. For residents that put their units on the market, the aesthetic enhancements to the building’s exterior provide real-estate buyer’s visual interest when exploring their options online.

The upgrade project started in January of 2009 with the development of our 360-degree master plan. During the first stage of this process, we gathered input and ideas from board members and homeowners of the 60 units in the complex.

Then, we consulted with contractors, subcontractors, and other building-renovation experts to propose a holistic, cost-effective plan for making improvements over time as their budget allows. Now, residents are confident that additional upgrades made each year will contribute to a more harmonious end result.

Due to so many people involved in the final outcome, this condo-complex modernization project required dozens of meetings to discuss hundreds of different ideas and opinions. The communications challenges were far more complicated than a typical commercial or residential job. However, everyone involved learned from the process, and we are all proud of the results.

According to a local real estate agent, a new recent buyer of one of the units “would never have bought in Marina Bay if they had not been upgraded…the lobbies and entries are spectacular.”

The Marina Bay residents should be commended for caring so much about preserving the appearance of their property and the appeal of Sarasota as a great place to live.

If your homeowners association would like to learn more about how Schimberg Group could achieve similar results for your complex, contact us at: info@theschim.com or give me a call at 941-894-6888.

Take a 360-Degree Look at Your Next Building Improvement Project

Could Net-Zero Building Design Work in Florida?

Wed, 04 Apr 2012 12:22:00 GMT

Barron Schimberg, AIA

One of the hottest topics in architecture is the concept of net-zero building design. In a net-zero building, 100 percent of the building’s energy needs are supplied by on-site renewable energy. The International Living Future Institute defines renewable energy as passive solar, photovoltaics, solar thermal, wind turbines, water-powered microturbines, direct geothermal or fuel cells powered by hydrogen generated from renewably powered electrolysis.

Is the net-zero building concept a fantasy? A recent article in the Architecture Dispatch caught my eye with this headline: “Architects say NetZero is not a fantasy if only people would stop with the A/C.”

The reporter quoted speakers at a Center for Architecture event who contend that net-zero building is absolutely possible and has been done using insulation, roofing, and lighting techniques and materials that aren’t particularly exotic. The architects talked about orienting the main spaces of building to the south to maximize the use of the natural light and solar energy. This all makes sense for building projects in northern Massachusetts, Sacramento, California, and New York’s Hudson River Valley region.

But the article made me think: Could a net-zero building design work in Florida?

Unfortunately, thermal comfort in Florida matters. Though there are ways to design buildings to minimize the need for air conditioning, it must be incorporated into the design.

Photovoltaics have not hit the tipping point to make them worthwhile financially, geothermal is not prevalent enough and Florida does not produce enough wind to generate enough energy. It is our responsibility to get as close as possible, but in Florida, that’s extremely difficult, but a wonderful challenge.

Scientific American: Net-Zero Buildings Take Hold in The U.S.

Take a 360-Degree Look at Your Next Building Improvement Project

Thu, 22 Mar 2012 12:06:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

We kept the cost of the project under control by implementing a 360-degree approach to architecture. This approach is nothing new. In fact, it’s widely used by architects and professional building managers.

But we’re explaining our 360-degree approach on this blog, because I don’t think the 360-degree master-planning concept is fully understood by individual homeowners, office managers, or condominium associations who ask The Schimberg Group for help with renovation projects

Taking Off the Blinders

Basically, with our 360-degree approach to architecture and interior design, we look beyond your immediate needs to help you take a more holistic view of your project.

For instance, if you want to upgrade your windows, have you considered how that might affect the overall look of the building? How will changes to the exterior of your building affect landscaping requirements?

Instead of calling in various contractors and making piecemeal decisions for improvements as your budget allows over the years, The Schimberg Group encourages you to develop a master plan first.

Even though you may not currently have the budget needed to tackle all of the upgrades your building might require over the next few years, a master plan will give you a clear vision of what all of the building improvements will look like as a whole. In other words, each improvement you make each year will take you one step closer to a more harmonious end result.

Starting with a master plan also decreases the risk that each contractor who works on a specific improvement will encounter technical difficulties caused by the work of a previous contractor.

Expanding the 360-Degree Planning Concept

At The Schimberg Group, we take the concept of 360-degree architecture further than most architecture firms. We firmly believe that a master plan for a building renovation can be infinitely more successful when we ask contractors and subcontractors for their ideas early in the planning process. For example, instead of just seeking ideas from a landscape architect, we have also sought the expertise of the subcontractors who specialize in building retaining walls.

Many construction experts we consult with are pleasantly surprised when we ask for their ideas. Often, when a contractor shows up on a job site, they realize that the project could have been built so much better and for far less money— if only they had been asked for their opinion while the project was still being designed.

When The Schimberg Group develops a master plan for a client, we gather insights and expertise from the most appropriate contractors and subcontractors for a renovation project and incorporate the best ideas into the plan.

To learn more about how our 360 degree master-planning process might benefit your next building renovation project, give me a call!

We Custom Design Durable Furnishings with Style

Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:03:00 GMT

If you need customized tables, storage units, desks, benches, or recycling bins for your next building project, we can help create something special.The Schimberg Group has partnered with Spec-Rite Designs to develop the LINEAR line of customizable, durable furnishings for healthcare, educational, pet care, and commercial buildings.

Products include:

At The Schimberg Group, we design each piece of furniture to meet specific space requirements, incorporate brand colors, and add a touch of style. Spec-Rite then manufactures the furniture using non-porous, durable, phenolic materials that can withstand the rigors of public use.  The materials resist water and scratching, inhibit bacteria growth, and don’t absorb odors.

We can design Spec-Rite furniture for our own commercial clients or help other architects incorporate custom-designed furnishings into their projects.

Do You Know the Difference Between a Builder and Contractor?

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 10:21:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

At The Schimberg Group, we historically have worked with contractors instead of builders for the construction phase of the projects we design. Unless you are a professional facilities manager or construction worker, you might not know that the terms “builder” and “contractor” are not really synonymous. Although the comparisons below will not be true in all cases, here are some differences that I have observed as an architect.

I certainly don’t mean to disparage the work of skilled and reputable builders. Builders offer a valuable, cost-effective, one-stop-shop alternative for people who don’t need or want a customized home or the services of an architect. Some builders I have worked with have been master carpenters who have had an exceptional understanding of some of fine details. Their craftsmanship can be stunning.

Still, in my opinion, it’s best to hire an architect and contractor for:

If you have any questions or additional insights, give me a call, leave a comment on this post, or shoot me an e-mail. I am interested in hearing your thoughts!

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 5: Interior Decoration

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 19:59:00 GMT

By Barron and Patricia Schimberg

This is the layer that many people misunderstand as interior design. Interior decoration is the final layer that is applied only after: the space planning and furniture plans are completed; lighting and electrical needs have been coordinated; color schemes, cabinetry designs, flooring, ceiling and wall details have been designed; and equipment, and appliances and plumbing specifications have been selected.

In both commercial and residential settings, an interior space is never quite complete without the important “layer” of decoration. No matter what the style of the interiors (minimalist modern to ornate classical) the proper selection or design of area rugs, throw pillows, decorative accessories, bedding, art work and window treatments are necessary in order to fully finish the space.

Too often, particularly in commercial projects, the interior décor isn’t planned for within the budget. This means a potentially beautiful office or lobby will appear unfinished, despite the use of exquisite finishes and furniture.

So, after all of the months of work that went into designing and constructing a new building, the client may end up rushing out to Home Goods to pull together a finished look for the “grand opening” event. Though we have found many lovely pieces at Home Goods, original artwork, custom accessories, and window treatments are key to creating truly special interiors.

The updated lobby in Bldg. 1 of The Marina Bay condominium complex in Longboat Key features paintings by Sarasota artists David Steiner and Kathy Wright.

In reality, planning for the “interior décor” layer of a building can begin while some of the more technical elements of interior design are still being worked out. It’s never too soon to share pictures from magazines or online design resources such as Houzz . Collaboration with an interior designer on the décor ensures that the real personality or marketing message is fully expressed within the interior design.

One of the most powerful “decorative” elements is artwork: paintings, sculpture, textile works, glass and ceramic artwork, prints and fine crafts. Artwork provides an unequaled opportunity to create interiors with a unique feel.

It can take some time to find artwork that serves the decorative needs, delights the owners, and meets the budget. So, selections or commissions should be addressed as early as possible. This ensures that the appropriate lighting and surroundings (i.e. custom display shelving or pedestals) are designed accordingly.

Artwork chosen for a space affects the overall mood and ambience; the impression you are trying to create for your customers, patients, family, friends or colleagues. There’s a plethora of talented artists in almost every community, anxious to find appreciative buyers. So, purchasing original artwork is always an option, even with a limited budget.

Don’t dismiss the decoration of a space as insignificant in the overall design. It’s in this “layer,” that often the most impactful and remembered design elements are found.

(If there are any specific questions you would like to see addressed in this series, please let us know. Feel free to e-mail comments to us or drop a note on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook.)

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 1: Overview

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 2: Architecture

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 3: Space Planning

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 4: Interior Design

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 21:29:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

In a recent post on this blog, my wife and business partner Patty outlined “ Eleven Things I Did Learn in Interior Design School .” She explained why it’s smart to make many interior design decisions well before the drywall is in place or concrete has been poured. Otherwise, you may need to limit your design choices or make expensive changes to structural elements, such as ceilings and walls.

There are a number of reasons why the interior design layer of a building should be created in sync with the architectural “bones” of the building.

For example, to create the most effective lighting layout, the location of furniture should be incorporated into the overall design. Coordinating the furniture plan with the architecture can also help with the location of windows, electrical requirements, and other interior elements.

Choosing flooring early on with an interior designer allows for proper slab design, thresholds and acoustical treatment.

When defining interior architectural details, an interior designer can address spatial challenges such as unusually high ceilings in a small room. Appropriate detailing can be added to make the room feel more proportionate.

TSG recently completed a renovation project updating the Marina Bay condominium complex on Longboat Key, FL. By including Patty’s interior-design expertise early on in the project, all of the buildings’ lobbies are coordinated and have a cohesive aesthetic.

To avoid costly construction changes, consider hiring an interior designer well before the decorating stage of design. Once the project begins, both the architect and the interior designer can coordinate the architecture with the interior spaces in a collaborative effort.

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 1: Overview

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 2: Architecture

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 3: Space Planning

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 5: Interior Decoration

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 3: Space Planning

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 17:53:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

Here is some of the information we take into account during the space-planning phase of a project:

For a business, space planning affects such things as profitability, employee productivity and building costs. In commercial buildings and homes, space planning affects overall comfort and functionality.
Here are a few examples:

Profitability . The more products people see when they enter and move around a store, the more likely they are to make impulse purchases.

Comfort. If museum visitors have a relaxed and pleasurable experience moving through spacious hallways and galleries, they are more likely to come again. If too many tables are crammed into a restaurant, diners may not enjoy the ambiance and servers might be unable to feed customers in a timely manner.

Employee Productivity . If the executive team meets frequently with the accounting staff, the space plan should take into account their need for proximity. Other space planning requirements may include employees that need space to collaborate with co-workers, focus on individual tasks, or eat lunch without leaving the building.

Building Costs. If a space is not planned efficiently or discussed during the planning stages, costs incurred during construction may increase due to field changes and change orders.

The Functionality of Your Home. If family members have special hobbies or interests or if you entertain frequently, a good space plan accommodates everyone’s desires. If you want to increase the usable space in a small apartment, a good space plan can help make this happen.

Space planning can also refer to the external environment of your building. If the amount of space available for your building is constrained by adjacent buildings, we can come up with ways to provide the functionality you need within the limited space available.

Before meeting with an architect, take some time to think through what you would like to accomplish within the building. Working together, we can come up with a space plan that will best meet your goals.

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 1: Overview

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 2: Architecture

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 4: Interior Design

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 5: Interior Decoration

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 2: Architecture

Fri, 24 Feb 2012 12:59:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

Sometimes, the word “architecture” is associated with information design, sculptures, computer technology, and other things. To me, the word “architecture” refers exclusively to the built environment. In fact, the word “architect” comes from the Greek word for “chief building/mason/carpenter.”

From my experience, I believe that architecture extends well past the conceptual, design, and drawing stages that so many people associate with architecture. Architecture in the fullest sense of the word includes understanding and coordinating the tens of thousands of tasks and details required to convert a concept for a building into a physical reality. This includes a whole host of business skills, technical knowledge, and management activities, such as:

A good architect not only knows how to design beautiful and functional buildings, but also how to create buildings that will stand the test of time. For example, I can incorporate certain details that will enable a building to be used for different purposes in the future. Or, I can recommend systems that will enable you to better manage your heating, air conditioning and lighting costs over the life of the building.

Here are three tips to consider:

If there are any specific questions you would like to see addressed in this series, please let me know. Feel free to e-mail comments to me or drop me a note on Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook.

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 1: Overview

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 3: Space Planning

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 4: Interior Design

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 5: Interior Decoration

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 1: Overview

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 14:49:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

If you want to save money and time when working with an architect and interior designer, it helps to see the building-design process from a different perspective. Instead of viewing the process as a sequence of steps on a bid- design – build – occupy timeline, let’s peel back the “layers” of a finished building and examine each layer one by one.

The four layers of building design are:

Architecture

Space Planning

Interior Design

Interior Décor

The first layer — architecture — is actually the broad, overarching discipline that takes into account the myriad of details that go into designing, constructing, and completing a building. An architecturally solid design provides a well-thought-out framework that optimizes the use of space, integrates multiple engineering systems, and supports creativity in interior design.

Space planning determines how rooms, corridors, storage areas, aisles, fixtures, and other elements should be configured within the building. These elements can all affect the efficiency, productivity, and profitability of operations within the building.

When choices about lighting, furniture, and other elements of the interior design layer are made early in the design process, we can make smart choices about where windows should be placed and what types of ceiling materials can be used.

The final layer of building design— interior décor —is the icing on the cake. Décor includes those oh-so-important finishing touches such as draperies, rugs, and accessories that add so much style, personality, and warmth to your building. If interior décor isn’t considered part of the process, your finished building may look unexpectedly cold and sterile—like something important is lacking.

In the next four posts in this series, we will examine each of the four layers in more detail. By the end of this series, I hope you will have a much better understanding of how all four layers of building design fit together to produce a cohesive, unified whole.

You will also see how the decisions you make with regards to one layer of building design can positively or negatively affect the overall look and cost of the other three layers.

If there are any specific questions you would like to see addressed in this series, please let me know.

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 2: Architecture

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 3: Space Planning

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 4: Interior Design

The Four Layers of Building Design, Part 5: Interior Decoration

Eleven Things I Didn’t Learn in Architecture School

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:02:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

Looking back on my five years of architecture school, I can think of 11 lessons that would have better prepared me for the success The Schimberg Group now enjoys in the real world. Here are 11 things I have learned in the years after graduation.

1. Money is always a factor.

Whether it’s a commercial, public, or residential project, budgetary limitations must always be considered. Sometimes, the challenge to design something extraordinary within a limited budget stimulates the most creative thinking.

2. People skills are essential.

Every client is different and each client has their own vision of the finished product. Emotions are always present, including passion about the success of the project and the desire to contribute ideas. Sometimes, a husband and wife may each have different priorities for their new home. Sometimes, design decisions are made by a committee representing a multitude of condominium residents. Or sometimes, corporate teams have input on design. As an architect, my job involves delivering designs that will please as many people as possible, while clearly explaining the logic behind certain design decisions and achieving the client’s ultimate goals.

3. Commercial and residential projects are different , but both are rewarding.

Architecture schools focus mostly on commercial and public projects—probably because they tend to be larger and more visible. But designing, building, and renovating homes can be equally creative and satisfying. Homes have so much personal meaning and can contribute to the overall character of a community.

4. Efficient project management really matters .

Every project reaches a point when it’s time to stop designing and let the builders do their jobs. If design changes are made throughout the project, the result can be unexpected costs and delays.

5. Getting interior designers involved early yields more beautiful results.

Making decisions about lighting, flooring, doors, wallcoverings, furnishings, and cabinetry while the shell of the building is still being designed gives you more choices in how the finished project will look. When interior design decisions are made after a building is designed, you may be limited in furniture selection, types of lighting, or even incur extra costs for structural changes.

6. Seeing projects through construction to completion is vital.

Dozens of unexpected challenges crop up during construction. As an architect, I can suggest creative solutions that won’t compromise the final building aesthetic.

7. Entrepreneurial skills are necessary to get an architecture firm up and running.

In addition to keeping my architectural skills and knowledge up to date, I have had to learn about all phases of small-business operations, including cash flow, marketing, accounting, and personnel management. Starting a business requires time and money.

8. There are building codes to deal with.

It’s great that architecture school equates creativity with freedom of imagination. But some wildly creative ideas and material choices aren’t always practical, due to building codes. Part of an architect’s job is to stay up-to-date on these codes.

9. In order to win a project, you must write a convincing proposal.

Every architect dreams of being awarded high-profile projects that can help them earn public recognition. But this dream can’t come true unless the architect knows how to write competitive proposals.

10. Professors don’t know it all.

In architecture school, students may feel intimidated by professors with superstar backgrounds and strong opinions. After graduation, it doesn’t take long to understand the subjective nature of architecture. Every expert, critic, and client has different tastes, theories, and backgrounds.

11. It’s not about the architect, it’s about you —the client.

One of the most pervasive myths about architecture is that the finished building should reflect the architect’s vision and artistic talents. But the funding for projects comes from the client. Thus, the architect’s work should always serve the needs and desires of the client. From experience, I have learned that the most successful projects are collaborations. By blending the talent, training, skills, and experience of our architects, interior designers, contractors, and construction crews, we can exceed the expectations of our clients.

Eleven Things I Did Learn in Interior Design School

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 20:54:00 GMT

By Patty Morrison Schimberg

Instead, she remarked: “Well, good for you. I could have been an interior designer, too. But I wouldn’t have had to go for school for it .”

That attitude is surprisingly common. People assume interior design only involves selecting furniture, wallcoverings, window treatments, paint colors, and accessories. In fact, our job starts long before the decoration and accessorizing stage.

Even I had some of the same thoughts as I was plugging away at some of the highly technical courses at Parsons. Years later, I recognize the relevance of my interior designer education. Here are just eleven of the important lessons I learned —and use almost daily.

1. Create a program for the project.

The term program refers to all of the client’s requirements and wishes, the existing conditions and the budget. This is really the initial interview, walk through and listening we do when we start working with a client. The more information we have before we begin designing, the better we do our job.

2. Always have a contract with your clients.

It’s important to get the business part of a working relationship squared away. Once the questions about fees, timing, and expectations are answered, we all have peace of mind. The contract assures the client’s complete control and approval of all costs. Then the creativity really begins, comfortably.

3. Start with an accurate floor plan.

The focus on learning to measure properly and draft accurately seemed eternal at Parsons: line weight, symbols for drywall, ugh! But we can’t create a truly useful furniture plan, unless we have an accurate floor plan. Thanks to computer-aided design (CAD), plans are very precise. Therefore, our designs can be equally realistic.

4. Think three-dimensionally.

We built a lot of models in school (my X-Acto knife and I spent long nights together). Now I know why. A two-dimensional floor plan doesn’t really show how a stairway impacts an entry or how angled seating might make a space feel too crowded. Three-dimensional thinking helps designers make solid recommendations for everything from crown molding styles to the pitch of a sofa back.

5. Understand Color Theory 101.

I loved this class, but thought it was theoretical and an excuse to play with color pencils. Amazingly, the principles I learned, really apply – and I find routinely useful. For example, a soft green wall might pop into a lime green when a red sofa is near it. Whether designing a space to be bold and bright or calm and relaxing, understanding how colors interact within that space, is enormously useful.

6. Lighting is not an afterthought.

The Parsons program was a little obsessed with lighting: lots of lumens and light spread calculations. But the most important lesson: consider lighting in the early stages of designing a space. Once the drywall is up or the slab is poured, lighting choices may be limited and changes costly. Well thought-out electrical and reflected-ceiling plans result in the desired feel in a home, function of an office; effect of a retail display or the ambience of a restaurant.

7. Respect the architecture.

The interior of a building should have a strong connection with the style of the structure. This doesn’t mean you can’t use contemporary furnishings in a classical building context. Urban European designers often mix the two. But significant interior details, such as window casings and wall finishes, look best if they reflect the style and nature of structure.

8. Learn the history of decorative art architecture.

Studying at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris, I gained a deep appreciation of the evolution of the details and styles of furniture and building design, and why good design stands the test of time. There’s a reason for the use of an arch. It’s not just decoration, so we don’t treat it that way.

9. Décor is the final layer of interior design.

Much to my frustration, my interior design program didn’t start experimenting with fabrics, area rugs and accessories until after we mastered all the technical stuff. Yet it was clearly this complex, last layer of the process that brings a project to life. The importance of choosing the right decorative touches to complete a space can’t be underestimated.

10. Presentation really matters.

How designs are presented to clients can greatly affect their comfort level and expectations. Instead of showing the quirky, hand-drawn perspectives I made in school, we now use computer programs to create incredibly realistic depictions of what your interior space will look like. Computers still can’t convey the feel or flow of a textile. So sometimes you just have to touch that silk to really fall in love with it. But it sure helps to show a pleasing image of the spaces we design, before a single yard of fabric is purchased.

11. Stay current in the field.

Studying design in New York City, we were really spoiled. Every cutting edge resource was right there (or a subway ride away). We had access to products, trade-shows, and world-class lecturers. Because trends are constantly changing, my clients expect me to advise them of what’s current and appropriate for their projects. My training sparked an ongoing interest in staying on top of what’s happening in the design world.

Looking over this list, I owe some professors an apology. I often underestimated the relevance of what they taught us. These eleven subjects are just some of the important lessons, now second nature, I use in my everyday work.

And, Grandma, you were right about many things. But by today’s standards, even you could not have been a successful interior designer without training from a good design school. It’s not all about choosing fabrics and paint colors.

Ringling Design Student Discusses Her TSG Internship

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:34:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

We are big believers in the value of exposing design students to some real-world scenarios they might encounter after graduation. For the past four years, Schimberg Group has provided internships to students enrolled in the interior-design program at The Ringling College of Art + Design .

During the three to four months each intern works in our office, they assist us with projects such as drafting, design choices, rendering, field dimensioning, and administration. We also include them on construction site visits, so they can begin to see the connection between designs created on computers and the work involved with bringing concepts to fruition.

This year, we were thrilled that one of our interns, Sonika Fourie, talked about her experience at Schimberg Group in a video posted on YouTube.

“It’s been amazing,” said Fourie. “I’ve been learning a ton. I think it’s going to help me make a much smoother transition into the working world.” Ringling has included the video in their marketing materials for incoming students.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xoWcwtPKFE]

Interior Design-Internship Video: Sonika Fourie

Pet Project: Designing an Adoption-Friendly Animal Shelter

Sun, 01 May 2011 08:08:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP

With every new project, I enjoy the process of learning new things. For example, before we started converting a 7,000 square foot warehouse into The Cat Depot feline adoption center, we did extensive research into animal behavior, shelter medicine, and veterinary ethics. Our design needed to support all aspects of The Cat Depot’s mission of improving the lives of homeless cats by helping them find loving homes.

Cat Depot in Sarasota, Flordia

We learned that the right design could result in well-mannered pets, more comfortable and educated owners, and a facility that was easier to operate and maintain.

In the course of our research into animal-shelter design, we discovered some difficult questions that needed be addressed. Should the design reflect a safe haven for the animals to live their lives out if necessary? Or should the animal shelter be designed for more temporary living arrangements, while the facility’s operators encourage community residents to adopt more animals?

Because The Cat Depot focuses on finding loving homes for cats and kittens, we designed an environment that makes it easier for the public to interact with the cats before deciding which one(s) to adopt and take home. Research shows that people prefer adopting cats that appear to be more social.

Some of the most popular design features are the 10 x 15-ft cat runs (“pods”) that we added to the east side of the building. The cats can wander freely outside into these enclosed outdoor “cat-ios” to enjoy sunlight and fresh air.

Yet we also wanted to preserve the industrial look and feel of the building. Not only is the simple interior easier to maintain, but visitors also quickly recognize that the shelter is not a replacement for a home-like environment.

We also worked with Spec-Rite Designs to create durable pet condos and indoor play crates. Each condo and pet crate was custom-designed for the space requirements and preferred colors. Spec-Rite then manufactured the furniture using non-porous, phenolic materials that resist water and scratching, inhibit bacteria growth, and don’t absorb odors.

The Cat Depot’s new facility opened at the end of 2009. It has become a hub of rescue activity and education for cat lovers. In 2011, Cat Depot spayed and neutered 1400 cats and kittens, found loving homes for 893 cats and kittens, and engaged more than 2,400 school-children in cat-related activities.

You can take a virtual tour of the Cat Depot on the Cat Depot website. The Schimberg Group’s work on the facility was described in more detail in SRQ magazine and Maddux Business Report. PDFs of these two articles can be viewed through the links below.

Cat Depot Surgical Room

If your company or organization has an animal-shelter-related project on the horizon, give us a call at 941-894-6888 . We learned many valuable lessons during our work on the Cat Depot, and I would be happy to share some of these insights with you or your group.

LINKS

About the Cat Depot of Sarasota, Florida

It Is Better To Give Than To Receive

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:47:00 GMT

ABOVE – SCHEMATIC MASTER PLAN FOR A NON – PROFIT LOCAL CENTER.

ABOVE – A NEW BOARDWALK BUILT BY LEADERSHIP SARASOTA, CLASS OF 2011 FOR A LOCAL NON- PROFIT.

Life is a gift, and it offers us the privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to give something back by becoming more.

Utilizing Color in Architecture!

Tue, 08 Mar 2011 20:50:00 GMT

ABOVE – BEFORE AND AFTER OF SIESTA KEY RESIDENCE. GOLD WINNER IN MARCH 2011 SRQ MAGAZINE HOME OF THE YEAR RENOVATION CATEGORY.

ABOVE – COMPARISON OF HOW COLOR CAN DEFINE A FUNCTIONAL SPACE WITHIN A COMMERCIAL OFFICE.

Don’t be afraid of using color. As architects, the final result of a space or building design is developed by both the massing of the building and the color of the building. Whether color is incorporated through the use of materials or actual color selection, the building’s perception and the experience viewers and occupants have of the building can be greatly impacted in a positive way. Use color to create spatial relationships or as opportunities for accentuation of shapes and building components.

Tape Art Signs Welcome Visitors to Newspaper Office

Mon, 28 Feb 2011 15:33:00 GMT

The Observer Group is a multimedia company that publishes five newspapers, three websites, and a quarterly magazine for residents of five communities in the Sarasota-Bradenton region of Florida.

When we redesigned the interiors of The Observer offices in Longboat Key, we created and installed unique tape-art-based signs for two reception areas in the building.

Our goal was to create signs that represented the company in an abstract, interesting way. The black tape on the white walls provided the perfect way to suggest the black-and-white lines of a newspaper.

The design started as a 2D graphic image on our computer screen. After the client approved the concept, we did a mock-up, using tape on a 4 x 8 ft. sheet of drywall. Once we received the go-ahead, it took us about four days to install the sign. We sealed the tape with a varnish so it wouldn’t peel away from the wall. You can watch the installation in the time-lapse video below.

When Pen Meets Paper

Mon, 21 Feb 2011 20:12:00 GMT

ABOVE- INK AND MARKER SKETCH FOR A PROPOSED RESIDENCE

INK SKETCHES FOR VARIOUS COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PROJECTS

Interview with Artist Tim Jaeger

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:43:00 GMT

The following is an impromptu interview with Sarasota artist and Ringling graduate Tim Jaeger. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

Q: Can a building be art on it’s own without sculpture or artwork?

A: Absolutely. The combination of being placed in an extraordinary cultural landscape, and the gift of bringing people together, puts us in the same position as we are when we are viewing other forms of art. This dialogue can create great friction…yet still bring a wide, diverse audience together. These are the very fundamentals of what makes art (in general) so unique and invaluable to the evolution of our culture.

Q: Other than location, what is the difference between exterior artwork and interior artwork?

A: I find more similarities than differences between the two but simply put, it is the difference between artwork(s) that relates to interior elements, and artwork(s) that relates to exterior elements. With both exterior and interior artwork, it is the difference of how the viewer(s) physically and mentally relate to the work.

Q: Can artwork impact a residential space different than a commercial space?

A: All artwork is capable of having great impact depending on the viewer, location, and space. From a personal point, residential artwork can have more of an impact for its owner because the collector selected that work to add to their personal collection…it means so much to them that they chose to own it and keep it close by. Commercial art typically demands mass appeal but without dilution of the response. It must be sensitive to its greater audience. It is usually striking and large in its effect as it’s about drama, sophistication and beauty.

It’s Not Just About Fluffing Pillows

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:37:00 GMT

ABOVE- THE SCHIMBERG GROUP WORKED WITH MORRISON DESIGN INC.TO CREATE THIS COLOR BOARD FOR A RESIDENTIAL PROJECT

ABOVE- RENDERINGS CREATED FOR A NEW RETAIL STORE / CAFE. INTERIOR DESIGN AND ARCHITECTURE WAS HANDLED BY THE SCHIMBERG GROUP.

Similar to the topic of last November’s newsletter, we begin the new year explaining to our readers the importance interior design has on enhancing architecture. This holds true for both commercial and residential projects. Interior design includes all facets of proportion, color, scale and architectural detailing. Windows are located based on interior design. Furniture is located based on interior design. Lighting is based on interior design. In order to fully achieve a successful and cohesive design, whether the architectural firm has an interior design department or a separate interior designer/decorator is hired, it is critical to combine these two consultants from the onset of the project.

– Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP

Architecture Competition? Bring It On!

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:34:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

An interesting approach to a potential project is a competition. Competitions are prevalent in Europe and provide opportunities for design firms to win large-scale projects.

In the United States, competitions are not as common. But when handled properly (procedurally and financially), competitions allow owners to gain ideas and select the best architect for the job while allowing the architect and design team to explore projects in a different, more creative spirit.

If you are interested in having a competition, I recommend the following:

Below are some drawings The Schimberg Group submitted to a residential competition that proved successful for both the architects and the owners.

Images created by The Schimberg Group for a residential competition

Landscaping: An Integral Element of Building Design

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:30:00 GMT

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE: BEFORE AND AFTER- LANDSCAPE FOR AN ACLF DESIGNED BY SWCO & INSTALLED BY TURNER TREE / LANDSCAPE FOR A FLORIDA RESIDENCE DESIGNED AND INSTALLED BY GRANTS GARDENS / LANDSCAPE FOR A W HOTEL IN FT. LAUDERDALE DESIGNED BY WITKIN HULTS DESIGN GROUP

“I don’t divide architecture, landscape and gardening; to me they are one.”

– Luis Barragan Architect

A building is only as good as it’s surrounding landscaping. Landscaping provides the following:

It is critical for architects to approach projects, large or small, commercial or residential with landscaping in mind from the start of the design. By collaborating with the landscape designer or architect, a cohesive relationship between structure and plantings allows for a more successful project and a more complete design.

– Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP

Is It Harder to Build New or Renovate?

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:14:00 GMT

By Barron Schimberg, AIA

Considering how many decisions are involved in new-building design, you might assume that it’s easier to renovate. But that’s not always the case.

Renovation and new building projects usually incorporate many of the same components; architectural design, interior design, construction, financing, etc.

While renovations are often perceived to be simpler, in many cases, improving existing conditions requires more attention than building new. An architect or engineer may reassess the site for parking issues, setbacks and/or drainage and retention. We review the condition of the interior, structural components, and Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing systems.

The time associated with renovation projects versus new building is often equal or more than starting from scratch. Clients should understand this up front with regards to time, fees, consultant involvement and ultimately the construction costs.

(Above) Photos of current and past renovations The Schimberg Group has redesigned and managed.

Variations on a Theme

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 07:06:00 GMT

From above: Proposed Trespa 3-dimensional Facade – office building; Trespa shelving system for cat pods – scheduled completion, July 2009; Proposed canopy design – underside of canopy in Trespa wood-look material.

There are many products on the market that allow architects to enhance a building’s facade. As other projects come online with different requirements, we find the ability to use these same products, but in different applications. By thinking creatively and imaginatively, we find opportunities within a single material that provides an array of incredible solutions for multiple design challenges.

– Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP

Sign of the Times

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 06:59:00 GMT

From above: Pylon sign for Cat Depot building- scheduled completion, June 2009; Residential mail box- residence completed, June 2007; Proposed condominium entry sign- master planning services, 2009.

Entry signage can take many forms; pylon signs, monument signs or even mailboxes. For a pedestrian, visitor or owner, the initial impact of the sign sets the tone for what lies beyond. It identifies the nature of the complex; a strip mall with multiple tenants, a condominium complex, a standalone building or even a residence. Relating the design of these features to the associated building or complex, enhances the resident or tenant’s exposure, public impression and provides an aesthetic quality for the property’s architecture.

– Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP

A Roof Over Our Heads

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:29:00 GMT

“As many experts on emergency housing have pointed out, temporary post-disaster communities often put down roots and stick around. From the shantytowns of Rio de Janeiro to Palestinian refugee camps in Syria, decent temporary structures often end up functioning as woefully inadequate permanent dwellings that sometimes shelter residents not for months or even a few years but for generations.

In light of this, a whole field of architecture has sprung up that would address the humanitarian problems of disaster-relief housing primarily as a design exercise. Their rationale is a well-considered one: If people are going to stay in these structures for a long time, why not build them right in the first place? “

-Carol Lloyd, Shelter From The Storm

With hurricane season around the corner (disaster relief) and the housing market difficult (affordable housing), opportunity exists to combine the two much-needed shelter requirements into one structure. Wherever located in the world, prefab housing, if designed efficiently, cost effectively and structurally sound, can solve existing challenges inherent to the geographic and demographic location of its occupants.

– Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP

Is it Feasible?

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:20:00 GMT

Definition of Feasibility Studies: A feasibility study looks at the viability of an idea with an emphasis on identifying potential problems and attempts to answer one main question: Will the idea work and should you proceed with it?

-Lahle Wolfe, About.com

Nobel Prize winner Linus Pauling once said, “The best way to have a good idea is to have lots of ideas. The best way to get a good idea is to get a lot of ideas.” In order to determine the best solution for a given space, we recommend hiring an architect. Tenant spaces ranging from 1,000 to 50,000 SF or more, require attention and space planning. Architects assess the needs of the client or tenant to lay out a floor plan or multiple floor plans to determine the feasibility of the proposed use in that particular space or building.

– Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP

Let it flow…Let it flow…Let it flow

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:55:00 GMT

Examples of water features designed by accomplished sculptor, Eric Higgs, in collaboration with The Schimberg Group, Inc. (clockwise from above: Conceptual entry sculpture for commercial building, Florida; Entry feature at Whole Foods Market, Sarasota, Florida; Residential entry sculpture, Sarasota, Florida)

Whether residential or commercial, aesthetically integrating water into a building’s design instills calmness and tranquility to its occupants. Water evokes emotion, whether we hear it, see it, or are sub-consciously aware of it. By utilizing water in design, the architect can connect the building to its context, provide a visual stimulation at the entry, reflect light in unique, interesting patterns or minimize noise pollution through water’s consistent sound frequency. The result provides a positive environmental impact on our well being and lives.

– Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP

LEEDing the way

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 11:45:00 GMT

From the USGBC website, “LEED, a voluntary, consensus-based standard to support and certify successful green building design, gives building owners and operators the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance.” The key words are ‘support and certify’. Often, green initiative rating systems such as LEED, Green Globes or Breeam are used as marketing tools. We have found that utilizing a green rating system provides a guideline for the architect and the project’s team members to enhance and pursue environmental, economic, health and community benefits. As a result, the design is well thought out, better coordinated and more successful.

– Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP

What Does Collaborative Methods Mean?

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:15:00 GMT

A meeting to discuss the details on a project, before problems exist. From left to right-Tom Lossi, steel sub-contractor; Barron Schimberg, architect; Don Sutherland, general contractor, Kurt Lodson, CPI representative

In this economy, a project’s success and possibly its creation, depends upon the team involved. Developing the built environment begins with a concept, leads to design, evolves into documents for pricing and construction and results in a completed development. For any size or type project, the architect incorporates the expertise and knowledge of the client, consultants, engineers, contractors and sub-contractors into every project from the first meeting until the last meeting. This results in a well-designed and coordinated success. The architect acts as quarterback for the multiple team members and works collaboratively with that group in order to exceed all expectations. This is what “Collaborative Methods” means, and is exactly how The Schimberg Group delivers projects to all of our clients.

– Barron Schimberg, AIA LEED AP