Posts by Karin
Why is a Feasibility Study Important to the Due Diligence Process?
Before investing time, effort, and capital into a building project, it is important for stakeholders to know whether the envisioned structure is feasible. Consequently, we’re frequently engaged to perform early feasibility studies. Often, we do this work before being hired for the full design phase, and in many cases, before the potential owner has fully…
Read MoreConsidering a Historic Renovation? Be Prepared to Pivot!
Building renovations often reveal unexpected conditions. When the structure being updated is historic and has a long history of alterations and modifications, the findings can be particularly interesting and produce unique challenges. We recommend exploratory demolition prior to starting construction. Sometimes this is not possible, other times the ‘typical’ condition that is exposed is not…
Read MoreWhat Is Daylighting and Why Is It Important?
The term “daylighting” refers to architectural design that allows natural light into buildings. Daylighting provides many benefits, including increased productivity, enhanced connection to the outdoors, improved health, and energy savings. As a result, it’s highly desirable in educational settings. Numerous certifications for high-performance buildings feature daylighting as part of their rubrics. They cite daylighting as…
Read MoreWhat’s Master Planning? Slate Upper School Is a Good Example of the Process
Early stage master planning for the design and construction of a building or site is a highly collaborative process that puts the project on the right trajectory for success. It involves everything from early budgeting, to coordinating the work of experts like landscape architects and civil engineers, to working sessions with the client. “Laying the…
Read MorePatriquin Architects’ Favorites: Our “Best of the Best” for 2020
As we approach the end of a challenging 2020, we feel lucky to reflect on our productive – if unusual – year. Although people everywhere had to adapt to the new rhythms of remote work, we are grateful to have continued most of our projects, completed some, and started new ones. In August, we had…
Read MorePassive House Certification and Our Historic Building
Passive house is a rigorous design standard for energy efficient new or retrofitted buildings. First established in Europe in the late 1980s, the Passive House standard calls for buildings that: Have a continuous insulation envelope with no thermal bridging Are very airtight, with no unintended transfer of air between inside spaces and outside Have high-performance…
Read MoreWhy Are Architectural Sections Important to Projects?
Every architectural drawing has a purpose. It may explain proportions, show dimensions, or provide details about materials. In this way, an architectural drawing tells a story. And as with any story, the artistry in how it’s told is a major factor in how effective it is. That’s why we put tremendous effort into the drawings…
Read MoreTrinity Baptist: 6 Steps to the Optimal Design
We are proud of the exceptionally talented architects and designers on our staff. But it takes more than just talent to produce a design that fully meets a client’s needs. We’ve learned in our many years practicing architecture that the best way to achieve a successful outcome is to follow a thorough initial process for…
Read MoreMore Program Space and a Cohesive Campus for Trinity Baptist
Trinity Baptist Church in New Haven, CT, serves a diverse urban population and has a fast-growing congregation. In fact, the church has flourished to the point that at the time they reached out to us, it had outgrown the multi-purpose program spaces that supplement the main sanctuary. To address this issue, church leaders formed a…
Read MoreHow Our Culture and Character Have Led to 10 Successful Years
When looking for an architecture firm, clients always ask about the organization’s work experience and portfolio. Yet the firm’s culture and character is an oft-ignored but equally important aspect in their choice. Inquiries that aren’t explored as often but that can be just as important include: Is there good team chemistry? Do team members “pull…
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