Archiscape Blog
A Tour of Passive House Buildings In and Around Boston
The driving principle of passive house design is simple—to design the most energy efficient building possible, to the benefit of our planet and ourselves. I recently attended the 13th Annual North American Passive House Conference in Boston hosted by Passive House Institute US (PHIUS). On the final day of the conference, I was lucky enough…
Passive House Design by the Numbers
Whether it’s personal fitness, retirement savings, or protecting the environment, goal setting is a critical first step toward success. I recently attended the 13th Annual North American Passive House Conference in Boston where the objectives of the Paris Agreement and the goals of “passive house” design and construction in helping achieve those objectives were front…
How Healthy Schools Support Happy Children
Our team of architects and designers handles a wide range of projects, including work on new construction, historic buildings, alterations and renovations, and site analysis and feasibility studies. And, we enjoy every new challenge we take on. But one area that is especially gratifying is designing school buildings and additions that meet the highest environmental…
The Best School Designs Connect Kids with Nature
“Outside is for play; inside is for learning.” Thankfully, that outdated approach to education has gone by the wayside. Teachers and administrators today understand that providing more exposure to the natural world not only helps kids develop a stronger connection with the environment, it energizes their studies in all areas. Rather than counting the minutes…
Traveling Architect: Postcards from Paris
For me, Paris is more than just one of the world’s great cities — it’s a source of endless architectural design inspiration. I have been fortunate to spend a significant amount of time there as an architectural student, living with my parents when they were on sabbatical, and visiting friends I’ve made through the years.…
Greenwich Academy: A Case Study in Interactive Design
One of the best things about being an architecture firm that has had success in a wide range of institutional, commercial, and residential settings is the variety of projects that we get to tackle. Having done their research, clients feel comfortable trusting our firm with the design of structures that don’t fit neatly into any…
How to Work with Architectural Review Boards
Founded in 1827, Greenwich Academy provides college preparatory education for girls at a day school on a 39-acre campus in Greenwich, CT. When the school decided to build a new multi-use facility with classrooms on the ground floor and a faculty apartment on the second floor, the school’s leadership chose Patriquin Architects to create the…
4 Powerful Benefits of a Site Analysis and Feasibility Study
Property that you own, or are considering purchasing, is a valuable asset. But, unlike some assets that have a fixed value, your property’s worth is based in large part on how you develop it. Make the right choices on what you build there and how you build it, and you may see its value soar.…
What Paperwork Do You Need for Your Commercial Property Development?
Commercial property development projects are exciting. Watching your vision for a building come to life step by step is very gratifying. However, one step that isn’t especially enjoyable is completing the paperwork that is required before your project can truly get underway. Fortunately, you don’t have to tackle all forms and applications on your own.…
Why Passive House Design is So Powerful
The idea of “sustainability” covers a wide range of disciplines and practices. One area that I feel can have a tremendous impact on the environment is making our homes, office buildings, and other structures highly energy efficient. The passive house concept involves designing buildings that incorporate super-efficient envelopes and mechanical systems that can pass a…