Archiscape Blog
What You Need to Know About Sustainable Building Certifications
There are many definitions for sustainability and what it means to the building community. And there are many designations and certification programs to choose from. So, how do you decide what is the best approach for your design and construction project? It depends on your priorities, your climate, your immediate site, whether your building is…
Traveling Architect: Phoenix in 4 Days
Music, Nature and Architecture As luck would have it, this trip was an amazing convergence of three things I love—nature, music and architecture. The main reason for the trip was to rehearse and perform the American premiere of my father Donald Patriquin’s Songs of Innocence, an adaptation of William Blake’s poems in an 8-movement suite…
How to Incorporate Sustainability into Your Early Childhood Center
What is sustainability in construction? Most people are familiar with the term sustainability, but what does it mean in construction? If we were to ask most people to define it, they would probably come up with terms such as green design, environmentally friendly, and renewable energy. The U.S. Green Building Council defines it as “a…
Case Study: Early Childhood Center – Sustainable Construction
How do we incorporate sustainability into an early childhood center building? Completed in 2013, this early childhood learning center is built on land shared by a Quaker meeting house. The client group sought to accommodate 72 children aged 3 months to 5 years in a structure that promotes experiential learning and interaction with the environment…
WHO NEEDS A SITE AND FEASIBILITY STUDY?
In the February 2017 issue of The New England Real Estate Journal, we are featured in the ‘Question of the Month’. We answer the question ‘Who Needs a Site and Feasibility Study?’ in an article which features an infographic about the process of making an informed decision about a property. Digital version of the article here.
Case Study: Early Childhood Conversion
OVERVIEW Located in an existing building attached to a Lutheran Church, this early childhood head start facility will serve the community for the growing need of childcare for infants through preschool age children. Within the program there are 4 classrooms, a staff room, a new shared kitchenette, an open central activity area and a new playground. CLASSROOM…
Checklist for Early Childhood Conversion Projects
Converting any existing building to a different use can be challenging, but especially so for an early childcare program. There are many physical building features, as well as operational aspects to consider. You will have to account for all the applicable Building Codes as well as the Statutes and Regulations from the State Office of…
Site Analysis and Feasibility Case Study – Historic Rehabilitation
GOALS OF THE STUDY Our client, a non-profit developer, was considering the purchase of a vacated historic school building to convert to affordable housing. The building is owned by the church located next door and is only sporadically used for church functions. The school is set back from the street and is only accessed through…
Site Analysis and Feasibility Case Study – Medical Office
GOALS OF THE STUDY Our client was looking to expand her medical practice into an existing building in a town nearby. After locating a property for sale, we conducted a feasibility study to see if the building and site could be converted from the existing retail use to medical offices, within the due diligence period…
Site Analysis and Feasibility Case Study – Early Childhood Center
GOALS OF THE STUDY Our client group envisioned an early childhood education center in a new building to fulfill the community’s need for quality care for children. Their current program, located in the basement of the New Haven Quaker Meeting building, was filled to capacity. The goal of the feasibility study was to study the…