Archiscape Blog
How Does Collaboration Make Great Spaces Even Better? Find Out!
When a client entrusts Patriquin Architects with the design of their building, it is the beginning of a relationship—one that frequently continues beyond the completion of the initial project. Organizations grow and change over time, and their spatial requirements may evolve as well. For example, there may be a need to change a space from…
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…
Retrofitting a Historic Building to Passive House Certification
Our building renovation is featured in the February 2021 Architype Magazine! Check out the magazine and our article here.
Considering 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…
What 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…
What’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…
Patriquin 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…
Patriquin Architects takes on the J.E.D.I. Challenge
We are proud to participate in AIA Connecticut’s inaugural J.E.D.I Challenge We cherish diversity and inclusiveness, with a resolute belief that each member of our team can bring a unique outlook and perspective to our work and to our office culture. Even with different backgrounds, we are united by a common drive to learn from…
Passive 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…
Why 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…