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Celebrating 10 Years and a Diverse Design Portfolio
At Patriquin Architects, we’re celebrating our tenth anniversary as a firm! While we’re constantly grateful for our wonderful clients, it feels especially appropriate at this moment to reflect on the diverse design portfolio we’ve developed over the last decade, and to appreciate the stakeholders who have entrusted us with their projects. Collaborating with a Wide…
Read MoreWhat is Modern Vernacular Architecture?
Merriam-Webster defines the word “vernacular” as “using a language or dialect native to a region or country rather than a literary, cultured, or foreign language.” Applying that term to our profession, the Encyclopedia of Vernacular Architecture of the World (Paul Oliver, 1997) defines “vernacular architecture” as: “…comprising the dwellings and all other buildings of the…
Read MoreHow Your Architecture Firm Can Help with Community Engagement
In many cases, it takes more than an excellent design and quality construction for a new-build or renovation project to succeed. Sometimes success hinges on the owner’s ability to obtain funds or secure support from people who will benefit from or be affected by the project. In those instances, a project may require a community…
Read MoreHow to Design a Natural Playscape
As children, the first lessons we learn are about the natural world around us. And those lessons are important, because they become the framework for much of the learning that follows. That’s one of the reasons nature themes are so prevalent in childcare and early education settings. This includes outdoor play areas, where it seems…
Read MoreHow 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…
Read MoreThe 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 Thankfully, that outdated approach to education has gone by the wayside.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…
Read MoreSustainable design for a new elementary school
One of our current projects, which we couldn’t be more excited about, is designing a nature-based independent school, called Slate School, on former farmlands in North Haven, Connecticut. The school’s educational philosophy is centered around discovery, curiosity, and nature. We’re no strangers to design for early childhood education with nature as a core principle, with…
Read MoreWhat 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…
Read MoreMusings On Good Classroom Design
In our time as architects (and parents), we’ve had experience with classrooms across the spectrum- from early childhood education, to elementary & middle school, to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) facilities at the high school & college levels. While these classrooms have varied greatly in size, age range of students, and teaching programs, they…
Read MoreAwesome Architecture from Connecticut
In their December 2015 issue, Business New Haven featured ‘Awesome Architecture from Connecticut’ – a summary of the projects and teams honored by the AIA CT 2015 Design Awards. ‘The Connecticut chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA/CT) unveiled their 2015 selections for the Connecticut Design Awards. The program recognizes design excellence in projects…
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