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  • sauna, bathroom, storage, relaxation, architect on demand, advice without strings

    Sauna Bathroom: Providing Enough Storage & Relaxation

    This smallish bathroom is designed to feel as large as possible. It doubles as an entryway to a sauna and has to feel like a sanctuary, a space to unwind. A room for relaxation, it is supposed to be used by a few people at a time. And most importantly, there should be enough storage.

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  • transformation, shed, 3-car garagearchitect on demand, advice without strings

    Transformation of a Shed or a 3-Car Garage

    Okay, okay. You are probably tired of hearing about my garden. Let me tell you about the transformation of the garden shed/3-car garage instead. Located toward the back of the site, that’s where all the garden paths lead — away from the pressures of the city life, through a blue door.

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  • articulating space, compositional tools, architect on demand, advice without strings

    Articulating Space: Compositional Tools

    I am not a conformist; it just doesn’t feel right to follow in someone else’s footsteps. Instead, I rebelliously change the world by instilling harmony in my personal environment. Indeed. The process of articulating space using compositional tools of my own is quite enjoyable!

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  • organizing space, synthesizing practical with sublime, architect on demand, advice without strings

    Organizing Space: Synthesizing Practical with Sublime

    Every morning before getting up, I reach for the roller shade, open it up, and soak in the view of my secret garden. In the previous post, I wrote about its architecture. I’d like to elaborate on the topic and talk about organizing space with a plan. In my opinion, it’s the process of synthesizing…

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  • garden, architecture, structure, lighting, architect on demand, advice without strings

    Garden Architecture: Structure, Circulation, Lighting

    Architecture of a garden? Let me explain. First, there is nothing but an enormous Fig Tree. Eventually, on the same spot, a water-wise enchanted oasis appears. Yes, its structure, circulation, and lighting are designed with practical functions in mind. But it has a higher purpose.

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  • shabby studio apartment, home, Home Depot, DIY Ally, studio apartment, architect on demand, advice without strings

    How I Was Able To Turn a Shabby Studio Apartment Into a Home

    Hello, it’s Mia Kazovsky, and I’m back for another guest post after over a year. Here’s a refresher: I moved into a studio on the Lower East Side of Manhattan at the beginning of 2016. In the previous post, I wrote about the first steps in the process of upgrading my digs. Today, I’d like…

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  • books, architecture, Louis Sullivan, architect on demand, advice without strings

    Books on Architecture: Louis Sullivan’s The Autobiography of an Idea

    A client wondered: “If I only have room in my backpack for three books on architecture which ones should they be?” I promised to get back to him and, in turn, asked a friend — she is the authority — to name three books that taught her everything she needed to know about architecture. She…

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  • achieve serenity, self-reflection, architect on demand, advice without strings

    How To Achieve a State of Serenity and Self-Reflection

    I wish I knew how to achieve a state of serenity and self-reflection. It would be nice. I was just talking to my daughter about that. Is it even attainable? I would particularly like to know how to experience yuan bei (Chinese) – a sense of complete and perfect accomplishment even while dealing with inhibiting rejection.

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  • type v sheet, construction details, submittal requirements, architect on demand, advice without strings

    Type V Sheet Construction Details: Submittal Requirements / Part 2

    A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the issues encountered while producing a set of documents necessary to get a building permit. Thankfully, I am done with all of the submittal requirements. Considering my aversion to all things UBC, it took staunch determination. And I’m especially proud of mastering the most tedious Type V…

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  • establishing hierarchy, plan, section, architect on demand, advice without strings

    Establishing Hierarchy in Plan and Section

    This week my focus is on establishing hierarchy in plan and section as I’m helping a client in New Mexico who is DIYing an “outbuilding” that will serve as his private gallery and art studios.

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  • DIY like an architect
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  • get to know
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