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Alla DIY Ally, space planning, architect on demand, advice without strings

Alla DIY Ally Project: Space Planning

As Alla DIY Ally, an online architectural services provider, I am frequently asked to help with space planning. DIY home improvement enthusiasts can benefit a great deal by turning to an architect in the effort to make the most of the space available. In this post I’d like to discuss a couple of examples that demonstrate…

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kitchen, define guidelines, architect on demand, advice without strings

Imagine a Kitchen: Define Your Own Guidelines

I converted two-thirds of a detached 3-car garage into a studio; it’s my “Garden Room.” It would be great to take over the rest. I could set up a tiny kitchen and a bathroom with a sauna in the remaining area. As I imagine it, I define its guidelines.

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how do you start a project, 11-step method, architect on demand, advice without strings

11-Step Method Helps You DIY Like an Architect

Day two of my DYI Like an Architect two-day workshop at Art Center College of Design. Everyone is very enthusiastic about the process of approaching a design project with the 11-step method. 

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how do you start a project, 11-step method, architect on demand, advice without strings

How Do You Start a Design Project? 11-Step Method!

The first day of my DYI Like an Architect workshop at Art Center College of Design went really well! We tackled how do you start a design project question by learning DIY Ally’s  11-step method. 

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workshop, architect on demand, advice without strings

DIY Like an Architect Workshop at Art Center College of Design

If you would rather lose a limb than surrender control of your dream project but would enjoy learning some tricks of the trade, the workshop I lead might be of interest. It is a two-day DIY Like an Architect workshop offered at ArtCenter College of Design.

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repurpose, wet bar, functional space, architect on demand, advice without strings

How to Repurpose a Wet Bar Into a Functional Space

I received an email from a new client Heidi: “I have a wet bar in our dining/living room that we want to repurpose and make into something else.” She wondered if a small coat closet and a computer desk might be incorporated to turn it into a more functional space. Another alternative would have been to…

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design ideas, DIY Like an Architect, architect on demand, advice without strings

Generating Design Ideas With DIY Like an Architect

Design ideas category is my focus for the next post and I am in the process of researching zen gardens. I am distracted by an email from someone who just downloaded DIY Like an Architect: “Ciao Alla! I can’t wait to read your book!”

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architect on demand, advice without strings

Staircase Design: 8 Things To Consider

A staircase lets us move up and down between levels. Whether enhancing a two-story volume or creeping through an extremely narrow shaft of space, it is an important element in the overall circulation scheme. 8 Things to Consider while designing the staircase: 1. Logical integration into the structural system at lending points Stair stringer (tread…

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masterplan, DIY Like an Architect

DIY Like an Architect: Learning How to Masterplan

Architecture class at ArtCenter’s Saturday High: last week. My creative teens have practically learned everything about how to think like an architect. We’ve come full-circle and are practicing how to masterplan through mind mapping and collaging. It’s the final step in DIY Like an Architect: 11-step method.

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uniting parts, DIY Like an Architect

DIY Like an Architect: Uniting Parts with the Whole

Architecture class at ArtCenter’s Saturday High: week seven. My creative teens are mastering the concept of uniting parts with a whole as they learn how to think like an architect while we work our way through the steps of DIY Like an Architect: 11-step method.

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Get to know

  • Meet Alla
  • Testimonials
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Get inspired

  • DIY like an architect
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  • get to know
    • meet Alla
    • testimonials
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  • get started
    • DIY like an Architect
  • get inspired
    • kid-focused design
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    • blog
  • get in touch