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Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Notice to everyone

Hello everyone,
I sincerely apologize for my very bad spelling on the last post. I did this from my iPhone on the road and with that little keyboard, well you can imagine what happens along the way.

I shall be posting some interesting articles in the very near future and I look forward to hearing from all who visit this humble Blog. Just in a few more days in the life of an Architect. Never a dull moment. Indeed.

Ch


Thursday, June 7, 2012

Planning Departments

This is at best a very challenging situation in the life of any Architect.
This cN
Also make the strongest of professionals feel like screaming little girls. I really mean this.

Planning departments have their use in our lives. The danger I feel is that they tend to over think their programs and
Issues to the point where even that do not know what the hell they are doing.

I Have been through this so many times I cannot count the ways.

They write policies that are over the top sometimes where they defeat the purpose.

Take the Mansionization Ordinance
That they now have in
Place. It is overwrought with
So many rules and formulas that
It becomes confusing and self defeating.

In
Closing I can only
Hope that we as Professionals can
Assist these mental giants to at least make some rules we can
all understand in a simple way.





Saturday, May 19, 2012

If Clients could kill Architects

There you are thinking and envisioning what your dream house could be and you go through the process of hiring an Architect to assist you with this project of yours.

It costs you some dollars naturally and your house plans come to roost and are created. Then there is a wait period that is killing you because your wonderful Architect is taking his sweet time while you are paying the monthly mortgage on the lot that you are going to build your wonderful house on with a great architectural floor plan on it.

You are literally biting your nails to the bone and still no response from your Architect. How many times have you heard of this scenario? I am sure you have friends that have experienced some sort of variation on this one.

Being an Architect myself and having spoken to numerous clients regarding this "problem" has been an eye opener. However, there are two ways of mitigating this problem the way I see it.

The first that comes to mind is expectations by both parties. The owner has to be well aware of the process and what is a reasonable time table he or she is willing to deal with.
Secondly, communication is well worth the trouble of spending time with the Owner and letting him know what is going on and how long things are taking and what else has to be done. Educating the Owner is essential to his or her understanding of the process so that any future "misunderstandings" are nipped in the bud well ahead of time and thus avoiding the problem in the first place.

Many Architects are so caught up in the process of design that they forget these two very simple factors that go a very long way in the relationship that develops over the time while designing your architectural wonder and house floor plans.

Finally, the Owner has to understand this process and that is why the Architect has to engage and educate Owner in the fine art of Architecture.





Visit www.charleshefnerarchitect.com to see more of what an Architects such as myself do for clients.


Sunday, May 13, 2012

ARCHITECTURAL RENDERINGS & ILLUSTRATIONS

RENDERINGS

I was thinking of this issue today on a wonderful Sunday Mother's Day in which this day is also a reminder as to why I am writing this today.

It is about Renderings. It is a dying art form in the hand drawn department. Very few are being done this way nowadays and it is truly a shame.

When I was growing up and wanting to go outside with my friends to play ball, my dear Mom would keep me inside doing over and over my drawings assignments. She would rip them up, yes, she would do that and tell me to do it all over again as I watched the clock with the second hand going by. I used to hate it.

Why is she doing this to me? She must have had a sense as to why this would do me any good. Well, I thank her a million times on days like this one because it is something that I enjoy doing very much.

Repetition is the mother of skill. Yes indeed. Well I would like to thank my mother whom must have had a great vision as to how I would use this skill in my career, yes, I get it mom. I really do and by the way, thank you once more. I love you.

Here are some samples:




HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Friday, April 6, 2012

Some Easter thoughts on house designs and floor plans

I am writing in the blog today just to bring up some thoughts of mine that I am thinking about as I am about to trek home to relax this holiday weekend.

Ah, home. That place we like to think of as our castle. Some of us want and need really nice castles, but some others and some others not so much. I design home plans and drawings for many clients and other people that like certain home designs that suit their needs and desires. It is very difficult sometimes to do this because some clients do not know the process and you really cannot tell them anything about it either. They are not open to the fact that they do not understand this process of modern home design regardless of style.

It can be irritating sometimes and downright stressful. I really dislike this sort and I try to not get involved regardless of the amount of money they are willing to pay. It is also very frustrating and very tiresome.

In closing, I am hoping that I can endure this aspect of my practice and I trust in my experience that I will be able to design house plans and other building plans without the requirement of some twit I have to placate. Good riddance.

Now that is what I call a rant. So be it. Whatever.

Have a happy Easter.

Ch

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Vision

Hello everyone,

Today I am compelled to write a note about this thing called vision. We as Architects and designers are always talking about "vision" with our clients and associates.

This is a very important step not only for an Architect, businessman, entrepreneur, etc... but also for anyone whom would like to change their life and/or improve it dramatically. It does not only apply to Architecture and Practice, but also to many aspects of one's life.

I am attaching this must see video buy an organization that I think very highly of and who also gives out a great deal of very good quality information and tips on all kinds of business, health and related issues.

Watch and truly enjoy this little gem of information and pass it on to someone that is important in your life.
The link is: http://www.anewamericandream.com/fe/19251-the-vision

Thank you very much for reading this and implementing it.

Until next time.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Mood changing Color tools that Architects and design professionals can use and master.




Color Affects Mood

Color works magic by communicating with our emotions. Color inspires, energizes, soothes, and enlivens. See how switching from a warm color scheme to a cool one changes the mood of a living room.
  • Warm Color Scheme

Enlarge Image

Warm Color Scheme
The sun-drenched shades of red, yellow, and orange are warm, cheery, and intimate. Because warm colors seem to advance, they make small rooms appear smaller and large rooms more cozy.
This living room with coral-colored walls invites you to snuggle in with your favorite novel. Layering on neutral shades -- such as those found in the sofa fabric, the white-washed table, and the iron lamp -- helps balance and calm the intensity or brightness of the wall.
Note how the warm coral shade blends the tabletop accessories as a unit by softening their outlines, rather than defining each one separately.
Click below to see the same setting using a cool color scheme.

Cool Color Scheme

Enlarge Image

Cool Color Scheme
Nature's fresh, spring shades of blue, green, and purple are known as cool colors. These serene hues calm and soothe and appear to recede, making a room seem larger. Of all hues,green is considered the most neutral color in terms of temperature.
Because these tones can make a room feel colder, these colors make sense for a sunny room where the brightness needs to be held in check. Against the green backdrop, the tabletop accessories stand out as individual elements because cool colors reinforce their outlines.


Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Painting tips useful to Architects as well.



25 Things to Know About Paint

25 great pieces of advice for painting project in your home, from buying paint brushes to choosing colors

Brush up on painting, the easiest, most economical way to change your home's look and feel, both inside and out.
1. Inside or out, it's smart to try out colors before painting. Buy a quart, paint it onto cardboard, and hang it on the wall to see how it looks with its surroundings and in various lighting situations. Test decorative finishes the same way.
2. A home's setting should affect color choices. Shady areas make colors appear darker; lively colors can be too bright in well-lit areas. To play down a two-story home among single-story houses, paint the upper half or dormers a darker hue.
3. Painting in cool weather? Use low-temperature exterior paint, which can tolerate temperatures as low as 35 degrees Fahrenheit within 24—48 hours of painting. Most paints handle temperatures only as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. The right paint brush is as critical to a good paint job as quality paint. For oil-base paint, China bristle paint brushes, which leave few brush marks, are a good choice, but the bristles might break when used on rough surfaces. For acrylics and high-quality latex paints, nylon paint brushes are best. Nylon-polyester blends and 100-percent-polyester brushes work with any paint. Expect to spend at least $9 for a quality 3-inch paint brush.
5. For the best paint application, select a roller cover with the appropriate nap size. In general, the rougher the surface, the longer the nap required.
6. Front doors, the center of onlookers' attention, deserve special thought. In general, doors with high-gloss paint finishes look dramatic and punchy, while those with natural wood finishes are welcoming and warm.
7. When stored properly, a can of paint lasts three to five years. Store paint between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and avoid placing cans on concrete floors, where they rust more quickly. Write on the can or a piece of tape to indicate the color of the paint, date of purchase, and how much paint remains in the can.

COLOR. A VERY USEFUL ARCHITECTURAL TOOL

Hello everyone,

These are a couple of "Color Articles" that I discovered that may help those of you whom are color challenged out there even if you are a design professional, Architect, Engineer, Interior designer, etc... I found them interesting and useful, and perhaps a bit conservative but they are just basic rule of thumb sort of ideas on Color.

There is no substitute for hiring a professional for these kinds of services, but this is certainly a good start for most people that have no idea as to what or where to begin.

Enjoy and perhaps you  can give some feedback on this for I do enjoy hearing from all of you.

Best,

Charles

Maybe change your colors if your mood does not suit you! Architectural drama



Color Affects Mood

Color works magic by communicating with our emotions. Color inspires, energizes, soothes, and enlivens. See how switching from a warm color scheme to a cool one changes the mood of a living room.
  • Warm Color Scheme

Enlarge Image

Warm Color Scheme
The sun-drenched shades of red, yellow, and orange are warm, cheery, and intimate. Because warm colors seem to advance, they make small rooms appear smaller and large rooms more cozy.
This living room with coral-colored walls invites you to snuggle in with your favorite novel. Layering on neutral shades -- such as those found in the sofa fabric, the white-washed table, and the iron lamp -- helps balance and calm the intensity or brightness of the wall.
Note how the warm coral shade blends the tabletop accessories as a unit by softening their outlines, rather than defining each one separately.
Click below to see the same setting using a cool color scheme.

Cool Color Scheme

Enlarge Image

Cool Color Scheme
Nature's fresh, spring shades of blue, green, and purple are known as cool colors. These serene hues calm and soothe and appear to recede, making a room seem larger. Of all hues,green is considered the most neutral color in terms of temperature.
Because these tones can make a room feel colder, these colors make sense for a sunny room where the brightness needs to be held in check. Against the green backdrop, the tabletop accessories stand out as individual elements because cool colors reinforce their outlines.