Architecture

Many of us can contribute to an environmentally sounder world by selecting sustainable resilient, wood, concrete or carpet flooring the next time we want to redo our kitchen, bath, basement or...

The green sustainability movement cherishes what is natural, durable and sustainable. And what could be more natural, durable and sustainable than the very stone that comprises much of our Earth's...

Have you ever considered making use of solar energy? Unsure how to get started? Let this architect show you the way.

If you're like millions of other office or store workers, you look up to see an acoustic tile ceiling. And like millions of others, you may be looking up at a ratty, dirty, stained acoustic tile...

We've come a long way from the split timber used to clad early woodland cabins, the sod clumps stacked to build plains homesteads, and the adobe baked in the sun as the exterior walls of a...

Tired of that really smelly enamel you last used on the lawn furniture? Wish there was a better environmental solution to those leftover paint cans in your garage? Let this architect show you why...

With virtual seas of asphalt seeming to stretch from horizon to horizon, some would say we have sacrificed far too much of our world to the automobile. But the effective design of parking lots is...

From Tudors to Victorians, from stately colonials to beach houses and bungalows, architecture is beloved for its variety, beauty and adaptability; it doesn't matter where you live or in what...

We all feel safer and better able to move about after dark if good outdoor lighting is provided along streets, sidewalks and bike paths, as well as in parking lots, parks, shopping centers,...

You like the look of crown molding. You have a room you want to put it in. With the proper equipment it is not that hard.

Frank Lloyd Wright is recognized as one of the greatest architects of the 20th century. He designed more than 1,000 buildings during a career that spanned more than 70 years. Many of his designs...

The mansard roof can be viewed atop many different buildings, from houses to fast food restaurants. First popularized in 17th century France, it is now a widely used roof style throughout the...

A perhaps little known, but widely used, construction product in the U.S. is the insulated concrete form (ICF). An ICF is a single-piece concrete form and insulating unit that is used to contain...

Green roofs — roofs that consist in part of plant material —are considered environmentally friendly and a vital component of our planet's striving for sustainability. Let this architect explain...

We’ve all heard how important it is to use double-glazed or even triple-glazed windows in our homes and offices to reduce energy demand and improve interior comfort. But how many of us have...

The ball at the top of a flagpole is commonly known as a staff ornament or finial. Most flagpoles contain a finial as a decorative feature and to help weatherproof the pole's apex.

Consider this: no matter how modern, high-tech or appealing our commercial buildings are, there may be far better ways to construct them, for us, for the planet, and for long-term profitability....

Have you heard of Building Information Modeling? Let this architect explain how it's changing design, architecture and construction.

Perhaps you recognize the name of Frank Lloyd Wright, one of America’s greatest architects of the past. Or maybe you’ve heard of that other Frank — Frank Gehry, one of today’s hottest architects....

If you see a mansard roof it's most likely atop a French-influenced Second Empire, Beaux Arts or Richardsonian Romanesque style building. Mansard roofs also had a resurgence in 1960s American...

Choosing exterior paint colors for a home should be approached with care and consideration. Color choices can be painted over and mistakes removed. However, spending a little time thinking about...

An attic is the space between the roof and the ceiling. Pre-1970s Colonial and Victorian style homes have the best third story space because of their steeper pitched roofs. Attic space is very...

Repairing a greenhouse is a major undertaking. However, it is not as difficult as it might seem. There are several steps that need to be taken to effectively rebuild a greenhouse. A greenhouse...

It can be challenging to rebuild homes with little floorspace, but the end result can be worth the investment of time and money. Combining two rooms, adding space, using attic or basement space or...

These guidelines will assist you in adding rental residential units within your compound.

Perhaps you have heard of the ‘urban heat island effect’ and how it exacerbates global warming. Let this architect explain the effect and what you can do about it by pursuing really cool roofing!

Who hasn’t enjoyed the cooling breeze across a sunny veranda? Or the chilling effect of the stiff winds breaking at the prow of a motorboat? Let this architect show you how moving air can move...

You may not quite realize it, but every time you’ve made use of a simple sheet of plywood, you have experimented with an engineered wood product, or EWP. Come along as this architect explains more...

We’ve come a long way from the split timber used to clad early woodland cabins, the sod clumps stacked to build plains homesteads, and the adobe baked in the sun as the exterior walls of a...

Maybe you’ve only encountered architectural wire mesh in a banging screen door. Or perhaps, like many others, you’ve noticed the increasing use of wire meshes, screens and perforated metal panels...

You’ve probably always assumed that lighting is just lighting. But the healthcare environment has particular lighting needs, and patients, staff and visitors can all benefit from improved lighting...

Everyone desires to have a place they can call a home. A home is a place where you are most comfortable. It’s the only place where you can be safe and assured to live with your family. There are...

Sure, we’ve all heard of the Bronze Age of long ago in our high school history class. Why not let this architect take you back to the Bronze Age, to address some of the sustainability issues of...

• Will we build them? Show us the skyscrapers. • Small gyros: The navigation alternative to GPS. • Cool stuff worth tracking. • And finally … Escapa. Will we build them? Show us the...

If you live in snow country it is really nice when you don't have to scrape the snow off your vehicle each morning. I built my carport in three days and the only thing I bought were the nails. ...

A cupola is a traditionally small, usually round structure built on top of a larger dome or roof. In some cases, a cupola makes up the entire rooftop of a tower or spire. Cupolas can also resemble...

There are ways to reduce your energy bills, through smart and basic house improvements. What are 'energy' bills? What is meant by energy bills for houseowners, are bills resulting from having...

Want to put new siding on your house or other building. Cedar is a good choice. Cedar lap siding is ery long lasting but needs upkeep. This should help you get the job done.

A laundry chute can be a handy means of transporting your clothing from an upper floor of your home to a lower floor. With the proper tools and knowledge, you can easily construct a laundry chute...

Cutting angles on a miter saw is called "mitering" the board or piece trim. When you miter a board, the total angle measurement that two boards placed together will create is divided evenly...

Believe it or not, only Burma, Liberia, and the United States have not officially adopted the Metric System unit of measurement! Since the 1960s the International System of Units...

Both cement and wood foundation proponents claim their product is the best. In reality, each type of foundation has its strengths and weaknesses.

A balustrade is an architectural feature that has been used for centuries in homes and buildings and as a decorative addition to porches, balconies and stairways.

Finishing drywall is a much dreaded, dust-producing project. Sandpaper, rolls of plastic sheeting, tape and drop cloths strike fear in the cleanup crew. The only way to stop dust when finishing...

An architectural ruler, more commonly called an architect scale, is a device used to draw and study blueprints. In order for blueprints to be practical in size, they usually have to be drawn "to...

Steel pipes are among the most common materials found in various industrial, automotive and construction frameworks. This is due to their properties of great strength, sturdiness and flexibility,...

Many changes and additions need to be made to a home for someone who is handicapped, especially when he is in a wheelchair. This includes all aspects of life in the home, from entrances to floors...

Most freight elevators use the exact same control system as passenger elevators. The elevator rides up and down in a vertical track. It is attached to a winch, powered by an electric motor. The...

Though our modern homes are swaying from the adopted English design, these time-honored homes can still be seen throughout the nation. From a one-room log cabin high in Appalachia to grand...