Vote for Best Architect Best of the South Sound 2012

It's time again for the South Sound Magazine Best of!  Because of your votes, 2010 was a great year being named Best Architect.  We feel that we should be considered again and we need your help!

We would appreciate your votes again.  In 2011 we fell a bit short of votes, but got mentioned (The large 100 person firm got it again).


http://southsoundmag.com/best_of_south_sound

    


Here's how it works:

• Click here to go to the best of South Sound page.

• You must vote in at least 10 different categories for your entry to be valid.

• Voting ends March 22, 2012. Winners will be announced in the June/July issue of South Sound Magazine.


Here are our favorites - if you are from out of the area:

Best Architect:  That's us ;-) DRAGER ARCHITECTURE

Best Restaurant:  Harbor Lights
Best Happy Hour:  C I Shenanigans
Best Lunch:  The Rosewood
Best Burger:  Frisco Freeze
Best Pizza:  Katy Downs
Best Sushi:  Fujiya
Best Interior Designer:  Cheryl Marshall Design
Best Remodeler:  (Pick one) Gary Howe Construction, Daniel Martin Construction, Al Fujita Construction.
Best Builder:  (Pick one) Gary Howe Construction, Daniel Martin Construction, Al Fujita Construction.

Thanks so much for your support - this is an important marketing effort for us!

MBA - 14th Annual Tour of Remodeled Homes

The Master Builders Assoc Tour of Remodeled Homes is this weekend. We have a project in the tour that was built by York Enterprises. Duke and his crew did a great job!


Please come out and say hello and view our design work. We are very proud of the results! The location is 1116 N 26th Street in Old Town.


Here is the website for further information about the tour. There is an entry fee that benefits Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. http://mba-tour.com/



before...



Come see how it looks now!

Proposed Second Story Addition

Existing 1930's Brick Home

Here is a second story addition we have proposed for one of our Tacoma clients.  The small 1930's brick house was in need of a master suite and additional bedrooms.  With a small yard it became necessary to consider adding up.  Our proposal leaves the existing brick intact and adds a second story with shingled walls.  Our design adds much needed character to an otherwise solid home.

Time to vote in the 2011 South Sound Magazine "Best of"

Thanks to all of you who voted last year and made us the "Best Architect" for 2010!  It's now time to vote for 2011.  I promise to not pester you too much;-)

Just click this link and meander down the page to HOME & GARDEN - Best Architect.

Thanks so much!

http://southsoundmag.com/best_of_south_sound

New Insulated Wood Studs - rSTUD

I found this new product at, ecohomemagazine.com, called rSTUD. It may be an interesting energy saving development. These are engineered wood studs that have an inner core of high density foam.

EC Mfg.

Thermal bridging through wood framing accounts for significant heat loss in every home. The rSTUD is an engineered stud with a foam th...ermal break sandwiched between two pieces of LVL to create typical nominal-dimensioned studs. The high-density foam delivers stud R-values of 7 for a 2x4 and R-21 for a 2x6. According to the company, using the studs can boost a homes efficiency by up to 20% versus traditional lumber. 800.768.7054. www.ecproducts.us.See More

Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs)...

Our Blank-Menzel project uses a product called Structural Insulated Panels (or SIPs) for the exterior walls and roofs.  Essentially, the conventional exterior framing of the structure is replaced by these panels.  The value that these panels gave us was a super insulation, less labor and less waste.  At this time it can be a bit more expensive than conventional framing and few builders are familiar with the process of construction with them.  I found this company called Winter Panel that manufactures three SIPs panels that you may want to consider for your next project.

The company offers SIPs in three panel types: StructureWall, CurtainWall, and PineClad. StructureWall panels, which replace studs and rafters, are twice as strong as a 2x4 wall, according to the firm. CurtainWall panels, ideal for timber-frame or metal-frame buildings, include an interior skin of gypsum for finishing. PineClad panels offer the benefits of StructureWall but with an interior finish of tongue-and-groove pine. Foam cores are available in expanded polystyrene or polyisocyanurate. 802.254.3435. http://www.winterpanel.com/.

New Search Site that specializes in finding "Green" products...

http://www.greenerproduct.com/

This website has just been created to help search for "green" products.  I haven't played around with it too much.  But, I think that there may be some good information available here that will help us all make better choices for our greener or environmentally friendly and healthful products for our homes.

Greener Product, LLC provides architects, builders and the public a quick and easy online platform for searching and evaluating "green" products according to the Internationally recognized United States Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

The Greener Product, LLC online tools make it easy. Easy to demonstrate how products contribute to a green building project, easy to provide valuable environmental answers for your clients and easy for our sales force to more clearly define your commitment to customer service. Finally, the Greener Product, LLC system is easy on your budget and is free to your customers.

This may be my favorite toilet design… ya gotta have ‘em…

The Boulevard toilet by American Standard is one of five profiles the manufacturer has redesigned to incorporate concealed trapways and furniture-like styling, such as flat-top tanks and decorative edging, providing for more compact, contemporary profiles.

The Boulevard is available as a FloWise high-efficiency model, which boasts 1.28-gpf operation and WaterSense certification. It features a PowerWash rim to wash the bowl clean with each flush, a fully glazed 2-inch trapway, and a 3-inch flush valve.   www.americanstandard-us.com.

Books that include Our Work...

We are humbled to be included in this book - "Celebrating the American Home: 50 Great Houses from 50 American Architects".

The book features a new/revised follow-up of the Michaelson residence in Gig Harbor, WA.

This book - "House on a Budget", AKA "The House You Build", was written by architect and writer Duo Dickinson. The book features a project we designed for Paula and Steve Leitz in Gig Harbor, WA.



This project has been a delight in that the design allows for multi-generational living. The design revolves around a spiral courtyard that provides an area for coming together, while the separate wings provide a level of privacy for the residents.

This book - "Ranches: Design Ideas for Renovating, Remodeling, and Building" -showcases one of our favorite projects and is located in Gig Harbor, WA. 


The project for Jayne and Gene Michaelson, explores the changing role of our modern lifestyle.  Taking the basic ranch and expanding it with a new master suite, gourmet kitchen and opening up the interior with new vigor.  Craftsman touches in trimwork and detailing provide a familier and fresh feel to this 1959 home.