How can I update my kitchen to make it functional and integral to the entertainment space?
The clients wanted to update their kitchen, add family space, and make the home efficient. This is the kitchen we found on our first visit. What would you do?
Design Matters – thoughts of an Architect
Building Science Issues Identified in This Home Addition
Lack of building science when building a home or addition can create real horror stories. This home addition has had its share of problems. Outdated wiring, interiors, and fixtures. However, the big problem is water damage, as you might expect from the flat roof and sloping...
Do you trust your water?
There has been a lot of water issues in the news as of late. Do you trust your water? What happens in an emergency – do you have a water plan? Poor water quality can impact us all from wildlife to humans. Virginia has reported $6.1 billion in drinking water infrastructure...
Downtown Harrisonburg Office – Phase 1 Demolition
Demolition has started on the Downtown Harrisonburg office building we designed. Nielsen Builders is doing the construction. Here are some pictures that show the existing conditions. This will become the Child Protective Services building in Harrisonburg. Dust has started to fly....
Typical Home Energy Problems – Building Science Issues Identified
Most homes built to code minimum standards (the worst possible home you can build by law) are energy hogs. This home is no exception. Doing an energy audit and using a thermal image camera, you can immediately see there are problems. The band board in the basement is glowing,...
It looks like a typical house – what hidden energy problems can you identify?
Most homes built to code minimum standards (the worst possible home you can build by law) are energy hogs. This home is no exception. Can you identify some common issues in this fairly typical home? Answers will be posted tomorrow on this blog.
Snow Storm Coming? Clean Out Your HVAC Unit For Max Efficiency
Remember when you are clearing your driveway from a snow storm to also remove the snow from your outdoor units. Snow, ice, and leaves can pile up around your outdoor heat pump which could drastically reduce the efficiency of the unit. The outdoor unit may also not be able to...
Green Term Defined: Vegetated Roof
A green roof, living roof, or vegetated roof are all terms used to describe a partially or completely covered roof with vegetation over a waterproof membrane. There are two types of vegetated roofs, intensive or extensive. The difference is simply the depth of the planting...
Design flaws identified in this speculative home
Thanks for all your comments about the design flaws in the below images. You guys hit all the high points. The biggest is accessibility for sure. A door handle that can be opened with an elbow as well as a hand offers more flexibility for those of any ability. If you have your...
What design flaw do you see in this speculative home?
So you are going to build a speculative house to market to the masses. What design flaw did this builder install that limits his marketability?
How should our buildings adapt to extreme weather events?
The number and strength of extreme weather events continues to increase. Watching the news we see stories of floods, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and extreme cold temperatures. The news coverage shows buildings that no longer exist. Piles of rubble where once birthdays were...
Help! My house is cold, so I need my HVAC system fixed. Who do I call?
I get questions on a regular basis about home comfort and efficiency. This question came from someone who read my blog and wanted to get their HVAC system adjusted and wanted to know who to call. “Our house is quite cold this winter and our energy costs are pretty high...
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Message from Charles Hendricks
Design Matters is a place for me, Charles Hendricks, to share thoughts, community events, projects, and opinions. These are my thoughts and do not represent the ideas and thoughts of others in our business. Please comment on my blog posts, share your thoughts with me, or just let me know you have been here. Thanks for reading!
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Charlottesville Office:
1430 Rolkin Court, Suite 302
Luxor Commercial Park (across 250 from DMV Building)
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Office: 434-979-5245
Fax: 434-979-9126
Luxor Commercial Park (across 250 from DMV Building)
Charlottesville, VA 22911
Office: 434-979-5245
Fax: 434-979-9126
Harrisonburg Office:
141 W. Bruce St. Suite 201
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Office: 540-437-0012
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Office: 540-437-0012
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