Robert Mech
Architecture, Ask a Designer
What Different Line Types in Architecture & Design Drawings Mean
Thick lines, thin lines, lines with short or long dashes (or both!) — if you don’t speak the language of all these line types, an architecture or design drawing can be pretty mystifying. This primer on design drawing linework will give you a starter toolkit so you can tell what you’re looking at.
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Ask a Designer, Custom Residential
How To Know If Your Contractor is Doing a Good Job
As much as we may want it to be, nothing is perfect. Whether remodeling or building new, and regardless of how well-recommended your contractor is, unknown challenges will arise with your project. But, this is a navigable process, especially if you keep these tips in mind.
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Ask a Designer, Sustainable Practice
To Buy or Not to Buy those LED Bulbs
Are you still hoarding a few old incandescent bulbs thinking it will save you money to just use what you've already purchased? It won't! But why? Let us lay it all out for you, and show you why it's time to bite the bullet and move to new solutions, like the LED.
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Arts & Culture, Historic & Traditional
Look up! Architectural Terracotta Everywhere
Ever been walking along 3rd Avenue in downtown Seattle and happen to look up and see a bunch of walruses staring back down at you, complete with tusks the size of your head? Seattle is home to many great examples of architectural terracotta, and Robert Mech is here to tell you all about it.
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Other Tangents
“Off The Hook” – The Etymology of Your Phone Number
Did you know that the digits of your phone number actually have a history linking them to letters? Or, that the concept of “dialing” a phone came way later than the phone itself? Robert Mech explores all this and more in this post about phones, and he most certainly did not “phone it in.”
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Arts & Culture
Music and Architecture
What do buildings sound like? We don't mean literally; we don't mean acoustics. Robert explores what it would mean if architectural wonders, or even just the most basic of buildings, were translated to music.
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If you enjoy reading our blog as much as we enjoy writing it, that simply makes our day. You may also enjoy a few of the related posts below.
Navigating the Challenges of Middle Housing
Washington State’s Middle Housing Bill creates a lot of opportunity, but it also presents some challenges for self-developers. Here, we explore the expanded choices HB1110 offers, and how having a multidisciplinary design team can help navigate the real-life outcomes of this new legislation.
Why Architects Are Your Best Advocates in a Complicated Permit World
Permitting in the Puget Sound Region is a complicated endeavor, but you don’t have to go at it alone. At Board & Vellum, we have the knowledge and experience to help get your project to the permitting finish line. In fact, architects are key players in helping you achieve permit success. Here’s how.
Why We Need Middle Housing
Middle Housing has become a major buzzword in cities and towns around the country to increase access to affordable housing. So why is middle housing such an important part of the solution? Here, we break down some potential benefits of middle housing and Washington State’s HB1110, or Middle Housing Bill.
The Middle Housing Bill FAQ
Washington State’s HB1110 — also called the Middle Housing Bill — is setting the stage for big changes to code and zoning in Seattle. But what is middle housing? And what is the “missing middle” HB1110 seeks to fill? You have questions and we have answers based on our best, current understanding of this landmark legislation.
Straw Bale Construction FAQ
Have you ever heard of straw bale construction? It’s a form of building construction where bales of straw are stacked within a timber frame to insulate the walls. Not only is this a sustainable building method, it’s just plain cool. If you’e curious to know more, check out these frequently asked questions.
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