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Helpful Tools Found within an Architecture Blog

In this Architalks post, Jeff discusses handy tools for clients wondering how the architectural process works through recaps of favorite blog posts. From "How to Select a Contractor," to "How Much Does an Architect Charge?" and "Does It Makes Sense to Add a Second Story?" – read up on all the most useful tips!

Jeff Pelletier

February 7, 2016

This month’s Architalks post is centered around the word “tool” with a lot of leeway as far as what that can mean. Just like every Architalks post, there’s a lot of great content being written by some amazing architects listed at the bottom of the post, and I encourage you to click away.

I love the whole Architalks series, as it breaks me a bit out of my normal blog writing routine. To generate content, I keep a list of ideas which I circle back to when it comes time (or, rather, when I have the time) to write a new post. Snapping out of that list is helpful. This one in particular got me thinking about the tools that I use as an architect. There’s the obvious: the drafting board and vellum (perhaps now you get the name), drafting scales, pencils, computers, blah, blah, blah. But, I was quickly out of steam (and interest).

What I really care about are the tools that we, at Board & Vellum, use to help communicate with our clients (or, more honestly, the people who aren’t our clients). The Board & Vellum blog is easily my most useful and effective tool in communicating with people who aren’t directly working with our team. It helps explain what we do in a casual and accessible way. When I started Board & Vellum almost 5 years ago, I didn’t fully know where this was heading, but I knew I had to write with the interests of people debating the merits and logistics of an architectural project in mind. I specifically was not writing for other architects to be amazed at what I was doing, but for people to have access to knowledge that was typically charged for. It has been a little unconventional, but I’ve enjoyed the way we continually help people make more informed architectural decisions.

Here are some of my favorite ‘helping’ posts, in no particular order. (By some I mean, fifteen. I couldn’t bring myself to whittle this down to my typical ten.) While this feels a bit like an episode of a TV show that uses old snippits from previous episodes to make up 90% of the content (I believe this is called a clips show. Remember that horrible Shades of Gray Season 2 ending episode of Star Trek The Next Generation?), I hope this isn’t as cringe-worthy as that. Anyway, here we go.

Favorite Helpful Posts from the B&V Architecture Blog

How Long Should My Remodel Process Take?

I'm constantly the person telling a prospective client the less-than-desired bit of information that they can't, in fact, start building this summer. Here's how long everything takes (give or take, obviously).

How Much Does an Architect Cost to Design a Remodel?

It isn't free, there's plenty of variables, and everyone does it differently, but here's how we charge.

The Stages of Architectural Design

One of the most cringe-worthy things I hear from well-meaning clients is "I'd just like some plans." There's no such thing as a free lunch, and there really isn't any such thing as "just some plans," either. Here's how the whole process works to get from Pre-Design through Construction.

Does It Make Sense To Add a Second Story to My House?

Easily in our top three posts, questions about adding a story are ones we get a lot in growing Seattle, filled with useful information, including costs.

How Do I Design My Project with an Architect?

Here's a blow-by-blow recap of the Schematic Design process at Board & Vellum. You'll now better understand what generates the amount of work to get through this first phase in the design process.

Jeff’s (Current) Top 10 Design Elements to Watch For

Like most architects, I have my biases and here's a pretty recent list of them with some helpful tips.

The Ups and Downs of Staircase Design

Stairs are often the key to a successful plan. Here's what to consider when debating moving them or adding on to your house.

Finding a Contractor

Just as critical as finding a great design team, finding a General Contractor can make or break your project. These are some tips.

What to Expect at the First Design Meeting with an Architect

Here's some helpful information as to what that first meeting will be like.

What do Architects’ Acronyms Mean?

We drop a lot of words that mystify the general public. Here's a handy decoder (we need a cool ring for this, don't we?)

An Architect Remodels His Own House

I'm not only the Principal, I'm also a client.... Here's the story of my own remodel.

Building the Lego Room

I'm down with the fact that my LEGO room is far more prevalent on Google than I am. Here are answers to the questions I get all the time about how I planned the (now infamous) LEGO room.

Advice to My 17-Year-Old Self When Considering Careers

Great advice for any young person debating whether or not to go into architecture. It wasn't an easy trip, but the destination has been pretty epic.

Top 10 Problems That Come Up During Construction

It will be a bumpy road from time to time. Here's a road map to help guide you through.

What Kind of Cabinets Should I Select?

Cabinets seem pretty simple, don't they? They're not. Here's a visual guide to some simple cabinet styles to help you select your cabinets with confidence.

The Top 10 Things an Architect Learns from Vacation

Stepping back and getting perspective is incredibly helpful in what we do as architects. Here are some lessons that inspire me to this day.

Thanks for Reading!

Hopefully, you'll find some useful tips in all of these posts. We'll continue to keep pulling back the curtain and giving away as much information as we can to better the conversation and elevate the discussion.

This post is part of the ArchiTalk series in which Bob Borson of Life of an Architect selects a theme, and a group of us (architects who also blog) all post on the same day and promote each other’s blogs. This month’s theme is Tools. To read how others interpreted the theme, please click the links below.