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.
A Space for Everyone
Matthias Academy’s complex programming needs include a campus that combines housing, education centers, employment opportunities, and more. Matthias Academy | Rendering by Board & Vellum.
Our Approach to Commercial Architecture Design
A new commercial building sits on a site, in a neighborhood, and in an ecosystem it will likely outlast. Here is how our commercial architecture design process starts with curiosity about a place, stays centered on the people who will use the building, and plans for the decades after opening.
Budgeting for a Remodel or Building New? Part 2
Building new gives you complete control over every detail, but it comes with its own financial realities. In part two of this series, we walk through land costs, permits, hidden expenses, a decision making framework, and real client examples to help you choose the right path for your family.
Budgeting for a Remodel or Building New? Part 1
Should you remodel your current home or start fresh? In part one of this two part series, we break down what renovating really costs: design fees, permits, the disruption of living through construction, and the hidden expenses most homeowners never see coming, plus when remodeling truly makes financial sense.
What to Look For When Buying Land to Build a Vacation Home
Buying land for a vacation or second home comes with hidden risks: buildability limits, utility costs, environmental constraints, and remote-build logistics. Before you fall in love with a view, learn what to look for so you can make a confident, informed purchase. Here’s what our architects consider before, and after, you buy.
Designing & Permitting Backyard Buildings
What does it take to get your backyard building built? Whether its an accessory structure, a detached accessory dwelling unit, or a garage, a little gumption goes a long way. With careful planning and a little patience, you can have the backyard building of your dreams.
Navigating the World of Backyard Buildings
When it comes to backyard buildings, there are many things to consider. The first is: what exactly is a backyard building? From accessory structures to detached accessory dwelling units to garages, we’re breaking down the three main types of backyard buildings and how they function on your property.
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