January 20, 2017

LIHTC, Section 8 and the USDA: An Interview with Hamilton Realty Advisors (HRA)

Having met with Christopher Stefan of HRA at two separate ULI events we decided to meet up so I could learn more about what HRA does for its clients and in the process learn more about the financing behind affordable housing to better serve our multi-family clients at EVstudio. HRA is a specialist in the […]

LIHTC, Section 8 and the USDA: An Interview with Hamilton Realty Advisors (HRA) Read More »

Cost Per Square Foot of Arts Campus With Classroom Space in Palm Springs Florida

I was recently discussing construction costs with an Executive Director for an Arts and Crafts Education Center in Palm Springs. Below is the result of that conversation: After reading your wonderful guidance (https://evstudio.com/cost-per-square-foot-of-commercial-construction-by-region/) to many others over the last year, I thought I’d take a chance and ask for your input on where I might search to

Cost Per Square Foot of Arts Campus With Classroom Space in Palm Springs Florida Read More »

Finding and Choosing the Best Architect for Your Project

Last week I gave a talk on “How to Work With an Architect” as part of Colorado Architecture Month. One of the questions from the audience was “how do I find the right architect for my project”. Of course I told them to just talk to me afterward, but it did raise an interesting question.

Finding and Choosing the Best Architect for Your Project Read More »

Operable Windows in Aluminum Storefront Systems and Curtain Wall Systems

A few weeks ago I toured a project with Brion Doyle from Spectrum General Contractors and we talked about options for putting operable windows into storefront and curtain wall systems. As it turns out, many manufacturers have not anticipated or provided for the architect’s push for using these systems in residential applications. There is however

Operable Windows in Aluminum Storefront Systems and Curtain Wall Systems Read More »

How to Evaluate Lighting in the Patient Care Environment

In evaluating light quality in any environment, we have to keep in mind how the eye perceives light. As light distribution goes, we perceive light first on vertical surfaces, and last on horizontal surfaces below eye level (the ground, the floor, the work plane). Light on vertical surfaces conveys spaciousness, brightness, and openness; dark vertical

How to Evaluate Lighting in the Patient Care Environment Read More »

Evergreen Terraces Office Building – Evergreen, Colorado

Evergreen Terraces Office Building – Evergreen, Colorado Evergreen Terraces is a 7,700 sf office building constructed over a 13 space parking garage on a steep site. EVstudio’s knowledge of architectural codes and structural systems made this project feasible. The design that had been completed by the original designer called for a concrete floor deck. When

Evergreen Terraces Office Building – Evergreen, Colorado Read More »

A Reason We Have Engineers and Architects – Designing to Meet Code

EVstudio’s Structural Department was recently called to an existing house to provide recommendations to a home owner for completing a remodel in progress.   This is a typical request that EVstudio takes care of several times a week. But this visit will always be remembered, as this is what we found: From the outside the

A Reason We Have Engineers and Architects – Designing to Meet Code Read More »

Pre-engineered Truss Terms and Configurations

Your architect should  be supplied design and calculations for review of wood trusses prior to manufacturing. This allows the architect to verify that the intentions for the architecture side of things are matched up with the truss design. The graphics are simplified examples (courtesy of WTCA) for various truss component’s terms and configurations. Understanding the

Pre-engineered Truss Terms and Configurations Read More »

Diamond Office & Retail Building – Evergreen, Colorado

Diamond Office & Retail Building – Evergreen, Colorado The Diamond Building is a 12,000 sf office and retail building at the entry to Castle Court in Evergreen. By working directly with the contractor on building material and labor pricing alternatives we were able to add 3,000 sf of leasable office space in the third level

Diamond Office & Retail Building – Evergreen, Colorado Read More »

Structural Engineering Bridges

Site Visit: Ohio River Bridges Project

I recently returned to my hometown of Floyds Knobs, Indiana, which is a small town just north of Louisville, Kentucky.  For those of you not familiar with the area, the Ohio River cuts Kentuckiana (the local name for central northern Kentucky and southern Indiana) in half, and many residents of the area commute between the

Site Visit: Ohio River Bridges Project Read More »