My Post–Tension elevator speech is pretty well rehearsed at this point: “We drape steel cables — tendons — in the concrete forms, and then place the concrete. Once it cures, we pull the ends of the tendons, which try to straighten out. That does three things: the tendons lift in the low spots, push down […]
Precompression vs. Balanced Load in Post-Tension Concrete Read More »
We are doing an exciting renovation in the Conifer area that has a really unique front entry. The entrance evolved out a requirement to keep snow from piling up in front of the front entry and also blocking driveway access to the garage. After a number of sketches and conversations, we settled on creating a butterfly
Remodels Require a Flexible and Responsive Team Read More »
This post comes from Stephanie O’Hara, Planner Analyst for EVstudio. Immediately prior to joining EVstudio, she worked for Jefferson County, Colorado for 6 years in various planning roles. EVstudio looks for planning opportunities in both the public and private sector: While working at Jefferson County I developed the 2005-2010 Consolidated Plan which is a strategy
Planning for Housing and Community Development Read More »
The 2006 International Building Code includes Section 1210 Surrounding Materials which specifies where you need nonabsorbent surfaces. In toilet and bath rooms you need a smooth, hard, nonabsorbent surface on all walls to a minimum of 6″. This isn’t required at dwelling units. Its important to watch for this one, you can’t get by with
IBC Surrounding Materials Rules Read More »
Tepees Office & Retail Building – Evergreen, Colorado The Tepees Office Building is an 11,000 sq.ft. office and retail space. In addition to the building, EVstudio has created the designs for the tenant spaces including a furniture store, a dentist office, a cabinet showroom and a several offices. The building houses Honka Log Homes who
Tepees Office & Retail Building – Evergreen, Colorado Read More »
There are several ways to calculate the area of different projects types. At EVstudio, we typically provide both the gross and net rentable areas of dwelling units in apartment projects. Gross area is measured from the centerline of common walls (or “party walls”), and from the exterior face of structure at exterior and corridor walls.
Apartment Units – How Do They Measure Up? Read More »
A Raft Slab-on-Grade foundation can be as simple as a 4” thick slab with no reinforcement and a shallow perimeter rib to an 8” thick slab heavily reinforced with deep ribs spaced roughly 10’o.c. The wide range of concrete thicknesses and reinforcement is a function of many things such as soil type, loads, exterior finishes,
Raft Slab-on-Grade Foundation Read More »
The biggest question that I hear about the International Existing Building Code is “when do we use it versus the other codes”. The first answer is that you have to be doing a project in a municipality that has adopted it. Many cities and counties adopt the I-Codes but not the IEBC. I’ve had some
Applicability of International Existing Building Code Read More »
We are often asked by contractors if they can substitute framing staples instead of nails for their wall and roof sheathing fasteners. There is no easy universal answer to this question because the location of the project may place it in a high wind or seismic zone that may require special engineering for the fastening
Staples or Nails? Choosing the Right Fastener for Wall and Roof Sheathing Read More »
It’s no surprise that LED lighting has made a significant impact on the energy use for lighting applications with it’s extremely low energy use per footcandle. New ground is being broken in all lighting uses and we are seeing LED lighting in everything from decorative lighting to task lighting. I recently toured the National Renewable
Consider LED Outdoor Lighting to get LEED Points Read More »
Jefferson County, Colorado has changed the way that they look at building height effective May 20th, 2008. This is the first change in this definition since 2002. Its a little hard to explain so hopefully I’m allowed to post this graphic from the Zoning Resolution. This particular definition is fairly unique and illustrates why we
Jefferson County Height Restriction Read More »
As architects & designers, we often work with people who have drastically different backgrounds, skills, experiences, and who care about different aspects of a project. The client will turn to us when they don’t know what to do next when it comes to acquiring a piece of land, getting their building permitted, getting approval from
Documentation that Suits Your Audience Read More »
4600 Plettner Lane
Evergreen, CO 80439
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9442 North Capital of Texas Highway
Plaza One, Suite 500
Austin, TX 78759
By Appointment Only