This growth represents a 100% increase in billings over two years ago, so I’m gonna have to grow another set of arms to keep up!

 As an architect, a technophile, and as a person interested in being green, I decided to get pricing on a tankless whole house water heater as an option to line up against the price of a standard 40 gallon tank unit.  Because of the location of the old tank heater and accessibility (or lack thereof) to an exterior wall for a “B” vent, the water heater would have to move or I would have to rebuild the chimney.  Easy decision for me – move the water heater – I was already going to have to pay money for the heater, I was not ready to do both at once.

The new location, in the laundry room was tight, which helped my decision to go with a wall mounted tankless unit.  The installation cost was 60% more than a tank unit, but some of that cost is in new exterior venting, a new 1″ gas line, a new outlet, and new hot and cold water piping.  And there is (was) a $300 rebate available through my utility.

So now I have (in theory) an endless supply of hot water for my 2-1/2 bath home and I’m learning how to use the system. First, no trickling of hot water for shaving – too low of a flow (<.5 gal./min.) and the heater won’t kick on.  Second, and this is the big one, watch out for the “cold sandwich”.

So the “cold sandwich” is a term to describe a situation unique to tankless water heaters.  In a tank system, if you turn on the hot water in the morning, you wait a few seconds as the cold water gets pushed out of the pipes and then you have hot water.  If you turn off the hot water, then turn it back on again, the hot water in the pipes keeps on coming, pulling from a large tank of hot water – so until that tank is empty, the water will be hot.

In a tankless setup, when you turn off the hot water, the hot water heater turns off.  When you turn the hot water on, a little cold water goes through it first so it can determine flow and temperature so it can regulate the amount of gas to burn.  This, in turn, puts a section of very cold water into the hot water stream.   If you are not too far from your hot water heater, this is not a big deal, because you know when to expect it and you wait a second for the hot water to get there again.  In my house, the hot water heater is now right next to the laundry and utility sink, right below the kitchen sink/dishwaher, and only a few feet from the powder room, leaving the two 2nd floor baths the only problem areas.  But these are really big problems!

Imagine in the morning, you are at the sink, washing your face.  You finally get the hot water flowing and then you turn off the sink, jump in the shower and it feels so nice.  10 seconds into your shower, you get 5 seconds of ice water!  That’ll wake you up, but it’s not pleasant.  So the short term solution is to turn on the shower before turning off the sink, ensuring a continuous hot water flow so the heater stays on.  The long term solution is to add a small holding tank to the system –  potentially with a recirc pump that runs on a timer for just the mornings.  Although it would cost more money, on top of the investment already made, I don’t want to have any more “cold sandwich” mornings!

Also, drawings have been submitted for a watch store at the Philadelphia Airport and construction will take place in March for that.

A repeat client in Philadelphia has asked me to keep a little time available for another potential food service project.

The Sterling Building is back on the books – round 4 for this project – but it looks like the developer has finally committed to moving forward with it and with the potential LEED rating as well!

Growing up in St. Louis, every time we drove by this building I was fascinated:

It’s now the Sheraton Hotel.  The mural covers three sides of the building.

When I lived in Pittsburgh, I saw the one below on Penn Avenue:

There are 3 or 4 houses in a row that the mural continues on with, adding a bride running up the stairs.

Now I’m in Trenton and here is another one:

This depicts the reading of the declaration of independence.  The view through a painted arch into history is nice, but I really like the two contemporary guys painted in the foreground looking in.

So I started looking at other cool murals and found these:

That last one makes me feel like I was on a roller coaster too many times!

Have you seen some cool building themed murals you want to share?  Let me know in the comments.

I figure that the house below must be allergic to cats and got a new 90 year old single woman with 42 cats that just moved in.  Does Benjamin Moore make a paint with an anti-histamine?

If you’re like most homeowners, you probably dream of one day completing a major home-remodeling project. And I’m not talking about retiling a tub here. This is the once-in-a-lifetime renovation — the kind that dramatically changes how you live, energizes the entire household and makes all the neighbors really jealous.

Perhaps your dream is to build a two-story addition with a family room below and a master bedroom and bath above. Or maybe you’ve always wanted to expand the kitchen and install French doors leading to a wraparound deck. Regardless of what your dream entails, all major remodeling projects can benefit from the expert design help of an experienced, licensed architect.

I know what you’re thinking: Architects are way too expensive and only necessary when building multimillion-dollar homes — and the current economic roller coaster isn’t helping any. The truth is, architects are well worth the extra cost on large remodeling jobs because with thoughtful evaluation and design, they can meet — and often exceed — your expectations. In fact, depending on the size or complexity of the remodeling, calling in an architect might be the only way to get the project off the ground, and to ensure your dream comes true. Here’s why you should consider taking the plunge if you’re gung-ho about a large-scale remodel of your house.

1. To see the big picture
An architect has the training and skill to produce a detailed design based on your particular needs and desires — a design that’s sensitive to the architecture of your existing home and scaled to the proper proportions. However, what truly makes an architect valuable is the ability to develop and refine a vision of the completed project that you can see and understand. And architects are experts at seeing not only the big picture, but also the hundreds of tiny steps between concept and completion.

What’s your home worth?

After the initial consultation, and once you and the architect have defined the scope, features, purpose and functionality of the project, the architect will develop a set of preliminary drawings, sometimes called schematics. These drawings are just the first of many that you should expect to see.

“It’s important for the architect to spell out in advance what each set of drawings will include,” says Richard Hayes, architect and managing director of the American Institute of Architects. Don’t be concerned if the preliminary drawings seem lacking, because each subsequent set will contain more and more detail, including written specifications. In fact, Hayes recommends asking the architect to show you a final set of drawings from a recently completed job, just to give you an idea of what to expect at the end of the design phase.

But before you settle on a candidate, carefully consider the firm’s past designs and gauge whether its vision for your house meshes with your own. If you want to incorporate salvaged stained-glass windows and antique brass doorknobs, for instance, don’t choose an architect whose past work features floating drywall over recessed fluorescent lights.

2. To handle the paperwork
When most of us think of an architect-designed project, we envision the aesthetics of the building: its size, shape and finished surfaces. But behind the pretty face are the bones of the building. It’s the architect’s job to design the project to satisfy building codes and meet specific structural demands. And striking that balance between aesthetic beauty and structural safety is no easy feat — it requires a vast knowledge of various building materials and construction techniques. Hiring a pro makes sure your renovation plays by the rules.

“A good architect knows the building code and alternative ways to solving structural problems,” explains Marc Olivieri, a Connecticut construction manager. “Architects also prepare most of the documentation necessary to acquire all the various building permits.” And those services can ultimately save you time and money.

3. To hire the muscle
No one understands the design of your project better than the architect, which is why he or she is the perfect person to coordinate the various construction professionals before the work starts in earnest. For example, an architect will meet with structural engineers or HVAC mechanics prior to construction to discuss the design, answer questions and ensure everyone knows their job.

Professional Services
Find local plumbers, electricians, contractors and more.

The architects’ plans make all the difference in translating your dreams to the details a contractor needs. If a problem should arise, which often happens, the plans will act as a record of what should have been done, and the architect will find a solution without compromising the design, your needs or your wallet.

4. To oversee the job
Once the design phase is completed, you can decide how involved the architect is in the actual day-to-day construction of the project — if at all. You can hire an architect just to design the project and create all the necessary drawings, and that’s it. He or she then has no further involvement. However, for an additional fee, some architects will manage the project by hiring subcontractors, establishing the work schedule and confirming that all work is done properly and according to the final plan.

Another common practice is called contract administration, or “CA” for short. “When you sign a CA,” Hayes explains, “the architect will check in on the construction from time to time to answer questions and ascertain if work is adhering to the intent of the design.”

A third level of supervision is available through design-build firms. These one-stop shops will design and build your project, providing supervision throughout every phase of construction, including hiring subcontractors. This option also saves you the trouble of negotiating and signing two contracts — one with an architect and another with the contractor. But be aware that some design-build firms employ home designers, not certified architects.

It’s also important that you be involved during the construction process, even if it’s just to consult with the architect from time to time. That way, you’ll be able to express your concerns as the project takes shape. “Working with an architect is a bit of a balancing act,” Olivieri says. “You want to make sure your needs and desires are satisfied, but without surrendering all control to the architect when changes or refinements to the design are necessary.”

5. To go green
More and more architects are starting to design buildings that are environmentally sensitive to both the planet and the homeowner. Considering sustainability in concept and construction will ensure your investment lasts a long time, limits its consumption and saves you money through efficient design.

The options available vary widely depending on the experience of the architectural firm and the circumstances of your project. Even if you’re not plunging into a photovoltaic array or a backyard wind farm, smart choices can make significant, smaller gains. Consider using recycled and nontoxic materials, solar or passive water heaters, efficient insulation and a trustworthy thermostat. Because many of these measures involve whole-house systems, it’s critical to plan for them.

For more information about green architecture, visit the American Institute of Architects’ Sustainability Resource Center and the U.S. Green Building Council.

Bookcase hidden rooms are a little predictable

Like this one:

And I have a client now that loves them too, so there will be a few hidden passages and rooms going into that project – but I can’t tell you who’s house or where – that would defeat the purpose.

Philadelphia International Airport – F Terminal – re:vive bar

re:vive bar F Terminal

re:vive bar F Terminal

Philadelphia International Airport – F Terminal – Cibo Express

Cibo Express F Terminal

The additional Cibo Express location (the smaller one) will be under construction later this summer.

As for the original two locations at the airport – one is under construction and one is out for bid.  I’ll be sure to post photos as they progress.

With everyone going green in the construction industry, why is it that the Philly airport requires so many copies of each drawing submission? I currently have 14 sets of drawings in my office totaling 4,032 square feet of paper for a restaurant that is only 2,200 sf in total! And this is the third such submission for this project!