The basics for construction: Builder’s risk insurance is a special type of property insurance which indemnifies against damage to buildings while they are under construction. Builder’s risk insurance is “coverage that protects a person’s or organization’s insurable interest in materials, fixtures and/or equipment being used in the construction or renovation of a building or structure should those items [...]
What’s up with all the scaffolding in NYC?
Thursday, April 26th, 2012
About 32 years ago, laws went into effect requiring facade inspections for buildings taller than 6 stories in NYC. In general terms, an architect or engineer must inspect the building facades every 5 years to confirm that the conditions do not pose a threat to public safety….. Sooo, when the facade repairs are being undertaken [...]
How to make easy design changes for the elderly and physically challenged..
Sunday, April 1st, 2012
We have all watched an elderly person struggle at a curb, some with walkers, canes, or in wheelchairs. It’s not very difficult to modify a curb, for example, to make it easier to use. This also benefits a mother with stroller, a delivery via handtruck, a physically challenged person and yes the skateboarder too. Basic principals [...]
Lighting
Saturday, March 17th, 2012
The eye distinguishes visual information in the following order: form, contrast, color. Without the proper levels of illumination and color rendition your eyes simply can not do their job. The consequences of poor lighting can be amusing ; such as trying to find your car in a parking lot lit by yellowish-mercury-vapor-lights which dulls the color of [...]
Does it feel right?
Thursday, March 8th, 2012
You’ve done the research and due diligence and yet something is not right. It’s hard to explain and quantify -but it’s there and you cannot pull the trigger on the project, or selection on the site, or the contractor or consultant. Obey your instincts. Like Malcolm Gladwell would say, it is not a hunch, it’s [...]
Who else is going to be reviewing my project?
Saturday, December 31st, 2011
There are several levels of review and approval needed before one gets the “shovel in the ground” to begin construction. Among the typical reviews are : municipal agencies, banks or lenders and related parties. Each entity will look at the project from independent yet connected vantage-points When the municipality has to review the project, they [...]
Hudson River Sculpture Walk
Saturday, November 19th, 2011
My favorite project this year was not strictly an architectural project……. We recently designed a series of 7 sculpture installations along the Hudson River in Manhattan from West 61st Street to 69th Street. Working with the artists, NYC Parks Dept., and various contractors, we developed sculpture mountings that were removable, discreet and cost effective. Can there be a [...]
Site & building selection
Thursday, October 13th, 2011
OK, we’re crusing around with a real estate agent, checking our potential store locations, the time is tight..so, what factors come into play when we assess the “go , no-go”? Hopefully you’ve already done the demographics, traffic counts, that’s how you’ve narrowed it down to a target area. The final answer is based on many [...]
Are you really ready for construction? Read this checklist first…
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
Not the time to locate your cell phone….. Aside from having your project in order, life gets very topsy-turvy when you have the added issues of construction to the mix. Don’t get blind-sided. Based on years of customer feedback, we’ve compiled a short-list of items you’ll want to remember….So here goes- Make arrangements with [...]
Post Storm Again- Now What?
Tuesday, August 30th, 2011
My neighbors tree… Hopefully the storm did not really hit you hard. But if it did- have the property inspected by a qualified professional for damage -some may be apparent and some concealed If you just leave it to an insurance adjuster who represents a company that is reluctant to pay -be careful. Also, one [...]