• Home
  • About
  • SERVICES
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Home
  • About
  • SERVICES
  • Contact
  • Blog
four square architects

four square architects: the 411

Aging in place

9/25/2019

0 Comments

 
It seems like we never want to admit we're getting older.  Its something that's hard to escape and with it comes changes to our bodies.  What once was easy becomes more difficult.  With the help of newer technology and smart upgrades to our livings spaces, many people are able to stay in their homes longer.  Here are a few things to keep in mind if you're renovating your home.
Picture
1 - Reduce or eliminate changes in levels.
Whether its a house, townhouse, or condo many homes have multiple levels within them.  As we age mobility can become reduced.  Sometimes use of a cane, walker or wheelchair is needed to help us get around.  Reducing the amount of stairs or changes in levels can have a large impact on maintaining our independence.  This can be accomplished by raising floors or repurposing rooms so that sleeping rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms are all on the same level.

Picture
curbless shower entry - Beckiowens.com
2 - Widen hallways and lower counters.
If possible, widening main circulation spaces in the house can help a person in a wheelchair or walker navigate corners easier.  Open concepts can be even better.  If you're renovating your kitchen, consider going for cabinets that are 34" (or less) in height that will better accommodate wheelchair use or sitting down while cooking.  Having open space below a sink or counter will allow a person in a wheelchair to get closer to the working space.  Also, try to keep microwaves low so there is less of chance of spilling hot liquid on yourself.

Picture
open concepts reduce tight corners - elledecor.com
3 - Make things easier to grasp.
Changing round doorknobs to levers will help arthritic hands better open a door.  If keys become difficult to maneuver, consider switching to a smart lock or keypad that allows you to unlock by a push of a button.

Picture
lever door handles reduce pinching or tight grasping - build.com
4 - Cut down on maintenance.
Swapping out your incandescent or compact fluorescent bulbs with (warm white) LED bulbs should last you up to 15 years + without having to change them.  Additionally replacing natural materials on the exterior of your home with longer lived synthetic materials like fiber cement siding, brick and vinyl trim will keep your house looking great with minimal maintenance.

Picture
fiber cement siding - jameshardie.com
5 - Take advantage of smart home devices.
Smart home hubs like Amazon's Alexa or Google's Google home connect to other smart devices around your house that will allow you to turn off lights, change the thermostat, or call for help if needed.  They can also be used to play games and ask questions to help with memory.  Other smart devices can turn off ovens left unattended or let you see who's at your door without getting up. 

Picture
Google Home
A lot of this might seem overwhelming and a pro can help you through a renovation process.  If you need help determining the best strategies reach out to a local architect that can help you.  If you're in Winchester, VA give Four Square Architects a ring.

Additional information can be found HERE and HERE.
0 Comments

5 architects to bring up at Your Next cocktail party!

8/28/2019

8 Comments

 
Alright, so you want to sound boujee at your next cocktail party or whiskey on the porch (because we're Southern), and you need some topics to make things more interesting. We got you. Here are a few architects to slip into conversation when there is a lull in the talking.  (Note: If you're an architect yourself, these should be old news)
​
Number 1 - Frank Lloyd Wright 
You're probably familiar with the most famous architect of our lifetime.  Frank Lloyd Wright designed everything from buildings to chairs to stained glass windows.  One of his best known structures is Falling Water in Bear Run, PA which was designed for a wealthy department store owner, Edgar Kaufmann.  It has many of Wright's calling card features: concrete cantilevers, lower ceilings and horizontal projections are all used in this house. 

​A lesser known project was Wright's Usonian houses which were made for those earning a "modest salary."  These houses are sprinkled throughout the US and were meant to allow a middle class family to have a well designed abode.  Sometimes clients would mail Wright a land survey and he'd sent back house plans.
​
For more info on Wright's Usonian homes, HERE is a link to a good article by DWELL (which I love).
Picture
Number 2 - Mies Van der Rohe 
Mies is well known by architects and many architecture aficionados.  He renowned most as the creator of European Modernism which boasts industrial steel and plate glass structures.  He coined these buildings as "skin and bones" structures which removed all superfluous ornamentation. 

​Mies was born in Aachen, Germany and was the last director of the Bauhuas before it was shut down by Nazi Germany. Mies emigrated to the US where he landed at the Illinois Institute of Architecture as the Head of Architecture.  While here he designed many iconic buildings, like Crown Hall (shown below) and left a lasting legacy on architectural education. I received much of my own early architectural training in this very building as a graduate student at IIT.

For more information on Mies and the preservation society at IIT look HERE.
Picture
Number 3 - Rem Koolhaas
Rem is regarded as one of the most influential thinkers and Urbanists of his generation.  He's won one of the most prestigious awards (the Pritzker Prize) and has published many architectural theory books, which are taught in most universities today.  Beyond his theory, he is best known for complex forms and twisting structures, like the one shown below for the Seattle Public Library.
​
For more info on the Seattle Public Library, check out this article from Architect Magazine.
Picture
Number 4 - Frank Gehry 
Gehry is most known for the stark formations of metal in the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain (shown below).  Additional projects like the Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA and the Vitra Design Museum have launched him to fame.  He has projects all over the world, most of them with his familiar twist and shine.
​
Ground was recently broke on his controversial Esienhower Memorial Competition win in Washington, DC. The project was originally scrutinized by lawmakers and had to be adjusted prior to approval for construction.
  
HERE is a link to an archdaily post for more info on the Esienhower Memorial in DC. 
Picture
Number 5 - Zaha Hadid 
Zaha was the first woman to receive the Pritzker Prize in 2004.  She was originally a student of Rem Koolhaas and worked in the OMA office before starting her own firm.  As she progressed in her work she became known for sensuous curves in her buildings and leaving the geometric world behind.

Zaha passed away in 2016 but her firm still lives on.  Many projects that she  designed moved forward with construction, like the Qatar World Cup Stadium shown below.

HERE is a link by dezeen for more info on the Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022 soccer stadium.
Picture

Beautiful architecture changes the world, and you don't need to design an Olympic stadium to make a difference. Whether you are building a home, opening a restaurant, expanding your dental office, remodeling a yoga studio, building an addition to your private school, or anything in between--you have the power to create something special. If you're in our area and looking to partner with an architect in Winchester, Frederick County, Northern Virginia, DC, Maryland or West Virginia, contact Four Square Architects today to see how we can help. 
8 Comments

kitchens we love

2/8/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
Better Homes and Gardens
I don't know what it is about kitchens that keeps us posting on Instagram, reading "before and after" stories, and ripping out pages of magazines--but we cannot stop loving them.  One of the most used rooms in your house is your kitchen.  

We have likely all lived in a place (or three) that had a really terrible kitchen. It made us dream of ripping it out and replacing it with something that is not only functional, spacious and clean, but uniquely "us."  Here at Four Square Architects we'd like to share some of our favorite kitchens that you may love too.
Picture
HGTV
Whether or not you love modern kitchens, the light brought in by the partial height walls is fantastic.  The concrete countertop, subway tile with contrasting grout and use of stainless steel splashes give this kitchen an industrial feel.  The dark brown cabinets keep the kitchen from feeling too cold. 
​
Picture
House to Home Blog
This kitchen island is flooded with light from three sets of French doors.  On a warming evening these doors can be opened to feel like you are dining al fresco.  The subway tiles and marble counter gives this kitchen a more classic feel.

Picture
Myidealhome.com
Built-in cabinets are always an added bonus in a house.  Here, they are no exception when anchoring the kitchen island.  Painted brick gives this kitchen an industrial feel while the warm, yellow wood on the cabinets keep it feeling warm and cheery.  As an added bonus, the built-ins have glass to display cook books and other fun "kitcheny" goods.

Picture
Better Homes and Gardens
If space allows, having a walk in butler's panty is a perfect way to hide all those appliances that need to be kept on the counter.  Here, providing a sliding door with a pop of color keeps a neutral palete from feeling boring.  We also love the grey painted cabinets and white counter.  When choosing white counters, look at manmade options that don't stain as easily as natural stone.  Ceasarstone and Silestone are two great options.
​
Picture
Apartment Therapy
Contrasting colors can look fresh, but they are sometimes too jarring to look at on a day-to-day basis.  Adding wood through open shelving and using penny tile with multiple shades of grey in the backsplash help blend light and dark together. 


If you want to discuss options on how to make your kitchen work for you, give Four Square Architects a call.  Located in Winchester, Virginia we travel all around Northern Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia providing architecture, design, and consulting support.
0 Comments

Beneath the stair...7 ways to work it

2/1/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
1 - onekindesign.com
The stairs are always seen as a means to go up or go down.  Sometimes they are carpeted.  Sometimes they are painted.  They can turn.  They can wind.  They can be a straight shot.  They get us from one level to another.  The point: we mainly focus attention on the aesthetics of the step and not the overall use of the stair.  

We often overlook what is below them.  Utilizing the space beneath the stairs can add extra storage, create a cozy nook, or showcase some of your favorite tchotchkes.  Here at Four Square Architects, we have compiled some of our favorite images illustrating use of this (under)utilized area. 

Picture
2 - Structures Building, Inc
The front entry welcomes visitors by displaying collectibles.  Dividing the shelves with a larger platform can both act as a bench and separate collectibles from the more pragmatic, hidden storage below.


Picture
3 - myhomeideas.com
The custom drawers shown above hide away day-to-day items, while adding additional charm.

​
Picture
4 - sweeteen.com
When converting under-utilized space, consider adding doors to close off the area, quickly tidying the spce when guests come over.  Above a bar is tucked away under the stairs and can be closed off when not in use.

​
Picture
5 - thekitchn.com
With today's cool gadgets and kitchen must-haves, the kitchen never seems to have enough storage space.  A clever pantry is hidden below the stairs.  Built in lighting helps the owner read labels and make the space appear bigger.

​
Picture
6
If you'd rather have additional counter space, consider adding base cabinets and a counter.  If space allows, upper cabinets can be added as well.  Again, providing a light source keeps the space from feeling gloomy.

​
Picture
7 - Sarah Zames Architect
Finally, if you don't have space for a home office, consider creating one under the stairs.  You can make it small and cozy by carving into the stairs or you can make it light and airy by pulling part of the desk out and extending it past corners.


If you want advice or additional ideas to maximize the space under your stairs, give Four Square Architects a call. Based in Winchester, Virginia, we work with clients in Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., West Virginia, and throughout Maryland.
1 Comment

    Archives

    September 2019
    August 2019
    February 2016

    Categories

    All
    Frederick County Architecture
    Nova Architect
    Popular Architecture
    Virginia Architect
    Winchester Architect

    RSS Feed

Home

About

Services

Contact

blog

Architecture and design services in Winchester, Virginia, Frederick County, Northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland, and West Virginia
Copyright © 2020