FIELD NOTES

"The attic is hot, the basement is cold..." A pre-purchase home performance study of an old farmhouse, in five parts and twelve days.

A homebuyer showed me his house reimagined by ChatGPT: a good instinct, and a flat picture. Here's what an AI render leaves out, and why a professional uses AI to refine the work, not drive it. With neuroscientist Dr. Poppy Crum on the "cognitive tax" of AI.

California put $1.15 billion on the table for community resilience centers in 2026. As a Passive House-credentialed architect who just wrote a proposal for one in Redding, here's what the field actually looks like: the funding stack, six case studies, and why the building envelope is the real resilience strategy.

A few weeks ago a prospect asked me a fair question. The design-build firm down the street had offered her a free quote for her restaurant build-out. I wanted about $2,500 for a feasibility study before I would talk price. Why, she asked, should she pay me for something the other firm gives away? Here is what I told her, and what I tell everyone who asks. A free quote and a feasibility study are not the same product They are not the same thing wearing different price tags. Th

Protect your home from wildfires with our guide on wildfire defense, home hardening, and creating defensible space for California residents.

Discover the best payment structure for your architectural project: hourly rates for flexibility or fixed fees for predictability.

Accessory Dwelling Unit Design Trends: compact, eco-friendly spaces that boost property value. Perfect for rentals or family. #ADUDesign

In the quest for a healthier, more sustainable living environment, the concept of air sealing in new home construction plays a pivotal role. This process, crucial in Passive House design, ensures that homes are not only energy-efficient but also comfortable and durable. Passive House Scheme - Ventilation System - source: Wikimedia Why Air Sealing Matters Air sealing prevents unwanted air infiltration, which can lead to moisture damage, energy loss, and poor indoor air quality

Discover the importance of architectural feasibility studies for residential and commercial projects. Learn how they guide smart investment