6 replies to this topic

[Glenn White]

Anyone have any good books suggestions on increasing design/ architecture  information?

Not looking to enter college but I would think there are sources available to help grow in knowledge.

Thanks

[Harlon Suttle]

Checkout the Study reconmendations for AIBD certification .....download the application(free) and they list several good books....also, do a search on required text books from any College of Architecture course that is of interest.

[Steve and Carla Farnam]

Glenn here is an option; https://www.vdci.edu...ueprintreading/

[Don Gibbons]

The Architectural Graphic Standards book was always a good reference for me.

[Tom Rogers]

What specifically are you looking for to increase knowledge?  Construction graphics, historical styles, theory?  

[Glenn White]

Thanks all,

This may sound a bit vague but I guess my desire is learning processes as well as anything.

I am a design built remodeler that seems to get a good bit of challenging design requests.

Lot of projects with large homes 15 to 20 years old with 250 to 500K budgets.

The usual needs of updated spaces that don't work, additional spaces like in law suites and master suite expansions . The usual re do's like Kit / baths.  etc etc.

When adding spaces I usually start with what I know in a basic sizes of  rooms and then start designing from the roof down. Especially when adding additional areas that attaching to the home are challenging.

Matching the style and finishes seems to be the easy part but working out the flow and adding the creativity Is where I feel my skills are lacking. I sometimes look at our local Parade of Homes book or other designs for inspiration.

Home owners are really good at telling me what they don't like but obviously aren't the best at knowing what they  want.

But the other day it hit me. The Owner says " why don't we add a second floor bonus room (big Ranch home) with a balcony protruding out the back roof to  have entertaining space with view golf course.

An awesome idea that I didn't think of.

Not sure this makes sense in a question arena but I guess drawing inspiration ideas and the overall process steps.

Thanks

Glenn

[Kevin Rabenaldt]

Residential designing is a challenging vocation.  It requires knowledge, creativity, and experience.  In your question, there are many ways to approach design.  Remodeling can be very challenging because owners have a budget whether they really admit it or not, their requirements can sometimes be counter to the norm, and there can be many solutions and limitations.  Clients many times think it is simple once they see you put their ideas and solutions on paper but reality you spent a lot of effort to get to that part.  There are tons of books and magazines out there that show examples of designs/projects and so forth.  I have collected quite a number and will sit down and review them from time to time.  One book that may help is titled, "Get Your House Right" by Cusato and Pentreath.  Probably when you are a well experienced and knowledgeable designer, you are near retirement age (if there is really a retirement age in this vocation).