Six Years Ago . . .

by, David Clayton, AIA

It had been two weeks since being laid off, the Great Recession still causing high unemployment, and here I was unable to even get responses from any potential employers.  Closing myself off in our spare bedroom in the basement, I was praying intently for an answer of what to do to provide for my family.  And then, the phone rang . . .

It was my friend, Ben Crookston, who asked me if I could help draw up plans for a small apartment building remodel for his brother Nick.  Immediately, I felt a strong confirmation: this is the answer to my prayers.  It was at that moment, I knew I needed to start my own business.

It is amazing to me to think of how the past six years have flown by. Slowly building my business from that humble spare bedroom in the basement into a small firm of four people has been incredible. What also amazes me is how that small moment: that seed planted in the basement has become a livelihood for four families.  

So, now, as DEIV Architecture celebrates SIX YEARS in business, we want to thank all of our clients, consultants, and friends who have made this possible.  

God bless!

Zion Village Townhomes

Check out our latest video rendering of Zion Village Townhomes in Hurricane, Utah:

Talk To Your Architect

Few people think to talk to their architect prior to choosing property, but a recent experience with a client serves as a great example of why you should talk to your architect prior to committing to a property. Watch the video below:

DEIV Architecture Featured on Graphisoft, Inc.'s U.S. blog page!

We're proud to be featured in today's Graphisoft USA's blog post.  Read it below:

http://blog.graphisoftus.com/graphisoft/projects-of-many-sizes-managed-with-archicad

Beauty takes time...

Why We Design The Way We Do

Surprisingly, most architects do mostly two dimensional drawings only for a project.  In today's age of computer aided design and building information modeling, it is possible to show clients what a project will look like before it is built.  The aim is to provide that client a way to see what we as designers can see in our minds.  In years past, this was usually accomplished through carefully drawing perspective drawings and then painting them with watercolors.  

Today, at DEIV Architecture, we build the building in virtual reality.  We build in the walls, the roofs, the windows, and the doors.  We build in trim work, and brick features.  Then, we add information to each of those elements so that each element is categorized and data rich.  But why go through all this trouble?  If most architects can get by with just drawing plans, then why go to this level of detail?

The reason is simple.  First, building a virtual building allows us to understand the way the building comes together before it comes together.  This way, there will likely be fewer problems in the process of construction.  Second, it allows us to quantify and qualify everything in the building.  This way, if a client or contractor need to know something about how the building is put together, the information is there. Third, it allows us to create 3D images almost instantaneously.  This way, no matter at which point in the process, our clients are able to receive real visual feedback on the design changes they request.

Ultimately, why do we design the way we do?  Because we believe this way is better. We believe this way is the future of design and construction.

Frank Lloyd Wright - Some Tours

Frank Lloyd Wright is probably the most famous architect in the world.  Despite his passing nearly six decades ago, his work still inspires people.  Not too long ago, I had the opportunity to tour the Stromquist Residence in Bountiful, Utah.  It is the only Frank Lloyd Wright designed house in the state of Utah.

As an architect, it is hard to ignore the influence Wright has had on the field of architecture.  For me, I had often, while in school, dismissed Wright in my mind because when everyone else is going one way, I naturally look another way.  Touring the Stromquist residence, however, opened my eyes to why Wright has been considered a genius by so many.

Wright's genius is not in constructability or rain protection.  It is widely acknowledged that if the roof doesn't leak, it is not a genuine FLW house.  No, his genius is in the artistry of the architectural details.  

The Stromquist residence is actually lived in.  It is not open for tours typically because the son of the original owners owns, maintains and dwells in the structure.  But recently, Houzz.com released a great video on one of Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous houses, the Hollyhock house in Southern California. You can watch the video here:

For more on the Hollyhock house:

http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/44267101/list/houzz-tv-exclusive-new-video-of-wrights-jaw-dropping-hollyhock-house

Sneak Peak of Things To Come

Below are two videos I created for a design proposal.  This project is exciting because if we are able to build it, then many elderly individuals will have a beautiful assisted living home to move into where they will have a community, great activities, and a sense of dignity.

Because the project is still in its infancy, we cannot divulge any details at this time, but we are happy to share the design as it currently stands.  

Helping You See Your World

One of the reasons to hire an architect is to help you see what can be.  For some people, it can be hard to imagine what something might look like from a set of plans.  They see the plan and they can understand the room sizes, but picturing what the effect of various decisions can be hard for most people to see.

In working with homeowners, I have seen  where they will sometimes say: "I want to add this space here and then move this wall here," and other things.  Often, I have to spoil their enthusiasm by explaining what the effect of those decisions will have on the three-dimensional aspect of the design, and often, the increase in the cost of the structure due to these choices.

This is one of the reasons why as an architect, I try to show as many 3D views (renderings) as I can to my clients.  When people see the world, they see it in 3D, not in plan, not in elevation.  By doing this, they can 'SEE'.

A 3D rendering of a building currently under design.  Helping people "see" is so much easier today because of computer technology.  At DEIV Architecture, we extensively use 3D modeling on every project, so clients can always get to "see" their world.