sparkSTUDIO: Re-Envisioning Communities

"Curiouser and curiouser!" Why would you use CLT in a multifamily project? After speaking with a great contractor in the Sacramento area, we learned that using CLT cuts construction time which is very beneficial for multifamily projects. In this photo, Yevgenia Watts of sparkSTUDIO is checking out one of the assemblies that we are considering on a project. Just in case you are also curious, CLT is: "Cross-laminated timber (CLT) is a wood panel system that is rapidly gaining popularity in the U.S. after being widely adopted in Europe. The strength, dimensional stability, and rigidity of CLT allow it to be used in mid- and high-rise buildings." Learn more about our architecture firm here! https://buff.ly/40ajBAf Sign up for our blog: https://buff.ly/45diD88 #architecturefirm #architecture #design #community #multifamilyhousing #housing #adaptivereuse #historicpreservation #womeninarchitecture #womenownedbusiness

"To provide meaningful architecture is not to parody history, but to articulate it." - Daniel Libeskind Learn more about our architecture firm here: https://buff.ly/40ajBAf Sign up for our blog: https://buff.ly/3msIZlX #architecturefirm #architecture #design #community #multifamilyhousing #housing #adaptivereuse #historicpreservation #womeninarchitecture #womenownedbusiness

Why are we so passionate about walkable communities? Somehow, in the America of today, walking in our daily lives feels like a luxury. A luxury reserved for New Yorkers, and in general, people who can afford to live in bustling cities. How did such a basic human activity, so exiting to discover around 1 year of age, become the exclusive perk for the rich? History tells us that the place we find ourselves in was not created by accident. Whole industries, traffic engineering departments and government agencies are responsible for the car-dependent present of the United States of Car Owners. Learn more from this article here: https://buff.ly/46s2fll Learn more about our architecture firm here: https://buff.ly/3Q7twV3 If you love this article, there are more! Sign up for our blog: https://buff.ly/45diD88 #architecturefirm #architecture #design #community #multifamilyhousing #housing #adaptivereuse #historicpreservation #womeninarchitecture #womenownedbusiness

"Producing high-quality work in a nice and friendly manner." - Passive House Contractor Learn more about our architecture firm here: https://buff.ly/3Q7twV3 Sign up for our blog: https://buff.ly/45diD88 #architecturefirm #architecture #design #community #multifamilyhousing #housing #adaptivereuse #historicpreservation #womeninarchitecture #womenownedbusiness

Beauty Without Compromise: Luxury vs. Affordability in Architecture It’s a gorgeous morning by the ocean. I can see it sparkle from my hotel room in Asilomar, just behind the trees and dunes. The room is slightly aged, but it is beautifully designed. 15 feet high exposed structure cathedral ceilings, intricate and smartly built-in cabinetry. My bed is perfectly aligned with sliding doors framed by two sidelights and the balcony. This space is aging gracefully, and its beauty has a timeless quality. Can there be affordable space that is all of the above: functional, intelligent and beautiful? Does affordable architecture exist? Being curious and and optimistic, we answer “ABSOLUTELY!” We are thinking of predesigning plans for small homes and apartments and working closely together with prefabricators. We can expedite the production and improve the quality with factory-built construction, and can slow down the initial design process of a prototype to achieve the beauty without compromise. It’s time to stop being nostalgic about the “aging beauties” and start creating new beautiful places to live and work in for us and our children. Learn more from this article at https://lnkd.in/gFczs4AS... Learn more about our architecture firm here: https://lnkd.in/gWZ8p4Cd If you love this article, there are more! Sign up for our blog: https://lnkd.in/d9bAZk_u #architecturefirm #architecture #design #community #multifamilyhousing #housing #adaptivereuse #historicpreservation #womeninarchitecture #womenownedbusiness

WICConference2024 Yesterday we had the opportunity to attend the Women In Construction 2024 event here in Sacramento. With many motivational panel speakers, it was a beautiful sight to see women and men supporting other women in the industry. According to a panel speaker, Lisa Ballantyne, only 11% of women are in the construction industry. Why do you believe this is so and how can we help break down more barriers? Learn more about our architecture firm here! https://lnkd.in/gCZ79BSe Sign up for our blog: https://buff.ly/45diD88 #architecturefirm #architecture #design #community #multifamilyhousing #housing #adaptivereuse #historicpreservation #womeninarchitecture #womenownedbusiness #WICConference #HereWeBuild

Can Architects and AI Coexist? In a world where AI technology is gaining more and more popularity, many worry that this new phenomenon will eventually take over most jobs. If the world is changing to become more automated, how do AI technology and architects coexist? Or can they? Architects are known to use both parts of their brains to do their work - the creative half and the logical one. This really impresses some people, but if we look under the hood, we will discover that architects use many more parts of the brain and have completely different tasks to do depending on the project phase. Architects do research, create, sketch, document, collaborate, coordinate, at times fight to get building permits and counsel team members. Architects are engineers, designers, lawyers, lobbyists, psychologists, and lately, social media marketers and bloggers. If one could come up with an AI to do all of that, I would be very impressed. So, I am not too concerned that AI will take over our jobs, but I am excited that it can help make ALL our jobs easier. Learn more from this article at https://lnkd.in/gHTzsDuT... Learn more about our architecture firm here: https://lnkd.in/gWZ8p4Cd If you love this article, there are more! Sign up for our blog: https://lnkd.in/d9bAZk_u #architecturefirm #architecture #design #community #multifamilyhousing #housing #adaptivereuse #historicpreservation #womeninarchitecture #womenownedbusiness

We look forward to connecting with other women in the construction industry. Last year we really enjoyed this event and this year we look forward to catching up with our friends. Learn more about our architecture firm here! https://buff.ly/40ajBAf Sign up for our blog: https://buff.ly/45diD88 #architecturefirm #architecture #design #community #multifamilyhousing #housing #adaptivereuse #historicpreservation #womeninarchitecture #womenownedbusiness

"Architecture itself cannot make a more equitable world... but we can contribute with specific actions." - Mariam Kamara Learn more about our architecture firm here: https://buff.ly/40ajBAf Sign up for our blog: https://buff.ly/45diD88 #architecturefirm #architecture #design #community #multifamilyhousing #housing #adaptivereuse #historicpreservation #womeninarchitecture #womenownedbusiness 

On another episode of our series on Passive House, we explore the benefits of the Heat Recovery Ventilation System for maintaining indoor air quality and conserving energy. This compact system, which can be conveniently installed in a small closet (see the image below of our lovely team member measuring at arm's length), offers an effective solution for enhancing both comfort and efficiency in your home. How does it work, you ask? In an airtight space, these systems promote a constant supply of fresh air by expelling stale air and pulling in freshly filtered outdoor air. Want to learn more about HRV systems? Check out these links for more information. https://buff.ly/4g86x7e https://buff.ly/4g3bKgr Learn more about our architecture firm here! https://lnkd.in/gCZ79BSe Sign up for our blog: https://buff.ly/45diD88 #architecturefirm #architecture #design #community #multifamilyhousing #housing #adaptivereuse #historicpreservation #womeninarchitecture #womenownedbusiness #passivehouse #HRVSystem