Sustainable Home Design

You might have heard me on our weekly podcast talk about a current project that I am working on. If not, you are missing out on a priceless resource that can improve your lifestyle and your business. Go to this link to download the podcast to listen at your leisure... "Click Here For a FREE Podcast!" Be sure to click on the ituns icon while at the podcast site!

This home is an energy conscience sustainable home to be built on a 10 acre lot on a side of a 50 foot cliff in the Hill Country of Texas.

Some of the design requirements for this home is:
* It will be built with passive solar energy design systems.
* It might have solar panels and an active solar design system.
* It is not be be over-powering on the site but have a presence.
* It needs to be handicapped accessible on the first floor.
* It will have a grey water retention system. This water will be used to irrigate the nearby landscape.
* It will have a wine "cave" adjacent to the house.
* It might have wind turbines.
* Design around the existing stables to remain on the site.

We are now in the design development phase. Here are two of the many, many design sketches that have been created so far:

Here is how the back of the house can have a sweeping and partially covered terrace that looks towards an awesome panoramic scene of the beautiful rising and setting Texas sun. Not to mention the fantastic natural landscape!

This sketch shows how anticipation can build from a small scale space at the front entrance and tease the visitor with anitcipation of a much larger space beyond.

Kick off your shoes, plop down on the cushy couch, click the flat screen remote control to "on" and enjoy the warmth of the fire in the native stone fireplace that soars up through the pitched ceiling with exposed wooden beams. Just behind you is the panoramic view of the Texas Hill Country that you can admire through the 8 foot tall glazed wooden folding paneled doors.

After the design development phase is complete, we will begin the construction document phase, then the bidding/negotiating phase, and then see it built during the construction administration phase.

Here is a way to better understand what all of these "phases" mean...

Creat a home that creates experiences that match your wildest dreams. You can start planning your new home or renovation by downloading our FREE E-book titled, "Experience Architecture Journal." It will share how you can have the home of your dreams in 7 Simple Steps.

Go to this link to download you FREE copy of the E-Book at... "Click Here For a FREE Home Design E-Book!"


Click on the "ReTweet" button below and follow me on twitter. I am LaneArch there.

Nicholas Christakis: The hidden influence of social networks

I first watched this presentation because I thought I would learn new insights about social media networking and better ways to share my passion of architecture with readers such as you. But, instead, the person in this video, Mr. Nicholas Christakis, has shared his scientific findings about how people interact with one another.

He brings up some very interesting points that can easily bridge over to the architectural design philosophy that you have been hearing me touch on that is "Experiential Architecture."

In his talk, you will hear him speak about social networks are "living things." Similarly, I would suggest that social networks are living spaces as well. In that, we are directly affected by how we interact with one another by the past and present experiences that we have and how we choose to perceive those experiences. The arena that one experiences these life emotions is "Experiential Architecture."

He makes it clear that it is important to better understand human emotions. That is, in my view, because it is our emotions that affect our behaviours and our perceptions of space.

It is interesting that he points out that even though the occupants of space (my paraphrase) may change, the social network (and the space within the network's experiences) continues to exist as a continuous being.

Some of the experiences that social networks have is due to collective emotions as opposed to individual existence. In other words, even though you may enter into a space with one type of emotion, the space and the social network using that space may affect the way you feel that may be contrary to the way you came into the space.

Finally, the actual structure/architecture of the ties between the social networks, he said, determines the relationships of the members within that space.

This may be a little "heady," but whether you are aware of it or not, architecture - as is social networks - affect how we live and behave.

This is something that will deserve more discussion. Let me know of your opinions about how architecture has shaped your life below in the comment area.

Click on the "ReTweet" button below and follow me on twitter. I am LaneArch there.

I Need Your Opinion

"I always wanted to become an architect, but...."

I can't tell you how many times I have heard people tell me this throughout the years.

There is now a way you can live your dream and design anything that you want, wherever you want, and see your dream drawn up into reality. You might even want to take it the next step and get it built. It is all up to you. In order for me to design an experience of a lifetime for you, I need your input on some things.

Please give me your opinions by clicking on these words...
Design an Experience of a Lifetime

Click on the "ReTweet" button below and follow me on twitter. I am LaneArch there.

Design Like an Architect with Us - Please Take a Quick Survey

Cut, paste, and go to this link http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=AW2dFCmNGomZCIaSqRVZ_2bQ_3d_3d

Did you know that even our US president, Obama, wanted to be an architect before he went into politics?

Everyone has a dream.

Yeah, I have heard a lot of people tell me throughout the years that they once thought about being an architect before they decided to take their current career path. I bet this includes some of you.

Obviously, to become an architect later in life would be a little overwhelming but wouldn't it be awesome if someone created a long weekend where all you had to do is show up at an architecture studio where there is a staff of draftsman ready to draw up the dream house that YOU designed?

You can be like an architect in your own design studio surrounded by inspiring people and buildings that you thought would only be available to you in magazines.

Cut, paste and go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=AW2dFCmNGomZCIaSqRVZ_2bQ_3d_3d

Be a Starchitect for a long weekend by coming to our Fantasy Architecture Summit retreat.

In order for us to design the perfect get-away for you, we first need to your opinion.

Please take a minute to watch the video above and to fill out a quick survey found at this web link. You can also just click on the link on the right column of this blog under the title, "We need your opinion."

For taking the time to help us know how to create an experience of a lifetime for you, we will send to you a FREE copy of our new book, "The Designed Office" to the first 5 people who email to info@LaneArchitecture.net a copy of the filled out survey. Let us know where to mail the copy of the book and we will get one shipped to you.

Thank you, again, for helping us create and design the time of your life.

Cut, paste and go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=AW2dFCmNGomZCIaSqRVZ_2bQ_3d_3d

If you like this article and would like to keep informed about other important news of the day, please subscribe to this blog by clicking on the buttons along the right column.

Click on the "ReTweet" button below and follow me on twitter. I am LaneArch there.

Experiences in Scouting and Architecture

(Image above is the "Tooth of Time" at Philmont Scout Ranch)

I am a big supporter of the Boy Scouts organization. Having gone through all of the ranks of Cub scouts and Boys scouts – Bobcat to Eagle then beyond into Explorers as a kid, a lot of good memories were made and skills learned that help me in my day to day living even now.

Be Prepared, the Twelve Scout Laws and many more oaths and sayings are permanently engrained into my mind. Currently, I am a Cubmaster for my 10 year old son’s Cub Scout pack and an Assistant Scout Master for my 13 year old son’s Boy Scout troop. It keeps me hopping and allows me to enjoy scouting as a big kid.

When I was about 16, I went to the world famous Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, NM. My tent partner was a guy named Danny that went to a different high school as I, so we really did not know much about each other before the trek.

Long story short, Danny and I remained friends throughout the years (well over 30 years now).

Danny’s and my lives have cris-crossed throughout the years. Danny and I got our Eagle Scout award about the same time.

He went to the Air Force Academy while I went to Texas Tech. He was first stationed in Lubbock’s Reese Air Force Base while I was finishing up my last year at Tech.
Later, Danny and I became housemates in a small town named Wichita Falls, TX while he was at the base there and I was with an architectural/engineering firm.

Now, Danny is a captain of the largest commercial airliner in the Delta Fleet. He flies the 777 to various international destinations from JFK Airport. Again, crossing paths with me being in NYC.

Yesterday, I he called me to see if I was free to have dinner with him since he had the rare opportunity to play during a long lay-over in NYC. It was great to see him again and catch up with what he and his family has been up to between the years that we have not seen each other.



Danny has been really involved with scouting too. It was a thrill to hear about all of the high adventure scouting trips that he has done. His recent trip was a week trek in Europe. There, he had to technical climb sheer icy cliffs with pitons and ice shoes. What a trip.

Perhaps, you will see some designs that I am developing for his 10 acre estate in the hill country of TX sometime on this blog.

I guess what I enjoy most about my friendship with Danny is that we have created similar experiences throughout our lives. Some together, but mostly in different circles that seem to keep overlaping.

These experiences of life really form our perception of where we are and where we have been. My "Experience Architecture" is no different from this. When we design a space with the "Experience Architecture" philosophy, we are tapping into memories and trigger points that our clients have experienced that they want others to enjoy. Our designs help them have those desired experiences.

If you like this article and would like to keep informed about other important news of the day, please subscribe to this blog by clicking on the buttons along the right column.

Click on the "ReTweet" button below and follow me on twitter. I am LaneArch there.

Herding People Like Cattle

Why in the world would I post such a crummy photo?

It is to make a point.

Look how all of the fuzzy people are grouped together. Notice that they are all herded roughly along the dark grey line on the floor.

There is no sign that says, “Stay on this side of the line.” There isn’t even a definite traffic pattern that people must follow. In fact, there isn’t anything in this room except for a few stairs and columns. It is a large, open room where people wait until their trains are called out at Penn Station of NYC.

This is another example to show how people are affected by their surroundings. Even if there are subtle color changes on the floor, people will react to it without even realizing that they are doing it.

If people can be so affected by the design of their surroundings by purely accidental design, imagine how powerful it can be if you have an architect that uses the “Experience Architecture” design philosophy with intension!

With “Experience Architecture,” can you see how your customers might want to keep coming back to your store? Can you see how your employees might want to stay at least a full 8 hour day in the office and actually contribute to a full day’s work? Can you see how an entire dying historical downtown can attract the affluent through intentional design?

“Experience Architecture” is POWERFUL! Make it work for you, your business, and your downtown. Here's how:

Come to the Preservation Conference and the Main Street Forum to hear me elaborate on this very important subject. I am going to share some cutting edge strategies that can boost your business and revive your downtowns in any economy. The event will be in Liberty, NY on November 1st and 2nd. Just click on the “Main Street Forum” icon to the right to register.

If you like this article and would like to keep informed about other important news of the day, please subscribe to this blog by clicking on the buttons along the right column.

Click on the "ReTweet" button below and follow me on twitter. I am LaneArch there.

Create an Experience that will Empower Others

A while back, a friend of mine, Steve, was visiting a mutual friend who was suffering Parkinson disease at a NYC hospital. Our friend, Betty had a roommate whose bed was nearest to the window.

When Steve came into Betty’s hospital room, the curtain was drawn that divided the room into two parts. In a few minutes, he heard someone singing to the lady behind that curtain. The music was soft, sweet, and comforting. It was a woman’s voice.

When visitation time was over, the lady who was singing on the other side of the curtain walked pass Steve, nodded, and left the room.

It was Carly Simon.

She was singing to her mother in the bed nearest to the window behind the curtain. What a blessing it was to be in the still room and experience the tenderness that only a daughter can share with her mother! She was using the gifts that were only hers to offer.

What gifts do you have to share that are unique to only you? Have you shared them with the people that mean the most to you?

Have you experienced things in a room that were so profound that you will remember it for a lifetime? Circumstances and settings can influence how you experience a place. That is what I mean by Experience Architecture. It can affect the way you work, shop, play, and rest.

My new book, “The Designed Office,” covers this topic for office spaces. It will be in a bookstore near you really soon.

Now, I am Scar Face

This last Tuesday night, I fell upon my piano and landed on my forehead. So, if you see me now, you might thing that I am looking a little different. Hopefully the three layers of stitches will not leave much of a scar. But, I am already being called Scar Face around the office.

Hope your week is going better than mine.

Actually, I am pumped up and looking forward to some great things to come out of this week. We are still putting together our plans for our Fantasy Architecture Weekend. If you have not taken the survey to the right, why don't you do that now? That way, our event can be better designed to suit your wishes.

Also, while you're at it, hit the orange RSS feed button and leave your comments on this blog by clicking on the envelope icon below.

How Architecture Affects Unexpecting People

People react to their designed surroundings without even knowing that they are being affected. Some tricks that architects use are changes of lighting, surfaces, perspectives, ramps, mirrors, and so on. This video shows another way that people subconsciously react to architecture.

Do you know of other places where architecture creates emotion, motion, or other human reactions?

Experience Architecture

Most peoples’ view on how they want to live is first based upon their feelings and emotions. This is especially true with luxury items. For example, if one were focused only on their primal needs and not their emotions, then we would be living under lean-tos and tents. Instead, we feel that we need a more substantial place to call home for ourselves and our families. Their feelings may be sparked from a need for more space, prestige, or for a better location among many others. Therefore, the experiences that our spaces provide for us are a most important concern at the start of our new home search.

It is only after reacting to our emotions that we then make the decision to move from our current home and into another. This is when we start to feel our stomach turn and nerves on a slighter edge. Many have heard horror stories about their neighbor, friends, and family member’s renovation projects. Will the same surprises happen to you? Many questions start coming to mind:

How much will the construction cost?
How long will the renovation process take?
Should I sell my current home and rent during the construction period?
How do I find a contractor that I can trust?

All of these questions and many more that follow only stack upon each other until you really feel that you are “behind the eight ball” with no painless way out. "Experience Architecture" is created to help you stay away from that eight ball by pointing out a simple 7 step method that will help you the most of your investment and ultimately a home that fits you and your family like a custom made glove.

Just click here for your FREE copy of "Experience Architecture"

or,

Call us at 212-594-2007 for a copy.

Click on the "ReTweet" button below and follow me on twitter. I am LaneArch there.

How People are Enjoying the Recession

What is your most favorite part of vacations? Usually, it has to do with the “where” you are going as much as the “what” you are doing.

During these financially challenging times, many people are choosing to stay closer to home instead of spending money on trips to Florida or beyond. We all need to be careful to continue our savings. We also need to make sure that we are giving ourselves a lifestyle that reflects our needs and dreams. That’s sometimes easier said than done.

Here is something that some smart home owners are doing during these recession times. Instead of going on a Vacation, they are going on a “Staycation.” They are already planning their summers around their own home by redesigning the family area, bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchens, and yards. Start planning what you will be doing in and around your home this summer. Then, look around.

Is your kitchen or bathroom outdated? Has your family out grown the kitchen? Would it be nice to have the living area opened up to your kitchen? After all, the kitchen is where the guest seems to congregate. Right?

Some people are renovating their back yards so they will have their own oasis to retreat to after a long day at the office. Who needs to go to Florida when you can invite your friends to a game night in your open family room and a Bar-B-Q in your back yard with Tiki torches for light while listening to the cricket’s summer songs?

Before you begin planning the best summer ever, contact our office for your free copy of “Experience Architecture.” It is a journal that will steer you through seven simple steps to obtain an extraordinary home. Supplies limited so call now at 212-594-2007 or email your request at LaneArchitecture@aol.com.

Isn’t it curious how our paths cross different people’s path unexpectedly?

This happened to me earlier this year when Ms. Sydney Biddle Barrows contacted me and ask that I be a contributing editor of her new book, “Uncensored Sales Strategies.”

Sydney is a business expert who consults companies all around the nation about how they can choreograph their business to create an experience for their clients. She has developed a lot of expertise at choreographing other people’s “experiences” in her previous life.

She became one of the most famous and talked about madams that ever graced the front pages of the New York tabloids under the nickname, “Mayflower Madam.”

Later, she has been a guest on various talk shows including Larry King and has written a bestselling book that Fortune magazine named as one of the Top Ten Best Business Books of the Year. Her books have also been on the required reading list for courses at Harvard.

So, go to Barnes and Noble, Borders, Amazon.com or any other major book seller and get your copy of this new book, “Uncensored Sales Strategies.” On pages 99-100, you will find out how experiences are created in architecture by yours truly.

Click on the "ReTweet" button below and follow me on twitter. I am LaneArch there.