What to Consider Before Finishing Your Attic or Basement

Appleby Bachelor Gulch Residence
TAB can guide your project if you’re thinking of finishing a basement.

Many households are experiencing a growth in the family unit with parents or grown children moving in. While this is a great way to combine incomes and save money, for many homes, there just isn’t enough room.

To eliminate the shortage of floor space, finishing your attic or basement is the next step to adding the space you need. Before taking on the project, there are several key areas to consider.

  • Assess the home and determine if an attic or basement remodeling project is possible.
  • Contact local authorities about building codes for your area, and research which permits will be necessary.
  • Consult with a professional architect who can guide you through the planning process.
  • Ensure whichever location you plan to redo has sufficient light and space. The addition of a dormer addresses the issue of small attics.
  • Support to the flooring is vital for attic remodeling. This is an area where the architect will know exactly what to do.
  • Attics and basements need to have adequate heating and cooling systems.
  • Address moisture issues that come with basements.
  • Don’t forget to include an emergency exit for safety.
  • Whenever you’re mapping the floor plane, utilize every inch of space.

TAB Associates has been serving customers for over 30 years in the design, development, construction and remodeling of homes to suit individual needs. So, contact us today if you have any design or architecture needs.

Image via TAB Associates 

Architecture Should Reflect the Client

Architecture Should Reflect the Client
An architect should assist in bringing your vision to life, not the other way around. Source: TAB Associates

When it comes to learning how to choose an architect, there are a lot of different factors that can come into the process. But, before it gets overwhelming, there are a few basic principles to keep in mind that can serve as guidelines.

  • Choose someone who will listen. A sign of a good architect is a listener who will do what you like, without their own ego getting in the way. They can help realize your dreams, not the other way around.
  • Your architecture should reflect you — whether it’s a residence or business. A good architect understands that.
  • Find an architect who is as passionate about your individuality, as you are, and who can help you build your structure in a cooperative manner.

These tips on how to choose an architect can help you get the right designer for your dream home. At TAB Associates, we believe that the architect must set aside his or her ego in order to give our clients exactly the home they want. Remember, above all, you are the one who will live in that home and you should get exactly what you choose.

The Latest Lighting Trends for your Home or Business

Selecting lighting is a major decision when updating a home or office. With the many innovation choices in lighting and light sources available, homeowners and business owners have a plethora to choose from when it comes to assorted styles and sizes.

The Latest Lighting Trends for your Home or Business
Source: TAB Associates

For 2013, lighting trends focus on several areas of home decor, from color to energy efficient bulbs. The main trend for lighting is the finish with this year focused on polished nickel and chrome.

Energy efficiency is also a focus. Along with a decrease in any electric bill, halogen, xenon, fluorescent and LED lights provide more luminescence and efficiency than incandescent bulbs.

Recessed and track lighting primarily in the living room, kitchen, bedroom, dining room and family room are current trends. Track lighting offers flexibility in movement while recessed lighting adds a soft ambiance.

Light fixtures are abundant and designers want to make a statement with unique pieces such as chandeliers. The intricate and ornate design makes them a piece of artwork worthy of use in any room, including the kitchen.

Trends say standard lighting with no pizzazz in the kitchen is a no-go. Incorporate LED lights in dark areas.

TAB Associates has provided expert design and quality construction services for over 30 years. Whenever it’s time to redesign your home, call on TAB’s professional architects to fully outfit your home in style.

Why Should I Hire an Architect?

Why Should I Hire an Architect?
Hiring an architect will help to bring clarity to any project, large or small.

When it comes to hiring an architect in Colorado, many people think they can save a bit of money by just hiring on a contractor. While it’s true that it often costs a little bit less to go with a contractor, going with an architect can lead to greater satisfaction.

Here are the top reasons why you should consider hiring an architect:

  • High satisfaction rate: Those who work with architects instead of just contractors find that they are more satisfied with the quality and look of the project upon completion.
  • Getting what you want: When it comes to big renovations and custom built buildings (residential or commercial), it’s important to get exactly what you want. Architects have greater schooling and vision to help you make that happen.
  • Working with authority: Think of the architects as the planners and builders, and the contractors as the work force. Architects can do more in terms of working with building codes in certain cities.

If you’re planning a big remodeling project or are looking for a custom built home, consider TAB Associates Inc. You may be pleasantly surprised about how much more satisfying the experience is.

Image courtesy of Tab Associates 

Understanding the Architectural Language

Understanding the Architectural Language
Learn these important buzzwords as you begin a new project with a Colorado architect.

While we believe our architects in Colorado at TAB Associates are easy to understand, we also know that it’s common for architects to use terminology that is understandable to professionals, but have different meanings otherwise. To best communicate with your architect, here are a few buzzwords in our profession and their meanings:

  • Structure. Though this term can mean the literal building or the components that hold said building together, it can also mean the way a space is organized.
  • Program. This is a term that gets used often. It simply means a description of your needs, desires, and budget constraints. It’s a good idea to share your program with your architect to get exactly what you want from your custom-built home.
  • Schematic design. These are often confused with construction drawings, but they’re not the same. Schematics are a detailed sketch of a preferred design, while construction drawings are complete descriptions of what will be needed to build the building.

If you’re looking for architects in Colorado who are happy to custom build a house that works with your lingo and lifestyle, please contact us, or call us at 970-766-1470.

Get to Know the Minds Behind TAB Associates, Inc.

Get to Know the Minds Behind TAB Associates, Inc.
TAB Associates has a group of dedicated architects who will strive to make your vision a reality.

How often do you get the chance to know your architects in Colorado? Not often enough, says TAB Associates; and not knowing your architects can lead to not getting the quality and style you want in a custom-built home.

We at TAB Associates are changing that with our architects in Colorado, one architect at a time.

In a recent interview with Tab Bonidy, president and owner of TAB Associates, he suggested that one of the most important aspects to providing superior service was putting aside the architect’s ego, so that the clients are free to express what they want most in their custom-built homes or log cabins. This comes from an architect who has a masters in environmental planning from Arizona State University, from their solar energy planning and technology program, with over 30 years experience in the industry.

It doesn’t stop there, either — both Greg Macik and Warner Hopkins bring their experience to building dream homes for clients, and remove their egos from the process, ensuring all of our clients get exactly what they desire, and what they think will be most pleasing to live in.  This doesn’t mean our clients do not get our own expertise, just in a suggestive form.  We always say, “It is your home, not ours, it is our job to give you what you want.”

Here at TAB Associates, we dedicate ourselves to making your dreams a reality, and a comfortable one, at that.

Image courtesy of TAB Associates 

An Interview With Tab Bonidy

colorado architects, vail architects
Tab Bonidy, owner of TAB Associates, Inc. Source: TabAssociates.com

We had a chance to interview Tab Bonidy, owner of the Colorado architecture firm, TAB Associates, Inc. and ask him a few questions about his history with architecture and where he thinks the future of the industry is heading. Take a look:

What made you want to become an architect?
I wanted to become an architect since I was 10 years old.  I had a private art teacher when I was ten and I designed a home.  Ever since then, that is all I wanted to do.

What goes on a day-to-day basis in an architect’s life?
Working on projects is the day to day business.  Also, trying to find more work these days is quite important.

What is your favorite aspect about being an architect? 
The creative side of solving a client’s desires is my favorite aspect of being an architect.  So I would say it is Conceptual Design which is the beginning of a project, although I very much enjoy detailing a project which comes towards the end.

What is your favorite structure/building/piece of architecture and why?
I guess I would say log homes because of their difficulty, but really anything complex, even like a complex steel structure is fun to design.

What is your most memorable piece of architecture that you have personally worked on? 
I would have to say either the Cook Residence, the Catlin Residence or the Thomas Residence.  They were all challenging sites which is where our job starts and they were all great clients to work for and with together.

What’s your favorite thing about being a business owner?
I would have to say that getting to do things my way.  Also, providing a great place to work is very important.

What makes TAB Associates successful?
I believe it is because we really listen to our clients desires.  We put our ego aside and design for our clients.  We start with a good program and design the concept on the site with all of its amenities right in front of us.  We make the process fun for our clients and they are a part of every step of the way.  In this way, they know exactly why things are the way they turn out because they are an integral part of the process.

Where do you see the architecture industry heading in the next 5 years?
I can only hope it will get more busy, but that will take a major change in Washington DC.  We need to restore our Country back to being a prosperous nation.  This will take some deregulation and us becoming energy independent.

Source: Tab Associates

Architect 101: When to Call It Quits

When hiring an architect, you are hiring someone to come in and design your personal property to your liking. However, sometimes it just does not workout to your liking. That is when you may be thinking about relieving them of their duties. But when is the right time to do so? We are here to help and let you know when to call it quits on an architect.

Architect 101: When to Call It Quits
Save yourself time by reading up on these reasons to let go of an architect. Source: Keoni Cabral

Check out our published post on when to fire your architect that was published on the DCD Home website:

We have had a few clients who came to us after they fired their Architect. One client actually fired three different Architects before coming to us. They all live happily in their new homes in various gated communities in our beautiful valley. They have had various reasons, but the most common reason is the previous Architect’s inability to listen to their desires.

Architects need to keep their clients involved in every phase of a project. Starting with a proper analysis of the site, the client’s program needs to be developed primarily from client input. Program relationships follow suit here. The client’s involvement is most important during the conceptual design phase. A great concept with the full involvement goes a long way to a client’s embrace of the final results. An Architect who designs in a vacuum has done himself and his client a grave injustice. We say, “An Architect’s worst enemy is his ego”. Give up the ego and gain a satisfied client.

We, as Architects, are destined to provide our clients with professional expertise and design competence to fulfill their program requirements. A combination of art and science, sculpture and technical resolve, form the relationship of the Architect’s challenge to structure and site. Architecture is unlike the practice of medicine or law, because most people have a strong sense of what they like or dislike. Everyone has been in or seen a building they fancy. Few know the best medicine for their ailment or the most practical means of resolution to their legal woes.

Should I fire my Client?

Attentive clients are great. Those that share the enthusiasm we do make the process fun. This is an experience that takes at least five months in design and up to a year and a half or more in construction. The net result is a project that everyone can enjoy.

We have had to fire a few clients. One contracted for one size home and programmed a larger home. When informed their program exceeded their contractual size, they suggested we continue and see how it works out. When the completed home’s design exceeded the contractual amount, they would not pay the increased fees for the increased size.

Another case consisted of a client that was consistently absent minded of previous discussions. It made the process hell. The Project Manager was either contemplating suicide or murder. Life is too short to deal with people with no scruples.

Are Contractors good or evil?

We say Contractor make us look good. Sure we have to draw the right lines on the paper, but they are just lines. The constructed environment is far more difficult. Protocol in the office is if a Contractor calls with a question, stop what you are doing and help him solve his problem. We consider the Contractor an integral part of our team, Client, Architect and Contractor. Together we can make something great. The day of the Change Order Contractor is basically gone. Everything has value and someone is going to gain from it. Mistakes are inevitable, but the finesse of corrections is substantial.

Should I have fun?

Speaking of life being too short, if we are not having fun, doing what we do, then we stop! Architecture is a passion, far beyond a profession. It is in our brains, heart and soul. We get excited about the process and revel in the results.

Are we having fun yet?

Hell, yes. Come join us! It is how it should be!

If you’re looking to bring on a highly skilled architecture firm, contact us at TAB Associates, Inc. today.

Modern Trends: Open Floor Plans in Mountain Home Design

Chen 3 Timber Springs Bunk House will utilize a variety of styles on the way to becoming a dream log house.
Chen 3 Timber Springs Bunk House will utilize a variety of styles on the way to becoming a dream log house.

One of the best recent trends for building mountain homes is going with the homeowners’ likes and dislikes and individual preferences. Of course, with all the choices one has with architectural design, it can get overwhelming on just what to choose for dream log homes. Though, one steadfast trend we’ve noticed in log homes that should likely never get old is the use of wide open space.

Maximizing sun exposure with seamless transitions from outdoors to indoors leaves residents with a feeling of elegance and serenity all rolled into one simple and beautiful home project. If the space is used correctly, through consultation with your architect, the square footage doesn’t have to be enormous in order to get the open space look and feel.

Quality of space is often more preferable to quantity of space. The elegance provided lacks the stuffiness of formal dining and living areas, but still retains its grand stature and openness.

Our current project, Chen 3 Timber Springs, utilizes this philosophy of open spaces that are efficiently used, with quality outweighing quantity. If you are interested in learning more about how TAB Associates can make your dream mountain home become a reality, call us at 970.766.1470.

Image via Flickr