How Balance Ties Into Architecture

What is great architecture? Several designers in Colorado believe that it is a rich interaction between various critical elements. However, there are so many elements that make up a building that it can often create confusion regarding which elements are the most crucial.

Typically, all architecture is aimed at achieving some kind of balance with respect to the design, whether symmetrical or asymmetrical. While designing, certain theories and laws need to be taken into consideration.

If architecture has to have some balance, designers need to think about synchronizing elements so that each of them relates to the other. Ultimately, the aim is to build some sort of system. Balance is not just about the physical building being structurally and aesthetically sound. Architectural balance is achieved when a designer manages to design for all human senses.

Importance of Symmetry and Asymmetry in Architectural Design

Symmetry is one way to achieve architectural balance. This means having a mirror image around a pivotal or primary axis. This is quite common in architecture, especially classical architecture. The symmetry could be radial as well.

Designers can also aim for approximate symmetry. This does not involve a mirror image. However, the elements built on one of the sides of the central axis get roughly imitated on the other.

Lastly, balance in architecture could be asymmetrical as well. Designers might find this more challenging to achieve. This could present a more intriguing view but if not done correctly, it can make all the individual parts look fine, while the system as a whole could appear awkward. Asymmetrical architectural balance is usually considered as casual while symmetrical balance seems more formal.

In either case, form should follow function so manipulating the function to achieve symmetry is sometimes not true to the architecture. Feel free to reach out to TAB Associates to help build the home of your dreams!

10 Tips to Effectively Communicate with your Architect

Your new home will be an important part of your family’s life, so you chose to hire a reputed Architect to design a beautiful home for you. Yet, if you and your Architect are not able to communicate properly, you may end up with a product that is not built to your liking. The following tips will point out how you can effectively communicate with your Architect.

  • Do a bit of research- Before you begin to design your home, it is best to look around and expose yourself to interior design and existing architectural trends to decide what you want.
  • Preferred mode of communication- Once you hire your Architect, establish the most efficient form of communication between you both. The frequency and speed of response will be based upon whether you choose emails, text messages, voice calls and so on.
  • Make a schedule- Once the preferred mode of communication is established, make a weekly schedule so that you and your Architect can plan the meetings accordingly.
  • Take it one step at a time- It is not conducive to go into the details of what you need from a home right at the beginning. Start with a solid idea and then build up from there.
  • Ask for 3D views- Architects are experts at seeing 3D even when they are looking at 2D images. Ask for a 3D version so that your visions are aligned.
  • Make sure that you understand everything- Although architects will try their best to make themselves understood, they may use some terminology that you’re unfamiliar with. Get clarity on any confusion, no matter how small.
  • Get cost estimates for each design- A design may look great but before you set your heart to it, check how much money it will take to build it. This may require a builder being involved in the early stages to acquire solid budgets.
  • Show your architect a lot of pictures- Most of the time, your ideas cannot be communicated through words as you may not know the terminology. Show your Architect plenty of pictures of designs so that he or she knows exactly what you want.  It is important to also show your Architect pictures of what you do not like.  In this way, they can get in your head and understand your desires.
  • Write everything down- Taking notes at the end of a meeting will ensure that you and your architect are on the same page at all times.
  • Collaborate with your Architect and builder- At every design stage, try to collaborate between the builder and the Architect so that the designs can be feasible and beautiful at the same time.

With a little bit of effort from your side, you should be able to use the talent of your Architect to build your dream home! Feel free to reach out to TAB Associates to help build the home of your dreams!

Architect Ego Vs. Ability

As in many professions, there’s a whole world of architecture that most people don’t know about until they’re on the other side of things. Within this world, there is a common struggle among architects to keep their professional ability and their personal ego separate in their work.  We believe that an architect’s worst enemy is his ego and his best ally is his ability to combine artistic expression, construction technology, and the client’s needs.

The practice of being an architect involves creativity and design among other important skills. Architects are honored and rewarded all the time for their masterpiece creations; for some, this is the greatest goal of their career. It’s never frowned upon to aim to reach your highest potential in your career, but as an architect, it is important to remember why you do what you do.

Architects are the professionals with all of the knowledge, and their customers hold the vision of the final product. In this scenario, it’s very important that the two of these people are on the same page. There are a few key qualities to look out for when choosing the right architect.

  1. Knowledge- If it was easy, we’d all do it. Architecture is an adept skill that pulls the strings of many areas of the brain including capabilities in engineering, social communication, legal matters, business and design. Be sure that your architect understands how to apply all of these skills to make your vision come to life.
  2. Confidence- A certain level of confidence is required to be an architect. Their personal belief in their abilities helps the customer to feel comfortable in their decision. It’s important that your architect can reassure you of their abilities but not get off track.
  3. Balance- This is the most important quality to look for. Balance is achieved when the architect has an even ability to exert both knowledge and confidence in his or her work. At the end of the day, the goal of the architect is to fulfill their client’s needs and create the masterpiece they’ve always wanted. This establishes true success and talent in the architect.

While it may seem obvious to look for knowledge and confidence in an architect, it’s finding a quality of balance that is truly significant. Then, you will know you’re in good hands. We take pride in being well balanced between our confidence and our abilities, so feel free to reach out to TAB Associates for a free consultation to see what we mean! 

Why Choosing A Log Home Is The Way To Go

Picture this: A log cabin nestled in a secluded, wooded area with a fire burning area and a breathtaking view just outside the window. Log homes, in recent years, have become less of a dream and more of a reality. More and more people are taking to the idea of building and purchasing log homes. Other than their visual appeal, there are a lot of really beneficial reasons to invest in a log home.

  1. Go Green– There’s no denying that a log home will take the carbon footprint weight right off of your shoulders. Using solid logs to build a home consequently removes the carbon stored inside these trees from the environment and improves air quality. Best of all, wood is a renewable and recyclable resource that can be used time and time again.
  1. Energy Efficient– Wood has a natural component called “thermal mass” as well as the capability to breathe. As a part of the environment, years and years of adaptation have enabled trees to develop these qualities and live as long as possible regardless of the terrain and weather. In the colder months, log homes naturally delay heat transfer through their thermal mass. During the warmer months, the logs are able to breathe and therefore maintain better air quality and circulation.
  1. Durability– Trees have the ability to withstand wind, rain, lightning, freezing temperatures, and dry climates. As they’ve developed sustainable and durable qualities over centuries, log homes will stand longer and stronger over the years. There are even some historical, log homes that are still standing and can be dated back to almost 700 years ago.
  1. Health Conscious– The breathability of log homes create much better air quality within the home, therefore containing less humidity. Less humidity inside the home makes it harder for elements like mold and allergens to grow and multiply. For the people whose allergies tend to get the best of them, a log home can be a great choice as they’ll be less reactive. Plus, less mold growth will decrease the chances of getting sick.

Log homes are growing in both popularity and value as word spreads about their long-lasting benefits. No matter which area of the country you reside, investing in a log home can greatly improve your health, the health of the environment, and the future of both. Contact TAB Associates to help in designing your own log home!

Creating a Natural Wood Finish with Modern Tile

Modern Kitchen Interior Design Architecture Stock Image, Photo oThis year’s tiling design trends are truly exciting. From edgy designs to new materials, the tile industry is laying the groundwork for a strong and beautiful future.

Leading the way are faux-wood tiles. Made of ceramics, they mimic the tones and grains of natural wood without the splinters, and with the added benefit of being watertight.

Further, you can select the wood look that you find most appealing. You can choose teak or weathered wood to create a seaside appearance, or you can go with a deep oak finish or lighter pine to soften the appearance of your rooms. Best of all, none of these options will ever scratch, fade, or need a regular oiling.

In addition to the appearance of the individual tile, you can use them to easily create everything from herringbone patterns to parquet. This makes them a diverse, and solid foundation that can be easily blended with your desired décor. You can even select different sized tiles to create a more natural, earthy appearance that’s sure to be noticed and appreciated.

Do you have questions regarding the latest tile design trends? Contact Tab Associates and we’ll be happy to lay them out for you!

The Zen and Balance of Architectural Design

BridgingAn architect’s job is truly unique in that he or she is expected to design something that is not only functional, but also attractive. In many cases, a design’s beauty actually lies within its ability to suit its purpose.

Architecture should be beautiful, but that beauty should come from the remarkable feelings of balance one experiences when looking at or walking through a space. That is not to say there is not room for personalization. Once balance is achieved with the larger elements, the little details of the architectural design are often used to give it some character. These details can be used to evoke the architect’s personal tastes or the preferences of the client.

Often, the zen-like balance of notable architectural designs comes from their simplicity. There are so many different forms of simplicity. From flowing, natural-looking structures to ones made from rigid geometric forms, each achieves balance in its own way. Often, it’s about experiencing that piece in its context, not as a solo work of art.

To learn more about zen and balance in architecture, contact TAB Associates. We aim to create designs that capture their function and the client’s essence.

Contemporary American Home Design Across the Years

Painted Ladies Victorian Houses In San FranciscoIt’s no secret that American home design has changed and evolved over the years. A recent article on Houzz presented a timeline of American home styles, showcasing these changes.

  • American house styles grew from a blend of British, French, and Spanish styles that were brought over by settlers. Homes started off small, and as the nation grew, home sizes increased. Regional differences also developed, with Northeastern homes being great forts to block out winter weather and Southern homes featuring tall windows to capture cooler breeze.
  • In the 18th century, the Greek Revival style brought pillars to the American home design, and in the later 19th century, the Shingle style introduced banded, horizontal elements and larger openings between rooms. Frank Lloyd Wright brought the Craftsman style to the forefront of American architecture, paving the way for the use of natural materials.
  • Now, modern American homes are becoming more geometric and minimalist in design. However, many homeowners still built on the classic designs of the 18th, 19th, and 20th century to create their own, updated versions of these truly American homes.

If you’re ready to start designing your American home, contact TAB Associates to discuss your project today!

Black Is a Bold Exterior Color That May Surprise You

Modern Vertical Roof WindowsIf you’re looking to make a statement with your exterior design, then believe it or not, black might be the way to go. An all black exterior color can be incredibly effective without being overwhelming.

Obviously, not every home design will work in an all black exterior coating. For it to really work, you’ll want to get rid of exterior design elements that would distract from the boldness of the black color, such as the coordinating trim color. This will help provide the home’s structure with a minimalist and clean look that will have a powerful effect.

If cloaking your entire home in black seems a little excessive to you, you can help add a bit of visual levity by using white trim as a strong contrast that’s just as bold as the choice of black. Add a splash of color by choosing a brightly hued entrance door, such as one in a red color. You can also choose to balance the black exterior using frosted glass windows instead – this is an effect that works just as well.

Consider a black exterior design and be sure to contact us at Tab Associates for more home design information and advice today.

What You Should Know Before Embarking on a Remodeling Journey

Construction Engineer's DeskAt TAB Associates, we love remodeling homes to transform them into the homes of the owners’ dreams. However, there are a few remodeling and interior design tips we always recommend owners keep in mind before they start their remodeling journeys.

  • Know your budget going in – This makes it easier to choose materials that you can reasonably afford throughout the project, rather than leaving you on a tight budget and forcing you to skimp at the end.
  • Pay attention to measurements – Sometimes, it’s not possible to fit everything in a space without it feeling overly cluttered, so prioritize and know what you’re willing to do without.
  • Think about the lighting scheme – With the wrong lighting, an otherwise beautiful place can look dull.

TAB Associates recently partook in a remodeling project at a huge log home in Bachelor Gulch. We added extra bathrooms, a workout space, and a theater to the space, and we also completely remodeled the master bathroom. In the process, we and the building’s owners payed close attention to the tips above, which ensured that everything came out beautifully and the home flows well upon completion.

Contact us to learn more about this and our other projects.

Authenticity in Architecture

modern designer kitchenWhat does authenticity mean when it comes to architectural design? This can be a complex question, but the simplest explanation of authenticity is that it occurs when all of the pieces and elements of a design coordinate together perfectly, rather than feeling thrown together in a haphazard manner.

Consider, for instance, a home with a very minimalist exterior — clean lines, only two materials, and parallel geometry. You would expect the interior of the home to have the same elements, and if it does, the building would be said to feel authentic. On the other hand, if the home’s interior were cluttered with complex patterns and the use of multiple materials, the space would not feel authentic.

Another good example would be a children’s room that is decorated with bright colors and geometric patterns. If the window frames were painted bright red or blue, this would feel authentic. On the other hand, carefully hewn wooden, rustic window frames would not have an authentic feel. Authenticity in architecture is similar to the concept of unity — everything should have the same “character.”

If you’re thinking of building a home with architectural authenticity, then contact TAB Associates to learn more about our design services.