Magnificent Home Improvements

Design Awards 2011 with Daniel Le Brun

Design Awards 2011 with Daniel Le Brun

We're now calling for entries for our Design Awards 2011, which close on Thursday March 24, 2011. The entry form is in our current issue...

7:48 PM

Christchurch

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjeb-IXzOzF44GQj6EIve5IaSpTQctW1A5NX0CdBVLkU_FX5gPlHiNP68xEBBTvNoObkMeWYYc255mIDcMctXaFkHtUxUAn87xmgBLjptZ1GDje-35GEug7mi4JbK0TD8x2k7PRPEWf4dp/s1600/Chch.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578946951483157458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjeb-IXzOzF44GQj6EIve5IaSpTQctW1A5NX0CdBVLkU_FX5gPlHiNP68xEBBTvNoObkMeWYYc255mIDcMctXaFkHtUxUAn87xmgBLjptZ1GDje-35GEug7mi4JbK0TD8x2k7PRPEWf4dp/s400/Chch.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 194px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br /><div>It's hard to know what to say about the tragedy of the Christchurch earthquake. A website we like, Christchurch Modern (<a href="http://www.christchurchmodern.co.nz/">http://www.christchurchmodern.co.nz/</a>) is saying everything a little more eloquently than we can endeavour to: "Earthquakes, we hate you". Our thoughts are with Christchurch residents, and we're giving to the Red Cross, too (<a href="http://www.redcross.org.nz/">http://www.redcross.org.nz</a>).</div>

Christchurch

It's hard to know what to say about the tragedy of the Christchurch earthquake. A website we like, Christchurch Modern ( http://www.chri...

7:20 PM

My Favourite Building: Futuna's 50th anniversary

Wellington art dealer Peter McLeavey's favourite building is featured in our current issue. Peter chose John Scott's masterpiece, Futuna Chapel, as his favourite - you can read why below. The photograph is by Paul McCredie.<br /><br /><div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">"This enigmatic masterpiece has always held me," Peter writes. "For me it consists of two halves, the exterior and interior. The exterior evokes Maori civilisation and the cultures of the Pacific, while the interior reminds me of the beginnings of Christianity, the communities where the church began, the world of the desert fathers, the architecture of the Benedictine order and the Cistercians. The exterior is relatively unadorned where the form carries the aesthetic, while the beautifully orchestrated interior is embellished with the Stations of the Cross and glass designed by Jim Allen. Its reticence nourishes the spirit."</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5578934469665498530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx4_NysJmLj7ZHgsTmMHtco6-6VhBC3egJLRiICz8MeBUVvn0vnXZZ7pG_BDX_8dWS4wjPpzaVNpcPV6kZU_j4hAPUoJfUBrExaWYm1uhlV60cGD4jwJVxmJPdWe2phPDKy4_cWPfRV2IL/s400/PM4.jpg" style="cursor: hand; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 266px;" /></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"></span><br /><span lang="EN-NZ"></span><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong></strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong></strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong></strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong></strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong></strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><strong>CELEBRATING 50 YEARS - THE PROGRAMME</strong></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><em><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Futuna Chapel, Friend Street, Karori, Wellington is the venue for all events. Seating capacity 100 persons. A marquee and extra chairs </span></span><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">will be available for overfl ow. A small PA system will broadcast the Mass to the outside area. </span></span><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Public welcome to all events (preferential booking for architects at CPD events). </span></span><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Refreshments available for purchase. No parking on site please</span></span></em></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">FRIDAY 18TH MARCH</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Powhiri and welcome (Th e powhiri will be outdoors weather permitting.)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Unveiling of restored plaques and gold medal</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Music performance by Aroha Yates-Smith</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Time: 5:00 to 7:30pm</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">SATURDAY 19TH MARCH</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mass celebrated by Archbishop John Dew</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Time: 11:00am 12:30pm</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">ARCHITECTURE MODELLING SEMINAR / 15 CPD points</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cost: $15.00 NZIA members / $20.00 non NZIA members / Arch Students Free (limited spaces available)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Time: 2:00pm – 3:30pm</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Participants: Plytech, Ponoko, Tony Richardson – Model Designer, architecture students</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To Book: Th e Whiteboard Ltd / mail@thewhiteboard.co.nz / ph 04 4999550</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">FUTUNA: DESIGN RESEARCH SEMINAR / 20 CPD points</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cost: $20.00 NZIA members / $25.00 non NZIA members / Arch Students Free (limited spaces available)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Time: 4:00pm – 5:30pm</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Participants: <place st="on"><placename st="on">Amanda</placename> <placename st="on">Yates</placename> <placename st="on">Lecturer</placename> <placename st="on">Massey</placename> <placetype st="on">University</placetype></place></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><place st="on"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><placename st="on"><span lang="EN-NZ">Professor</span></placename><span lang="EN-NZ"> <placename st="on">Dorita</placename> <placename st="on">Hannah</placename> <placename st="on">Massey</placename> <placetype st="on">University</placetype></span></span></place></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Professor of Architecture Mike Austin UNITEC</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Albert Refiti Senior Lecturer Spatial Design AUT</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To Book: The Whiteboard Ltd / mail@thewhiteboard.co.nz / ph 04 4999550</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The Dulux Futuna Lecture by Ric Leplastrier Architect (<country-region st="on"><place st="on">Australia</place></country-region>) / 15 CPD points</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Recipient of the Dreyer Foundation Prize 2009</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">http://www.ozetecture.org/oze_NEW_portfolio_richard.html</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cost: $25.00 NZIA members / $30.00 non NZIA members / $10.00 Arch Students (limited spaces available)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Time: 6:00pm to 7:30pm</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To Book: The Whiteboard Ltd / mail@thewhiteboard.co.nz / ph 04 4999550</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">SUNDAY 20TH MARCH</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Architects at Futuna / 25 CPD Points</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cost: $25.00 NZIA members / $30.00 non NZIA members / $10.00 Arch Students Free (limited spaces available)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Time: 9:30am registration and introductions, talks 10:00am to 1:00pm</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Participants: Peter Beaven, Ian Athfield, Gerald Melling, David Mitchell, John Walsh (Communications Manager, NZIA)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">To Book: The Whiteboard Ltd / mail@thewhiteboard.co.nz / ph 04 4999550</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Public Open Day and Musical Performance</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Cost: Koha</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Time: 1:30pm to 4:30pm ( Music 2:00pm to 2:30pm)</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Refreshments: Available for purchase Saturday and Sunday</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"></div></div><strong></strong></div>Peter's selection of Futuna is timely, as the Futuna Trust is organising celebrations for the chapel's 50th anniversary in mid-March. Most importantly, the chapel will be open to the public on Sunday March 20, a terrific opportunity to see inside this fantastic structure. Here are the programme details (which are also available at <a href="http://www.futunatrust.org.nz/">http://www.futunatrust.org.nz/</a>):</div><span style="font-family: georgia;"></span></div>

My Favourite Building: Futuna's 50th anniversary

Wellington art dealer Peter McLeavey's favourite building is featured in our current issue. Peter chose John Scott's masterpiece, Fu...

6:31 PM

HOME in Kia Ora

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDkT3d6-OjQ9F5al6a8P4i-mxdk_88_mJOTE3YDVk82lXgMw_hMqRrFm2JxxGpWFA730sEKioi8LUBQeB32zLB3iGHbiizvK89AQf950wcBIbCaVBzM0JpoRzKENd8h-fCcBchPdlF25I/s1600/az0211CoverblackOnboard.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577367542964060178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggDkT3d6-OjQ9F5al6a8P4i-mxdk_88_mJOTE3YDVk82lXgMw_hMqRrFm2JxxGpWFA730sEKioi8LUBQeB32zLB3iGHbiizvK89AQf950wcBIbCaVBzM0JpoRzKENd8h-fCcBchPdlF25I/s400/az0211CoverblackOnboard.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 306px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />Many of you will already have noticed this, but Kia Ora magazine (Air New Zealand's inflight magazine, our ACP stablemate) is now featuring regular stories on great New Zealand homes, sourced from us. We like the partnership and how Kia Ora's wide readership gives extra exposure to great New Zealand design. Look out for a new house in each issue of Kia Ora, which is published monthly.

HOME in Kia Ora

Many of you will already have noticed this, but Kia Ora magazine (Air New Zealand's inflight magazine, our ACP stablemate) is now featur...

1:13 PM

The great bach debate

<img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577113120074310914" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNk6XWnW869NqZwWzu1uDJxcteoTS0jXsk0LFSo22auAwsoHxckZXghE7RrOZn8MHEKzjhazchbSBLRZMLy6DmPlK2BLiGsF9sJgNgvTmNi9b0K0XcWbFWZhdJp8-rgPniEHdl58DJK_0j/s400/1012-HOME-Timms-Shot+7_079.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" />When is a bach not a bach, but a holiday home?<br /><br /><div><div><div></div><div>This is a question we've often pondered here at the magazine. Whenever we think we know the answer - that a genuine bach is indisputably modest - we run into the fact that the common usage of the term has expanded, and that it is now used to describe getaway homes that have all the bells and whistles we'd expect to find in a city pad. (A reader wrote in to complain that our use of the word 'bach' on our December cover was an abuse of the term, as the homes in the magazine were not truly baches. We reply that in some cases, this reader probably has a point - hence this post). </div><div></div><br /><div>This territory - the boundary between bach and holiday home - is something architects Lance and Nicola Herbst have been exploring for many years now, most recently in the bach that features on the cover of our current issue (and in the images accompanying this post, shot by Jackie Meiring). The fact that the bach is on Great Barrier Island helps, as all houses there are off the grid and subject to strict site coverage limits. </div><br /><div></div><div>Nevertheless, Lance and Nicky's design is determindely a bach in the modest sense of the word: two bedrooms, an outdoor room, and a simple combined kitchen and living space. No frills, but beautifully and thoughtfully detailed. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div>What follows is our short Q+A with Lance and Nicola from our current issue, along with some outtakes from Jackie's shoot to give you more of a look around the bach. Please write in with your comments about the difference between baches and holiday homes, and if you think someone should take a stand to defend the 'proper' use of the term. </div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577116140531254562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZjPvJkXDWjHwgBInNeHN1FScHJH_uY0t62u3AiNMKjLmT9gq2l8G33n4f6Kzt2qksYfeHUJgMEAeysAA_JbvWRCJXPR3yNHnI6ADeD-9pDRY8uY6VVsdmREHk4QYi0eo_b6dotkXZlqvx/s400/1012-HOME-Timms-Shot+14_053.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ"  style="font-family:georgia;"><em>HOME <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">New Zealand</st1:place></st1:country-region>: What makes a great bach, as opposed to a beach home?</em></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ"  style="font-family:georgia;">Lance Herbst: It’s not about deprivation, but about consciousness, that business of being aware of how much water and electricity you’re using, and filling your day with rituals – you have to cut the firewood and go out and get the fish for dinner. This building has been designed to achieve rustic ideals, but there’s an enormous amount of detail in it to get to this level. That’s because we believe in style and elegance as well. You don’t have to compromise your sense of aesthetics.</span></p><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577115360533280658" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfDlGQb7XhgKzVDtxul8TAu2-MErxhfbZJfv5VMdMaZVdTGbFr5hVW9IibsDKiD-wHQ82hsiVl7CT60qnCGYwZbqMNBpMvnCfDw0jYeiCw4-q-21ZGWOlbn8iXHfh2UcX5zeZh1xecQX6/s400/1012-HOME-Timms-Shot+10_163.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 260px; CURSOR: hand" /><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>The main living space of this bach is really a covered deck, yet you also have a much more snug sitting area, too.</em> </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ"  style="font-family:georgia;">Lance: In baches, we try and make one warm, well-edged space for when the weather gets lashy. </span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ"  style="font-family:georgia;">Nicola: We wanted this to have an intimacy, so we decided that we would have a fairly low ceiling with exposed beams – that’s given it a richess and makes this space operate in a calming and more inward-looking way.</span></p><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ"><span style="font-family:georgia;"><em>Your bach designs are well-known. Do you like doing bigger houses too?</em> </span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0cm 0cm 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-NZ"  style="font-family:georgia;">Lance: I have no problem designing slick houses. It would be a lot of fun doing something really slick and sexy. It’s about context. There’s nothing wrong with that from an architectural perspective.</span></p><br /><span style="font-family:georgia;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5577114906930348530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixE3xcQbZ2dvdXLKfm6sZ7WAz7j6MXsJSEYdbXEuDPLC01vnEiEEaSJ_SgKV-SwKyOoyOOxNa-mj6Bwl25x0CmZeJjyS-dwUBg27hjoRqZjUkTwTA-PO2xqvfzRN3eET6HIqEvN2g3d4C0/s400/1012-HOME-Timms-Shot+1_017.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></span></div></div>

The great bach debate

When is a bach not a bach, but a holiday home? This is a question we've often pondered here at the magazine. Whenever we think we know t...

8:35 PM

Starting a new Architecture Firm - Lessons Learned

<span style="font-family:verdana;">I have to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-corrected">apologize</span> for my absence in the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">blogosphere</span>.  For the last six months I have been setting up a new company focused on the practice of Architecture and Interior Design.  (For all you Pocono Modern fans: not to worry.  Things in Jim Thorpe are unaffected) Luckily for me, I had already done this back in 2005 so I knew what to expect.  What I could not anticipate was the current economic climate and the changes to the way business is done.  Having now worked through most of the challenges, I wanted to recount some of the more interesting moments in the hopes that others who are considering starting a new firm (or any business for that matter) can be prepared.  And while this topic diverts from the usual shop talk of Architecture, I hope that some may find it useful if you may be considering breaking out on your own.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Challenge #1 - Credit for small businesses is virtually non existent.  In the old days, you fill out an application with an office supply company or an equipment company and they open an account for you.  If it turns out that you don't pay your bills, they shut your account and send you collection notices until you pay. If there is equipment involved, they come and take it.  Simple.  This is not the case anymore.  In order to get any account opened (from the phone company to the copier lease) I had to provide a valid credit card, checking account, professional references and sign a personal guarantee statement.  In some cases, I was even turned down despite having near perfect personal credit.  The bottom line is that if your company is less than 2 or 3 years old companies don't want to take the risk on you.  My recommendation would be to start an <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">LLC</span> on paper even before you know you want to set up shop.  That way you can say your company is <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">alot</span> older and skip <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">alot</span> of the red tape that a new business has to deal with.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Challenge #2 - Prices have skyrocketed.  For the last few years, business has been down.  Many companies have responded to this by raising their prices.  I guess they figure if they are going to do less business, the business that they do have should be more profitable.  In addition to this, raw material and shipping costs have generally gone up due to additional fuel costs and labor wages.  The best way I know to combat this is to try and buy slightly used things that <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">you can</span> get a deal on.  For example, there are many places that sell second hand office furniture (such as desks, chairs, and filing cabinets) where the pieces are like new.  You can also get computers and office equipment off lease at a big discount.  Let somebody else pay for the new stuff.  Get yourself a better deal and save a little bit of the planet at the same time.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Challenge #3 - No one wants to help you.  I remember when I started my last firm,  there were people lined up to try and help us get work and spread the wealth around.  Today, everyone is trying to take care of themselves.  Most businesses are just trying to stay afloat until things normalize. Many have already laid off people and are operating on a skeleton crew.  Companies are cutting back to the bare minimum and that doesn't leave <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">alot</span> of room for going out of their way to look after your interests.  If you are going to build a company now, you have to do it on your own.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Challenge #4 - Every company has cut back on something.  When we order product literature for building products, we used to get these big binders full of information.  Now we get a stack of loose <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">tearsheets</span> with no binder.  Companies used to beat down your door to come in and do a lunch presentation where they provide the lunch.  Now you don't get so much as a cookie until you actually throw some business their way.   Most companies think that these small saves add up to big savings.  To me though, it tells you which companies are stable enough to satisfy a customer and which companies have poor management and are fighting for their lives.  </span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">Challenge #5 - The cost of money.   If you are lucky enough to get some business line of credit or a business credit card, be prepared for really high interest rates.  Despite record low borrowing costs from the federal government, banks are taking it to the few customers they have left.  I recently cancelled a business credit account from Citibank when they jacked my rate to 28.99%.  President <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">Obama's</span> credit card reform bill has done little to avert these kinds of abuses.  Combine that with the fact that banks are not lending and you have a perfect storm for high interest rates.  My suggestion would be to pay cash for as much as you can and use smaller local vendors that may extend better credit terms.  They may charge a little more for the item, but in the end you will be ahead.</span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;"></span><br /><span style="font-family:Verdana;">So, that's kind of what I have been doing for the last few months.  I promise to return to my normal Architectural subject matter in the next post.  For those of you who are also working on new businesses, I wish you all the best.</span>

Starting a new Architecture Firm - Lessons Learned

I have to apologize for my absence in the blogosphere . For the last six months I have been setting up a new company focused on the practi...

12:22 PM

Our new cover

Our new cover

Our new cover is a photograph of a bach on Great Barrier Island by Herbst Architects, shot by Jackie Meiring. We like it a lot and hope you ...

8:53 PM

Upcoming: Convergence/Divergence Object art & design

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobtszicIQ1-b1zq9V8z8HY-AAUcIefOZByPhE_uWVS_gDbAEVZ-tlIE4qCMye0eKqGTf5TtMx5CqZI4mgdjPHi9OBXdjy9tj5l_gLrpNz4cscNupb2vVFIo9SATsja3rAq9RSBWUq7yQX/s1600/convergence_divergence.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569206735249115522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobtszicIQ1-b1zq9V8z8HY-AAUcIefOZByPhE_uWVS_gDbAEVZ-tlIE4qCMye0eKqGTf5TtMx5CqZI4mgdjPHi9OBXdjy9tj5l_gLrpNz4cscNupb2vVFIo9SATsja3rAq9RSBWUq7yQX/s400/convergence_divergence.jpg" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 185px; CURSOR: hand" /></a>If you're in Napier during February, check out Convergence/Divergence - an exhibition featuring current design works from several designers including David Trubridge and David Moreland. The show is on from Feb 4-28 at Statements Gallery, which is on the corner of Tennyson and Hastings Streets. Visit their website for more information. <a href="http://www.statementsgallery.co.nz/">http://www.statementsgallery.co.nz/</a>

Upcoming: Convergence/Divergence Object art & design

If you're in Napier during February, check out Convergence/Divergence - an exhibition featuring current design works from several design...

1:18 PM

Outtakes - Godward Guthrie in Omaha

The home on the cover of our December/January issue by Julian Guthrie of Godward Guthrie Architects is an exercise in blurring boundaries between inside and out. While the whole idea of 'indoor outdoor' flow has become a titanic cliche, this is a house that makes it still seem like a noble aim. An array of screens, doors and glass panels can be configured to make the house feel connected to the beach no matter what the weather. Here's a view of the house from the beach, with the main living area on the upper floor. All the photographs are by Patrick Reynolds.<br /><br /><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568903519188301218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRrmYyRSlFbxXaHZgjG444Ik3fDvtbLbSpST9OCRNWdxc-Qcz1hEeUylKexUIMJXCxyUBAw68xNtHMVjNP_c1msa9mxq7bgIBTb4G_KVz3wcZpEaxHBQTPpuC1hrGcs-TitbRsnWReIZFN/s400/OMAHA+HSE+III_6633.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /><br />The home's living area opens onto terraces on its northern and western sides. An exterior staircase behind the screen in the picture above leads from the living area down to the lawn.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLthyphenhyphenZMUs5tgfrdNi9hoFzIb-ugBlybD9D6pLBSIX5kBShHqqMcBbhw2Vnhq5rX1UoP6xjzudkKv85WQdO4giS4MQQPQ2foEzyq-TP_OpHWHnCI4L9rOIqgJw7tJyuPwWRo3BnhiSsTIB/s1600/OMAHA+HSE+III_6781.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568903552051548242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLthyphenhyphenZMUs5tgfrdNi9hoFzIb-ugBlybD9D6pLBSIX5kBShHqqMcBbhw2Vnhq5rX1UoP6xjzudkKv85WQdO4giS4MQQPQ2foEzyq-TP_OpHWHnCI4L9rOIqgJw7tJyuPwWRo3BnhiSsTIB/s400/OMAHA+HSE+III_6781.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 267px; CURSOR: hand" /></a> This view (below) from the street shows how the doors of the hallway can be opened onto the pool area (the hallway is also a very effective collector of solar heat in winter). At left on the upper floor is the terrace, which can be sheltered from the wind with moveable glass screens.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JqhWpCvTgg_kfPgZLm1ITK4sFY7BWizNQCCQgD-WXyCYbXIzJ0rSXf2NZkWX8plIgCJHSAcvJgZpGfKnqKCA6GiyWsqCLxoFK5oaSoBoEa2D8hgmtxiKpBQBObfvMm1g9cQgwIBaYCev/s1600/OMAHA+HSE+III_6763.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568903544710465586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4JqhWpCvTgg_kfPgZLm1ITK4sFY7BWizNQCCQgD-WXyCYbXIzJ0rSXf2NZkWX8plIgCJHSAcvJgZpGfKnqKCA6GiyWsqCLxoFK5oaSoBoEa2D8hgmtxiKpBQBObfvMm1g9cQgwIBaYCev/s400/OMAHA+HSE+III_6763.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a><br />Below is a view from the sheltered pool area towards the beach. The rumpus room downstairs can be fully opened up to the weather, or closed down behind glass doors and cedar screens. In this photograph, it reads as a totally outdoor space. </div><div><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKEqBIz4FfhJSJoGtnGwNEA4Hl-hqBBHGYX9hO-qdsgOpZoo1BhL20ZupbXvP5ELwgjcO693lYwH0B0N17MrK7M1j9uuACg-fqHdv6_7bWIKAQu0Zrrr8CtjwSM3kfElz4HEMK-Tc4mdl/s1600/OMAHA+HSE+III_6664.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568903520173412578" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKEqBIz4FfhJSJoGtnGwNEA4Hl-hqBBHGYX9hO-qdsgOpZoo1BhL20ZupbXvP5ELwgjcO693lYwH0B0N17MrK7M1j9uuACg-fqHdv6_7bWIKAQu0Zrrr8CtjwSM3kfElz4HEMK-Tc4mdl/s400/OMAHA+HSE+III_6664.JPG" style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" /></a></div></div></div>

Outtakes - Godward Guthrie in Omaha

The home on the cover of our December/January issue by Julian Guthrie of Godward Guthrie Architects is an exercise in blurring boundaries be...

5:48 PM