Architecture Boom in Seattle / May 1, 2016 by S. Joshua Brincko

Even the least desirable properties are now being rebuilt.

Are you new to Seattle? Yes, you are. Whether you relocated from somewhere else (like most of us) or have lived in Seattle your whole life, you are, in fact, new to Seattle. Seattle is one of America's fastest growing big cities, so even Seattle natives don't recognize the city anymore. The city has changed so rapidly due to the successes of big businesses like Microsoft, Boeing, and Amazon, as well as so many other tech companies. This brings tons of money to Seattle, and its residents are spending it on construction projects both for work and home. We see cranes all across the city erecting high rise buildings, and residential architects, like myself, see a boom in our project list. The entrepreneurial spirit in Seattle brings an innovative, forward-thinking mindset to the economy, as well as, to the architecture that shapes the city.

When the economy tanks, the construction stops, and architects look for work. Businesses stop growing, they stop developing, the construction stops, and people stop hiring architects to design glamorous projects. Instead of large new construction projects, homeowners try to save money by remodeling and adding onto their homes. Around 2010, many of the builders and architects out there were not setup for this smaller-scale type of work since they had too much overhead in simply running their businesses, and they also were living in a "rock star" sort of paradigm of project typologies.

After living in a booming Seattle economy for just a few years, its economic downturn created an environment that was familiar to me. I was an implant from the Ohio "rust belt," an area of the country between Cleveland and Pittsburgh devastated from the negative effects of the failing steel and automotive industries. My hometown of Youngstown, Ohio was trying to figure out how to shrink. I would participate in community service design events to figure out what to do with the land leftover from the demolition of entire neighborhoods. You can only build (and maintain) so many parks, especially with a dwindling population without jobs. Seeking better opportunities, I relocated to Seattle with my blue collar mindset that was completely opposite of the booming Seattle economy I was initially immersed in. Even when designing for very high profile clientele, my inherent frugality enabled my design and construction methodologies to set me apart from my colleagues. Clients and builders took notice. Then the Seattle economy tanked. This was my opportunity to entertain projects that larger companies with less passion and more overhead could not take on. Builders and clients knew me as a guy who could get the job done well in an adverse environment.

Now that the economy is booming again, things are just that much easier for me. I never slowed down when the economy did, and I also never sped up when the economy did (by choice). A steady stream of work has been constant. That is part luck, part skill, and part choice: don't bite off more than you can chew. A lot of companies get greedy and grow too fast. I am quite happy running a small business that I can intimately manage and play a key role in every single detail. That's why I started: I like designing buildings. Once a business grows too big, overhead expenses grow, office tasks become a burden, and the fun parts of the job get outsourced to staff. I have no interest in that. I like designing cool buildings. I like working with clients. I like outsmarting the building department for my clients' benefit. There's no end in sight for me. James, my financial guy, asked me what I want to do when I retire. I said, I want to be an architect, and that's just what I'll do. The opportunities to design awesome architecture in Seattle are just too prevalent for me to ever stop. I suppose it's an addiction for me.

If you’d like to learn more about our design process, visit www.josharch.com/process, and if you’d like to get us started on your project with a feasibility report, please visit www.josharch.com/help

sit back. relax. i'll take care of it. your problems are now mine :) / April 13, 2016 by S. Joshua Brincko

I woke up at 7:11am. I went downtown and had breakfast at the top of the Columbia Tower. I did some land use code research, so I could fill out some forms and do a couple simple drawings to help a client get a permit. I completed them and emailed the drawing files to the printing company at the ground floor of the Columbia Tower. On my way out of the building, I picked up the drawings. I walked across the street to the building department while answering an email from my client on my phone. He was nervous about the documentation needed to get a permit for his project. He and 4 of his coworkers had tried to do the permitting process themselves, but they got slightly overwhelmed since they were confused and had filled out a bunch of forms and began gathering information for drawings they did not need. My email to my client said, "Sit back. Relax. I'll take care of it. Your problems are now mine." I walked into the building department, submitted the drawings and forms, paid for the permit, and walked out with the two permits my client needed. It's now 10:33am, and I'm writing this post.

“Sit back. Relax. I’ll take care of it. Your problems are now mine.”

— Josh

Although the permitting process can seem stressful, it doesn't need to be. I take it on, and my expertise makes it easy - even when the building department attempts to create unnecessary roadblocks. I have the knowledge to circumvent most of these issues. It is not worthwhile for a client to struggle with this process. Often times, a client begins the permitting process and unknowingly submits incorrect information to the building department, which is subject to public disclosure, and convolutes the process making it more difficult for me to overturn. It is certainly advisable to allow the professional to take care of this process.

Permitting is only a very small portion of the construction and design process. As an architect, I have the expertise to make all steps of the process easy for my clients. This saves money. This saves time. Other parts of the process include feasibility studies, designing several creative options, creating detailed drawings for a contractor to build from, create very basic plans for a building department to review, coordinate bids from multiple contractors for competitive pricing, interpret complicated building code and land use code provisions, visit the jobsite to review the work and offer guidance to keep the project on time and on budget, and even fight the building department to help clients get what they need. All of these things are tricky or even impossible to take on without a lot of experience, education, licensing, insurance, and the guts to stand up on your clients' behalf to make their problems your own.

He's Not leaving Without a Permit. / April 1, 2016 by S. Joshua Brincko

I walked into the building department with the intention of getting one of the most simple building permits I have ever had to get: an STFI permit, or a "stiffy" as we call it in the trade. This stands for "Subject To Field Inspection." It's a permit where the building department just hands you a permit "over the counter" for a project that's so small in scope that there's barely anything for them to check into. This is much better than waiting months for them to review your plans. I was helping a builder/friend get the permit to finish out a portion of his brother-in-law's basement to someday use it as a rental. This is called an ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit).

I knew going in that ADU's don't qualify for stiffys. I also knew that you could rent out a non-approved ADU and not be fined as long as you submit the ADU paperwork within one year of using it as an ADU. So my approach was to design the space as ADU, not call it an ADU (yet), take advantage of the quick/simple stiffy permit process, and later fill out the ADU application once the client was ready to actually begin using it as an ADU once construction was complete (pursuant to all the regulations and policies the building department has in place).

Upon turning in the drawings, the building plans reviewer quickly said, "this won't qualify as a stiffy since you're doing an ADU." I said, "it's not an ADU. It's just additional living spaces in the basement accessible to the main floor - just as it always has been in this existing house." The reviewer said, "well, it LOOKS like an ADU, so it won't qualify for a stiffy." I replied, "I don’t care what you think it looks like…it's not an ADU yet, the goal is to turn it into one someday, it does not match the definition of an ADU yet as it is defined in the land use code, and it does not matter what it LOOKS like - it matters what it IS." The reviewer responded, "I'm getting my manager."

After awhile, the manager arrived and engaged in some small talk with me. We discovered we are both from Ohio, we played hockey in some of the same ice rinks, and he asked which city I'm from. I said, "Youngstown." He said to his coworker, "Youngstown. Ok. This guy is tough. He's not leaving here without a permit." Next he asked me, "what's the problem here?" I told him, "this guy cares more about his opinion than he cares about enforcing the codified ordinances of the municipal code which is the sole purpose of his job. I'm here to follow the rules. The rules say my client is allowed to get a stiffy. The rules say my client is allowed to convert this project to an ADU whenever he wants. The rules say you can't fine my client even for illegally using his project as an ADU as long as he fills out the paperwork within one year of doing so." The reviewers glanced at each other and then at me. The manager said, "cross off the kitchen appliances from the drawing and process his stiffy. Expect him to fill out the ADU form within a year."

Growing up in the rust belt of Ohio set the tone for this interaction. The manager knew I beat the odds to come from one of the fastest shrinking, crime-ridden cities in the country. Youngstown has been a depressed area since its prominent steel industry moved overseas decades ago leaving many of its residents without jobs. My dad and his dad worked in those steel mills. Lucky for me, my dad put himself through school at nights to make a better life for himself and for me. This work ethic became part of my DNA. The building plans reviewer knew I had overcome much bigger problems than getting a simple permit, and he knew I wouldn't accept “no” for an answer just to leave with my tail between my legs. I must admit that coming from a tough town does make you stronger. I don't expect anything to be given to me, and I expect to work hard for everything that I have. I'm thankful to have earned this work ethic.

What Makes a Good Builder? / March 1, 2016 by S. Joshua Brincko

Matt Karlstrom, master craftsman and owner of KarlstromBuilt. This guy has an eye for detail, the skill to build it, and a "no-compromise" work ethic. People say, "don't sweat the details." Matt sweats the details. He has the rare patience to truly … — Matt Karlstrom, master craftsman and owner of KarlstromBuilt. This guy has an eye for detail, the skill to build it, and a "no-compromise" work ethic. People say, "don't sweat the details." Matt sweats the details. He has the rare patience to truly exceed expectations.

This depends on what you are trying to achieve. Are you a developer who wants to build something fast and cheap, so you can sell it quickly and maximize your profit? Are you a first-time homeowner with a stretched budget who just wants to make the new house a bit more livable? Are you looking for a truly innovative home with all of the details fine tuned to your liking? Each of these examples are drastically different, and their are builders out there who specialize in achieving those results. Regardless of the type of project, there are some qualities that any good builder will have that you could look for:

1. Personality: This is key. Once you follow the tips you will read below, fundamentally, this is the only discernible difference between qualified builders. They are all calling the same plumbers for bids, buying the same materials from the same suppliers, and referencing the same set of plans, so their prices should all end up nearly identical as one another. If not, you should certainly ask why they are so high or so low compared to other bids. You will be working with this person every single day in person, over the phone, and through emails. You will definitely want to ensure you will ENJOY working with this person. If you wouldn't enjoy going out to dinner with the builder, then don't hire them. It's probably worth taking the prospective builder out to dinner to see if the relationship works. A personality that resonates with you will nearly guarantee a good working relationship. This personality is responsible for tearing your house apart, making it dusty, spending your life-savings, explaining mistakes and solutions to fixing them, and ensuring the design intent is met or exceeded. It's a tough journey, and you need a friendly guide to get you through it.

2. Flexibility: Construction is full of surprises. It is not possible to foresee everything that can come up: rot in walls, damaged material deliveries, postponing a plumber due to illness, changing your mind on design features, realizing better options, longer than anticipated lead times on product orders, a freak wind storm during roofing, etc. You want a builder who can be flexible as surprises happen. This is all part of the process. Some builders make such a big deal out of these things and start whining about them like a little kid. Other builders just see these as part of the process and quickly fix them rather than painting pictures of doom and gloom which causes you unnecessary stress. In interviewing builders, they will all carefully tell you about cost overrides resulting from unforeseen circumstances, so why should they get all beat out of shape when these unforeseen circumstances actually arise? They should be expected, and the good builders see this as part of their job, put their heads down, and get the job done without unnecessary complaining. A good builder is really like a concierge at a hotel...they explain everything as thoroughly as needed, and they point you in the right direction. These builders wear many hats. When they are adjusting some studs, they aren't afraid to move a little plumbing or electrical. They just make things happen. There's a lot of builders out there who will stop work, schedule an electrician to move an outlet of their way, and waste a week of time. The good ones know when it is appropriate to wear more than one hat, and they get the job done.

3. Ownership: The best builders treat your project like it is their own. When the job is finished, they look at a bump in the wall, and they take it upon themselves to fix it. They know it could have been done better, and they own that mistake by undoing it and resolving it. These builders live, eat, and dream your project. They text you on the weekends when they come up with an idea. They offer cost-saving alternatives when appropriate. They don't charge you extra for supplies that they have leftover from some previous job. They build the project the same way they would build their own homes. They take your problems and treat them as their own problems.

4. Inquisitive: The best builders are VERY inquisitive. They ask a lot of questions, they anticipate many answers to those questions, and they already have solutions prepared ahead of time. They read the architect's drawings very carefully, they ensure they understand the intent, and they partner with the architect to make it a strong project for both of their portfolios of finished work. These builders don't just make assumptions and start building. They pick up the phone, talk through complicated issues with the architect, text photos of the construction conditions, they ask for more details in the planning, and they carefully make it happen. This careful attitude makes the architect look successful, it makes the builder look successful, and this simply makes the project successful. Beware of a builder who does not want to involve the architect during construction. They know architects can hold them accountable for their work, so watch out for a builder who says the project is straightforward and they can take it from here without the architect. That's a red flag. Maybe the builder doesn't always need an architect to help them build something, but the architect is needed to keep them accountable. The client does not always know what standard practices are, how long they should take, level of quality to expect, etc. A good builder relies on the architect to help mitigate these things to deliver the appropriate product to the client.

5. Open: The construction process is a huge investment, and it is very challenging. A good builder will be very open about all billing, all scheduling, and even all errors they make during construction. Good builders know that total transparency in all of these aspects leads to more successful projects and happier clients. They take the time to carefully save receipts, document them, categorize them, tally the labor to install those products, and pass them along to the architect for review. The architect verifies whether or not the items are successfully installed according to the plans before advising the client to pay the builder for those specific aspects of the work. Good builders don't simply send you an invoice with a number on it (like hospitals), and expect you to pay. They are very transparent in their workflow and budgeting. They understand they are spending your money and your time.

So how do you ensure you get a builder with these qualities? It will take some time on your behalf to ask all the right questions, spend adequate time with them, interview their previous clients, and to take the advice of your architect, friend, or relative who recommended them. I have worked with many different builders, and I have pre-qualified certain builders for certain project types. Once I get to know your personality, I offer suggestions for builders who will be a good match for you, and I work with them very closely to ensure a successful outcome.

Permit Drawings Compared to Construction Drawings / February 1, 2016 by S. Joshua Brincko

Example of a simple elevation drawing for permitting purposes (does not explain much to the builder) — Example of a simple elevation drawing for permitting purposes *(does not explain much to the builder)*

The honest truth is that permit drawings are basically useless. They tell you the approximate size and shape of a building, but they do not actually communicate any specific information to enable a builder to build it. A set of permit drawings are just the basic drawings that comply with a building department's checklist to verify the building is allowed to be built on the property, and it also shows it will meet the most minimum standards of safety and energy efficiency. Other than that, additional construction drawings are necessary to describe the construction details and materials to the builder. The building department is not concerned with higher levels of detail.

Example of a construction drawing (explains heights, materials, and cross-references for other construction details shown on other drawing sheets) — Example of a construction drawing *(explains heights, materials, and cross-references for other construction details shown on other drawing sheets)*

Construction drawings focus on the minute details like the attachment of a stair tread to a stair stringer as well as larger items like the exact specification of a window, door, or countertop. The building department typically does not care what kind of stain you are using on your cool staircase or whether your stone countertop is honed or polished. They don't even need to know the exact size of various items, so we tend to round up to allow ourselves more flexibility during construction. Since they don't care, we don't show this information on permit drawings. This is not because we are lazy. It is more about the efficiency of the process. First, everything in a set of permit drawings is public record, and the city charges you money to review the drawings. If we include information beyond their basic checklist, it will take longer for them to review and cost more money for their review time. They may also start to unnecessarily scrutinize the type of marble you specify which wastes everyone's time. Additionally, drawings constantly change throughout the process of design AND construction for any number of factors: changing codes, budget constraints, technological product advancements, realizations of new opportunities during construction, discontinued materials, materials with long lead times, changing schedules, etc. There are so many factors that affect the final design solution that we simply do not even attempt to solve it in the permit drawings since they are so early in the design and construction process.

Example of a construction detail typically not included in a set of permit drawings (explains the materials, physical relationships, how they are layered, and concerns like waterproofing, insulation, and level of finish) — Example of a construction detail typically not included in a set of permit drawings *(explains the materials, physical relationships, how they are layered, and concerns like waterproofing, insulation, and level of finish)*

The reality is that most design solutions happen DURING construction. Sure, we do come up with the big idea in the start of the design process, but that big idea has literally thousands of decisions that need to get made before it manifests itself as a real building. For example, on a set of permit drawings, we simply draw a wall on a floor plan. The building department eventually approves that wall placement and its structural components. We still need to figure out what the ingredients of that wall may be. It may be the simplest 8' high 2x6 stud wall consisting of level 4 primed and painted 1/2" drywall on the interior, R21 batt insulation, and 7/16" plywood with felt paper and vinyl siding on the outside. OR, that same wall on the floor plan could have a 10' height leading up to a sloping ceiling with reveal reglets creating shadow lines, a 2x8 bottom and top plate with staggered 2x4 studs, R30 batt insulation, 1/2" polyiso board insulation with taped and sealed seams on the inside, 5/8" level 5 finish mold-resistant drywall with PVA primer and paint, and densrock exterior sheathing with wetflash waterproofing, 2" polyiso insulation panels, nailer strips, and standing seam aluminum Kynar finished siding. Each of these walls is code compliant and will pass the checklist with the building department, but this information is not exactly conveyed to the building department. It all looks the same on a floor plan. This information is later conveyed on construction drawings.

This level of detail is also completely communicated through other means with builders and suppliers during construction administration by the architect to help protect the client’s investment. This is the design phase that happens during construction. This is when the builder actually starts to order materials and install them. When materials are sourced, the supplier who sells them, the fabricator who crafts them, and the sub-contractor who installs them are all consulted to verify the integration of all of these different products and methods of construction are going to work successfully for each individual scenario in the building. What happens when this wall material touches a wood floor and a tile floor? What happens, when the countertop dies into this wall? How is a window jamb framed into the interior and exterior portions of this wall? How do you integrate the waterproofing into the foundation and different roof lines above this wall? The endless scenarios seem to never end. There are so many unique conditions that occur in a building that it is not possible to evaluate them all during permitting or other design phases when we don't know the exact budget, the exact builder, the exact sub-contractors, the exact fabricators, and the exact suppliers. All of these items come together as the project develops into a real building during construction.

Many clients like to plan for as much of this as possible ahead of time. This diligence can payoff, but decisions still change 100% of the time as the building progresses. Any factors that cannot be controlled will almost definitely have an impact on the decisions that are "set in stone." When these changes occur, more time is spent modifying the drawings to adapt to the newly encountered information. In some situations it makes sense not to plan certain things at all and just wait until construction commences to make the most educated decisions. Do you know the condition of your sewer line below the foundation where you may add the addition? Nobody does, and this could affect the entire approach.

In other situations, there is enough data available to make a solid decision, and we do create quite detailed drawings ahead of time. These enable the builder to provide a more accurate estimate for that particular scope of work. This extra information also empowers the builder to ask even more detailed questions to the architect which, in turn, causes even more detailed analysis and more detailed drawings to ensure it gets built properly. When deciding how thick to frame a plumbing wall in a laundry room, you may need to actually have the washer or dryer purchased and on-site to ensure the vent duct and plumbing lines frame in perfectly without protruding too far away from the wall and without interfering with the other plumbing, mechanical, and electrical items that may be located within that same wall. Only so much can be planned from reading the manual of an appliance before buying it. Of course you wouldn't want to buy and store a washer and dryer for a year before you actually need to install it, so for this reason, things like this really should wait until construction begins to really hash out the details.

You may wonder why the wall thickness really matters for encapsulating these utilities? Whats an extra inch here or there? Who cares if the dryer sticks out from the wall a bit? Well.....You might care if it affects the placement of a nearby door. You don't want to open that door and have it bump into your dryer. You also don't want to swing the laundry room door open and have it hit your opened dryer door. Even worse, you don't want to end up with a door not large enough to fit the dryer into the laundry room. All of these items are related, and they can only be planned so far in advance. The exact details typically get drawn on a piece of plywood by the architect at a jobsite meeting the day they are being installed long after permit drawings were ever created.

As an architect, we help you weigh out the pros and cons of planning too much or not enough. This relates to the level of detail you want to get into, the quality of construction desired, and the budget you are willing to spend. A little investment on design fees for planning always saves a lot more in construction costs when things do not get built ideally. We have the experience to know how to balance this risk and reward, we know when to hold the builder accountable for adhering to estimates for specific scopes of work specified in the drawings, and we know when it is appropriate to draw specific details or to save your time and money by not drawing certain details at all.

If you would like our help, please fill out our new project form at www.josharch.com/help to get us the information we need to perform a feasibility report for your property.

Also, please read through our design process page to learn how we help you go through the design and construction process at www.josharch.com/process.

Lastly, if you’d like to learn more about design and construction costs, here’s the calculator we use to help estimate these fees: www.josharch.com/cost. (This calculator doesn’t work on mobile phones or tablets, so you will need to get serious and hop on your computer)

Here's What Josh PS did in 2015 / December 31, 2015 by S. Joshua Brincko

2015 was a busy and fun year. Each year has consistently been busier than the previous, and the project typology has been increasingly more exciting. We also rebranded the company from International Studio to Josh PS to focus on our more personable and friendly services. Here's a list of what happened in 2015 (in no particular order). We have attached some design process sketches below, and we will work on getting photographs of the finished work sometime soon.

Boat House on Lake Sammamish
Renovations for Seapine Brewery
CKO Kickboxing Studio
Design Within Reach - Seattle
Faith Tabernacle Ministries Feasibility
Frog Legs Children's Cooking School
The Salvation Army William Booth Center Renovation
The Salvation Army Pike Street Renovation
The Salvation Army Warehouse Renovation
The Salvation Army Lobby Renovation
The Salvation Army Men's Center Renovation
The Salvation Army Temple Corps Renovation
Green Lake Residence
Clay Residential Addition
West Seattle Basement Apartment Conversion
Josh Remodeled His Own Basement
University District Deck and Outdoor Space
Mother-in-Law Suite Elevator Addition
Herban Feast Foundry Commercial Kitchen
Herban Feast Foundry Corporate Offices
Renton Residential Workshop and Deck Addition
US Starcraft Conference Room
Kirkland Modern Residential Stair
Tiger Mountain Garage
West Seattle Residential Canopy and Outdoor Space
West Seattle Tudor Upper Floor Addition
Steep Slope Residence Remodel
Whidbey Island Cabin
Neumos Green Rooms
Mayer Accessory Dwelling Apartment and Garage
Kirkland New Residence and Guest House
Walnut Residence Addition and Renovation
SODO Bakery Renovation
Lake Washington Residence Renderings
Bellevue Renovation and Mother-in-Law Addition
Kirkland Residence Deck and Outdoor Space
West Seattle Residence Deck and Outdoor Space
Kirkland Office and Apartment Building
Mill Creek Residence Remodel
Sammamish Deck and Outdoor Kitchen
San Juan Cabin
West Seattle Upper Floor Addition 1
West Seattle Upper Floor Addition 2
Green Lake Art Studio
Everguard Insurance Renovation

5 Steps to Succeed as an Architect / December 1, 2015 by S. Joshua Brincko

If you can design it, you should be able to build it.

Here's a list from my own experience as an architect describing what it takes to be successful in this industry. I don't think these are the only things an architect can do to be successful since everyone is different, but these are the things that I've identified that play key roles in my success in order of importance:

1. Construction Experience: The single most important thing (I believe) for any architect to possess is a strong background in construction. Think about it. We are in the construction industry, and we produce drawings which explain what to build and how to build it. If you don't know how to build anything, how could you possibly come up with a valid idea? There are a ton of poser architects out there that come up with a fanciful idea and push it over to others to "figure out." This sounds good, but it doesn't work. If an architect cannot communicate an idea, how can that idea possibly be articulated with 100% accuracy from the designer's brain, to an engineer's brain, to an engineer's drawing, to a builder's interpretation of that drawing, to the finished building? It can't! It is imperative that the architect understands construction materials, methods, and sequencing. I was fortunate to grow up with a dad that could fix anything and a next-door-neighbor who ran a construction company. They taught me everything I needed to know to have a good solid sense of ingenuity. I have further developed my skills over the years by building some of my own projects I've designed as well as some personal items around the house.

2. Solid Design Background: Learning from the best is key. I think some people might be born with a better sense of design than others, but I don't think anyone is born with a complete set of skills. Design is a trade that takes more than a lifetime to master. It is a process of coming up with a very complicated idea and building it with very expensive labor and materials to see how well the idea works. Then the architect can monitor people's experiences after they use the building for several years. This can also be compared and contrasted to other projects the architect has designed and used. After all of these experiences, the architect has something to base his or her future design decisions on. It is simply not possible for someone to be born with this experience. It must be either acquired from another architect or acquired from years of personal experience. I have had the fortunate opportunity to learn from the best starting at a very young age. Mark Hanahan started me as an apprentice in his architectural firm designing commercial buildings while I was still a teenager which gave me a head start on my contemporaries who did not get this experience until they were well out of college. Stuart Silk and Geoff Prentiss both gave me opportunities later in my career to design some very prominent projects for some very prominent people. These experiences gave me the opportunities to be exposed to so many different design problems, design advice, and design solutions. I trusted their mentoring and soaked it all in like a sponge.

3. Relentless Work Ethic: I work extremely hard. My parents taught me this. They instilled in me that I can only earn things by working for them, and nobody will ever do that for me. I took that to the next level and simply started doing the things I wanted to do, so I could be who I wanted to be. Although I was told I was too young to have the experience necessary to take the state board exams to become a licensed architect, I took them anyway and passed them all on the first try. I knew I had the experience, and I read a stack of books taller than myself to cram all the facts and figures necessary to succeed. I am so excited to design buildings that I attack all of my projects similar to the way my kid runs to the slide on a playground. After interviewing a client and visiting a building site, steps 1 and 2 listed above kick in, and I know exactly what needs to be designed nearly immediately. Next I sit down at my desk a draw without stopping until the idea is properly depicted on paper, so a client can understand. In a matter of hours, I solve complex problems. I never really have "deadlines" because I do the work so far ahead of any expected finish date that a deadline is never actually set. I implement the same strategies with running the business and running my household. By solving problems early, this enables me to have a higher degree of quality control by having the time to consider and evaluate additional features AFTER implementing constructive feedback from clients and builders.

4. Network of Good Builders, Clients, and Friends: Throughout the course of my practice, I have impressed a lot of people through steps 1, 2, and 3 listed above. These people call me for design help, and they refer me to their friends, colleagues, and family when they need help. It's a cycle that doesn't stop unless I stop succeeding at steps 1, 2, and 3.

5. Diversified Sources of Income: It is very helpful for business owners in any industry to diversify. The construction industry has upturns and downturns. Designing buildings is my passion, and I don't want the ups and downs of the economy to shut me down. I plan for that by always having a backup plan. I teach college courses, I own/manage a rental property, I conservatively invest and save my income, and my wife earns an income with benefits. These income sources combined nearly guarantee I won't be out on the street next time the economy crashes. More importantly, this comfort gives me confidence as a designer to push the boundaries and innovate rather than defaulting to boring, repetitive design solutions.

What IS Modern Architecture, Really? / November 1, 2015 by S. Joshua Brincko

These clients love their modern home. They asked for a traditional house.

Modern, traditional, contemporary, shabby-chic, transitional, post-modern, craftsman, etc. These are all "styles" of architecture. At the start of most projects, the client asks for a certain style. To be honest this drives me a bit crazy because styles for a building are quite dishonest. With fashion, you can use a style to convey a message by your appearance today and a new style tomorrow (or even a new one tonight). With architecture, style is like committing to the same outfit for life. You can't just easily change the style of your building like your wardrobe. Like fashion styles, architecture styles originated from the context of their time and place. The materials and climate available in a certain region dictate the look of the building or the wardrobe. With the world getting smaller due to advances in communication, science, and technology, anyone in the world can pretty much get any material they want. This enables people to choose a style that may not necessarily be appropriate for their region.

Architectural style made a major shift after the last World War. Traditional architecture had many sub-categories like art nouveau, rococo, colonial, etc. The thing all these traditional forms of architecture have in common is ORNAMENTATION. Ornamentation is the decorative part that serve no purpose other than for aesthetics. We love seeing ornate renaissance architecture because the ornamentation is so impressive. The countless hours that went into carving stone and woodwork is amazing...and outrageous. In today's terms, it would almost be considered slavery to ask someone to spend their life carving squiggly patterns on a door for a rich family's guest house. In these earlier times, the separation between the upper class and lower classes was much more distinct than today. People just don't stand for "serving their master" anymore in our democratic society. As a result of this political change, the playing field has been leveled, and we are less likely to spend our hard-earned money on a craftsman to spend years of his life carving a family crest above our door. As economics changed during times of war, ornamentation became revered as an outrageous undertaking when there were families that couldn't even afford food. A design school called the Bauhaus in Germany noticed this trend, and they made the idea of functional, simple design popular for the masses. It celebrated the idea that "form follows function." This means, if the architecture solves the functional goals, the form (appearance) will look correct. Simple, boxy objects with straight lines tend to solve design problems the best, and this developed into an "International Style." It is a style that is appropriate anywhere in the world since it responds to actual design parameters instead of cultural preferences. Since that time, simple architecture designed to best fulfill the functions has become known as modern architecture.

I find modern architecture to be inspiring. A building designed to make living easy does just that - it makes it easier for people to live and do the daily things they need to do. This enables building occupants to be inspired by their surroundings instead of living within decorated boundaries that may or may not pertain to their particular mood, style, activity, or event that day.

Modern architecture is designed to allow the building to respond properly to the daylight of the sun as it travels from east to west throughout the day.

Modern architecture frames the views outside while providing privacy to the private spaces within the building.

Modern architecture provides obvious patterns of flow and logical arrangement of spaces.

Modern architecture resolves everything in the best way possible: where to charge your cell phone, where to put your keys, where to put the trash/recycling, where to store your shoes, charging your electric toothbrush without seeing the wire, controlling the amount of ventilation/insulation, uses materials appropriate for the purpose of a space, makes it easy to find the front door but not easy for anyone but you to get into the front door, etc.

Modern architecture is easier to build and maintain.

Modern architecture is not a style - it simply responds to the goals of the building occupants and the building site without letting a style compromise the answers to design problems.

Seattle Modern Architect & Artisan