Question: How would I best describe the architecture/style of this 1910 hydroelectric power plant building constructed in 1910 west of the City of Boulder, CO.? I'm doing some historical work for the City of Boulder, and while I'm pretty good at identifying residential and commercial styles, nothing seems to...

Answer: Hi Kris, thanks for your question. It is an interesting architectural example

The year it was designed and built is reall...

Question: HI - i have an unfinished room above my garage that has a 6/12 pitch and the span is 36'. I am trying to work out the potential usable space. If my calculations are right, if i put a 4' hip wall (?) in on either side, I would have 18ft of floor space side to side. If i were to create a flat ceiling, ...

Answer: Hi Dominic, thanks for your question.

It is always useful to take advantage of every space you have it at hand in your home. Commonly you can use that space for storage or for some living spaces.

But if you use it for living space, you should check with your local Building ...

Question: Hi EZarchitecture, I'm interested in a brownstone here in Manhattan, located close to Riverside Park. The bldg currently holds a small Jewish congregation, small Synagogue and other offices and back areas. The current status of the bldg is in really in bad shape. The broker told me that the property ...

Answer: Hi Thomas, thank you for your question.

Sounds like an interesting project but there are several hurdles you'll have to cross. The zoning resolution in NYC is quite convoluted but in general it isn't difficult for someone who's familiar with the system to figure out what can ...

Question: Hi Hsiang and Guido, I leased a 2,000 sq.ft. loft in Soho. It hold some warehouse storage before, with an small restroom and a janitor closet. The rest of the space is free to use. My plan is to do 2 apartments for small term rent. I'm not planning to spend to much money, I already have the contrac ...

Answer:   Hi Richard, thanks for your question.

Here's something very romantic about having a loft in Soho, it also sound like you are creating quite a bit of value by converting a storage space to apartments.

You are however required by code to retain the service of a lic ...

Question: Hi. I run a small gym in the city and are in the process of considering updating and expanding the locker room with better amenities, the only renovation work I have done in the past are bathrooms in my own home. How should I approach this work? Thanks. Malik ...

Answer: Hi Malik. It is important to have been done renovation jobs before, it is always a good help. But in this case, it will be a bit more difficult. You have to take in these considerations:

Be aware you will have to stay in line with requirements outlined by the Americans with Disabilities ...

Question: Hi Guido and Hsiang, we're in the process of purchasing a home and recently saw a 3000sf home with a large indoor pool that we really love. The pool is located inside a green house which is attached to the home and is heated. There are large doors and windows that connected both the master bedroom a ...

Answer: Hi Kim. Thanks for your question. It is tempting to have and indoor pool in homes.
However, with pools and especially indoors, you will face 2 potential problems:

1) The status of the pool, and the possible repairs to get it in proper shape, and
2) The future cost of mainten ...

Question: Hi, I am in Los Angeles and a student of architecture..I like to driveby construction sites and see what they do. I have a few simple questions that I can't seem to find answers for. 1) why is it that typical conventional framing for houses uses plywood for sheathing but in condos/light commercial b ...

Answer:

Hi Richard, Thanks for your questions. Strange as it may seem to others but I enjoy going to construction site a lot also. There's something about seeing how a building is put together that is endlessly fascinating.

 

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