(858) 454-7660
(858) 454-7660
(858) 454-7660
historic preservation | residential architect
An important aspect of any project is developing the project scope. By meeting with you, we develop the scope of our services for your project. This scope will form the agreement between us so you have a clear written understanding of what we will provide for our fee and represents the beginning of what we hope will be a positive relationship.
The next step in any project is usually programming the intent of the design. Through a series of meetings and research, we develop the program for the project that reflects your physical space needs, a narrative of the quality and basis of design required and opinion of cost. Along with analysis of any constraints and code requirements, this effort will inform the next step of services.
Once we have your agreement for the program, we begin the design. Again thru a series of meetings we refine the details of the project so it can be built. Through a series of phases, the project's construction documents become more detailed so the end result can be a set of drawings and specifications that a contractor can bid on and provide you with a construction cost. During these phases, we analyze relevant building and zoning codes as well as other regulatory requirements that may be applicable to your project. We work with you every step of the way so that you know exactly what to expect before construction begins.
The breadth of our firm's scope of historic preservation architectural services includes designs for restoration and rehabilitation of historic structures as well as the preparation of design and construction documents for additions to recognized historic buildings. Additionally we offer to our clients the ability to prepare building research reports for submission to national and local historic regulatory and advisory bodies such as the National Park Service, State of California Office of Historic Preservation, and the San Diego Historic Resources Board to name a few. We also coordinate presentations with our clients for their historic properties with local historic preservation groups and boards.
These services are similar to our architectural services. We can quickly and efficiently optimize your office space to help increase productivity and the efficiency of your staff and business operations. We meet with you to determine your needs based on the number of employees utilizing the space, your daily activities and office equipment and then develop the plans through programming and design and construction, or tenant improvement, drawings.
Acknowledging the reality of the aging process is difficult for many Baby Boomers, who may have visions of spending their retirement pursuing many activities and having adventures rather than accumulating ailments. So it can be challenging to get them to think about the possibility that they may develop physical limitations or mobility problems that can make getting around their home a daily hassle. In some cases the better part of valor may be simply incorporating universal design without pointing it out to clients who can't envision themselves needing to navigate their homes using a walker or wheelchair, even temporarily. Subtlety and attractive design are key.
We don't necessarily tell our clients that we're installing the best, newest GFCI outlet, we simply do it. Similiarly, with universal design, we just create an attractive entry that doesn't happen to have steps, create a beautiful bathroom that doesn't have a curb in the shower, and install grab bars that are attractive and happen to be well-anchored and ADA compliant.
For homeowners not ready to transform their homes fully for aging in place, we recommend designing elements that can be easily modified in the future to provide accessibility, such as wall blocking for grab bars and stacked closets for future elevator shafts.
When we speak of universal design features we can affect how clients perceive their current and future value of their home. We emphasize design rather than universal aspects. We don't use the term ramp, rather we use 'step-less grade changes'. We prefer to use 'curb-less European showers' instead of 'roll-in showers'. It sounds more interesting, and people want to know more about it.
Our approach to universal design and aging-in-place ensures that a house is flexible and adaptable and can accommodate life changes without dramatic renovations.
Jeffrey D Shorn + Associates, Architects
PO BOX 2729
La Jolla, CA 92038
(858) 454-7660
