Everyone wants to cut costs, but not at the expense of the project’s functionality.
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JUNE 27, 2019 |
Architects, engineers and other design professionals strive to build strong reputations in their respected fields. To prove their competence, they must maximize their given budgets while also making sure to be efficient and detailed in their work. Everyone wants to cut costs, but not at the expense of the project’s functionality. How do you create a high-quality product that stays within budget? Two words: Value Engineering.
This time-tested process is focused on improving the value of a product by substituting low-cost options without sacrificing the quality of work. Value engineering is a win-win for all parties involved. By meeting an owner’s performance standards with money-saving solutions, design professionals deliver incredible value to their clients and boost their reputations.
We’re here to help ease the process for you. Here are six steps to value engineering:
Step 1: Identify the material makeup of a project. Ask yourself: What is this?
Step 2: Analyze the functions of those elements. Ask yourself: What does this do?
Step 3: Develop alternative solutions for delivering those functions. Ask yourself: What else could do this?
Step 4: Assess the alternative solutions. Ask yourself: Can this still deliver the experience the owner demands?
Step 5: Allocate costs to the alternative solutions. Ask yourself: How much will this cost?
Step 6: Develop the alternatives with the highest likelihood of success. Ask yourself: What will do the best job for the longest time?
A project owner’s expectations must be the highest priority when completing any project. No amount of money, work or time saved will be sufficient enough if a project owner’s needs are not fully met. There could be several different motivations for completing a project, and the design professional must have a solid understanding of these components before the project even begins. But if designers can meet the owner’s objectives while saving money, they are well on their way to building a name for themselves. For more information on Value Engineering, check out our eBook.
Rory Woolsey has worked in Management and Engineering in the construction industry for 40 years. He started as a construction laborer and superintendent and has experience in just about every construction profession from designer to estimator to project manager to field engineer and, most recently, a senior owner’s representative for many large public agencies. For 20 years he was the lead estimator and president of The Wool-Zee Company, Inc. working for architects, engineers and facility managers to accurately budget their construction projects at all stages of design. Rory has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil/ Structural Engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in construction project management.
Visit Interior DesignNeoCon SELECT partner showrooms to discover spot-on design for 2019.
Hula by Andreu World, showroom 10-132. Status table by Andreu World, showroom 10-132. Nomad Collection by Arc|Com, showroom 1194. Mad4Plaid Collection by Arc|Com, showroom 1194.Uptown Social by Arcadia, showroom 340. Uptown Social by Arcadia, showroom 340.Ultra Series by Architex, showroom 11-117. Rx Privacy Curtains by Architex, showroom 11-117.The Sorted Collection by Bentley Mills, showroom 1098. Square Peg by Bentley Mills, showroom 1098. BuzziBracks by BuzziSpace, showroom 10-111. BuzziDome by BuzziSpace, showroom 10-111.Evo by Davis Furniture, showroom 3-115. Inform by Davis Furniture, showroom 3-115.Folded Paper by EF Contract, showroom 1167. Hado Lounge by Encore, showroom 336. Faction by Encore, showroom 336.Drift by Global Furniture Group, showroom 1035. Factor by Global Furniture Group, showroom 1035.Summa by Humanscale, showroom 351. Nova by Humanscale, showroom 351.Look Both Ways Collection by Interface, showroom 10-134. Vintage Industrial Collection by J+J Flooring, showroom 10-118. Knot by Janus et Cie, showrooms 310A and 1420. Rio by Janus et Cie, showrooms 310A and 1420.Buncha Chair by Keilhauer, showroom 373.Stact by Keilhauer, showroom 373.Mixed Monolith Collection by Mannington Collection, showroom 1039. Material Bank by Material Bank, showroom 113. Relaxing Floors by Mohawk Group, showroom 377. Architectural Textures Collection by Momentum, showroom 11-106. Alev™ by Nucraft, showroom 1166.MYNE™ Meeting by Nucraft, showroom 1166.Vectra by SitOnIt Seating + IDEON, showroom 1150.Cameo by SitOnIt Seating + IDEON, showroom 1150.iD Mixonomi by Tarkett, showroom 380.Emote by Teknion, showroom 1048.Sprout by Teknion, showroom 1048.Teknoflor Forest Plank HPD by Teknoflor, showroom 7-7112. Teknoflor Nature’s Tile by Teknoflor, showroom 7-7112. Thea by Versteel, showroom 1093.Sky by Versteel, showroom 1093.Jumper by VS America, showroom 1167. Crosswalk by Wolf-Gordon, showroom 10-161.
StudioIDS is the new self-designed home of the Minneapolis office of international architecture and design firm Perkins+Will. The studio challenges what an office is and can be. Strategically located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis, the office focuses on landscape architecture, planning, architecture, and interiors in the areas of healthcare, corporate + commercial + civic, higher education, urban design, and science + technology.
The new studio design needed to support Perkins+Will’s local purpose of design excellence, sustainable stewardship, and social responsibility, in addition to becoming a model mobile and agile work environment. P+W sought to challenge conventional workplace models using less to offer more opportunity for choice, creativity, and collaboration.
The Design Solution
Participatory Design Approach that included all employees in the design process. The design team’s goal, as a living laboratory, was to measure pre- and post-occupancy to understand successes and areas for improvement.
Free Address System enabling users to adapt, define, and self-organize their workspace as needed. With this inherent flexibility and the use of non-precious materials, the space acts as a living laboratory for workplace strategies and innovation.
Restrained Material Palette using five core materials that are rapidly renewable and have toxin-free qualities: Aspen plywood, ceramic marker boards, homasote tackable surface, glass, and carpet.
Salvaged Materials from the previous office were used to make adjustable shelving in the gallery wall and large harvest tabletops in the cafe, and millwork was reused in the print and model shop rooms.
Social Cohesion was established through a partnership with a Minneapolis based furniture maker and by specifying a custom area rug from Arzu, a company that employs women and provides healthcare and education to them and their families in developing areas in Afghanistan.
Courtesy Miller & SmithWood flooring in light shades is especially popular this year, such as in this dining room in Miller & Smith’s Brambleton Garden District community in Virginia.
The best residential products exemplify both the latest trends and greatest innovations that a newly constructed home can offer. To help sort through what’s shaping product selection this year, BUILDER asked five residential design experts for their take on the biggest trends facing home builders. The products showcased below reflect their trend forecasts in each of six product categories. The pros interviewed are: –Lee Crowder, model branding manager for Darling Homes and Taylor Morrison –Jay Endelman, president of Maryland-based builder Guild Craft Inc. –Manny Gonzalez, principal of Southern California–based KTGY Architecture + Planning —Washington, D.C.–based developer and builder Sean Ruppert of OPaL –Patti Wynkoop, vice president of product development and purchasing for Mid-Atlantic area home builder Miller & Smith.
EXTERIOR PRODUCT TRENDS
Click here for a roundup of the newest products in the Exterior category. Protective Finishes. Numerous exterior products are now designed to endure the extreme. Impact- and fire-resistant siding, from fiber cement to metal to hardwoods; shingles that withstand gusts up to 150 mph; and the time-tested use of shutters offer top-to-bottom protection.
Patty Wynkoop
Creative Privacy. Dense infill developments mean smaller yards with innovative privacy features for outdoor living. Inventive and customizable screening options include artistic fencing in unusual materials, vertical gardens, all-weather curtains, movable metal or wood panels, shoji screens, trellises, and pergolas. “We use unique design elements … to temper the close proximity of dense site plans,” says Wynkoop.
Modern Appeal. Contemporary designs and materials—larger expanses of glass, smooth surfaces, clean lines, flat or low-sloped rooflines, and commercial finishes—are in demand with buyers across the country. High-contrast color palettes such as white or pale gray with black window and door trim add a stylish touch to any architectural style. “Now we can get more creative with window and balcony placements, exterior skins, and colors,” says Gonzalez.
Al Fresco Spaces. Savvy builders provide buyers with lots of choices for outdoor amenities, including fireplaces or pits, outdoor kitchens and wet bars, entertainment equipment, and natural materials like wood and stone. “Roof decks and balconies are giving way to patios and terraces directly off kitchens and dining and living rooms,” says Ruppert.
INTERIOR PRODUCT TRENDS
Click here for a roundup of the newest products in the Interior category. Healthy Homes. Along with sustainability and energy efficiency, consumers are more educated than ever about products affecting healthy indoor air quality. They demand low- or no-VOC paints and sealants, formaldehyde-free cabinets and adhesives, antimicrobial surfaces, and whole-house water and air purification systems.
Sean Ruppert
Wood Flooring. Hardwood flooring finishes skew lighter with natural, unstained varietals taking center stage. Products mimicking wood are also increasing in popularity, such as porcelain tile and laminate. “People finally warmed up to engineered and vinyl wood floors. Either they warmed up or products got much better—probably both,” says Ruppert.
Open Inside to Out. Open floor plans went from a trend to common practice, but now they extend visually in all directions—even outside—and dominate throughout all house sizes, styles, and types. Interior courtyards, breezeways, and open-air entryways appeal to buyers of all ages, from young families to empty nesters. “Perhaps the biggest trend in interior space is exterior space,” says Gonzalez. “More and more, interior areas open up to exterior areas to create a lively indoor–outdoor experience.”
Artisan Accents. Consumers enjoy expressing their creativity and supporting craftspeople by selecting unique, handmade products. Even big box home furnishing stores like Target and Ikea offer limited-edition artisan collections. “Today’s consumer bypasses anything mass produced in exchange for artisan products, fixtures, and features,” says Wynkoop.
KITCHEN AND BATH PRODUCT TRENDS
Click here for a roundup of the newest products in the Kitchen and Bath category. High Contrast. White kitchens and baths remain popular, but with high contrasting finishes. “Black is a really important color for 2019 and you’ll be seeing it pop up everywhere—from countertops to hardware and faucets—and paired with stark white cabinets,” says Crowder.
Lee Crowder
Plumbing Choices. A proliferation of finishes for plumbing fixtures and fittings allows homeowners to show off their personal style. Gold-plated, matte black, copper, brass, nickel, bronze, pewter, and chrome are all available across various price points in styles ranging from elaborate to sleek. “We’re seeing a revival of gold and bronze fixtures as designers mix metals in their palettes, similar to today’s fashion jewelry trends,” says Wynkoop.
Attractive & Accessible. Stylish universal design products are popping up in housing for all ages. Many of these products do double duty, such as towel racks or shower shelves acting as grab bars and spacious, no-threshold showers with built-in bench seats that also serve as shelves.
Island Living. Larger, decked-out kitchen islands continue to trend in most housing types and sizes. Treating the island like a piece of furniture is a new look, however, with islands having legs or even wheels for flexibility and more personalized style.
Floating Fixtures. Wall-hung vanities, cabinets, and toilets help the bathroom look larger and generate a sleek, serene atmosphere. Floating cabinetry and wall-hung toilets make spaces look and feel larger as the floor runs under the pieces and gives a more expansive aesthetic.
STRUCTURAL PRODUCT TRENDS
Click here for a roundup of the newest products in the Structural category. Cross-Laminated Timber. Cross-laminated timber is becoming popular as structural material even for taller buildings and large expanses. The product offers the strength of concrete, but it’s more sustainable, lighter, and renewable, makers say. The product also offers fire and seismic resistance and produces minimal construction waste.
August HutchinsJay Endelman
Prefab Products. Prefabricated systems allow for faster construction, stronger building envelopes, and reduction of waste. Panelized walls, flooring and roof systems, insulated concrete blocks, modular framing components, and structural insulated panels also provide builders with consistent quality of materials. “Some of the newest structural systems have a huge impact on what can be built cost effectively,” says Gonzalez.
Roof Fasteners. Even with today’s lighter roofing materials, roof fasteners make sense on every house given the increased occurrence of extreme storms. They also improve roof stability and load allowances. “Building a house now requires more wind bracing and stronger framing,” says Ruppert.
Steel Framing. As building codes get stricter, steel is making inroads with single-family construction. The material provides strength; resistance to wind, fire, and floods; quick construction time with less waste; and design creativity. Steel also serves as an environmentally friendly option as it can be recycled after use. “Lateral wind loads have increased across the board, so steel framing in residential makes more sense and allows for more flexibility,” says Endelman.
SYSTEMS PRODUCT TRENDS
Click here for a roundup of the newest products in the Systems category. Long-Distance Control. Consumers want the ability to monitor and manipulate lights, locks, thermostats, audio/visual equipment, water heaters, and appliances when at home or away. Most electronic components are available in smart forms that homeowners can control with their phones and voice-activated devices. “Consumers are hungry to not only integrate their homes but also centralize the process rather than manage several separate apps for everything,” says Wynkoop.
Manny Gonzalez
Systems That Save. Resource- and cost-saving products like tankless or solar-powered water heaters and ductless HVAC systems reduce homeowners’ utility bills and make them feel good about preserving resources. “Some residents turn tracking their utilities into something of a ‘utility video game’ where they try to win the month by having the lowest energy usage ‘score,’” says Gonzalez.
Responsive HVAC. Manufacturers are responding to consumers’ desire for indoor comfort with heating and cooling products outfitted with high-tech features like UV air filtration, evaporative cooling, humidifying and dehumidifying, and maintenance alerts.
Home Control. Lights, blinds, and thermostats aren’t the only self-monitoring systems builders can offer as upgrades. Smart water valve controllers detect leaks and alert homeowners, or turn off the water automatically. Manufacturers also make sensors to detect problems throughout the home, from a door that’s been left open to an oven turned on, to provide added safety and peace of mind.
WINDOWS & DOORS PRODUCT TRENDS
Click here for a roundup of the newest products in the Windows & Doors category. Peak Performance. For both windows and doors, savvy consumers demand higher thermal values along with improved impact and wind resistance. Using increased thermal values keeps indoor temperatures more stable, saving on heating and cooling costs, while windows and doors with higher wind resistance can stand up to severe storms.
Door Design. Homeowners want the high-end look of wood and glass on doors for maximum curb appeal, added natural light, and as a personalized look for interior doors. “Wood-style front doors and matching arbors are a new trend even in contemporary homes,” notes Ruppert.
Window Walls. Window walls are becoming more common and less expensive. Many manufacturers offer bifold, accordion, or oversized sliding glass doors to heighten indoor–outdoor connections, frame views, and make spaces feel larger even with the door closed.
Think Big. For a “wow factor” to entice potential home buyers, an oversized window is the way to go. They are available in numerous sizes and options featuring fixed glass combined with a variety of operable panels. “We’re maximizing picture windows at sizes as large as 6×6 or 8×5 for an additional 40 square feet of glass,” says Wynkoop.
Black Trim. Black trim on windows and doors–inside and out—is trending across styles and price points. Darker shades of trim require less maintenance, make the glass look bigger, and provide a luxurious look for both contemporary and traditional designs.
Poor indoor air quality? Transform the walls of your home into a permanent air purification system. Simply add the ionic paint additive by Air-ReNu with interior house paint and apply the blended mixture to the walls. One application will remain effective for 8-12 years eliminating offensive smoking, cat urine odors and airborne toxins.
Over the past two decades, SinnerSchrader has become one of the biggest digital agencies in the world. Its work for Audi and Volkswagen, among other brands, meant that when it came time for new offices in Prague a former research center for car testing was a natural fit. Kurz Architects, however, had another idea to test drive: transforming the 7,500-square-foot office into a non-hierarchical space along a horizontal axis that could be navigated not by car, but via skateboard.
Across the main axis’s Marmoleum floors, trapezoidal metal sheet forms walls for an office. Photography by BoysPlayNice.
The company’s 60 employees access the skate park/corridor axis from the entry, which then connects meeting cubes of translucent polycarbonate, focus areas with hanging chairs, a combined kitchen and yoga studio, and breakout spaces on the way to a 2,200-square-foot open terrace.
The kitchen’s custom tables and TON chairs can be moved aside to transform the space into a yoga studio. Photography by BoysPlayNice.
A mix of vintage and new Czech furniture provides character, while wool carpeting warms up the Marmoleum floors. The biggest challenge, according to the design firm’s principal Zuzana Kurz, “time,” which like a skateboarder executing tricks, sure seems to fly when you’re having this much fun.
Keep scrolling to view more images of the project >
Custom plywood carpentry forms storage units on either side of the main axis. Photography by BoysPlayNice.A meeting space next to the main axis features a 1960s sideboard by Jiri Jiroutek, along with a TON table and chairs. Photography by BoysPlayNice.Meeting rooms are upholstered in custom acoustic panels, with tables by LUV Interior and TON chairs. Photography by BoysPlayNice.Open workspaces include LUV Interior desks illuminated by pendants from The Bohemian Company; a stand-up conference desk behind them has a custom stainless-steel sink. Photography by BoysPlayNice.A half-moon of plywood, spray-painted with the company’s logo, conceals upholstered seating. Photography by BoysPlayNice.A polycarbonate volume framed in powder-coated steel features plywood seating and pendants by Brokis. Photography by BoysPlayNice.
As you may have already seen the invitation, I had an open house for a painting I did for a client/friend! This project was originally planned to be painted as a mural for the Mill’s residence, but instead, it’s a large (mural size) painting done on 3 24″x96″ canvas boards! There was chocolate, cheese, and wine served at the event along with chances for winning 2 gift cards!
I had a blast working on this painting. In case you are wondering how I started on this piece, I, first, painted the three panels solid black. Then, I drew an outline for the cranes. I worked on painting the cranes and the bush-like background simultaneously! I used a plastic fork to add the bushes and it created a really nice texture on the canvas panels. The featured image shows my grandpa who is looking at the details of the painting. He is a delight to speak with and always has a positive outlook on life and its details 🙂
The items below shows some pictures of the process as well as the reception:
To See More Pictures Of The Reception, Click Here!
I am so happy to share with you that the “Inside Out” Series opening reception was a huge success! Around 110 people attended the event. I sold a painting, a print, as well as several products with my artwork printed on them. The attendees thought that the concept behind the subject matter was very appropriate and suited the theme of the exhibition. I was asked various questions such as the medium used on the paintings. They were curious to know if the medium used was watercolor or color pencils. They found it interesting that the paintings were done in watercolor pencils. I explained to them that the art was created using watercolor pencils. Watercolor pencils make it so much easier to handle the paint. It makes the user(s) more in control of paint; therefore making it an easier medium than watercolor itself.
Here Is A Quick Summary Of What The Exhibit’s Concept Was About:
“You know the idea of using plants and flowers in a room, bringing the outside in? For years, this concept has been very popular in designing an interior space that would make the occupants feel like they are experiencing being in nature simultaneously. This idea is still in practice and provides for great human experiences.
For the past couple of years, I have been analyzing this concept in a deeper sense of not only the interior space but also looking at the exterior and the correlation between the landscape, outer building structure (architecture), and the inner building structure (the interior). I started looking at some of the popular name architects and their works, seeing at least one common ground. All these famous sites connect the landscape with its architecture and interior design. If the inside space is designed a certain way, it somehow balances with the architecture style or some elements of the landscape design.
“The Landscape. The Exterior. The Interior.” These three areas made me think of the Venn Diagram. If “A” is the landscape and “B” the interior, then “C” includes commonalities of both A & B. In other words, area “C” brings areas “A” & “B” together.
The conclusion I came up with is that all the parts and pieces of an area where a building lands on need to be balanced and have harmony as a whole and no single part stands alone by itself.”
Here are the images of each of the paintings in these series:
Here Are Some Pictures Taken At The Opening Reception:
For More Information And More Pictures Of This Event, Click Here!
Hello all! I am excited to write about my preparation for the Inside Out Series paintings exhibit. As I am getting closer to getting ready for the show, I am wrapping up a few unfinished tasks. All the labels are printed for each painting as well as a brief description of what the series are about! All the artwork have the wire on the back of them for the ease of hanging and displaying the work. I am so happy to be working with such an amazing cafe/gallery, Soho, and would highly suggest all artists to consider having a show there! Beverages will be available for purchase as well as light snacks such as chocolate, cheese, etc….
There will be raffle tickets for a prize drawing for all the attendants. I have also created magnetic art that you could easily display on your fridge! Each piece has my name, website, and email address on it, in case you need to get a hold of me for art lessons, commissioned art, etc…. (See the image below). They are done with watercolor pencils and the brand name is Windsor & Newton! Water color pencils are an easy medium of using watercolors. It is highly controllable and the direction the paint goes is all in your hands!
Besides the “Inside Out” series art, I will have another set of paintings that I have recently worked on with dry pastels! In My opinion they are very pleasing and eye catching. There are 9 of them that are 12″ X 12″ each. (See below for the sample picture)!
If you would like to know a little bit about what my series are about, read the information below:
“You know the idea of using plants and flowers in a room, bringing the outside in? For years, this concept has been very popular in designing an interior space that would make the occupants feel like they are experiencing being in nature simultaneously. This idea is still in practice and provides for great human experiences.
For the past couple of years, I have been analyzing this concept in a deeper sense of not only the interior space but also looking at the exterior and the correlation between the landscape, outer building structure (architecture), and the inner building structure (the interior). I started looking at some of the popular name architects and their works, seeing at least one common ground. All these famous sites connect the landscape with its architecture and interior design. If the inside space is designed a certain way, it somehow balances with the architecture style or some elements of the landscape design.
“The Landscape. The Exterior. The Interior.” These three areas made me think of the Venn Diagram. If “A” is the landscape and “B” the interior, then “C” includes commonalities of both A & B. In other words, area “C” brings areas “A” & “B” together.
Venn-Diagram
The conclusion I came up with is that all the parts and pieces of an area where a building lands on need to be balanced and have harmony as a whole and no single part stands alone by itself.”
Here is the invite for the event that includes the date, time, as well as the location of my event! Hope to see you all there!
When their youngest daughter left home for college, one Connecticut couple did what most empty nesters might: They moved house. However, instead of following the conventional path of downsizing, they took a more creative approach, purchasing a sleek apartment on New York City’s High Line park as well as a five-bedroom shingled spec home in Amagansett as their weekend retreat—taking advantage of the best of both aesthetic worlds.
“In Manhattan, they wanted something where the wife could entertain exhibitors and sponsors of the Whitney—she’s a ceramist and a big supporter of the museum—so the look is more refined and buttoned-up,” says New York interior designer Timothy Brown, who was charged with imbuing each home with a distinct sense of personality and style based on its function and location. “The Hamptons home is much more relaxed. Here, it’s about enjoying alone and family time away from the city.” The only design overlap in both properties: white walls that serve as a blank canvas for the couple’s vast collection of art and photography.
“A round table in a square room feels so right,” says Brown of the custom table from Robert Stilin Shop, which is topped with repurposed tractor gears from Huniford Design. A nod to retro fishing floats, the chandelier combines three vintage lights by Heifetz Rotoflex with a custom plate from Stellar Union, in Southampton.
Though Brown relied on a light, matte palette and traditionally easygoing beach-home fabrics like linen, cotton, and natural fibers in Amagansett, his interpretation of an approachable getaway included surprising bursts of color and luxe furniture pieces from the 1950s and ‘60s. But he’s careful not to label them midcentury. “I hate to use that word because people immediately associate it with a certain look: Eames chairs and things like that,” he says. To keep the aesthetic elevated yet unpredictable, he opted for French and Italian models with classic lines and plush reupholstered surfaces. In the living room, chrome scissor seats by Guillerme et Chambron and armchairs by Ward Bennett receive a contemporary counterpoint in a bubblelike Lindsey Adelman chandelier—looking nothing like a scene out of Mad Men. “I wanted to challenge the standard conception of midcentury,” Brown says. “From there the rest of the home radiated out.”
A study in curated contrasts, the house is a combination of luxe and laid-back, vintage and modern, resulting in a well-rounded look that transcends that of the typical summer house and acts as a backdrop for quiet reflection and, more commonly, get-togethers with friends and family. “It’s visually interesting and unexpected but also warm and inviting,” says Brown. Far from empty nesters, the couple plays host to a full house once more.
This Classic Shingled Home Offers a Fresh Take on Midcentury DesignVIEW SLIDESHOW
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“The homeowner loves color,” says Manhattan-based interior designer Timothy Brown of a Connecticut couple’s shingled home in Amagansett, New York. To set the tone for the unexpected beach house beyond the façade, he coated the front door in a lively shade of purple by Benjamin Moore.
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Poor indoor air quality? Transform the walls of your home into a permanent air purification system. Simply add the ionic paint additive by Air-ReNu with interior house paint and apply the blended mixture to the walls. One application will remain effective for 8-12 years eliminating offensive smoking, cat urine odors and airborne toxins.