This is how blogs work. Thanks Bob.
My friend Vermont Architect Bob Swinburne is working hard. He’s designing some very interesting work, getting it built (sometimes that’s the hardest part) and winning design awards. Sounds like the foundation of a successful firm to me. Thing is, he lives and works in Brattleboro, VT. Residential architects are not in high demand and its tough to build a successful firm on local projects.
I think he’s on the right track though. He built a nice website and started blogging. The keys to a successful firm is to do good work (a prerequisite) and then show your work to the rest of the world. If you look at the most successful firms you know, chances are they are very good at promoting themselves.
If Dan Rockhill can build a successful firm in Lecompton, Kansas, Bob can spread the word of his work from Brattleboro. Promote thyself Bob, promote thyself.
A protege’ of Jonathan Segal, Sebastian Mariscal is making his mentor proud.
From ResidentialArchitect.com
At Sebastian Mariscal’s age, many young architects and designers are still struggling to find their sea legs. They’re chasing small remodeling jobs, hoping to build a track record of success that will bring larger commissions in the future. But while they’re treading water in their fledgling practices, Mariscal is sailing full speed ahead.
A designer, builder, and developer of boutique projects and custom homes in San Diego, the 37-year-old Mariscal oversees a thriving firm with a growing body of impressive work. Instantly recognizable, his buildings stress function and simplicity while exuding an understated luxury in their stainless steel, ipe, and limestone sheathing. For his efforts, he’s amassed a string of local AIA citations and garnered a 2003 Home of the Year Award from Architecture magazine.
Interested in learning how they’re doing it? Check out Jonathan Segal’s Architect as Developer seminar this August in Washington, DC.
Check out Sabastian Mariscal’s website here.
I have been blogging since 2006. Since then, business has gone through the roof. I don’t give all the credit to the blogs, but it has certainly helped.
Today, Howard Greenstein wrote a very flattering post about me and the success of Fivecat Studio. He focuses on my use of blogs and the Internet to help spread the word about the firm. It’s the first post for his new blog at Inc.com. I am honored.
Thanks Howard.
Professional kitchen…check.
Spa bathroom…check.
Home theater…check.
LEED Platinum Certification…its the new status symbol for the rich and famous.
From NYTimes.com:
Its rating was built into that price. LEED — an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the hot designer label, and platinum is the badge of honor — the top classification given by the U.S. Green Building Council. “There’s kind of a green pride, like driving a Prius,” said Brenden McEneaney, a green building adviser to the city of Santa Monica, adding, “It’s spreading all over the place.”
Devised eight years ago for the commercial arena, the ratings now cover many things, including schools and retail interiors. But homes are the new frontier.
While other ratings are widely recognized, like the federal Energy Star for appliances, the LEED brand stands apart because of its four-level rankings — certified, silver, gold and platinum — and third-party verification. So far this year, 10,250 new home projects have registered for the council’s consideration, compared with 3,100 in 2006, the first year of the pilot home-rating system. Custom-built homes dominate the first batch of certified dwellings. Today, dinner-party bragging rights are likely to include: “Let me tell you about my tankless hot water heater.” Or “what’s the R value of your insulation?”
…
And “LEED-accredited professional” is a new occupational status.
Worries about climate change and rising energy costs are part of the equation: roughly 21 percent of heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions come from homes; nearly 40 percent come from residential and commercial structures combined. As energy prices rise, the long-range economic value and short-range social cachet of green building are converging.
I told you LEED AP was good business.
Michelle Kaufmann is an entrepreneur architect.
From Michelle Kaufmann Designs:
Michelle Kaufmann founded Michelle Kaufmann Designs in 2002.
Growing up in Iowa, Kaufmann has always had a deep understanding of the relationship between humankind and the environment. This awareness is engrained in all that she does. She believes that how we develop our landscape is such an integral part of our culture and that what we build, and how we build, should improve the environment rather than harm it.
When Kaufmann relocated to Northern California, she found a lack of affordable, sustainable, well-designed homes. Kaufmann soon realized she could make a difference through her architecture. In 2002, she founded Michelle Kaufmann Designs and began the crusade to make thoughtful, sustainable design accessible to all.
A leader in the green design community, Kaufmann’s commitment to sustainable living and design remains constant throughout all of her work including her thoughtful, sustainable home designs the Glidehouse™, Sunset Breezehouse™, mkSolaire™, and mkLotus™, as well as through designing custom homes and holistic, green communities.
Kaufmann’s work is widely published, and her homes have been showcased in a number of museums including the National Building Museum, the Vancouver Art Center, and MOCA in Los Angeles. MKD was listed as one of “The Green 50″ by INC magazine, and Michelle Kaufmann was listed as one of the top 100 people Who Matter Now by Business 2.0 magazine.
Kaufmann received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University, and her Masters from Princeton University. She has been a lecturer and keynote speaker for numerous events, and has taught at Iowa State University and Woodbury University. Prior to founding Michelle Kaufmann Designs, Kaufmann was an Associate with Frank O. Gehry.
Michelle and her husband, Kevin, live in their Glidehouse home in Marin County with their 2 dogs.
Michelle is an architect licensed in the State of Hawaii.
Looking to network with some of Westchester’s future business superstars? Click here and register to attend the Business of Westchester’s Rising Stars Awards.
Each year the Council honors forty young men and women who exemplify leadership, foresight and vision for the future of Westchester County.
Click here for a complete list of this year’s winners, including my good friend Andrew Castellano, President of Sharc Creative.
Mark R. LePage, AIA, LEED AP - Rising Stars Class of 2005
I passed the exam on Monday. I am officially Mark R. LePage, AIA, LEED AP.
With almost every prospective client I meet, the subject of green building is raised. Sustainable architecture is quickly becoming a top priority for clients. Architects need to listen carefully and respond with services meeting owners’ expectations. It’s just good business.
This thursday and friday, I am attending a LEED accreditation workshop provided by AIA Westechester/Mid-Hudson. We have been working with several clients on green projects and see many more coming down the pipe. Having LEED AP added to the AIA following my name will quickly and clearly communicate to prospective clients that my firm is dedicated to meeting their green expectations.
Are you interested in becoming a LEED Accredited Professional? Go to USGBC.org for more information.
From AIA Soloso:
Small firms and their clients can benefit from offering construction management services. Architects develop a new revenue source, make decisions more quickly during construction, and may potentially mitigate risks in the long run. Clients have a single point of contact throughout the project and potentially reduce delays, project completion time, and nontangible costs such as those associated with change orders.
Download the article here.
(Adobe Acrobat Reader is required)
