Whether building a new custom home or vacation house, many people ask, “Do I need to hire an architect or a builder first when planning my dream home?” Though as you can imagine, I’m biased, here are three good reasons to go to an architect first.
Stormwater Zoning in Philadelphia Case Study
What, if anything, can we build near a stream? Getting a variance to build the cabin pictured here would be highly unlikely! We’re working on an addition to a beautiful stone home in Chestnut Hill with a challenge–a stream flows through an adjacent property. Local stormwater zoning regulations in Philadelphia prohibit building anything within 200 feet of a stream, including the very ground on which the homeowner hoped to build. Read on to learn how our design solutions got the green light.
Award-winning renovation featured in Qualified Remodeler
After Qualified Remodeler Magazine’s Master Design Awards granted our project a Gold Award, the magazine interviewed architect Adam Jacob and Orion Builder’s Pete Maruca. The resulting feature article appeared in the December 2018 issue of the magazine.
Florida Forever Home
We’ve designed a new home for a repeat client in central Florida, and construction is now underway. The home will have aging-in-place features, plenty of room for visiting family, and a lovely covered patio right next to the pool.
New Modern House in Haddonfield
Construction is complete on this new dream home we designed for a New Jersey client. It’s like a little village; a collection of small houses, rather than one large mansion.
Chestnut Hill Renovation Wins Award
We turned a dreary basement into a large family-friendly entertainment and play space. Areas for games, movie-watching, wine-tasting, and just lounging are all connected, but remain distinct via thoughtful use of lighting, ceiling heights, and a two-sided fireplace. The project earned a 2018 Chrysalis Award for basement remodeling.