Sunday, June 21, 2009

Finding the Right Interior Design Consultant

Taking the responsibility of designing your home is a very big commitment. It takes a significant time if you are using the best interior design software to help you plan the project. To prevent the stress and frustrations of doing your own project, using the help of an interior design consultant is the first step in having your home designed in a timely manner. You can always find a good interior design consultant to help you decorate your home in any major department stores, specialty stores or even building supply because each of this establishments or departments have their own trained interior design consultant.

Consultants can address installation and can work with their stores merchandise making them very knowledgeable about their products. They can answer all their costumers’ questions and can dell additional decorations from other stores they are affiliated with. Buying all the necessary things in one store cannot only save you money but also time and energy.

A good interior design consultant is a designer that might be working in a corporation or someone who work freelance or has its own business firm. An interior design consultant this good does not only do interior designing for homes but also do various types of buildings like restaurants, offices, schools and malls. These consultants are experienced in reading blueprints and knows the in and outs of the building and its codes. Their goal is to make their customers happy with their work and meet their costumer’s budget and time frame.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Catalog Printing as Architectural Firms Marketing Tools

Promoting your small architectural firm is like catching a small fish in a big pond especially when you are competing against larger and more established companies or even small firms in the market. Making your company stand out from the rest and finding your comfort zone might not be that easy. An effective and good marketing campaign can make a significant contribution to the firm’s name. Catalog printing is an effective and affordable tool to market your firm. Below are some ideas on how to use catalog printing as a marketing tool.

Architectural firms can make a customized portfolio of their work and print it in a catalog format. You can categorize catalogs according to project type; location scale of project and etc. project type can either be a residential, commercial, corporate or even institutional. Project location on the other hand can be divided into local or regional projects. Other projects in some cases are divided according to climate to demonstrate the company’s experience and flexibility to adapt architectural styles and construction to the region. This includes projects divided as tropical, Mediterranean, temperate or even desert climate projects. You can also categorize projects as low, medium or high rise development.

Architectural firms can also use online printing companies who offer small-sized catalog printing services. Firms can either summarize or shortened the version of their project catalog and show them to clients during preliminary meetings. These catalogs can also be served during architectural trade shows, campus tours and conventions. This can help small firms to build their name and become mainstreamed in the architectural business.

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Choice Partner in Construction

Buildings are the physical representations of industries. They serve as the sanctuary for all company-related factions and activities. Above all, they are constructed to house the heart and soul of businesses. This is the reason why a whole lot of thought and effort should be put into erecting an infrastructure. After all, they are made to perform several functions and withstand the test of time.

In as much, planning is essential to ensure the success of such a project. Several factors are needed to be considered in order to avoid work delays and failures. There’s surveying the site and its environment, settling the necessary legalities, procuring the materials and manpower, budgeting, designing as well as mobilizing a work schedule, to name a few. Good thing is you don’t have to go at it on your own. There are plenty of well-trusted professionals available to be tapped when in need of assistance.

Far East Associates is an established firm composed of skills architects, engineers and designers, who provide excellent architectural and engineering design and planning, construction management services. They are the leading authority in urban design and environmental planning in Davao. Far East Associates understands how much their client’s value their investment; that’s why they give their very best in every project. Their team of professionals is especially trained to counter the usual construction hindrances and afford ample solutions to location problems, design flaws, and poor construction techniques. FEA has made their mark in architecture and engineering planning in Davao, and continues to impress their customers and competitors with the other services they offer. FEA covers all construction concerns right down to the smallest detail - from electrical, mechanical, and plumbing design, to interior and furniture design. They even provide the support in environmental planning and project feasibility study in Davao based constructions, to help people in taking their first step. It is no wonder why FEA is a choice partner in construction.

Monday, June 8, 2009

How to be an interior designer?

Interior designing is not based on your artistic ability or a keen eye for appealing layouts. It will take patience and a very slow climb up a ladder through competitive ranks. Professional designers must come up with designs that would convince people that their work is the best choice among other competitors. An interior designer also has to understand all legal aspects about the building codes before he or she can take an interior design job. Even if you are from a prestigious school of interior design, just like other jobs, it will take all the experience in the world before you can move up into the designing ladder.

Interior design involves architecture and color coordination as well as fabric knowledge. And all of these take years to study. Jobs in the field are just for those people with appropriate education and learned eye to put all those factors mentioned above all together. Those with interior designer jobs may also benefit from programs like computer aided drafting to create two or three dimensional structures in the computer.

The furniture, colors and materials that will go with their design will also be chosen by the designers and it must be pleasing to their client’s eyes. They must also create space that is not only appealing but also functional and accessible. When looking for a job, an interior designer must prove his or her design abilities as well as his or her capability to work with other professionals. During interior design jobs, the designer will be possibly working with electricians, carpenters, and painters and will be a general contractor in coordinating with the work being done. The work must be in the interest of the client and must be done on time and within the client’s budget range.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Building Architecture to Become London’s Famous Landmark

Building Architecture to Become London’s Famous Landmark

Thinking of London could lead you to London Bridge, the London Tower, or the Big Ben Clock. But soon, a far more eco-friendly and fully creative architectural design derived from a can of ham will rise. Not only that, this new icon for London is environmentally sound and popular. The perspective just creatively matched the characteristics of nearby structures while exerting a unique design in its environment.



This Can of Ham building is really a glass-and-metal product just like any other modern-day skyscraper designs. It has some elevator strips in the center thereby giving more strength in the middle of the structure.



Its eco-friendly characteristic includes photovoltaic panels on top, good daylight penetration, and it also is thermal energy-ready as it has boreholes. Photovoltaic panels collect energy from the sun and convert it into electricity. Their prospective location within the structure is just so right to capture the greatest amount of light at any time of the day. Its good daylight penetration, along with its glass walls, can conserve electricity from lighting usage during daytime. Its low solar gain in the middle is just so right to have a soothing light passing through slightly tainted glass walls.



Its foundation is drilled deeply providing ready-to install thermal energy system. Thermal energy can also be a source of electricity to power the entire building. The boreholes also give further anchor beneath the ground for greater earthquake resistance. This structure could uncompromisingly replace any famous icon in London for its fine architectural design concept and great environmentally-sound features.

The Sacred Architectural Design: Properties of the Golden Ratio

There can be a number of architectural designs conceptualized by the brilliants in architecture across time, but there is an enduring design that remains respected by great architectures and engineers in history. I am talking about design involving the Golden Ratio mathematically expressed as 1: 1.618 (0.618: 1). Even design and proportions in nature coincidentally or intentionally abides with the golden ratio like beautiful snail shells, butterfly wings, and elbow-wrist distance. That is why it is also referred as the trademark architecture of God.

The Golden Ratio was successfully formulated by Fibonacci (hence it is also one characteristic of a Fibonacci Number):

Some great architectural structures in the past had been surveyed to follow the Golden Ratio like the Great Parthenon of Greece and The Great Pyramid at Giza. Today, one example of architectural design employing the Golden Ratio is The UN Building.
To have a sample of how to apply the Golden Ration in architectural design, you can think of the Golden Spiral in geometry, a logarithmic spiral whose growth factor b is related to , the golden ratio. Specifically, a golden spiral gets wider (or further from its origin) by a factor of  for every quarter turn it makes as illustrated below:

More architects had been impressed by this basic but highly aesthetical design because it provides a better horizon of the design perspective, perfect for some hotels and public landmarks.

Hiring an Architect

A house is one of the many things that everyone dreams of - a house that they can call their own. Building a new home can be very expensive. It can cost you a lot in order to build a good foundation and style it the way you like. Then you think about what materials to choose, what style suits your budget, how big the space is and the likes. Thus, it can cost you a lot and give you a mind breaking task of maximizing all your resources to suit your desire.

To be able to solve everything and build the right house, it is recommended that you hire a professional architect. Architects can help you find the right contractor for you and manage the design and the construction process. Hiring an architect can help you with budget concerns and can help you find ways to lessen your expenses.

But before hiring an architect, it is advisable that you know what design you really want, the renovation budget and the space available. In that way you will be equipped with knowledge of the basics.

Finding a reputable architect can be hard. The simplest thing that you can do is to go online or ask your friends who can recommend the best architect to you.

Far East Associates has excellent architects in Davao City. They are known as the best and the most reputable local firm that are able to help you in the planning and designing your house or any buildings you plan to put up.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

How to compete with large architectural firms

Good marketing is an essential key for an architectural firm to stand out from their competitors. These firms have to be very competitive in terms of their market. Large or small firms have to compete for possible clients. A large architectural firm has all the advantage because it has an established company name and uses popularity as it’s marketing material. Unlike their competitors, small firms have to rely solely on referrals from friends and family members to get a client. Just like other products or services provided in the market, an architectural firm must have its own trademark or brand name that would capture the interest of their clients.

Here are some effective ideas or marketing strategies for a small architectural firm to compete with established firms.

Use the internet. The Internet is a great place to find potential future clients. Getting in the right place and making a good, visually appealing website can attract more clients. In this way, you make your firm visible to the market. Once you are finished making your own website, you can now start making newsletters and send it to possible clients. It is also best that you stay in touch with existing clients.

Collect testimonials. Leaving a page for testimonials from your satisfied clients could also attract or persuade other clients to check out your firm. You may also tie-up with other companies that offer services complimentary to the kind of service you offer. They can refer your firm to their clients in exchange of commissions from your firm. Always ask your client how they found out about your company. In this way, you can assess what your strong and weak marketing points are and you can find a solution on how to improve your weak points.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Professional Interior Designer

Interior designers are often confused with decorators. The main difference of both professionals is that decorators specialize in surface materials while interior designers are the ones who are rigidly trained with certain technicalities and specifics like fire hazards. Interior designers are also licensed professionals unlike decorators.

Also, some people confuse hiring an interior designer as a costly expense but haven't you known that hiring a professional can save you more money and time. Since they have sufficient knowledge about the project, they can give you lots of tips that would suit your style and your renovation budget.

It is advisable that before hiring an interior designer, you have to find a style that you want for your house. And you need to come up with a budget plan for the renovation that you will be doing. You can get some renovation ideas from magazines or the internet. This will make your deal with your hired interior designer a lot easier to settle.

In finding the best home interior designer you can also surf through internet. Searching online is the fastest and the easiest way to find a great interior design professional.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Rooftop As A Green Space

“..rooftop has been a space that, on the rare occasion, has been celebrated, it has largely been forgotten or ignored within the built environment. At its most architectural, it serves to crown the top of the building. At its most functional, it serves to protect us from the elements. It is probably little surprise that rooftop accommodation has tended to be the least desirable.” --James Pomeroy, Room at the Top, Futurarc.


Living area, dining area, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, balcony/terrace the spaces we immediately think of when we are ask to identify usable spaces in our house. But, how about the rooftop? Could we consider the top of a roof as living space?


Roof the top most covering of a building; provides protection against rain, snow, sunlight, extremes of temperature and wind. Rooftop is the roof of a house or building including all its necessary construction material. It is as important as every parts of a structure, may it be in a house or a multi-storey building. For span of time, “the roof” is boxed on one simple function: a crown used as covering for protection. In our locality, rooftop as a space was given less attention, for some it is a waste space and for most buildings, a space where mechanical plant can be housed. But rooftop offers more than just a simple storage space, a left over space.


The rooftop as a green space is growing increasingly all over the globe. In Europe, the use of space on rooftops have been widely known since the Middle Ages. Sod roofs were an attribute of some houses in North America. Germany ventured into roof landscaping in the aft of oil crisis during early 70's to conserve energy. While in developed and highly urbanized cities, the used of land was intensified and sooner, scarcity of available land for development will become a major issue. Flat roofs of residential buildings and roof garden in office blocks is one of the possible options for the future.


Adapting such green practices in our neighbourhood is very helpful, especially today that people is starting feel the effect of global warming, complaining to have greener environment and bringing greener landscape to urbanized downtown area will do more since it will not occupy large area of land. Rooftop developments (roof gardens specifically) will break through the monofunctionality of a neighbourhood. Roof gardens benefits include reduced energy demand, attractive urban views and wildlife habitat.


Time passed, designs evolved, scarcity of land become a major issue, rooftop developments might be a possible solution to urban development without disintegrating the environment. Leah Damalerio

Cohabitation






















A tree house in New Zealand is crafted as a restaurant. It was created for a ‘reality’ TV advert as an off the wall functioning restaurant. Hanging on a Redwood tree, which is over 40 meters high and 17 meters in diameter at the base, the structure is shaped like an onion. With an open plan, it is accessible through a 60 meter tree-top walkway trailing behind it.

It was conceived along humble functional requirements, considering its organic setting and unusual location. Requiring only 18 seats, a bar with a waiting staff, it fits the wrapping plan proficiently. However the kitchen, catering facilities, and toilet are located on the ground level. The vertical lines draped around it make perfect camera angles and unobstructed views into its natural surroundings, which it blends with effortlessly. It is a necessary quality considering the demands of filming the advertisement. Almost 10 meters wide and over 12 meters high with an overwhelming natural exterior the onion-shaped tree house can almost be an unmistakable fruit growing out of a tree trunk.

Looking past its foremost intention, a film-advert-architectural-piece, this architectural feature suggests a promising potential. Perhaps an organic-producing developed society which may only be existent in science fiction or it can also possibly be a lost civilization in Amazon. No wonder it displays such architectural promise and excellence it weave itself with nature effortlessly without dominating its immediate surrounding. Again, beyond its intention we could easily see and imagine this seemingly delicious-eye-warming-idea of an advanced society cohabiting with the trees, like a literal exchange of natural processes between living organisms, as if a clean polished architectural fantasy already existing in science fiction.

Extending this architectural fantasy there can be fruit farms just lying at your backyard that may become as common as the usual green patch that we are all familiar. The main road is then transformed into a bustling hanging bridge with sturdy supports on the rich green and very much alive grassland below our houses. Work can be forests away and you may have to take a few zip lines to get to it. Malls would be these intricate weave of spaces hanging under and over bridges. It is like setting technological proficiency to match that of nature’s will and ability, never toning it down but leading it to a way in which it ‘grows’ with the natural processes.

Then the presence of animals would already be inherent to us, in which we approach our lives and our daily solutions with their consideration or because of them. And perhaps limits would have to be necessary in order for them and us to survive. Vegetation would be everywhere. On ground level, on bridges, on our houses, that the over all picture it conveys would be a park, a market place, a farm, a house, a bridge and a corporate building (with natural ventilation evidently), mashed up into an organic sculpture that grew on its own. Finally it can be as optimistic as branches reaching out for sunlight or as predictable to that of opening windows for letting some air in on a hot day. El Vim Cabazares

Monday, May 11, 2009

CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT



Construction Management Davao

Services

• Preparation of Bidding Documents
• Bidding Evaluation and Management
• Project Time Scheduling
• Technical and Administrative Coordination
• Periodic Progress Report and Evaluation
• Punch Listing
• Testing and Commissioning

Thursday, May 7, 2009