Blog | ACM Design, Asheville Architects

How to Choose the Best Property for your New Home

Posted in Custom Homes, Uncategorized on October 13th, 2009
by ACM Design - Be the first to comment

When building a new home, most homeowners spend days and months scouring home plans or working with a custom home architect to design their dream home. Many people don’t realize, however, that an equal amount of thought is required when buying residential property. Understanding how to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of a particular property is critical in the setting the tone for the construction process. Consider the following tips:

Size
The size of the property must be considered carefully. When thinking about your new home, consider how it will look on the site. Will you need a large front or back yard? Do you plan to add a pool? Is there room for future expansion? All of these questions are important to think about when determining if the property is large enough for the home you plan to build.

Soil
Understanding the type of soil that a home will be built upon can make the difference in the overall home design. Soils have various characteristics that determine the bearing capacity and can affect drainage, fertility and moisture levels below the home. The bearing capacity of the soil can mean the difference between a typical basement foundation and a pile foundation which directly impacts the overall cost of construction. Soil analysis is a simple process where soil borings are taken and the data reviewed. If possible, negotiate with the seller to provide the soil analysis with a favorable report as a condition of the sale.

Slope
Determining if a property has significant slope is not always easy to assess without the proper equipment. To the untrained eye, a property that may not appear to have much of a slope may in fact feature significant slope. Sloping property is fine if you want to build in a basement, but the amount of slope on the property directly determines whether the cost of that basement is expensive or reasonable. If you are working with a stock plan, carefully consider the effect of sloping property on the plan layout and the exterior look of the home.

Orientation
Site orientation is simply determining how the sun moves across the property. Does the land face primarily north, south, east or west? The site orientation can inform the design of the home which can have a tremendous affect on the efficiency of the building systems. For instance, does the primary view face west? If so, the home may be designed to capture those sunset views through many windows, but the air conditioning system will likely be larger or work harder to accommodate the large heat gain.

Aesthetics and Practicalities
Views, land features, proper drainage, and access to the property are a few other items that must be considered in combination with the other site aspects. These features, and others, directly relate to the value, building considerations and overall appeal of a property.

Topographical and Boundary Survey
Knowing and defining exactly the extents of the property is critical. Determining the building setback is a necessary first step for the architect to design the floor plan or for the owner to decide if a stock plan will fit. A boundary survey will also show property features, such as fences, that may encroach on a neighboring lot, or if a neighbor’s fence is on your property. If the property has significant slope or other features, such as a creek, having the survey reflect the lay of the land, or contours, is important in determining how the home could fit into the site. If possible, obtain this information from the seller or negotiate with the seller to provide this information as a part of the sales transaction.

Zoning Ordinances
When building a new home it is imperative to carefully review and familiarize yourself with any building restrictions or rules for the area where your property is located. Zoning ordinances determine the type of building can be built on a property. Even if your property is zoned for residential construction, the zoning for adjacent or surrounding properties may be different. Educating yourself about the zoning in your area is an important step in determining and protecting the value of your property investment.

Neighborhood/Subdivision Covenants
If the property is located in a neighborhood or subdivision, there are likely covenants that guide construction within the neighborhood, although this is not always the case. Meeting with a representative of the homeowners association will provide insight into the practices of that neighborhood. Don’t expect to build a playhouse, green house, backyard pool, or even install hardscape without going through a review process just because you own the land.

When embarking upon building a new home, remember to give proper attention to the selection of a property. Don’t be afraid to seek out the advice of an architect to assist with site selection. Even if you have already narrowed down the choices, an architect can help you assess the pros and cons of each site, ensuring that you make an educated decision about your property purchase. Securing the right property can greatly influence the overall success of a custom residential building project.

Reasonable Approaches to Sustainable Living

Posted in Custom Homes, Home Remodeling & Renovation, Uncategorized on October 12th, 2009
by ACM Design - Be the first to comment

Gold Level Healthy Built Home designed by ACM Design

Sustainable living, green building and eco-friendly homes are nothing new. Although rapidly gaining a widespread audience, green living is actually a way of life and can be as simple as changing your eating and recycling habits, or as far-reaching as designing a custom home with environmentally friendly building materials and features.

The benefits to homeowners building green, eco-friendly homes are well-known but worth repeating: lower utility bills, greater comfort, better indoor air quality, tax breaks, and higher resale prices, just to name a few. Green building should not be looked at as yet another home-building fad, but rather a way of making well-informed decisions regarding the ways we think and live. By making smarter decisions we significantly increase our health, wealth and well-being for ourselves and our families.

Green living at its core uses resources more efficiently, eliminates waste and creates healthier living spaces. It goes beyond an energy-saving appliance or a reduced waste home site (although those are great places to begin) and it is about significantly addressing and subsequently changing your lifestyle to live with efficiency in mind.

Building a green home first means understanding the balance involved between homeowner and nature. While benefits for the homeowner are vast, the effects of green building and sustainable living to the environment are equally immeasurable and require a harmonious blend of the two.

A great builder can assist with several materials to improve efficiency, but it is working with a custom home architect that allows the freedom to implement green building design from the very start. Depending on the level at which one wants to add eco-friendly elements into their custom home design, the following should at least be addressed and discussed when building a new green home:

Ways to design your home with the site orientation in mind
Ways to save water
Ways to save energy
Ways to design a healthy building/structure and air quality
Ways to reduce waste

One of the simplest ways to add to the energy efficiency of a new home is to consider the site orientation and features during conceptual design. The placement of the home on the property can make a tremendous difference in both the energy efficiency and overall cost of the home itself. For instance, placing many large windows on a west facing exterior results in significant heat gain thru the windows to the inside of the home. During the summer months, this design decision adds up to big dollars on the cooling bill. By simply rotating the home slightly on the property to avoid facing due west or by reducing the number of windows on a west facing elevation, the architect avoids the heat gain, as well as the high energy bill for the homeowner summer after summer.

Saving water obviously benefits the Earth and the homeowner by lowering utility costs. Water conservation can be achieved by incorporating low flow faucets and toilets, but can also be accomplished simply by doing things day to day like turning the water off while brushing one’s teeth. When architects and landscape architects and designers work together, they can help homeowners conserve even more water by designing rainwater catchment systems that capture rain water from the roof to irrigate plant material in the yard. Landscaping with native plants helps make the saved rainwater go even further.

Energy savings are ubiquitous in new home design, from Energy-Star-rated appliances to solar panels and geothermal heat pumps, the sky is the limit for incorporating new technologies. Even basic design considerations can affect energy savings by addressing plans and elevations that optimize passive solar heating and cooling effects.

Designing a healthy home and insuring the air quality is of the highest level can be achieved several ways. Attic spaces should be properly ventilated to eliminate rotting or mold when conditions rise and fall. Properly regulated heat and air conditioning systems are also important, as the size of the system can often cool the air too quickly, creating an unhealthy breathing environment.

Reducing waste when building green is easy to achieve. From recycling the home site materials, to incorporating natural trees, rocks and vegetation into the landscape design, eliminating waste and using recycled materials is one of the easiest green building methods.

Whatever elements you plan to incorporate into a custom home design, keep in mind that designing a green home begins as a concept and ends with a set of drawings that successfully benefits both homeowner and the environment.

Video of Custom Home Construction Tour in Asheville

Posted in Custom Homes on October 9th, 2009
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ACM Design, along with Brock Builders, hosted an open house construction tour of this custom home in Biltmore Forest (Asheville). This is our most recent project, and it’s very near completion now. We are proud the homeowners chose us to design this impressive home. Enjoy the video tour.

Entertain in Style with Custom Outdoor Kitchens

Posted in Custom Homes, Home Remodeling & Renovation on August 10th, 2009
by ACM Design - 1 Comment

Outdoor kitchen and covered porch designed by ACM Design

Nothing enhances a backyard, patio, or deck like an outdoor kitchen. Offering casual entertaining in a gorgeous setting makes custom outdoor kitchens a popular trend in outdoor design.

Before building an outdoor kitchen, think first about how you plan to use the kitchen. How will you use your outdoor kitchen? Do you need an entertaining space or just an open place to grill food? Do you plan to cook for several people or only yourself? Do you need appliances, other than a grill, to meet your cooking needs? Building an outdoor kitchen requires precise design and consulting a custom home architect or interior designer is recommended before any outdoor kitchen construction begins. By offering innovative design expertise and knowledge about outdoor products and materials, an architect can help you maximize available space and design your outdoor kitchen with your specific wants and needs in mind.

Once you have decided how you plan to use your outdoor kitchen, it is important to familiarize yourself with the trends and products available. For those looking to create an entire outdoor entertaining space there are several factors to bear in mind:

Positioning. Think about the position of an outdoor kitchen in relation to the kitchen inside your home. Depending on the outdoor appliances you choose, you might still need to make frequent trips indoors. Since carrying heavy items for a long distance is not ideal, it is best to minimize the distance between the outdoor kitchen and the indoor kitchen.
Seating. Comfortable outdoor furniture, such as sofas, chairs, dining tables, and bar stools, is an important consideration for any outdoor gathering space. Think about how many guests you generally entertain at once to determine how large the seating area should be and plan the amount of outdoor furniture accordingly. Keeping the seating area in proximity to the outdoor kitchen keeps both guests and the chef in the conversation.
Overhead Structure. Whether to provide shade or to protect against the elements, think about incorporating an overhead structure, such as pergola or solid roof, into the design of your outdoor kitchen. Overhead structures also give a place to install ceiling fans or lighting, allowing more creature comforts and longer entertaining times. Aesthetically, building an overhead structure helps define the outdoor gathering space, giving a sense of privacy.

For the latest product choices, consider the following trends when building outdoor kitchens:

Electronics. All-weather televisions and speakers are available to enhance your outdoor entertaining space. Families and friends can enjoy a delicious meal and then watch a big game or movie outside in surround sound.
Recycling Stations. Make it easy for cans and plastic bottles to be recycled by eliminating the need to throw everything away inside. Set up a separate outdoor recycling station with a built-in drawer or under-counter space.
Beverage Chillers. Wine chillers for red and white wines, keg taps, refrigerators and ice makers are all available for outdoor use and can add a sleek and polished finish to your kitchen, not to mention improve functionality.
Pizza Ovens. Kids and adults alike enjoy a stone-fired pizza and they make a popular addition to any outdoor kitchen.
Freezer Drawers. Perfect for hot days and serving chilled desserts, freezer drawers take advantage of small spaces with a practical purpose.
Hybrid Grills. Enjoy the convenience of gas with the great taste of charcoal. Hybrid grills save energy yet provide the best of both worlds.

Whether you are an artisan chef looking for a new place to create your next masterpiece, or just enjoy a lovely setting for a casual barbecue, installing an outdoor kitchen can be an exciting and stunning addition to any home.

Sunroom Design Does More than Brighten a Room

Posted in Custom Homes, Home Remodeling & Renovation on August 3rd, 2009
by Amy Conner-Murphy - Be the first to comment

Sunroom with fireplace designed by ACM Design

Homebuyers are becoming more and more savvy when it comes to understanding the value of a good deal. With the increased amount of foreclosed homes, many buyers are taking advantage of lower prices and spacious, private lots with mature trees in order to renovate a home to their satisfaction. Home remodeling with a qualified architect provides a homeowner many of the same advantages as a custom home.

What might have been an unused room or patio in an existing home is the perfect opportunity to add a versatile space that brings the outdoors in. In Asheville mountains, custom home design takes advantage of the natural landscape and views, and what better way to do it in an older home than by adding a sunroom?

Additions to an existing home typically add value and improve the quality of life for the homeowner, if the correct improvements are made and those improvements are designed and constructed well. Hiring a professional to oversee any home remodeling project, especially when a new design is planned, is important. An architect can provide value, not only by designing and drawing new sunroom plans, but by ensuring that the new design works well with the existing home. Many factors must be considered, from the nuts and bolts of adding or replacing windows, matching existing materials, and dealing with existing electrical and heating and cooling systems, to the more aesthetic considerations of designing the addition, both interior and exterior, to blend with the existing home.

Should your home have a walkout basement, consider transforming it by adding French doors and floor-to-ceiling windows. A dark library or study is another ideal room to renovate into a new, bright retreat. Invite your natural surroundings and landscape indoors with a professionally designed sunroom.

Designing with light is an important element of interior design, and a sunroom allows you to do just that. With sunroom design, the windows and natural light are the most important elements in the entire room. If the home already has a space you plan to use, be sure to carefully research and consider the options available before installing new windows. Double-pane, insulating windows are the best choice for energy efficiency, especially in areas like Asheville which experience relatively hot temperatures in summer and quite cold temperatures in winter. This type of window provides its increased energy efficiency by using low-emission (low-e) coatings on the glass and argon gas between the panes of glass to limit heat transfer. When building your sunroom, consider aluminum clad or fiberglass windows for the best in energy efficiency and less ongoing maintenance. Architects can also assist in designing skylights in the sunroom and typically suggest heat-resistant, tempered safety glass as the best option for skylights.

Whether you prefer to use your new sunroom design as a place for casual meals or as a conservatory, imagine this new space as an oasis. Furniture should be comfortable, lighter feeling, and like the paint colors for the room, should complement the natural surroundings outside. Sunroom additions allow light to bathe the room and brighten other rooms of the house within close proximity, but thought should be given to light control and privacy based upon your particular conditions and needs. Some prefer no window treatments or blinds at all while others prefer to incorporate those into the design. Adding a small fountain and plants can further bring the outdoors in and create a comfortable haven where your family can relax year-round.

Lighting Design: Highlighting Interior Design

Posted in Interior Design on July 27th, 2009
by Amy Conner-Murphy - Be the first to comment

Lighting design makes the room in this kitchen remodel.

Never before has lighting design been as versatile and decorative as today. With so many options available for the home, decorating with light can make the difference between an overly bright room and a work of art.

Before beginning any design project, consult with an architect or interior designer if you plan to add more than floor lamps or a chandelier. As with any home decorating project, the first step in lighting design is to determine your goals. What do you hope to achieve through your lighting design? Are you familiar with the types of light and fixtures available? How you use each room will determine what type of light is best for your living needs.

Understanding the types of light before beginning any lighting project is also important. The most popular types of light include:

Natural Light–Not just energy efficient, sunlight brightens a room with soft and warm tones unlike any other source
Architectural Light--Architects incorporate fixtures into the physical aspect of the home and are often built directly into the ceiling, such as rope or recessed lights
Artificial Light–Offering a myriad of options, artificial light is the third and most popular type of light that decoratively blends the lines between art and light source

Several varieties exist under the umbrella of artificial light, including accent, task and ambient lighting. Accent lighting is directional and highlights a specific object like a work of art. Ambient lighting is equivalent to mood lighting and can be achieved through dimmers or hidden sources of light, like a wall sconce. Task lighting is usually free of glare and can brighten a large work surface, such as a kitchen counter, with visual clarity.

Fixtures

After deciding what types of light are most important for your lifestyle, begin thinking about fixtures. Wall sconces, floor lamps, pendant lights, spotlights and track lighting are all options to brighten your home. Consider using several types of light and fixtures in one large room, as multi-dimensional lighting is a hot interior design trend. One example might be natural light in the living room through French doors and transoms, an accent light over a piece of art, soft wall sconces flanking a television, and track or recessed lighting overhead.

Lighting design and personality do go hand in hand, however. Don’t necessarily follow what is hot today and not tomorrow. Chandeliers are no longer just for the foyer or dining room and can be found in kid’s playrooms, kitchens or even outdoors. Replacing large, overhead fluorescent lights in the kitchen with recessed or decorative glass pendant lights will brighten a counter or table in high fashion. When space is an issue, proper lighting design can lower high ceilings or open a wall by flooding it with light, while dark floors and walls need less light to create an intimate atmosphere.

Just as artistic fixtures are important to any home interior, environmentally friendly lighting is also a welcome trend in modern home design. The advantages to automated lighting systems and energy-efficient fixtures and bulbs are favorable to both the environment and your wallet. With automated systems, one touch can brighten the exterior, light the fireplace, and dim the dining room to create the perfect dinner party setting. Dimmers in ambient lighting allow only the necessary amount of light to be used, and energy-efficient light bulbs such as low-wattage fluorescent bulbs also lower the amount of energy used.

Decorating with light can be as complicated or easy as you need it to be. Switching out a white bulb for a colored one changes the entire ambience in a room, just as replacing an overhead eyesore with a chandelier dazzles any living space. With a few easy switches and conversations with an architect or interior designer, you can transform your home into a work of art.

Finding an Architect to Design Your Custom Home

Posted in Custom Homes on July 24th, 2009
by Amy Conner-Murphy - 1 Comment

Custom Home by ACM Design architects

When building a custom home, it is essential to find the right residential architect to transform your vision into reality. The architect will help you with the design, the technical drawings and specifications, the builder and the entire process of building your custom home. Before choosing an architect to design your dream home, consider this . . . custom home design is a marriage of creativity, vision and livability. The team that you put together to create your custom home is critical and you should take your time to make the best decision.

So, where do you start?

The most important steps to finding and beginning a relationship with a custom residential architect can be summarized as follows:

Familiarize yourself with various home styles. Make a list of space needs for your home.
Purchase your property.
Search online and/or ask for recommendations from builders and friends.
Visit the architect’s website to view the work.
Interview the architect. Does their process mirror your needs and wants?
Contact references. How was it to work with this architect? Would you work with this architect again?
Select the architect and work together to create the budget and design that accurately reflects the home you envision.

Begin to think about the type of home you want. Drive through neighborhoods, take model home or open house tours, and peruse magazines for homes that inspire you. Familiarize yourself with various styles of homes, including Mediterranean, Craftsman, Traditional, European, Country, etc. Think about the functional features that you want for your home, such as a large kitchen, open plan, or three-car garage. Take notes and photos and start a file that you can share with your prospective architect. It’s important that you communicate your ideas, and vision as clearly as possible to the individual you’ll be working with. The real secret to great design lies in close collaboration. Good chemistry is crucial when it comes to designing a home that will live up to your dreams.

Securing your property early in the process is very important. The location of your property and its characteristics automatically define a portion of the design parameters for your custom home design. It is a good idea to search for an architect who is familiar with the area in which you plan to build. For example, if you live or want to build in the Asheville area, consider finding an Asheville architect who has experience designing custom homes in the area and working with local builders. Being familiar with the terrain, or topography, a local architect can help you determine the best placement for the home on the property. This decision can directly affect the overall cost of your new home. Aesthetically, imagine the advantage of natural sunlight in a great room or kitchen during the day which will also save on energy and utility bills.

Next, compile a list of potential architects. Searching the web and word-of-mouth referrals are two great resources for finding an architect. Visiting the architect’s website can help you determine if the architect’s style is compatible with yours. If you have seen a home that you’ve admired, ask the homeowner who designed the home. If you already have a builder, ask for recommendations. Choose architects that are part of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), as this implies a current and state-recognized license. The AIA features a useful “architect finder” on their web site — www.aia.org

Then, narrow your list to few architects you determine are the best match and set up interviews.

Clear communication is imperative, so don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions up front. How do they charge for their services? What is a realistic timeframe for completing the architectural work and for completing the construction? Do they sell their custom plans later on as stock plans? How often are you allowed to meet during the various designing stages? Is the architect familiar with construction costs? Are changes to the plan allowed after construction begins? Is there a charge? Do changes go through the builder or architect?

Personality is also important. Ideally, the relationship between client and architect must flow smoothly. Clear communication is key.

If you are serious about a particular architect, ask to visit completed homes or homes under construction that the architect has designed. Also, ask for references . . . and be sure to call the references and ask questions. How was it to work with this architect? Did the architect listen to your ideas, needs, etc. and act as your advocate during the process? Did the architect guide you in making decisions to keep you within your budget? Was the end result what you expected? Would you work with this architect again?

Finally, select the architect that you feel is the best match for you and for your project. The real answers are found in the connection with the architect and in the work itself. After all, this is the individual who’ll be translating your vision into reality and it is crucial that you communicate, and collaborate, effectively together.

Remember, designing and building a custom home is a personal journey that allows the freedom to create exactly what you want for your home. Whether your ideas are still in your head or a series of magazine clippings or sketches, choosing a qualified residential architect is the necessary first step for success to create the home that best represents your personality and becomes the home of your dreams.