Cheers to 21 Years, Manho!It’s always bittersweet to write these types of articles, where we say goodbye to an integral part of the Studio21 Architects team. A longtime member of our team, Manho, will be leaving us for Hong Kong and while we aren’t happy that he’s leaving, we are happy to share with you all an article that rounds up Manho’s greatest hits over the last twenty-one years!
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Another Note...From Another BillDear home builders, Studio21 Architects, husbands and wives,
Around the globe, there is a serious problem developing within our own homes—so serious, that it is causing some folks to throw in the towel and even consider divorce. That problem is what to do with and where to display kitchen hand towels. Most men who use the kitchen enjoy having the towel easily available for the washing and drying of hands or for the drying of dishes during [...] creating with characterproject spotlight
Welcome to the Studio, Beck!The days have been getting longer, the sun is shining, and the cicadas have emerged to scream their screams [Editor’s Note: to date, cicadas have officially stopped screaming.]. Summertime comes around every year, and like the predictability of the seasons, we are back again—right on cue—with another Welcome to the Studio! Surprise, surprise! Our team has been steadily growing over the years, to accommodate more projects and to ensure that we have enough team support to aid our clients at the level which they deserve. Earlier this year, we welcomed another new addition to the design side of the Studio 21 Architects team: Architectural Drafter, Beck!
Note From BillKitchen crimes!A few issues ago, I declaimed the common bathroom design mistakes that frustrate me to no end. For the most part, these indefensible design choices were observed in rental homes that I’ve stayed at throughout my travels. I personally prefer the vacation rental over a hotel room and because of that, I am back once again on my soapbox to vocalize another common source of plain bad design: the kitchen.
Project SpotlightThe Van Prooyen's Fresh Take on a forever homeThere is a certain duality to the meaning of a “forever home”. On the one hand, it means a home that’s built with the future in mind, so that no matter what life has in store, your home can remain steadfast in meeting your needs. On the other hand, a “forever home” also means a place that stays timeless; classic design that stands the test of time. When Karen and Gary Van Prooyen decided to set out on their custom home journey, this concept of a forever home was at the forefront of their minds.
Reminder: DuPage PADS Drive for 155!It’s May, the sun is starting to shine, and we are only two months away from the fourteenth annual DuPage PADS Drive for 155 charity karting race! You may remember that this is one of the favorite events for the Studio21 Architects team, and we always want to take some time to highlight this event that raises money for such a worthy cause. If this is your first time hearing about DuPage PADS or their annual charity kart race, here’s a quick overview.
DuPage PADS was founded in 1985 to provide interim and permanent housing to those experiencing homelessness in DuPage County. PADS is tuned in to the fact that the solution to homelessness is so much more complex than offering food and temporary shelter; it is about offering the tools and support to stop the cycle. In addition to housing, the team at PADS puts their clients in touch with any supplemental support they may need, like case management and employment support. Documentary...NOW!A NOTE FROM BILL There never seems to be a dull moment at Studio21 Architects; I am well and truly back from my trips to Las Vegas, for the International Builder’s Show, and New Zealand, for the A.M.I. Mastermind Summit, and I feel like I am back into the swing of things at the office— just in time for the slowly warming weather. As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers, and while that generally proves to be true, for me the advent of Spring means something else entirely: the beginning of racing season!
Decompress Your Design StressARCHITECT'S ADVICE I’m sure it comes as no surprise that stories about design projects often come with ominous undertones. Home projects are a source of constant stress! Why would you ever start a renovation––don’t you know projects like that can ruin a marriage? Design projects just bring out the worst in everyone! One quick Google search, and it looks as though the confirmation is right there; pages and pages of articles about this topic are right there at the forefront, and with that, it starts to feel like there’s reason to be worried. Take it one step further, and you can see in seemingly scientific percentages the rates of frustration, regret, and even separation in couples that jump into a home design project. [Okay, I know that so far, I am sounding like a harbinger of doom, so let’s just take a breath before moving on.]
Welcome to the Studio: A New Approach!I’ll be honest with you; after welcoming three new team members over the past year, it’s clear that these Welcome to the Studio articles are not a favorite activity for their subjects. Occasionally it devolves into a matter of me chasing our newest team member around the office for an interview! As they say, hindsight is 20/20, so just like we create a tailor-made experience for our clients, we’re going to customize this article to suit our fellow introverts and introduce not only our new Project Manager, but also a new design program we’ve been using.
[Author’s Note: With that being said, I do feel like I should apologize to the other introverts on the team that I’ve subjected to an entire article.] |