Two-dimensional drawings are no longer the only way to describe our designs. Clients and architects alike are utilizing 3D printing and virtual reality to bring projects to life and make design decisions. These technologies make the architectural design process accessible even to those who cannot comprehend the drawings. The benefits of 3D printing and virtual reality to the design process are unlimited.

With the advent of 3D printing technology, we are now able to give clients pieces of their home to touch and feel. 3D printing allows us to create architectural models quickly and precisely. Primarily, we use 3D printing to show details of a particular part of a piece of a home such as an ornately carved wall panel or column. We can even construct a bird’s eye view model of the entire exterior of the home. When clients can get a true feeling for the sense of space or detail, they feel much more comfortable in their design choices and the process. 

Beyond 3D printing, virtual reality adds yet another opportunity for clients to experience their home before it’s built. Using virtual reality software and glasses, clients can actually walk through their home design. (In some ways, it’s much like a video game.) The design of the home is built within the virtual reality software so that it is perceived to scale with the client “walks” through it. This powerful tool helps clients get a true feeling for the flow of a home and where things are located prior to construction. Through virtual reality, I am able to communicate the intent behind the design. Virtual reality elicits a visceral response in the viewer, just like physical architecture. Some clients love it so much they’ll spend 30 minutes “wandering” through the hallways of their future home. 

Despite all the technology available, I continue to sketch out all of my design by hand first. This simple action grounds me in the details of the home. Simply put, it’s how I’ve always done it and I feel more comfortable beginning my design process with pen and paper. But there is room for the new in my old school approach and I enjoy watching clients “see” their homes for the first time. 

William S. Briggs, Architect, PLLC
214.696.1988

William@WilliamsBriggs.com
http://www.williamsbriggs.com

As an architect, I regularly design projects that utilize luxury materials like Carrara marble, travertine tile, and high-end appliances. While it’s enjoyable to anoint a space with the finest finishes, a client does not need to have an endless budget in order to achieve good design. When designing a new project, I lavish the same attention to detail, scale, and proportion on it regardless of the size or scope. A well designed home or project should be born from the notion that form and function must work seamlessly together.

During a project in a neighborhood near our Dallas office, we used rather mundane exterior materials to great aesthetic effect. Off-the-shelf cementitious siding was transformed into an interesting and patterned façade. Doric columns set off the front door. A pergola over the front porch adds depth, while a small shed roof and balcony on the second floor add yet more dimension and visual interest. Rather than use regular shingles for the entire roof, metal roofing was added to set off select areas like the entryway and a few other windows.

It is always important for us to find a willing partner in such a process. We were able to work with a contractor who shared, even drove, our vision and they were able to execute this project at the highest level. The Greenwells’ ability to craft the materials chosen for the home’s exterior brought our vision to life.

When working with ordinary materials or a limited budget, some homeowners may feel like their options are limited. I’m glad that I can share this project with them as an example of the kind of extraordinary project that can be achieved when good design is the priority. 

William S. Briggs, Architect, PLLC
214.696.1988

William@WilliamsBriggs.com
http://www.williamsbriggs.com

As an architect, I’m often asked about what I think is good design. Now, what people are really asking is what styles I prefer- modern, traditional, ornate, minimalist. But good design is not bound by style so much as it is by broader, more classic issues. Good design means that a home is built in proper proportion and order with well defined spaces.

Let me use two examples to illustrate my point. The first is a hand-carved walnut paneling heavily wrought with detail meant for a new construction traditional style home. The second is a modern contemporary home. How can these opposing styles both be rooted in good design?

When I work with clients who want design rich with detail and depth, I always stay rooted in tradition. For me that means maintaining scale and proportion- more, in fact, is not always more. Looking at the hand-carved walnut paneling, you will columns and intricate scrollwork. You will also see plenty of blank, i.e. non-carved space, where we have allowed for depth in an in-laid part of the panel. This blank space serves as a much-needed foil to the sophisticated carving that borders the top and bottom of the paneling. Without some blank space to bring order and proportion to the carving, it would look busy and distracting rather than elegant and refined.

Many clients are looking for the wide-open spaces offered by a modern, contemporary home. They want a plethora of natural light and open concept living throughout the home. Both of these objectives can be achieved while still maintaining good design practices. The desire for natural light must be balanced with the need for privacy and intimacy in the home. Floor to ceiling windows in public spaces in the home are utilized in this property, while on the second floor you’ll notice that there are still many windows, but they are smaller in scale. This lets in light while preserving private space.

To achieve the openness and airiness that accompanies modern homes, we used stand-alone walls to divide rooms into their various sections, rather than full walls with doorways. This way we have defined the spaces for their intended uses, like the kitchen and dining space, but have still cultivated a sense of flow throughout the house. Without some definition, modern homes become impossible to furnish and live in. 

For every project and client, we try to set aside our preferential notions of style and instead focus on good design, no matter what. Styles will come and go and fads will drift in and out of favor. But like a great painting, a well designed home will remain relevant and beautiful for a lifetime. 

William S. Briggs, Architect, PLLC
214.696.1988

William@WilliamsBriggs.com
http://www.williamsbriggs.com

If you’ve decided to build a new home- congratulations and welcome to one of the most challenging and exciting projects of your life! The “to do” feels long right now, but in the end, living in your custom designed home will bring you years of joy. 

Set The Budget

With any home project, the step is finalizing a budget. How much money you have available for your new home will determine not only the size and layout of the home, but also the finishes, appliances, and character elements. Generally speaking, new construction homes cost more per square foot than a home renovation but that doesn’t tell the whole story. It’s virtually impossible to come up with a neat and tidy square footage price that includes all elements of the price from materials to labor.

Sharpen Your Pencils

Once we have a good handle on the budget, it’s time to start designing. Beyond knowing the number of bedrooms and square footage desired, I like to ask my clients questions about themselves. Often I ask them to think back to their childhood and write a paragraph that describes a meaningful space to them. Whether they write about a bright pink bedroom or a wood-paneled rumpus room, I’m able to glean a lot of information about the kinds of house and spaces they want to build. Personality has a lot to do with design and architecture so it’s important that I know my clients well and understand what makes them tick. Photographs from past or present homes or other sources of inspiration can also be helpful during this process. After the drawings are done, we may want to revisit the budget to make sure that what we’ve dreamed is actually possible. Often it’s helpful to consult with a builder to run construction costs so that there won’t be any surprises after groundbreaking.

Often clients ask how long the new construction process will take. It should take the exactly X amount of time. Not very helpful, I know. I wish I could tell you the timeline, but truly it’s important to both take your time during the drawing process to make sure you’ve examined all the alternatives. Taking too long has its drawbacks, though. As time passes, clients can find themselves second-guessing their decisions and changing their minds. This only leads to confusion and delay.

Trust Yourself

I do have one word of advice to anyone looking to build a new home- resist the armchair quarterbacking friends and family are wont to do. Certainly I encourage you to seek opinions and ideas from those you trust, but be wary of soliciting too much advice, only to lose track of your own wants and needs. 

After all the planning, it’s time to build. Your architect will be available during construction to make sure your designs are implemented correctly. While the process of building a new home requires a lot of organization and planning, it results in a one of a kind piece of architecture. Enjoy the process! 

William S. Briggs, Architect, PLLC
214.696.1988

William@WilliamsBriggs.com
http://www.williamsbriggs.com

 With a new house, you can get exactly what you want. You won’t find yourself restricting your vision to an existing structure; rather you’ll be able to realize bigger and bolder dream when you build a new home. In many cases, you can even choose where the home sits on the plot of land, offering you options in outdoor entertainment and seating. 

They’re Called Classics for a Reason

New traditional homes incorporate a lot of open design concepts. Kitchens flow seamlessly into dining rooms and living areas. Parents want to be able to see their children from multiple vantage points. While this openness may seem desirable, it’s important to consider privacy as you design your new home. Closed kitchens keep smells contained and hide dirty dishes from dinner party guests. Don’t get so caught up in what’s trendy now that you make design choices that you won’t appreciate in the long-term. 

See the Future

Good homes don’t fall out of fashion. If you have worked with an architect to design a home that focuses on how people will live in the space, you won’t have to worry about future marketability. Even though we may have seen a plethora of Georgian and Tudor homes in the 1990s, and even more French Country homes popping up right now, if those homes were designed with proper scale and proportion then they will stand the test of time. The trouble really begins when builders try to apply a façade or style “veneer” to a home without truly integrating it throughout the home.

Built to Last

A less glamorous part of building a new home is the materials used. You may be tempted to overlook quality as the budget grows, but I would encourage you to remain committed to tried and true materials. You will be living with the same patio pavers for years to come, so it’s important that they be sturdy and break-resistant.  The location also plays a role. White carpet may work well in a bedroom, but it has no place in a busy hallway. 

In the following two articles in this series, I’m going to discuss the pros and cons to designing a new homes, as well as how the approach to this type of project differs from a regular remodel. I hope you’ll join me as we discover the seemingly limitless potential of a new construction home. 

William S. Briggs, Architect, PLLC
214.696.1988

William@WilliamsBriggs.com
http://www.williamsbriggs.com