Downtown Revitalization

I have dreamed, since I was in college, of putting together a real, viable project that would help to revitalize Downtown Montpelier - downtown "anywhere" for that matter.  My real-life experience, however, has demonstrated that the REAL part is easy, it's the VIABLE part that is the problem.  Investing money in a REAL project that lacks VIABILITY is a waste.

One other problem with downtown projects is that they are inherently complicated.  Research and experience have shown that success only comes when you have three elements:

1) satisfaction - a successful downtown needs to have a diverse cross-section of venue to satisfy needs and wants - too much specialization can kill - a significant lack can kill too

2) residents - people who actually live in and near the downtown and shop/eat/entertain in the downtown

3) attraction - the downtown needs to be attractive enough to ALSO draw people from outside the downtown

So, I am currently involved with several groups that are working on a few elements resembling both REAL and VIABLE projects for Montpelier: cultural, residential and commercial (need/want).

ArtSpace, First National Building, and Iron Horse Tavern.  These projects - when combined - present some awesome opportunities in Montpelier.  ArtSpace is the most pressing.  I hope to post soon with some updates on how this success is spurring other conversations.

Residential Development: Compact House

It is important for a residential development to provide options for prospective home-buyers.  The market seems to respond better when there are a few options available.

The Compact House is intended for the smaller, narrower lots in the development plan I am working on for Montpelier.  The compact plan allows for a more efficient and flexible use of the site - read good options for pools or other site improvements.

Residential Development: Linear House

A huge part of marketing home sites is showing what you could put on that home site.  I have been asked to develop some conceptual house designs in order to generate some enthusiasm for the new development in Montpelier.

  

The first is the "Linear House", rather generically named (at this point) because the spaces are arrayed along a single internal circulation datum - from one end to the other.  The house contains approximately 1,800 SF in 1 1/2 stories.

Rotary Park Shelter Update; Photo Simulations

The Park Shelter is ready to go - Construction Drawings are finished, budget is approved, and the Village has given its blessing.  We are just waiting on the final OK on the funding to submit for State permit.

In the meantime, some people wanted to see what this thing would look like on the site.  So we took some photos and dropped in the model (or at least a very sketchy version of the model).

Looking West along Main Street

Residential Development: Site Plan

All projects have a process - a methodical series of steps that take the project from concept to reality.  Such is the case with residential development.  This is the process that I became VERY familiar with while working in New York: start with an empty lot, add in the zoning restrictions, identify the ideal number of units (houses, townhouses, or apartments) and suggest a few layout options.

Early in 2011, I was approached by some local business people who are looking to develop some property in Montpelier for a new residential neighborhood.  This group has several objectives for this new development:

  1. a neighborhood that appeals to young professionals and families
  2. extend the existing fabric of the community (rather than ignore it)
  3. walk-able and interconnected streets

Residential Project #3: Schematic Design

All of the steps up to this point are completely necessary, but this is where the FUN begins.  Schematic Design takes all of the hard work, technical information and lists and combines them with the art part of Architecture.  The result is the emotional and compelling drawings that get the client excited...and that usually get the job going.

Williams County has a lot to offer!

So my work is much more public now and I thought it would be good to revisit how Williams County fits into the midwest.  I am consulting with the Northwest Ohio Rail Commission (NWORC).  This group is charged by the Williams County Commissioners with collecting information on the potential for using the County's existing rail infrastructure, industry, and workforce potential as a marketing tool to bring new jobs and development to the County.

Many local leaders refer to Williams County as "the best kept secret in the Midwest" due to our great connectivity to highways, rail, and ports - both air and sea (via the Great Lakes).  Further, Williams County is within a days drive of approximately 1/8 (one-eighth) of the nation's population.  Sounds great!  Show me...

Residential Project #2: Program & Design

When the Existing Conditions are finished, the next step is knowing what to do with the space.  The "Program" for the Project is the desired rooms, arrangement, sizes, etc.  The trick is fitting the Program in the existing space with as much efficiency and finesse as possible.  The less addition the better, since addition costs more than renovation.

In this case, the client wants a range of modifications that, simply put, rearranges and expands the existing house.  The resulting project, however, greatly expands on the flexibility of the house, takes advantage of the extraordinary views, and makes the house much more interesting.

Residential Project #1: Getting Started

I am pleased to say that I have a residential project currently underway.

Several people have commented on the time and effort that goes into an architectural project.  One memorable comment: "I had no idea it took so much to get a project done."  So, as I get this project started, I thought it would be good to document the process that I go through - at least for a residential renovation/addition.

Existing Conditions Plan

Step #1 - Existing Conditions
For renovations and additions, existing conditions are critical.  The biggest problem that might creap up is that the planning doesn't fit.  No matter what type of project, there are small, medium, or large parts of the plan that have space constraints: kitchen cabinets, toilets, beds (single, double, queen, king), and the list goes on.  Just about every project has at least one of these important features, not to mention the tight planning dimensions that creap up in a renovation project: corridors, door swings, existing window placement, etc.

Residential Isn't Dead!

With the residential real estate market fallen on tough times, it appears that residential architecture and new construction is nearly dead at the moment.  Maybe not.

Last year, the EPA announced new, more restrictive regulations on lead paint removal in homes.  Basically, when renovating a home with lead paint, there are pretty restrictive standards for containment and cleanup.  Many contractors went out and got certified to work with lead paint.  Costs for renovations - especially extensive renovations - are expected to be high. 

Many older homes continue to require updates of critical systems.  Some of these houses need extensive updates.  However the size, configuration, quality of construction or design of the house may not warrant such an extensive upgrade when coupled with the required lead paint mitigation.  A serious concern on the part of communities and community leaders is the loss of investment in these older homes, the potential for vacating homes that need too much work, and the eventual loss of housing stock.  Developers are loathe right now to invest in new roads and infrastructure that poses little return on their investment with housing prices still at near-record lows.  So what is a land-owner or a community to do?

My suggestion: Re-Development.

Let me qualify this opinion by saying that 1) I am an architect trained in classical and traditional methods of construction; 2) I adore older homes, their design and construction - in fact we live in one; 3) I believe that exceptional pieces of historic architecture should be preserved.  HOWEVER, many of the older homes that need these upgrades are not worth saving.  When facing the options, it may seem a shame to tear down old houses just because it would be "hard" to update them.  However, when you consider the efficiencies gained with new technologies in insulation, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, it becomes a no-brainer.  The inefficiency - and dangers - of updating an old house can quickly be out-weighed by the efficiencies gained in the new construction that replaces it.

So, we are working on a concept to do just that.  I will post updates as they come along.

Architectural Library

I like to say that Architecture is a "reference profession".  First, there is no way that any person can have the minutia and details of a respective building code committed to memory.  Second, there are countless material and design considerations that require specialized installation details or fixtures.  Third, sometimes I need inspiration!  So, I have established my own architectural library.

Puddles are fun...

...except when they end up in your basement!

This week has been crazy - I have had a lot going on at home and at work.  Some of it work-related, some of it sick-kid-related.  But, one great thing did get started this week: a new promotional campaign for Kannel Superior Agency, Inc.  We are working on some new ways to interact with our customers.  We'll see if it works.

Published!

When I worked in New York I had the opportunity to work with some very talented people.  I also worked on some extraordinary projects.  These are the types of projects that get published in magazines.

The project featured on this month's cover of Westchester Cottages & Gardens Magazine was the product of a great collaboration:  I was working for the firm of Richard Henry Behr Architect; interior design by Young Huh (who got the project published); Comstock Residential Contracting completed a masterful product.  For my part, I was the architect: I designed the building and layout for this AWESOME bathroom in Scarsdale, New York.

The art of the sketch

One of the pieces of the field of architecture that is wasting away is the "sketch".  I have observed, from my experience with students (interns from Cincinnati who came to work with us in New York), that architectural education lacks exposure to the fun and necessity of hand-drawing.  The result is that students don't even know that they need to draw and so they don't seek after it - they don't practice.

I can attest to this personally!  Even though I got into the field because I love to draw, I stopped drawing in college for a long time because I thought the computer could do it for me.  Finally, I had a faculty member FORCE me to draw free-hand for a crit.  I thought he was crazy.  It turns out that was exactly what my project needed - the freedom from a straight-edge to get the creative juices flowing.

Pep Talk: Get Involved!

Every once in a while I need a pep talk.

I know that I have the ability to convince myself that our society, my work, government...whatever your topic...is totally ruined.  "We are beyond recovery" or " There is nothing we can do about it NOW!" or "What can I do about it, anyway?!?!"  It seems that, in our current period of precarious economic conditions, these types of statements are very common.  HOWEVER(!) I know that these types of statements are also FALSE!  And I recently had an extraordinary venue to relate my perspective to a group of local community leaders.

A Major Upgrade

On a whim, I attended the WEDCO (Williams County Economic Development Corporation) Annual Meeting in December.  I don't believe in accidents.  I sat with a group from the Montpelier and Bryan Chambers of Commerce and, without any planning, a contractor from Wauseon.  Scott Mirtes owns The H L Frass Company which is a MEP contractor specializing in geo-thermal systems.  He recently purchased a former auto dealership for use as an office and showroom.  We struck up a conversation and, the beginning of January, I started work on his renovation project.

Williams County Regional Map

This is a little project that has occupied some of my time in the last few weeks.  The full project that goes along with this map is pretty interesting, but not public yet.

The group that I am working with wanted a good graphic to show how Williams County is connected with the region.  Most people - even life-long County residents - don't realize how close we are to some of the major metropolitan areas of the Midwest.  Yet we get to enjoy a lower cost of living (higher standard of living) and the quiet pace of rural life. 

Want some big-city excitement?  Hop in the car (or on the train!) and you are in Chicago in a few hours.  What's not to love?

Thanks to Jeanne Gardner for her EXCELLENT comments on the graphics and color, Quality Printing in Montpelier, and, of course, my in-house critics.

Have you ever seen a Press Box like this?

...neither has Northwest Ohio!

Montpelier's current Press Box is dedicated to the late Hip Klotz, but the reconstruction from the mid-1990s is in desparate need of an update.  So, almost immediately after we received the permit for the Storage Building, Dr. Grime called me to discuss the potential for a redo.  He said "Use your imagination..."  In this case, we have come up with a solution that is unique and interesting, but should cost about the same as a simple re-cladding and new roof for the existing building.

My first built work in Ohio!

Well, every architect has to start somewhere!  We moved to Montpelier in June and in September I got the call from Dr. Jamison Grime - Superintendent for the Montpelier Exempted Village Schools.  He needed an architect to design a storage building (20x30) for field equipment and the concession stand at the football stadium.  It would replace a small storage shed in the same location.  He wanted it simple, but it needed to match the color and material palette of the newly renovated Fieldhouse (the building behind). 

I completed the drawings and secured the permit from the State of Ohio by mid-November 2010.  Construction was completed in January 2011 by Matt Dye Construction, Montpelier.

Visit the Bryan Hospital

For anyone that says that there is nothing going on in Williams County...you haven't driven down High Street in Bryan.

The new Bryan Hospital (slated to be completed in August) is one of the most impressive facilities that I have seen in a long time.  We were honored to receive a tour yesterday from Dr. Nick Walz, Chief Medical Officer.  What an outstanding trip.

Rotary Park Shelter

My first project out of the gate...in fact my dad volunteered me for this one even before we moved from New York...is a new shelter for the Main Street Park in Montpelier.  The park is located on the site where Montpelier's High School once stood - also the site of my Master's thesis project.  Now a park without a shelter, the Montpelier Rotary Club have decided that they want to make an investment here.

My task was to design a shelter that has some class - especially considering that the residential neighborhood is composed of some of the best architecture in town.  With the help of my in-house critics (my wife and parents) the details bring to mind the transition between Victorian and Craftsman of 1900-1920 (the period of the neighborhood) and the proud railroad heritage of Montpelier.

The resulting project nearly knocked their socks off!

We are now in the process of receiving bids from local contractors.  The club hopes to have it completed by July - just in time for Montpelier's big summer festival!

First Post

I think that the best way to start is by laying out my priorities for this blog.  First, as a temporary substitute for a website, I will post bits of my current work.  Lots of people ask "So, what type of work do you do up there in Montpelier?"  "You should take a look at my blog" I will now reply!

Second, I think that there are some issues in both the practice and study of Architecture that I might mention on occasion.

Finally, it amazes me the variety of opportunities available in small-town America (btw, Montpelier's population is approximately 4,500; Williams County population +/- 30,000).  I will, from time to time, mention some of the excellent things going on here.

Now, I need to scrape up some images to show that I have been working...