Why Have Lighting In Your Home?
Guest Post by Nathanael Washam, Lighting Designer with Luminous NW I have to warn you that the title is a trick question: the most common answer is technically true, but the real answer is much deeper and more mysterious. The easy answer is that we have lighting in our homes to allow us to see. We use it to be aware of and recognize objects so we can successfully pour a cup of coffee, take a guest's coat, or walk down stairs. WHICH IS GREAT. Without electric lighting in our home, we would essentially be blind from dusk to dawn. Being able to see is a wonderful gift that lighting enables us to use. But being able to see is only 20% of what lighting does in our homes. The other 80% is sending us subliminal messages on how to feel. Every second, your brain is gathering visual information from your surroundings to regulate body temperature, blood pressure, muscle tension, alertness, and a host of other physiological aspects of "wellbeing". Your brain is also connecting the quality of the light around you to memories of similar lighting experiences and how you felt back then. The angle of light, its intensity, its specific color of "white", and what it is falling on and reflecting off of all combine to create the mood and atmosphere of a room. And don't pass this off as "is it pretty or not". Though you may never attribute it to lighting, there are levels of discomfort, irritability, insecurity, and distraction that are caused solely by where and what type of lighting fixtures you have in a space. Through the study of light and it's affect on humans, you can consistently achieve the more-desireable opposites of the above by designing your lighting. I tell my clients that working with me will help them laugh more in the family room, enjoy food better in the dining room, and sleep more soundly in their bedrooms. More and more research is proving me right, but don't just take science's word for it: go into a nice restaurant and imagine trying to get work done in that lighting. Or, go into an office cubicle-land and imagine eating a family dinner that way. Lighting is such a powerful force in our homes, either to our benefit or to our detriment. Which side are YOUR lights on? Nathanael Washam is a lighting designer with Luminous NW. To learn more about his work, you can visit his website at luminousnw.com.
Insulation Matters
Have you ever wondered what exactly is sandwiched in-between your walls so that the interior of your home stays cozy and is protected from the chilly or hot outdoor temperatures? With current concerns about global warming many people are turning to sustainable solutions in architecture. One approach to decreasing environmental impacts is selecting insulation with lower embodied energy – the sum of all the energy necessary to produce a product and transport it to its desired location. Many people wonder what actions they can take to decrease their carbon footprint. Well, selecting the type of insulation is one way a homeowner can make a significant difference. Conventional insulation including expanded polystyrene or extruded polystyrene applied with hydrofluorocarbon blowing agents are made from fossil fuels that release green house gases with high global warming potential. Selecting insulation that releases less nasty green house gases during production and installation is better for the environment and the health of the people involved in installation. Materials like cellulose – or plant fiber, mineral wool, denim, hemp fiber, straw bale, and mushroom insulation are sustainable alternatives. Cellulose – or plant fiber, is made of post-consumer recycled paper and offers great sound insulation. It is a fitting option for remodels or additions since installation is quite simple. Mineral wool – is made from melted stone or iron spun into fibers, much of which comes from pre-consumer recycled material. Products can come in the form of rigid sheathing used slab-on-grade construction. Denim – is made of recycled cotton from pre-consumer waste scraps or post-consumer jeans. Straw bale – is just that, straw bales, a product that doesn’t keep you guessing. It is made of renewable material that is easily available. Mushroom – or more specifically mycelium, grows on agricultural crop waste. The fungus does not actually produce fruit, so no mushrooms will be growing in your house. It is a cutting edge solution for low-embodied energy insulation, and is currently still in the research and development phase. Fiberglass – is made of spun glass fibers. It is resistant to moisture and bacteria, and is easy to install. Hemp fiber – is a great natural insulator that is biodegradable. They maintain their structure and are resistant to slumping over time. Written by Carmen Ulrich
Denny Blaine Midcentury Modern Remodel
The homeowners of this virtually untouched midcentury modern home came to H2D Architecture + Design in search of help with remodeling the master bathroom. The home was originally designed by John Rohrer and is designated as a historic landmark. The master bathroom was in a state of disrepair and needed a major overhaul to be functional once again. The design was carefully thought out to fit within the context of the home and of the era that the home was built. A custom sunken tub/shower was designed in the space and tiled in a stunning pattern with Heath Ceramics tile. The vanity, light fixtures, and wall mounted cabinets were specially designed and selected to fit the space.
Hiring An Architect 101
When taking on a remodel, addition, or new construction project, many owners are unsure where to begin. Often times, the first step that the owner takes is to call a builder to get a quote for the work. The builder may then ask if the owner has a design for them to bid and build from. If the answer is 'no', this is where the architect comes into the picture. An architect can provide a wide range of services to their clients including feasibility studies, space planning and design, code research and compliance, energy efficient construction, material selection, permitting, bid negotiation, and construction observation among many other services. At first glance at the architect's fees, it may feel like you are paying a lot for just a few plans and visit to the building department. Instead, you are paying for years of training, expertise, and experience for an architect to help bring your vision into reality. The time spent working with the architect may also help you to avoid expensive mistakes during construction by working out the kinks through design, layout, and detailed construction documents on paper prior to starting construction. Over the course of the design process, the architect and owner will pore over the design in painstaking detail until the drawings contain enough information for the builder to take the plans and build the project. During the design process, the architect will help with suggesting materials and construction methods that may suit your budget or help with ideas for creating an energy efficient home which can save thousands over the years. The design costs are a relatively small percentage compared to the added value that good design can achieve. A beautiful, creatively designed space alone will maintain premium value for the long term and for potential future resale.
Design a Fabulous Shower
Showering has become a luxurious experience. With many new fixtures and systems available today, it is easy to bring a spa-like experience into your own home. The multitude of options available can become daunting to a homeowner embarking on a bathroom remodel. It is important to understand the type of showerhead or showering system that best fits your needs when designing a new shower in your home. Standard showerhead The standard showerhead can come as a fixed showerhead that is permanently installed on the wall or as a hand-held showerhead on a bar with a flexible hose which allows for adjustable height and option to be hand held. The standard showerhead allows for a variety of spray patterns and options, such as pulse, massage, wide spray, directed spray, etc. The standard showerhead is also available in a low-flow model which helps with energy efficiency by reducing the amount of water that is used with each shower. Rain shower The rain showerhead simulates the experience of standing outside in the rain. The showerhead allows for a high volume of water to flow with an even, gentle shower. The rain shower head does not allow the user to change flow pressure. A rain showerhead can be installed on the wall and is also available as a ceiling mounted unit. Ceiling Mounted Shower Tile/Panel The ceiling mounted shower tile or shower panel is installed flush with the ceiling of the shower. This type of showerhead provides a similar experience to the rain showerhead with a large volume of water simulating rain. The shower tile/panel comes in a variety of sizes and some types even provides options for light and sound. The shower tile provides a clean, contemporary look in the shower and visually disappears with the ceiling. Body Sprays The bodyspray provides a spray that is directed to a specific location. The bodysprays are typically mounted on the wall flush with the tile. They are located to provide targeted spray for a specific location, such as runners tired legs or aching backs. The bodysprays come with options for direct spray and other types provide options for adjustability of the spray. Other showering options may include steam showers, digital shower controls, multiple shower heads or multiple types of showerheads.