What to Expect After You Hire an Architect

So, you’ve decided it’s time to build a new property or kick off that long-awaited renovation project. You’ve researched architecture firms, narrowed down your options, and now you’re ready to take the next steps

Developer Guide, Design PrinciplesKim AllenDecember 2, 2024onboarding, architecture tips, hiring an architect, architecture on boarding, design phase, project ethos, new orleans architects, new orleans designers

Our Design Director's Top Space Planning Strategies

The initial step to most projects is to come up with a strategy to organize all the different spaces and determine what kinds of spaces are needed, what they should and should not be next to, and how those spaces will fit in to our overall goals.

Straight from our Design Director, here are three of our top Space Planning Strategies we can utilize when starting a new project.

Quick Tips, Interiors & Materiality, Design PrinciplesKim AllenSeptember 11, 2024design strategies, planning and design, floor plan design, floor plan tips, floor plan suggestions, floor plan DIY, architecture, architects, architecture planning, architecture process

Renovating an Old Building? You Could Be Leaving Money on the Table!

If the property you're interested in is in a historic district (or is itself on the National Register of Historic Places), you should know that the state and federal government set aside hundreds of millions of dollars each year to offset your development costs.

Developer Guide, Historic Projectsben allenAugust 2, 2024historic architecture, historic buildings, historic districts, historic tax credit, renovations, restorations, preservations, texas, louisiana, mississippi, alabama, Gulf Coast Architects, Gulf Coast Building Design, Gulf Coast Construction, gulf coast development

Small Lot, No Problem!

While yes, the footprint is small and small does not always mean less expensive, it does require thinking creatively to achieve the greatest return and yes, the return can be great.

Developer Guide, Quick Tips, Construction & Permittingben allenJuly 28, 2024architecture, new orleans, new orleans real estate, new orleans real estate planning, developer, Urban development, missing middle developments, conceptual design, architecture planning, architecture process

What are "test fits" and do I need one?

We all enjoy trying on clothes before buying them, right? Think of test fits as the real estate equivalent of trying on clothes. Lately, we've seen a surge in feasibility studies for potential properties, which are often referred to as "test fits". This increase may be a response to last year's freeze on short-term rentals in Orleans Parish, which left many developers wondering, "What else can I do with this property?" Let's explore some key questions that test fits are designed to address.

Developer Guide, Construction & Permittingben allenJune 26, 2024test fit, feasibility study, new orleans real estate, real estate developments, historic tax credit feasibility, as-of-right, zoning codes, architecture, design, predesign services, new orleans construction, new orleans architecture, new orleans real estate planning

Can Third Place Developments Fill Our Vacancies?

The term “third place” has infiltrated our market as a space to be in that isn’t - one, our home, or two, our office…it’s our third place: a place to socialize, be creative, relax, meet and entertain.

Sustainability, Developer Guide, Interiors & MaterialityKim AllenMay 30, 2024third place, cowork, vacant buildings, real estate developments, new orleans real estate, social clubs, hi-rise buildings, indoor garden, business plan, investment plan, real estate investments, new orleans architects, Urban architecture, Urban development, Adaptive Reuse

Regional Materials Palette

Our regional materials palette features tile, stone, wood and other building material sourced locally, supporting sustainability by reducing the transportation impact of building materials over long distances. Below is a compilation of materials we think you should consider using in your next building project.

Sustainability, Design Principles, Interiors & MaterialityKim AllenMay 22, 2024regional, material research, US Southeast region, Southeast region, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Tile, Stone, Wood, Building Materials, sustainability, Carbon Footprint, Design Resource

Framework for Excellence: Design Strategies

The American Institute of Architects has recently released its Framework for Design Excellence, a guidance tool consisting of ten key principles complemented by probing questions. This tool serves as a guidepost to help designers make advances toward a better built environment that is zero-carbon, promotes health, fosters resilience, and upholds equity.

Sustainability, Design PrinciplesKim AllenMay 2, 2024AIA framework for excellence, Design for Well-being, Design for Integration, Principles in Design, Design, Architecture, sustainability, project goals

Behind the Scenes: Coordinating Photoshoots

This week we wanted to take you behind the scenes of a few photoshoots we are coordinating of our recently completed projects here in New Orleans by sharing our typical process - from initial decision making to execution.

Quick TipsKim AllenApril 4, 2024photoshoots, styling, architectural photoshoot, interior photoshoot, behind the scenes, professional photography, staging

What's Happening to Real Estate in New Orleans?

Those of us involved in building things - planners, city governments, developers and architects and designers - need to advocate to fundamentally change they physical framework of daily commerce, and we need the support of the citizens to do so.

Developer Guideben allenApril 3, 2024urban development, retail vacancies, new orleans, new orleans neighborhoods, construction, real estate, new orleans real estate, downtown new orleans, urban planning, urban environment, commerce, city framework, housing demand, housing issues, architecture, communities

Selecting the Perfect Terra Cotta

When our clients for a new, two-family home in the Irish Channel neighborhood asked us to provide them with something warm, modern and organic, we were excited about exploring this design aesthetic, especially as it pertains to key features like terra cotta tile.

Robert Street Pool House Project

Construction & Permitting, Design PrinciplesKim AllenSeptember 11, 2023uptown new orleans, new orleans design, new orleans pools, pool design, pool house design, pool house addition, porch addition, residential master planning, residential architecture, custom homes, custom additions

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This week we wanted to take you behind the scenes of a few photoshoots we are coordinating of our recently completed projects here in New Orleans by sharing our typical process - from initial decision making to execution.