What You’re Really Paying For When You Hire a Contractor

Hiring a contractor isn’t just about covering labor and materials. You’re investing in the expertise it takes to manage a complex construction project from start to finish. A skilled contractor coordinates subcontractors, oversees the job site, manages contracts, researches alternatives, and ensures quality control—all while keeping client expectations in check. This combination of organization, communication, and technical know-how is what transforms plans on paper into a successful finished project.

Construction & PermittingKim AllenSeptember 15, 2025contractor, construction management, construction schedule, architecture, project manager, project planning

Curiosity Did Not Kill the Cat…Especially if that Cat Loves Design!

Curiosity is human nature—that’s why our process makes room for client collaboration, smart exploration, and thoughtful decisions without losing momentum. You can move forward with confidence, knowing your design has survived the gauntlet and is ready to deliver the best return on your investment.

Interiors & Materiality, Design PrinciplesKim AllenAugust 15, 2025design, design process, design standardization, design options, visualization, renderings, twinmotion, revit, architecture, interior architecture, materials, interior design, home design, real estate, real estate investments

Three Big Kitchen Moves That Made Our Clients Say “Woah!”

We’re sharing the before-and-after floor plans that are transforming three forever homes. Scroll to see how smart space planning can completely reframe the way these homes live.

Design Principles, Historic ProjectsKim AllenJuly 5, 2025floor plans, kitchens, kitchen plans, kitchen renovation, new orleans historic homes, historic homes, architecture, Interior Design, transformation, real estate

It's Not Just a Building - It's Your Brand!

In today’s oversaturated, image-driven world, your business needs to stand out among the rest and it needs a space that feels like your brand.

Design PrinciplesKim AllenJune 1, 2025branding, brand strategies, architecture, architecture design, design, interior design, design specialists, brand identity, design process, flagship, prototype

Pinterest Boards are not Construction Documents!

Your business is thriving—you’ve built something you’re proud of, with a great product or service at its core.

But what’s next?

A new building?
A storefront?
Maybe a renovation to keep up with your growing needs?

You’re dreaming big—but not quite sure when or why to bring in an architect. We get it. Most people don’t know exactly what we do (spoiler: it’s more than just drawing floor plans).

So how do you know when it’s time to bring in an architect?

Design Principles, Developer GuideKim AllenMay 21, 2025pinterest, ideas, concepts, technical drawings, architecture, interiors, custom spaces, real estate, development

Hospitality Design: Why We Love it and How We Streamline it!

What makes hospitality design unique is that it requires merging the intimate, human-scale approach of residential architecture with the technical expertise required in commercial architecture, which includes more understanding of life safety, building codes, and other technical requirements. The result is spaces that are both beautiful and highly functional.

Design Principles, Interiors & MaterialityKim AllenJanuary 8, 2025new orleans hospitality design, hospitality design, architecture, interior design, commercial architecture, residential architecture, new orleans real estate, design process, architecture services, interior design services, hotels, event venues, third place developments, resort design, restaurants

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

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

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.

Loire Valley: An Architect's Photoblog

Châteaux were everywhere to be found, in all sizes (S,M,L,XL), and all made of brick and limestone with all the most beautiful flourishes. Small, winding roads connected their associated French villages together, all while hugging the banks of the Loire River.

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