top of page

Do I Really Need an Architect for my Project?
An Honest, Homeowner-Friendly Guide. If you’re planning a renovation, addition, or even a new home, you’ve probably asked yourself this question (or typed it into Google late at night): “Do I really need an architect? Or can I just figure this out as I go?” You’re not alone! Many homeowners feel unsure about whether hiring an architect is essential, or if it’s just an added expense. The answer, of course, isn’t one-size-fits-all. However, a good architect will help you figu
Emily Selden
4 days ago3 min read
10 Questions to Ask your Architect Before Starting Your Project
A Friendly Guide for Homeowners Who Just Want Clarity, Confidence, and a Smooth Design Journey Starting a home renovation or new build is a lot like planning a road trip: You’re excited, a little nervous, and praying your GPS doesn’t bail on you halfway through. Your architect? They’re your guide through the design journey....the person who helps you dream big, and yet still keeps everything grounded in budget, timeline, and reality. But, here’s the secret: The final quality
Emily Selden
Dec 8, 20255 min read


Behind the Design: The Point Church - Ridge Street Campus
Dive into the design process that led The Point Church's Ridge Street Campus from a concept to reality.
Emily Selden
Nov 10, 20259 min read
5 Mistakes to Avoid When Planning a Renovation
Planning a renovation is one of the most effective ways to enhance the function, comfort, and value of your home. In Charlottesville and...
Emily Selden
Sep 29, 20254 min read


5 Things To Know Before Renovating a Historic Home
There’s nothing quite like the charm of a historic home. They’re all over the place in Charlottesville, and especially throughout Central...
Emily Selden
Sep 19, 20254 min read


Beams vs. Posts
In one of our projects, a small addition, we're gutting and reconfiguring most of the existing basement level. As construction progressed...
Emily Selden
Jun 10, 20252 min read


Unexpected Finds From Some of Our Historic Preservation Projects
During our short tenure here in Charlottesville, we’ve come to specialize in historic preservation. Old structures can have a lot of...
Emily Selden
Apr 17, 20254 min read


Death and Business
One of our team recently had a death in the family. Their father, once a prolific part of their life and instrumental in their...
Emily Selden
Mar 31, 20252 min read


Designing Nostalgic Spaces: 5 Ways to Encourage Lasting Memories
As we delve headlong into the holiday season here in Charlottesville, Virginia, I can't help but remember Christmases past and as a...
Emily Selden
Dec 30, 20245 min read


Seeing Ghosts
Seeing ghosts is not simply a nod to the 'may or may not be' haunting of the historic properties we feel grateful to design. Although,...
Emily Selden
Oct 25, 20242 min read


'Make or Break' Design
How a bathroom door created a design nightmare in a new hotel and illustrates the power of design in a different way. My friend Jarvis*...
Emily Selden
Jul 15, 20242 min read


2 Emotionally Charged Renovations
One of the best feelings as a designer is creating a space that a family truly loves. When it came to the design hopes and dreams of...
Emily Selden
Jun 3, 20242 min read


CM Boswell Mansion, Chase City, VA
It's easy to get lost in the routine of an architecture business. Between producing drawings and renderings, coordinating meetings,...
Emily Selden
Apr 11, 20242 min read


Design Increases Business: Lone Light Case Study
A well-executed design can be exactly what a business needs to spark renewed interest from the community. For businesses facing a decline...
Emily Selden
Mar 26, 20243 min read


When to Cut a Project Loose
Sometimes a project comes your way that seems to be a great opportunity. At first glance, it seems too good to pass up. Maybe the project...
Emily Selden
Jan 29, 20242 min read


A Good Day: 3 Design and Build Rules
In our blog posts we have been focusing on what can go wrong in order to help our intrepid readers navigate the landmines of dealing with...
Emily Selden
Oct 1, 20233 min read


5 Ways to Find Good Contractors
I cannot stress enough how highly important it is to hire highly skilled contractors. As designers we have seen a lot of...interesting...design decisions made, and at the end of the day our designs, and our drawings, mean nothing without the skilled labor necessary to bring them to life. It goes without saying that hiring the wrong people can destroy your design and cost you so much money. To truly illustrate the point, allow me to show you just how wrong a project can go wit
Emily Selden
Jul 4, 20234 min read


"We Just Guessed."
Good subcontractors are great to work with. When the contractor has an array of good subs coming in and out of the site, construction...
Emily Selden
Feb 7, 20232 min read


Architecture, meet Reality: Construction (mis)Adventures
This is how it usually goes for most Architects (if they are lucky): You safely and successfully navigate your way through your...
Emily Selden
Dec 11, 20222 min read
bottom of page
