johnny

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  1. johnny
    The bump-out works, but to make it look correct IMO you need to bring the eave of the roof down to around 1/4 (approx), so inside the visual of a knee wall is really the exterior wall. Here is an example in a design I did,and I personally use this type of dormer a lot.
  2. johnny

    Pavers

    johnny replied to Dennis_Gavin's topic in General Q & A

    Just a recommend but 3d textures like pavers look amazing if you create a bump-map. This was taken from a place you can buy 3d textures - http://www.creativecrash.com/marketplace/3d-textures/c/paver-blocks-11-high-res-set Here are some free paver downloads with bump-map, but more limited selection - http://www.rendertextures.com/category/concrete/pavers/ FYI that free location has a lot of very good textures for quick projects.
  3. johnny
    I have a lot of respect for my father's design abilities. However, he mainly worked with an architect for years before he even started drawing "certain" plans by hand. Of all the homes my father built - around 2k - only a small handful of those have been designed by himself. Some of his early success was the fact he worked with a VERY good architect - Stuart Silk - http://www.stuartsilk.com/ My father using designs by Stuart made his work stand out from other builders. Even he acknowledges that working with a good architect was vital for his early career.
  4. johnny
    Could you explain more how you made the composition of the last image? I really like that look.
  5. johnny
    OK...i agree, i wasn't implying anything except he didn't say "it is illegal for non-architects to do design". That was the entire scope of my comment. Sorry if you thought I was suggesting more, but I am not.
  6. johnny
    Just a suggestion that on some renders you should do post processing more in Photoshop. What I like to do is massively lighten up a picture on 1 layer, and then lightly erase back out sections that ended up too washed out with the original darker photo on the later below. Just messing with yours for 2 min.
  7. johnny
    No, he never said that. He made the point following post #3 in the signature block "Award Winning Architectural Designer with 30 years of design experience". The term architectural can only be used by licensed entities...not a designer.
  8. johnny
    I love client ideas....i dont want to make you think I enforce my designs like the "soup-nazi". In fact, I often ask clients to try and browse magazines and cut out sections they find appealing to create a collage of design ideas (perhaps even including floor plan sections). Frankly, if someone came to me with a floor plan and said ONLY produce working drawings from that drawing - I would refer them to a draftsman.
  9. johnny
    I think this thread is an argument about perception of what some might think is being said vs what is actually strictly being said. My main points are against someone trying to buy a piece of software and design their home without a professional's help. That professional help can come in the form of an architect or designer - both with the caveat they should be "good". There is more you say I agree with than not...primarily being what constitutes "the bottom line". An agree to disagree there is fine with me.
  10. johnny
    I know, but if you back-up to that type of logic, anyone can do anything (as consequences are what they are, Ceteris paribus) - someone can operate on themselves but whether they live or die is to be determined.
  11. johnny
    ....lol You're right, it had nothing to do with #6 in saying - "You probably don't need an Architect", "building design can be done by anyone including yourself", and "Architect's always try to scare everyone". That obviously had nothing to do with this thread going this way. #4 pointed out you can't legally say "architectural design" (which is true), and #5 I pointed out that a layman DIY shouldn't think they can design a home without professional help. Not one post have I made a distinction between a good designer and architect. I made the distinction between a DIY and a professional. If you honestly think that "anyone" can buy box software and design their home, and have it turn out well, then you basically devalue what you (and we) do.
  12. johnny
    Look at it this way - In the modern art scene there is a category of art call "abstract". I think a popular comment from some people is "my 3 year old could make that", yet to art connoisseurs they can see the compositional differences with ease. In fact, I would propose that if you had a 3 year old paint abstract art and placed it side-by-side with a professional piece, most people would be drawn to the better composition in mass - even though they might not be able to identify "what" makes it "look" or "feel" more pleasing to the eyes. If you employ good composition, one of which being appropriate proportions (ie Golden Proportions), then your learning about these ratios will indeed help your designs. Yes, I do believe that. Here is a neat little article you might like - http://www.emis.de/journals/NNJ/Salingaros.html
  13. johnny
    As I said in my previous comment, I agree with you guys this thread should be moved - but in the OP comment, this question is what spurred the discussion: "We are at a point we need to partner with a professional to finish the plan (for sure the roof needs work), ensure the structure is safe and meets local regulations, etc. My thinking is that an architect currently using Chief would make this process much more effiencient due to the software compatability. Is this a proven approach?" We are seeing just how open-ended that question can be. ...but yes, please move this thread.
  14. johnny
    (to start, i too agree this thread should be moved) I 100% concur with this (and what Joey said). Taste and good design are completely separate things. Something can be to one's taste, but be poorly designed. Flip side, something can be well designed but not per one's taste. As most probably know, Architects (and good designers) of the world have been using golden proportions for millenniums: Though I dont whip out a calculator to calculate the placement of everything, I often to overlay a "golden rectangle" over sections of my work for good mass proportion - but with practice you actually start to be able to eye-ball these proportions. In Vectorworks we have a Golden ratio tool-tip that is very nice. Here at practice in a simple home (found on internet): Again, this isn't an architect vs designer argument IMO. However, with an architect you know to some degree they have had schooling/training in design principles. I bet many here already know about golden proportions, but I run into lots of designers who dont. A good designer can learn the same things, and put them into practice, but i've found that to be an exception over the rule.
  15. johnny
    This is a very true statement - and i'll add they probably get at least 30% (maybe more) less for their home when they sell it. These kinds of prints are an unethical builders dream. Heck, even ethical builders need to be called to task here and there on issues.
  16. johnny
    Yeah, its an odd mix to have CA be selling to non-professionals trying to save a buck - but in the long run its hurting those customers. If that wasn't bad enough, I agree they try to sell builders into becoming design/build firms which just propagates the notion if you can use a CAD package you are a "designer". Good "designers" and architects should equally be frustrated with that notion IMO. Does anyone suggest a design professional should take a client's idea, which they know not to be good, and implement it without some amount of protest? I've had great relationships with my clients to where if they suggest something off-the-wall, I will just tell them "no, i can't let you do that" (in a semi-humorous way) ...and we chuckle and come up with a workable solution. There is one more aspect to that, and its how much the client respects the designer/architect. If you have no respect by your client, then they probably dont think much of your opinion - and that a circular problem to have. In which case I call that being a draftsman not a designer.
  17. johnny
    Hold the phone.... "DIY Designer"? Perhaps we are talking two different things and this is causing some confusion. I relate DIY as someone that has a different profession outside design or architecture - with no (or virtually no) background and/or schooling in design - thinking they can buy "Home Designer" and draw up their house or remodel project. I am not relating DIY as a "designer" or anyone actually within the design world. I wouldn't place anyone that has a background in design (training/schooling) or other in the "DIY" category.
  18. johnny
    I mean the classic definition of a layman who undertakes a project themselves. In this instance we are talking about DIY home/remodel design.
  19. johnny
    I believe most DIY projects are led by taste without knowing what good design is about. The most common thing i see in a DIY project is too much taste meant to compensate for lack of design understanding. The project can take a turn to "funky-town" about this point. Composition of mixing good design (and everything related), the clients taste, and the "program" (architectural brief) are the elements to make a successful project.
  20. johnny
    I agree - its an odd perception. DIY projects nearly always appear exactly that. Graphic Arts as gone this way too, but at least there you are talking about a small monetary investment in an ad or printed materials. It amazes me that people can't seem to view a good designer/architect as an investment into what many people would consider the single largest asset they may own. Often good design pays for itself even in the construction costs, let alone appreciation equity.
  21. johnny
    I wholly and utterly disagree with that statement - since good design isn't what one person might think it is (taste might be diff, but I can tell "good design" even from things I dont find tasteful). The client (more often than not) doesn't have a professional background, and a client that asks their designer/architect: Is my "idea" workable - from a cost, practicality, or even aesthetic point of view?...is going to come out way ahead listening in part to the professional they hired. I dont go to a Dr. only to have him listen to what I think might be wrong with me, and what I believe I should be prescribed. Even though I might cite some article I read online about my symptoms, I want him to use his education, experience, and common sense to help me help myself. It wasn't my intent to make this an architect vs designer discussion. I have a lot of respect and faith in certain designers.
  22. johnny
    I dont disagree with this, but I will say in my personal experience I've never seen an architect hand me a plan set like the one above. Not saying it hasn't happened to other people, its just i've never see it - and yet I get this sort of "designer" work sent to me a lot to re-do.
  23. johnny
    There is actually a lot of things I would personally do different - ie master bath, but this was specifically requested. I had the door to the sewing room going from hallway to provide 2 full walls for bed/etc, but they asked for it to be placed there since she wanted to access from room....they planned to put bed on the west wall (right). Not what I would have done...so I agree there as well. If you look at the original design - its even more than bad design, as the entry clerestory windows (they dont match pitch) are directly interfered with by the den wall. To top it all off, my plans were cheaper to build (bid by builder selected) as the "designer" placed ridiculous steel beams in the drawings which weren't necessary.
  24. johnny
    Here is an example I am actually working on right now. Past clients of mine had friends who were developing plans by a "designer" - and when these people shared the plans with my former clients, they were advised to have me look at the design and offer an opinion. Its a slopping lot, but the clients wanted single-level living - however, the designer said it was impossible to get a 2-car garage on the main floor entry level, so he had to place the garages all in the basement (stairs). These people are elderly, yet they assumed what their designer was saying is correct and so planned to walk up and down stairs each time they accessed the garage. Further, this is a seaboard town and they wanted the house to look "beachy" (their word) - yet they didn't have the budget for full cedar shingles together with what they wanted inside. Their "designer" permit approved these drawings: Floor Plan Elevations Following their request, these were my concepts: Floor Plan Concept Elevation Concept My example isn't a architect vs designer issue - since I feel many designers are awesome. Its about people going down a path they dont know they dont know. Had these clients not heard from their friends they should come talk with me, they would be building this other plan right now that didn't meet the objectives they wanted.
  25. johnny
    I've seen bad design by both architect and designer - no question. Yet, even in something I felt was "bad design" (which is subjective), there tends to be organized thought (program) coming through an architects work that I simply dont see with "bad" design by a "designer". Id rather have a good designer than a bad architect (again subjective)....but I would rather have a bad architect than a bad designer. Hiring an architect does give you some quality threshold which a designer (good or bad) doesn't have to even have to consider.