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Michael Ullrich's Blog

Defining Design
Tags >> Architectural Services

Make your dream home come true

Posted by: Michael Ullrich on May 13, 2009

 

We have all seen countless advertisements on HGTV, for their "dream homes".  It's an enticing sales pitch.  A uniquely designed, fully decorated home, on a picturesque site.  Who wouldn't want that?   

Well, I see every home as a "dream home" waiting to be realized.  Far too often we focus on the negative aspects of our homes, instead of looking for opportunity and potential.  Intoxicated by television and print images, we "dream" of someday aspiring to have this or that, and it usually looks nothing like what we currently have.  As an architect who has devoted himself to remodeling homes, I love showing clients that their "dream home" is right in front of them. 

So what is it about these "dream homes" that make them so appealing?  To me it's the attention to detail.  Every space is tailored like a custom garment.  Architectural detail is not sacrificed, it is celebrated.  For many, the images flashing across their television screen define "home".  You can have this too!  And you don't need to move to the wine country of Sonoma, California.

Your house should be more than just a roof over your head.  It should be unique.  "Dream homes" evolve from the collaborative efforts of professional architects, master builders, and trusting homeowners.  Let me show you how to make your "dream home" a REALITY. 

                              

                                 We specialize in transforming older homes from ordinary to Extraordinary.

Sense of Scale

Posted by: Michael Ullrich on Apr 6, 2009

Tagged in: Washington, DC , Virginia , Transformations of Older Homes , Space , Scale , Residential Builder , Residential Architect , Renovate , Remodeling Solutions , Remodeling Services , Remodel , Potomac , Not So Big House , Montgomery County , McLean , Master Builders , Master Builder , Master Architects , Maryland , Industry Professional Remodeler , In House Building , Home Renovations , Home Remodeling , Green Remodeling , Green Building , Design , County Historic Preservation , Construction Services , Commission National Association of the Remodeling , Chevy Chase , Bethesda , Award Winner Architect , Architectural Solutions , Architectural Services , Architectural Detail , Architect , American Institute of Architects Montgomery

Scale - no, I am not talking about that thing we all dread stepping onto in our bathroom or at the gym.  I am talking about proportion and the spatial qualities of an object or entity in relationship to its surroundings.  Scale is measurable, but more importantly it has a sensory component.  When you walk into a room, how do you feel?  Does something seem off?  Maybe the windows are too small, the room is too narrow, and the couch blocks circulation paths.  Everything around us acts to define scale, and therefore, has an affect on our sense of it.

If a room feels too big; architectural treatment of the ceiling and floor planes might be incorporated to create different zones within the space.  If a room feels too small; large window openings and strategic removal of vertical wall surfaces offer new views and a sense of openness. 

Scale can also establish a hierarchy and create focal points.  Like a road map, inhabitants and guests are lead by these architectural cues, and drawn through the spaces of a home.  Proper understanding and manipulation of scale informs every decision that goes into a successful design.

That room you walked into earlier... the one that seemed a bit off.  Imagine how differently it would feel with large windows that flood the space with sunlight.  A boxed bay widens the room creating a niche for the couch, restoring the natural circulation paths into and through the room.  Adjustments like this have the power to modify your perception of a space, redefining its scale.

Thinking outside of the Box

Posted by: Michael Ullrich on Mar 22, 2009

Welcome to my blog.  I am Michael Ullrich, AIA, an architect dedicated to residential design and remodeling in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.  I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you…

“Thinking outside of the Box”

    It seems everywhere I turn; I am constantly reminded of the downturn in the current economy.  Instead of talking about how bad things are, I would instead like to share a bit of optimism.  I see this downturn in the market as a great opportunity for architects to be “CREATIVE”.  Exquisite design and quality construction should not be limited only to projects with unlimited budgets.  This requires a concerted effort from professionals within the architecture and construction industry.

    We must task ourselves with effectively guiding clients through the design process, and thoroughly explaining how every decision affects their budget.  We must challenge our own preconceptions about design, looking for economical solutions that do not sacrifice intent.  These challenges do not hinder us; instead they fuel creativity and lead us to superior design solutions.

We must also use trade professionals and the ever expanding web to search out cost effective materials and products that do not sacrifice quality.  This again, provides us with a great opportunity.  Simple materials, when detailed and installed properly, can produce magazine quality results without breaking a client’s budget.

    Opportunity is all around us. With effort and ingenuity we can prosper and improve ourselves and our homes… if we just “think outside of the box”.