JUNE 2010 DESIGN MATTERS

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WHAT DO ARCHITECTS DO?

OUR LAST NEWSLETTER


ARE YOU RENOVATING, PLANNING TO?

Habitat for Humanity ReStore resale outlets will accept quality donated goods (including cabinets, appliances and plumbing fixtures).  The proceeds help fund HFH projects in the area.  Find a store near you here: ReStore.

You'll get a tax receipt, keep items out of the landfill (save on carting and dumping fees) and help someone else afford a home of their own.

ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL

Universal design - Accessible design - Barrier-Free places, what does all of this mean?  Universal design is creation of space that is usable to everyone, regardless of age, size, or ability.

The first credo of all design is to plan - for now and for the future as well. At some time in each persons life the possibility exists that they may become disabled, if only by a broken leg or temporary illness. Lately though, with advances in medicine and longer life spans we have conversations with people about aging-in-place, or about adult children reversing roles with aging parents.  Mobility and safety are key to staying at home. We are expanding our services in response to client requests:  melding our expertise in healthcare and residential architecture - we can help with mobility or aging-in-place issues you might face, on your own, or for a loved one - from design through construction. Call us.

Salut,  

Virginia Seminara, AIA, PP, NCARB, CSI
Michael De Biasse, AIA, PP, NCARB, LEED AP

      

 WHERE YOUR FEE GOES:  

 

We are required by State and other governmental agencies to calculate our fees based on what our actual salaries and expenses are.  We are then permitted to add a 'fixed fee' of not more than 10% (as profit). 

We adopted this method of calculating fees for all of our clients (not just agencies).  This is the manner hourly rates are determined for different level of employee as well as our average billing rate. 

The chart at right gives an idea of where each cent of every dollar of your Fee is spent.

 


CODE UPDATES 
No  real updates to report...

NJ: Delay continues for adoption of 2009 ICC Codes - attributable to the change in state government administration.  State of New Jersey - Department of Community Affairs - Division of Codes & Standards

Washington, DC:  Department of Justice (DOJ) has again submitted updated final ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) regulations to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review. This is a re-step of implementation of ADA Standards that were amended in 2004.  This delay is also attributable to the change in administration at the Federal level.


Click a link below to find ideas for your Dads & Grads this month!

                

Our residential division is on


THINK ON THIS...

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- William Penn
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