Just a little,....

Cabin in the woods. Well, maybe not little. This is however a weekend retreat away from the city.

We designed this home to blend the classic Arizona Territorial feel with the rustic woodland environment. It is intended to be an elegant built environment that looks as though it has grown naturally from the landscape.

Passion

Why can't a garage be something of beauty?

 If you have spent your time and money collecting cars of beauty and value, doesn't it make sense to invest in a proper place to display them.

 Maybe its just your passion to work on old cars, or build replicas.

There is no reason why a garage has to be an afterthought to a home. It doesn't have to be a dark, messy, overflow space of the house. The garage itself can be a feature. We have the experience and talent to bring not only the beauty to your garage, but also the function. Note the cord and hose reels, the slat wall tool mounting, the diamond plate cabinets, a garage must first be useful.


Thanks to Artist-3D.com for the cars (great models available there).

...and now for something completely different

I like to encourage free expression of talent. I think that doing so allows the artist not only to expand their abilities, but I think it enhances their interest. When someone is having fun, they are truly at their best.

This image;

Comes as part of a sci-fi action adventure series of images. I for one can't wait to find out what comes next.

Classic Tastes

For some people that means a casual library setting.

Certain elements are just timeless in their appeal. A chess board adjacent to a great view, a wall of books, great art and a historic figure fit so well in this room. From the elegant lighting to the rich velvet wall coverings, the classic elegance of this room makes a powerful statement of purpose.

Commercial and Medical Project

This project is a medical office on the lower level, with a private art gallery on the upper level. The setting is in a sleepy Arizona mountain town.

Its also monsoon season in Arizona, so we thought we'd add a bit of a wet look.

Car Guy?

Why does a garage deserve any less attention than the rest of a home. For a "car guy" that functional space can be a sanctuary. The garage can become the place where we choose to spend time. We understand this. We understand the components of a well outfitted garage, the function, the flow. Even more though, we believe that a garage doesn't have to be crude or an afterthought. The garage can be, maybe should be, a featured element of a home.

We're back!!!

After a somewhat long absence filled with an interesting mix of projects, we though we would come back by showing you some of what we have been up to. This is an Arizona mountain home with a masculine flair. We used the shocking chrome accents in this render to demonstrate that rustic rooms are not limiting to ones own sense of modern style. Quite the opposite, there is a very interesting mix that takes place here.

On a side-note, 3D Studio Max has become a much more user friendly piece of software in the past couple of years. We like the direction that Autodesk has taken.

-edit; If you noticed the family pictures on the wall, yes,... we do have a sense of humor.

Digital staging, Design and Rendering

Here is a digitally staged render of a bedroom. This is a wonderful tool for assisting people in visualizing spaces. Note the level of detail, this can change. We can easily show just the unfurnished room, change the wall or ceiling color, add different furniture. We could also very easily turn this room into a den or media room or office. With 3D digital tools there are no limits, the world is what you make it. Let us show you your dreams brought to life.

Another thing that we would like to call your attention to. The bed, chair, table and dresser are stock images from an online store. We created the valances, ceiling fan and curtains because we couldn't find just the right ones for this room. We have the creative skills to give you whatever the space needs, or whatever you desire. Have a lamp you love, let us 3D model it.

Small Firm,... Big Services

I got a comment today from a prospective client, "you've boasted some pretty big services, how could you possibly do all of that?" Fair question and it leads to one of our greatest strengths,... flexibility.

We use a combination of local team building, web based collaboration and technology to increase our capabilities. We have been leading multiple projects at the same time for so long that it is second nature for us to delegate and manage, all the while monitoring for quality and schedule. We use standards and teams that we have developed over the last two decades to maintain the quality that our clients expect.

This allows us to give our clients the personal service that they deserve at the low price and quality that they expect. Your point of contact will always be Bob O'Brien, that will not change during the process, but we will use our flexibility and resources to accomplish your goals.

There is just one service that we have that we will NEVER outsource. That is any service that involves design. When it comes to the personal relationship between client and designer, there is no compromise, Bob will personally work with you until you have the design that you love. This applies to new homes, remodels, additions, staging, etc., any service that involves design.

This is how a small firm can help you with almost any project, this is the flexibility that the modern market demands.

The Territorial's courtyard, Digitally Staged. Its amazing to compare the difference that a few simple items can make in an image. What a wonderful visualization tool.

Southwestern Style, but flexible

Another image of The Territorial. This time we're showing you the courtyard looking toward the front door. Note the use of materials, this design can create a number of different appearances just by varying the exterior materials.

In this case, we have used brick on the higher parapet elements and cement board siding on the courtyard with wood trim. The idea here is to give the impression that this home has evolved as a series of additions over the years. Again, as we found at the Crooked H ranch near Wilcox, the classic Arizona ranch evolved over many generations. We wanted to capture this with our design.

The courtyard's character can be varied as well, by changing the windows to french or sliding glass doors, the court is changed from an entry feature to a part of the livable space. Just like our firm, this design incorporates flexibility. We kept this in mind and we think this means the design can be used in Minnesota, Missouri, Maine or in Arizona. The features of the home allow for minor alterations to completely alter its suitability.

Tomorrow we will show you digital staging of this courtyard.

Sneak Peak

We promised to you, and here it is. The first of our stock home designs,...The Territorial. This is truly a Southwestern home of distinction.

About two years ago we were afforded the opportunity to tour the Crooked H ranch, the oldest cattle ranch in Arizona. It was also the home of Colonel Henry Clay Hooker and the site played a role in the story of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holladay. This design is loosely based upon the authentic Southern Arizona ranch home.

This home has is a 3 or 4 bedroom house with two and a half baths, plus a great room, formal dining and a gourmet kitchen. Oh, did I forget the private courtyard space ready for your enjoyment.

Here is a sneak peek of the Great Room.

Teamwork

Even residential projects in this modern age have become complex arrangements of procedures and regulations. From real estate law to building code requirements, today, projects are complex enough that a team of people are necessary to bring a successful conclusion. We stand prepared to either bring you our team of professionals, or join your team.

There are multiple phases of a project, 1. Pre-design, 2. Design 3. Construction. We can bring you professionalism and expertise in every phase though our team building talent. This way we can help you navigate through the minefield that this process can become. We work hard to bring out the best in every team member, all the while remembering that you, the client, are the reason we are here. Customer service and bringing your dreams to life are our top priorities.

The American Dream

Occasionally we see a news story that declares the American Dream dead, a thing of the past. What a depressing idea.

Recently we met a man who has proven that notion unequivocally wrong. This man is wealthy, well, compared to most of us anyway. Through vision, dedication, talent and hard-work, this man built a number of businesses to the point where they are now generating opportunities for himself and others. His story is so inspirational to us because we can see that if we work that hard, we can also "make it." Yes, the American Dream is alive and well and surprisingly enough you can find it in the same place where it has always been,... within the spirit of the entrepreneur.

We celebrate those who put themselves on the line, and put in the long hours and hard work that it takes to build their dreams. That is what made this country great, and that is what is going to bring it back.

We look at the housing crisis as though it were a kind of reset on the economy. We learned some lessons from it, and now we're ready to move forward and partner with other leaders who see opportunity. From this point forward we can make this country greater than ever, time to roll up the sleeves and get to work.

Aim High

Whoops, that the Air Force slogan from the 80's isn't it? Shoot for the moon, nah, that's a little to lyrical. How about Dream Big then? Yes, that's it,....

Dream Big !

There will may never be another opportunity like there is today, your buying power has unprecedented leverage. The big properties have come down so much in cost that they are becoming affordable. Don't be afraid to to look for those extrodinary homes that just five years ago were well out of reach. Today, not only are they within your grasp, you'll have money left over to remodel it, and make it yours.

Move forward boldly, and Bring your Dreams to Life.

A new service,... errr, Product

That's right, we have added a product to our list of capabilities. Beginning May 1, 2012, RsODesigns will be offering stock home plans. For a nominal charge you will be able to purchase a set of plans from us ready to go. We are not like some of those other websites, these aren't crusty old designs from the 1960's that have been converted to cad. These are original contemporary designs produced with modern living in mind.

The major problem with stock plans has always been that there a regional differences in construction codes and requirements. So we will be honest right now, the plans we provide are designed per the 2006 IRC with an 18" frost depth and 70 MPH basic wind speed. What that means is for the hurricane prone areas and cold nothern climates, there is some additional work needed. With that said, these are complete ready to build sets of plans. We have researched construction materials and methods all over the country and have designed the homes to be cost effective everywhere in the continental United States.

Although the plans are ready to build, maybe you want to make a few minor changes. As with everything else we do, we will be the most cost effective way to make those changes. We'll update you when our first stock plan, "The Territorial," is available for sale, and at that time we'll let you know what the extraordinary pricing will be.

Architects Too...

With a combined 50 years of experience in design firms, we know the nature of the business. There are lean times when it becomes necessary to lay of some of your valued staff, then as the economy improves we have to staff back up just to be able to produce the work. It's really maddening when you think about it.

We can offer a solution for Architects. Let us be your production department.

We have the leadership, experience, talent and ability to produce projects of any scope. From a tiny remodel to a multistory apartment building, we can produce your design and construction documents to your specifications. Our capabilities with industry standard software packages allow us to easily integrate to your standards and expectations.

Don't staff up for that next big project, give us a call and let our flexible services work for you.

Construction Documents

Whether you are an owner undertaking a remodel or a contractor with decades of experience, there is one service we provide that you can't do your project without. Clear, concise and accurate construction documents are invaluable to the success of your project(s). We have decades of experience in creating the kind of professional construction documents that you need for your project. But there's more, remember, we are the flexible design firm. We consult with you to create documents that serve your needs. In other words we use the methods, components and organization that you want to use. We will make recommendations, but ultimately the content of the documents are what you want to see.

With remodel and addition projects there is an additional stage that we also provide expertise with. As-Builting, the value of accurately representing the existing building on the documents cannot be overestimated. Too often errors occur because the existing building wasn't correctly measured or drawn. There just isn't an excuse for this, because it's crucial to your budget to get this simple step right.

Finally, we use 3D modeling software that allows us to conflict manage your job before you put a single piece of equipment on site. Imagine a job where there aren't any ducts that have to go through beams, where the plumbing and structure are properly coordinated, where there's enough fall for your sewer. We build the project three dimensionally in a digital model to save you time and money fixing mistakes. We hate rework more than you do.

Check this home out...

Check out this listing on Zillow for only $155k.

http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1440-E-Linden-St-Tucson-AZ-85719/8499488_zpid/

If your budget is $250 you could buy this house, which is already extraordinary, and put the remaining $95k of your budget towards remodeling and additions. This way you can maximize the leverage of your exceptional buying power.

We can help you evaluate whether this home can be remodeled to your needs within your budget.

We can also provide you with wonderful designs and 3D renderings to show you what's possible.

You are in control, Bring your Dreams to Life.

Lead, follow or get out of the way

The title is of course in jest, but it does illustrate a point. There are those who are reactionary and those who are proactive. The proactive people are leading their businesses and clients into the future by studying and understanding market trends. These are the people who can help you capture the most value for your investment.

The housing market in the southwest is volitile since the bubble burst. Existing home values are still dropping in Arizona. Construction costs at or near where they were five years ago. It literally costs more to build your dream home than you can buy an existing house. Everyone knows that part. But, we study the markets in private and government publications daily so that we understand what the market is doing at this moment. We proactively seek out ways to help people Bring their Dreams to Life.

While each individual client has different needs, there are some generalizations we can make about the housing market. Our observation for today, March 29, 2012, is that existing home sales have dropped over the past couple of months. That indicates that there is an increasing value in purchasing an existing home. There are properties for sale right now that are so extraordiary that they can't be ignored. The price of existing housing is so low right now, you should be looking for the property, views, location and services that you want. We're not recommending building lots at this time, no, in fact we are do the opposite. There is a great deal of value in buying an existing home that while it may not be perfect in itself it has the great views and a big lot and perfect location. That area of town that you thought you couldn't afford has opened itself up to you. Use your leverage in this market to buy that home, cheap, well under what you have budgeted. Then you can put the rest of your budget to remodel and make that home perfect.
This housing market offers those with means an unprecedented opportunity to create a wonderful, perfect home for far less than they thought they might spend. Buy it, and remodel it before you move in. That's the smart play in todays market. Right now, shoot for the moon, shop big, dream big.

We'll keep watching the publications and indicators, and from time to time we'll let you know what the best bet is for the market we're in at the moment.

Remodeling

Home remodel projects can be frustrating beyond belief. With our knowledge and flexibility, we can help you succeed without the stress. There are several keys to that success.

First, we will work with you to specifically define the project. Nothing drives up cost and frustration faster than a project with a wandering scope. If you can identify the reason for doing the project up front and stick to your plans, you will save a great deal of time, money and stress.

The next key to success with remodels is expertise in construction types. We have spent decades studying buildings and performing remodels. That education and experience allows us to understand how and why different techniques were used. One of the biggest reason for rework during a remodel project is the fact that the designer didn't understand the original construction type. We do. You will hear people say, "we have to open it up to know." While this is a true statement, those of us with experience can make an accurate estimation of what's above the ceiling because of our experience.

Flexibility is the most important key to keeping remodels under control. With existing buildings there are always little surprises that no one could have anticipated. You may find a rotted rafter because there was a roof leak 20 years ago. Or, maybe termites have invaded that wall we thought was sound. Or, maybe the original carpenter didn't correctly use framing connectors. It's almost certain that your project will contain something along those lines. The designer, contractor and owner all have to remain flexible in understanding that there are items that may change the plans slightly.

The design of your remodel can take one of two approaches. The first of course is to change the appearance and function of your home. In which case the remodel is usually used as a design anchor and the existing building is altered to match that. The second type of project is one in which you love your existing home and want the new portions to properly coordinate with that. These are the more difficult projects. In either case you need a designer who understands and listens to you, your building, your budget and the history of techniques. We are the firm that can do that for you.

What the heck is BIM?

BIM or building information modeling, is the latest process being used by designers to improve the delivery of their projects. The core of BIM is a 3D model of the building. But it is much, much more than that. BIM means that every component, every system in the 3D model is linked to a database.

Contractors use BIM for two reasons. 1. It allows them to build the project with the actual components specified to determine if there are any conflicts, and 2. It provides them with an accurate quantity of each different material and quantity to be used. For the builder, this saves time, money and most importantly it eliminates rework.

Architects and engineers use BIM for the same reasons as the contractor, but reap the added benefit of being able to use modules to have more precise analysis of the design. BIM allows the designers to reduce assumptions, which increases efficiency in the design and lowers the cost to the end users.

The capabilities of this are in its infancy. Imagine if you will linking a BIM model of your home to a schedule that determined not only when to replace furnace filters, but actually was capable of ordering the filters for you. A digital model of your building that actually helps you do the proper maintenance. It's like having your car tell when your oil change is due.

RsODesigns and our team of engineers are using BIM through Autodesk Revit, the industry standard. Nearly all system manufacturers have Revit models available with the correct database links. Believe me, this little addition to our services will make your life easier.

More than just solar

 Sometimes we get stuck on a notion of what it means to be energy wise in our homes. Lately it seems that all of the focus is on how solar technology can be used. Don't get us wrong, we really are interested in bringing solar to practical commonplace use in homes, but there's more;

Geothermal heat pumps for instance use the constant temperatures below the surface to create highly efficient heat pump systems.

http://www.geothermalgenius.org/thinking-of-buying/tax-credits.html

With the reduction in operating costs, and the tax incentives, plus the utility company incentives, why wouldn't you consider using geothermal just from a financial viewpoint. For a typical 3000 s.f. house with 7.5 tons of air conditioning for the Tucson environment, the installed cost of the system may be $18,000. But the Federal tax incentive at 30% plus the TEP credit at $500 per ton make the actual installed cost for the first year $8,850.

That same home on average will save about $2800 per year in heating and cooling costs. So the costs of installing the geothermal system will be paid for in just over three years. REMARKABLE!, and we haven't even touched on the environmentally friendly nature of the system.

Geothermal is just one of the options that we can review with you as you decide which direction to take on your project. Just another way that we are responding to the ever changing home ownership market.

Is the market back?

I get asked frequently if the housing market is making a comeback. To begin with, I don't think that I,... or anyone else for that matter can accurately answer that question. Give me ten years and I'll tell you exactly when the housing crisis ended. There are an unknown number of variables that led to and continue the housing bubble crash and recovery. I don't know if the crisis is over.

But, what I do know is this;

A. The cost of purchasing a home is likely at a low point that it will never again surpass.
B. New construction costs remain near an all-time high level.
C.  There is extraordinary value to be found in existing homes.
D. It costs less to remodel an existing home to make it perfect than it would cost to build new.
E. The Boomers are on the verge of retirement, and in Tucson they will increase the demand for housing.
F. Increasing demand will increase prices.
G. There are still huge numbers of underwater mortgages.
H. The home values in the Southwest are years maybe decades away from balancing out with the underwater mortgages.
I. It is possible to increase the value of a home via remodels and additions.

We began this business with the idea that flexibility and innovation can still lead to a successful design business even in this market. As we demonstrated above there are opportunities to improve the market, responding to the shifting demands of the market is where real recovery lies. We are on the cutting edge of that real market based recovery. Join us and help to push Tucson and the nation forward to a healthy housing market.

Realtor Services

What can a design and drafting firm offer to a Realtor? On the surface it may appear that the two professions are distant cousins in the same family, barely related. But we see something more. A creative designer with vision can offer a number of services that could be of benefit to a Realtor. Our capabilities in 3D rendering and design have the extrodinary potential to help your clients visualize the possibilities.

1. Digital Staging; we can use our design and technology expertise to stage your listing without having to rent a stick of furniture.
2. Does my furniture fit; with a few photos and some measurements we can put your clients own furniture into that listing.
3. Perfect Except; we can show your clients the design possibilities of that home that is perfect except for one thing.
4. It was just the color; let us change the color of the interior or exterior digitally to show your client that a simple paintjob fixes that hideous condition.
5. Selling a difficult lot; there are lots that tough to sell just because it's hard to see what a home would look like on it. We can change that by putting a home on the lot, and with 3D rendering, we can spark imagination.

Just imagine what we can help your clients see. So while we may be distant cousins, we can become close friends.

Project Management

One of the aspects of small construction projects that often gets ignored is coordination. On the larger projects there are people who stay with the project from cradle to grave. Some of these people make careers out of coordinating these projects. This is, believe me, a valuable service. Construction projects are complex, and increasingly so every year as the regulations of jurisdictions and the building codes become more obtrusive.

There was a time when you would work with a master builder to create your project. You would give him your ideas and money, and he would give you a building. The relationship was owner and builder with a single point of contact on either side. Simple, smooth and very limited opportunities for mis-communication. In the modern world we are much more specialized. From the designer to the plumber to the electrical inspector, we are each taking up a smaller piece of the overall picture. Even us in the professions cannot always see the full picture. And then there is the owner, all by his or herself with this labyrinth of methods and procedures, much of it hidden from view. Even experienced owner's can run into road blocks that are difficult to work through.

This is where the project manager comes in. This person for a relatively small fee manages all of the aspects of the project in a timely manner and insures that all of the coordination has been done correctly. The clever project manager usually saves the owner more money than he makes in fees. But his value is far greater than that, a good project manager gives you piece of mind. His knowledge and experience can take away the owner's day to day stress that can be associated with a project. He illuminates the dark corners of the construction process and shows you the fastest cheapest way through the maze.

Natural Cues

I am sitting here in my office looking at the snow on the Santa Catalina Mountains. Yes,... it does snow in southern Arizona, anyway it got me to thinking. Since I first visited Tucson in 1980, those mountains have been inspirational to me. From the craggy peaks of Pusch Ridge to the majestic dome of Mt. Lemmon to the sandy bottomed Pima Canyon, the Catalina's have always offered suggestions of form, color, shadow, negative space, view angles and orientation. These mountains embrace Tucson, watch over her and give the designer an unparalleled backdrop. The Catalina's are a big part of what makes Tucson feel like home to me, they are comforting and challenging at the same time.

Those mountains make it easy to create and unparalleled drama in the design of a home. With the use of glass we can let the mountains become the walls of the home, the art, the inspiration. But we can also use contrast to frame those same views and make the interior environment of the home that much stronger of an element. We can use heavy visually impermeable walls on the south to disguise the views, a feature that creates surprise and drama.

As a designer I have always used cues from the natural environment to build upon, in Tucson there are a limitless supply natural cues.

Digital Staging

We've all heard the term staging. While there is some debate as to whether or not it is a cost effective tool in the marketing of homes, there is little doubt that some people very much believe in its use. The problem is that it's expensive, time consuming and limits itself to the vision of the designer who performs the staging. And,... when the house sells you have to remove all of those furnishings.

Digital staging has the same benefits to the seller and realtor, we can furnish the home and show buyers what is possible. But we do so in a manner that is flexible and much more cost effective. For a nominal fee we can provide as much furnishing as you need, we can add subtract or change all of the furnishings with a click of the mouse. We can provide you with still images or walkthroughs of the home that you can use on your website or in your office.

Digital staging is going to change the way that realtors prepare houses for sale. It's a tool for the future that is available today.

A new Home Design Firm ????

Why start a new home design company in this economic environment?

Because no one is offering the service that we want to be capable of offering and that this economic environment requires for success. In order to move forward and bring suitable services to the market we have to abandon the classic style design firm. The classic notion of a design firm has an overhead that is funded by every project whether the services are required or not. In the environment of today, the market demands efficiency, flexibility, streamlining. Not only does this lower the fees to the end user, but it accelerates timelines as well, which in and of itself is a cost savings.

Builders in particular should be able to make use of our new capabilities. Often the design fees for a project are a portion of the contractors profit and overhead. We can reduce our impact on that portion of your fees. We can make contractors money by providing a streamlined and flexible service that only provides what is needed.

The question becomes this, what is sacrificed in the name of streamlining and efficiency? Nothing,... not one capability. We can provide excellence in design, accurate and detailed construction documents, beautiful renderings, 3D design, engineering, permit support, marketing materials, etc. We have everything the big guys have, except for the high fees.