Whether remodeling, expanding or building new, It can be challenging to visualize how your building project will look. With your invested dollars at stake, it makes good sense to verify that you’ll be happy with the finished product before it is installed. Otherwise you risk living with space that doesn’t fit or paying the high cost of replacement or modification.

Our design process helps you at each step of the way.

This photo was taken during Design Development for a residential remodeling. Mary, our lead Interior Designer, is reviewing finish options with a client. After initial Schematic Design conversations about the overall look and feel for the remodeling, Mary assembled several possible material combinations onto presentation boards. We then reviewed each on site with the homeowner so that decisions were made in the same light in which they will be installed. In parallel, we provide a big-picture view of the whole project through 3D computer visualization. With professional input and advice, our clients receive needed assurance that the picks will, indeed, be beautiful and functional when installed.

This is part of the way we strive to make your experience pleasurable and rewarding: interaction and collaboration. You will find our designers to be responsive, caring and professional.

When construction begins, we’ll review the colors and finishes again to make sure they are exactly right; adding windows and changing wall colors will affect your perception and it’s got to be right!

It would be a delight to serve you.

VIVUS carries professional liability insurance to help provide our clientele with peace of mind.

The last thing anyone wants is to be injured by an error or omission in design documents. There has NEVER been a claim made on our policy, yet we pay our premiums to protect your best interests. Our coverage is there, should it be needed.

We wish you every success in your project!

It happens to homes and churches, offices and retail shops, newer construction and historic buildings: When you see your facility day in and day out, you become less able to see your space through the eyes of a visitor.

It may be a potential customer, client, or business partner whose fresh view sees something you would rather they did not: burnt out bulbs, accumulated clutter, crooked picture frames, carpet staining or a thousand other things. These often overlooked items have an effect on your guest’s perception and perhaps on their decision making process.

To help you see your space, we offer a new service called Fresh Eyes.

Fresh Eyes brings an architect and interior designer to your space, to offer our professional insight into what we and your guests see. Our report could help you:

Find out more! Call Peter or Mary at 507-645-9020!

Vice President Biden will take some cues from Berkely and institute a financing plan for solar panels linked to property taxes.

This will allow homeowners to get into solar energy and avoid the sizeable upfront costs of the system.

Many of our clients are interested in solar energy but find the initial expense to be too large when added to construction and remodeling costs. Our strategy has been to design “solar-ready”, so the systems could be added at a later date. This financing option may help clear that hurdle. We’ll stay tuned as the story develops….

Link to the San Francisco Chronicle article

The plants are in place on our first residential green roof!

Now in their first season, the seedums are taking root and getting established. A soaker hose is being used to water for now As they fill out, the erosion control mat will become less visible, and the roof will retain more rainwater than it currently does. We estimate that the roof should reduce runoff by 50% a that point; however, other portions of the roof drain onto this roof through downspouts, so we are asking a lot of these plantings!

The homeowners installed the multi-layered system and planted on top of the rubber membrane provided by the contractor. They blogged about it in two parts: Part One and Part Two. Take a look, they’ve done well in explaining the process.

We have been learning a new software system lately at VIVUS Architecture + Design.

One of our primary goals is to provide our clients with creative, responsive design solutions. At the same time, we pledge to do our best to manage each project well. Like much in architecture, an inherent contradiction lies here: managers and artists often wear different hats.

To allow us to focus more on creative design, we have decided to upgrade our in-house management tools. Recently, we installed a new server and an extensive management application that will help us deliver your projects more efficiently and effectively. Already the benefits of software enhancements are evident: reduced time preparing and managing time, documents, communication and contacts. This will allow more time to be spent on the creative side of our work and helping us deliver our primary goal.

Sincere thanks to the City of Northfield, the Economic Development Authority, and the Northfield Enterprise Center for the funding received through the Clemens-Shearer Microgrant, without which this upgrade would have had to wait an indeterminate amount of time. The microgrant program supports emerging businesses in Northfield, Minnesota.

Here’s a typical post-war house. Windows: Single pane, aluminum frame. Wall insulation: R-11 at best. Ceiling Insulation: R-19 at best. Ventilation: none. Foundation insulation: none. In short, this is not an energy efficient home, and neither are the hundreds of thousands like it across the country. Given the housing crash, it is unlikely to receive an equity loan for upgrades. Given the economy, its owner could be facing reduced salary or unemployment, further decreasing the odds of improvement.

Meanwhile, the government is spending billions to help out corporations.

Of the people, by the people, and for the people. Shouldn’t the focus be on the people, not the corporations?

That’s what I like about this article. It makes a compelling counter-proposal to stimulate our economy, helping corporations by directing stimulus to individual households.

Nutshell: Government provides banks with funding for energy efficiency upgrades to existing homes. This will boost home values, tax revenues, construction employment, renewable energy manufacturing and homeowner savings.

Estimated return on investment: fourteen fold, and the stimulus pays for itself in the long run.

Great idea. Great example of how investing sustainably is also investing wisely.

Thanks, George, for the link.