OAKLEYHOME2.COM BETA LAUNCH

Experiments in Website Design

As a freshman architecture student at the University of Cincinnati's DAAP program, my class was introduced to a wide variety of skill sets that were intended to help prepare us all for long and prosperous careers in our field, but the skill that has proven most useful over time has been a bit of a surprise. That skill was learning 'html' coding for websites, and while I'm certainly not an expert programmer, it has been a valuable addition to my architect-developer talent stack that has given me a competitive advantage in marketing my work to employers, clients and consumers.
I currently manage 3 different websites, which have been customized to represent my brand as an architect-developer and those are: (1.) mbenkert.com, which dates back to 2004 (2.) starterhome20.blogspot.com, which debuted on January 1, 2015 and (3.) oakleyhome2.com, which just launched in beta this past week.
So what exactly is a beta launch? A beta launch (also known as beta testing or beta release), is a stage of the software release cycle that is similar to a 'soft opening' for a business where the focus is on reducing impacts to users, often incorporating usability testing. This is typically the first time that the software is available outside of the organization that developed it. For the OakleyHome2.com site, this allows me to experiment with different layouts and imagery while getting feedback from select users, prior to publicizing the launch of the site, which will eventually be done with signage at the property and postings to various real estate websites.
As readers of the Starter Home 2.0 Blog, you are among the select users for the Oakley Home 2.0 website beta testing, so feel free to check out the site and chime in with any feedback as it continues to develop.

JUST TESTING

Geotech Test Pits Dug

While checking in on the Oakley Home 2.0 site this weekend, I noticed that several test pits had been dug by the engineers I hired to produce the Geotech report for the property, and a photo from that visit is posted below. The locations of the pits are based off of the site footprint of the previous home and the proposed footprint of the new home. Images illustrating those site footprints are also shown below and were sent to the engineers in advance of the test pits being dug to help guide them with their study. The next step for the Geotechnical Engineers is to compile their observations and measurements into a report and provide recommendations for how to go about excavating and designing the foundation system of the new house to deal with the soil conditions observed. Stay tuned for another blog post that will dive deeper into that Geotechnical Report when it becomes available.

OAKLEY HOME 2.0 VIDEO UPDATE 5

Weekly Update for November 26, 2016

This is the fifth of a series of weekly updates on the Oakley Home 2.0 project that will serve as a supplement to my other Starter Home 2.0 Project Blog Posts.

• Topics discussed: Test pits, loan conversations and LEED kick-off meeting

THANKSGIVING SPREAD

The Starter Home 2.0 Project Table Spread

With today being Turkey Day and millions of Americans looking forward to the dinnertime table spreads to come this evening, I thought I would share a photo of my own little 'table spread' I created for my work on the Starter Home 2.0 project. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

THE ARCHITECT-DEVELOPER TALENT STACK

Layering Modest Skills to Produce Exceptional Results

One of my all-time favorite books, which I read a few years ago but still sticks with me is 'How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big' by Scott Adams, who is most well known for being the creator of the cartoon, Dilbert. In the book, Adams argues that the most practical way to achieve successful results is not by trying to become world class in any one particular skill, but rather layering and building up modest skills until they create a formidable 'Talent Stack' that has the ability to produce exceptional results.

Here is Scott Adams' Talent Stack that led him to become a successful cartoonist

1. Artistic talent (mediocre)
2. Writing talent (simple and persuasive, but not Pulitzer-worthy)
3. Business skills (Good, not amazing)
4. Marketing and PR (good, not great)
5. Social media skills (mediocre)
6. Persuasion skills (above average, but not Trump-like)

And here is my Talent Stack that is helping me to become a successful Architect-Developer 

1. Architectural design abilities (good, not amazing)
2. Construction knowledge (good, not great)
3. Real estate understanding (above average)
4. Public speaking (good, not amazing)
5. Social media skills (mediocre)
6. Project management (average)

The Talent Stack strategy is an example of a systems approach to success as opposed to a goals approach to success, which is a central theme raised in the book and explained quite effectively in the animated video short below.

WEEKEND RENDER

In-Progress Dusk Rendering

Over the course of my architectural career as a student and now as a licensed professional, I've developed my own techniques for presentations and renderings and have become a big fan of the dusk renderings that showcase both the exterior and illuminated interior simultaneously. Below is an in-progress dusk rendering for the Oakley Home 2.0 along with some other dusk renderings I've done in the past that should help give an idea of where I'm headed with this once I Photoshop in some people and background elements.

MATERIAL RESEARCH

Talking Windows, Doors, Soffits and More

This past Saturday I went out on a fact finding mission to get answers to some of the questions I had regarding windows, doors, soffits, gutters and downspouts for the Oakley Home 2.0 Project. In the end I came away with a lot more information than what I had expected in more ways than one. Below is description of what I learned.

Windows: Whereas the Starter Home 2.0 Pleasant Ridge house featured white, double-hung vinyl windows, the Oakley Home 2.0 design calls for large casement windows with a dark bronze or black exterior finish. While vinyl windows are fine for double hung applications and readily available in white, they are not a great choice for casement styles, and do not come in dark bronze or black colors standard. This has lead me to look at aluminum clad wood windows and fiberglass windows from Pella, Marvin and Andersen as the most likely candidates for the window package in this project. Talking with a Pella rep, the cost and performance of the aluminum clad wood vs. the fiberglass is virtually the same, so it is really a matter of personal preference when it comes down to which one to choose. Right now I am leaning towards the fiberglass, but reserve the right to change my mind as I become more familiar with each style.

Exterior Doors: The Oakley Home 2.0 features 4 different exterior door types ranging from a flush swing door to the garage, glass swing doors to the front porch and second floor porch, a 2-panel sliding door in the basement, and 4-panel sliding door to the deck. The swing doors are going to be painted steel doors similar to what was installed in the Pleasant Ridge home, while aluminum clad wood provides the most flexibility for the sliding doors. The biggest selling point with aluminum wood clad option being the ability to incorporate 16' wide x 8' high four-panel sliding doors out to the deck (shown in the image below).at 1/3 the cost of the bi-fold doors that I had originally designed.

Soffits, Gutters and Downspouts: The final item I wanted to verify on my field trip to the various building material suppliers was that the color options available for soffits, gutters and downspouts included a 'dark bronze' option (or something similar), which is what the exterior color palette was designed around. Fortunately, 'dark bronze' along with dozens of other colors were readily available from multiple manufacturers, some of which are pictured in this sample deck.

OAKLEY HOME 2.0 VIDEO UPDATE 4

Weekly Update for November 13, 2016

This is the third of a series of weekly updates on the Oakley Home 2.0 project that will serve as a supplement to my other Starter Home 2.0 Project Blog Posts.

• Topics discussed: Geotech proposal, material research and construction financing meetings

DIGGING THROUGH THE PAST

Demolition Details

This week I accepted a proposal from a local Geotech company for test pits and a report relating to the Oakley lot that will provide analysis and recommendations for preparing the site to build a new house on. I also learned of additional details as it relates to the demolition of the previous house and garage on site, which relates not only to this development, but for other future infill projects I might work on in the city where existing structures have been taken down. Below is a breakdown describing a couple things I learned from this exercise.

1. The City of Cincinnati keeps pretty good Demolition Records. Cagis ezTrak is an online database developed by the City of Cincinnati that tracks permit records and real estate information dating back to the early 2000's in a searchable, easy to read format that provides the general public with a plethora of facts relating to a property's past history. Included in this are records of any demolition/wrecking of structures that may have occurred. Below are screenshots showing general and more specific information as it relates to the #2013P04763 demo permit.
   
2. The City of Cincinnati has pretty specific Demolition Standards. Once I found out JTF Construction Inc performed the demolition after looking through the city records and that they were the contractor responsible for numerous structure demolition in the region, I reached out to JTF to see if they had any information relating to how the demo was executed at the Oakley property. In an email response, they provided some details on this and informed me that the house was demolished under the Ohio/Cincinnati guidelines, which are described below with key points highlighted that will have an impact on the Oakley Home 2.0 Project.
   

NAVIGATING THE CODE

TJI Fire Protection

One of the biggest challenges for architects, developers and contractors involved in building projects is keeping up with the constantly changing building codes and recognizing how that impacts design, cost and schedule. One such code change that took effect in the current 2013 Residential Code of Ohio, which I recently learned about is the need for additional fire protection as it relates to exposed TJI joists in basements, which were previously allowed to remain exposed.

RCO Section 502.14 Fire Resistance of Floors. Floor assemblies, not required elsewhere in this code to be fire resistance rated, shall be provided with a ½ inch gypsum board membrane or a 5/8 inch wood structural panel membrane or an equivalent material on the underside of the floor framing member which complies with section 302.14.

With the Oakley Home 2.0 project designed with TJI joists beneath the first floor, that means I will need to either (a.) cover the joists with drywall, or (b.) purchase joists with 'flak jacket protection'. I'll need to evaluate which option is most cost effective from a material and labor standpoint before making a decision how to proceed, but better to be made aware of this now, rather than during a construction inspection.

OAKLEY HOME 2.0 VIDEO UPDATE 3

Weekly Update for November 6, 2016

This is the third of a series of weekly updates on the Oakley Home 2.0 project that will serve as a supplement to my other Starter Home 2.0 Project Blog Posts.

• Topics discussed: Project kick-off meeting with builder and construction financing

KEEP IT

Another Tool of the Trade: Google Keep

Last year I posted a 'Tools of the Trade' blog entry outlining how I use tablet technology to improve my effectiveness as an architect, developer, and project manager, but would like to take a moment to append that by adding an app to the list that I use everyday for the projects I'm involved with currently, whether at SHP Leading Design, with the Pleasant Ridge Development Corporation, or the Starter Home 2.0 Project (or just for miscellaneous daily tasks). That app is Google Keep, which is essentially a digital, sortable, and searchable Sticky Note collection that is a fantastic way to organize tasks, lists, and ideas in the cloud. Below is a shot of my computer screen with the items labeled as '3874 Isabella', but I make equal use of the app on my tablet and phone as well. So whether you are an architect, developer, project manager, or just trying to keep organized, definitely check out Google Keep