Journal
 

WC STUDIO architects to exhibit Peak Tweak design process at Seattle Architecture Foundation’s Architecture Model Exhibit.

The design of many of our apartment buildings include 2 story units. So, we're always looking for fun and interesting ways to design stair railings and we've never been known to pass up on an opportunity to design something.

WC STUDIO architects was invited by AIA Seattle to join a panel of designers at the 2020 Housing Design Week, Finding Balance across the Spectrum of Residential Design.

Lately we have been getting quite a few inquiries from people who are looking to purchase land and develop a multi-family project as an investment property. Whether you are just beginning your real estate search or already own a piece of land, WC STUDIO offers three levels of Feasibility Studies for multifamily projects to help you understand and visualize the development potential of any property you might have designs (pun intended) on.

Since completing our Certified Passive House Consultant training, we are pretty excited about all the science behind the best practices for building and home design. For those interested in a Passive House building science deep dive, here it is…

Cady Chintis, architect at WC STUDIO, is now a Certified Passive House Consultant! Passive House is a building science developed to create more comfortable, ecological, and healthy homes. Start here if you are interested in learning about the most sustainable custom homes that can be built today or revolutionizing your home’s energy performance and indoor air quality with a Passive House retrofit.

Solutions to affordability in Tacoma lie on a spectrum. At one end, subsidized housing helps people with low incomes afford a home; at the other, all types of residential development help stabilize market prices by increasing supply. However, both typically take the form of low density detached homes or high density multi-unit buildings. As demand for walkable, neighborhood living continues to grow, development in the center of the spectrum—the Missing Middle—will be a critical component of a successful affordable housing strategy in Tacoma. This shift will require non-traditional developers, creative development models, and policy changes to shape the housing that is needed in our city. 

Here at WC STUDIO, we value clarity and want the experience of working with us to be as straightforward and stress-free as possible. This post covers the various project phase vocabulary you will hear tossed about when working with an architect.

Over the past 5 years, we've seen a trend toward smaller living spaces. This is partly due to the rising cost of housing but equally important to note is the desire to downsize our impact on the earth with the added bonus of less space to clean on a regular basis. Here are our favorite picks for small but powerful kitchen appliances.

Peter Schlumbohm invented the Chemex manual coffee maker in 1941. In its obituary of Schlumbohm, the New York Times called the Chemex "one of the 100 best modern devices."

A feasibility study is for clients interested in purchasing property to build a custom home but want assurance that they will be able to build what they intend to prior to closing the land deal.

The Brass Lamp, a simple bedside or bathroom wall fixture that is timeless, easy to assemble and costs under $50 in parts. 

WC STUDIO participated in the “10 x 10”  re:Tacoma urban lecture series.

Shou Sugi Ban is the Japanese method of protecting wood against fire, wind, rain, rot and insects by…setting it on fire.