architecture, baby boomers Evelina Vatzeva architecture, baby boomers Evelina Vatzeva

Home design for baby boomers

And here we are - the kids have left the nest and you feel lost in that big house which was full of life just until recently. You are wondering if you should swap it for something smaller but then you fear you’ll only see the kids for an occasional lunch as they would not have a room to sleep in… No one can predict the future, but right now you have the space and time for yourself - two things you have been missing badly at times. Let’s look at what you could do with that space and time:

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Evelina Vatzeva Evelina Vatzeva

Kill your darling or how to move from stuck to excited.

If you want to prove your design ideas' viability, 'Kill your darling' might be your first call to action. This approach involves proposing the opposite of what you consider your best idea to date and challenging it. Here is how it works.

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Evelina Vatzeva Evelina Vatzeva

From Drama to Power or how to turn stressful relationships with architects and builders into enjoyable collaboration.

Triangle relationships have never been easy, regardless of the context and position of the participants. If it’s about love affairs, friendships or working teams: groups of two or four seem to be easier, clearer and more manageable. And yet there are situations, like in a construction process, where three is the number we are stuck with and need to deal with.

Those three parties are tightly connected in contractual relationships from start till completion of a project and how good this relationship is, determines to a large degree the success of the work.

So let’s see how this triangle engagement can work from a design and construction point of view.

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Evelina Vatzeva Evelina Vatzeva

What to do with construction projects in financially uncertain times?

You’ve been dreaming for ages of that large refurbishment and extension you’d like to undertake to your property. You have some good savings sitting in the bank and the house is due to be remortgaged soon anyway. But you read the news and all you hear is interest rates are rising and the market is playing crazy. So what to do?

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Evelina Vatzeva Evelina Vatzeva

Monocle Conference Quality of Life

We kicked off September with a visit to the beautiful city of Munich to attend the Monocle ​Quality of Life Conference​. What an experience! The city was gorgeous in the late summer sun, with a blue sky sprinkled with white clouds and a friendly, typically Bavarian atmosphere.

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Evelina Vatzeva Evelina Vatzeva

Feasibility studies - what they are and how they help?

Let’s suppose you still need to determine the details of your project due to funds, or perhaps a challenging location, or particular planning requirements. A feasibility study is a great way to explore your existing situation and proposed options before fully committing to the project.

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Evelina Vatzeva Evelina Vatzeva

How to deal with difficult neighbours?

The reasons why neighbours complain when construction work is about to begin next door are multiple. But the number of complaints is exceptional and surprising, with the result being much the same every time.

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Evelina Vatzeva Evelina Vatzeva

Architecture photography in autumn

In the middle of the autumn season, we'd like to have a closer look at architectural photography. In this time of the year, nature turns our surroundings into an impressive set of dominant colours. This is an excellent occasion for taking pictures of buildings and interiors using the soft light of the changing nature.

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Evelina Vatzeva Evelina Vatzeva

What are the stages of a construction project?

What is the usual project trajectory?

A construction project can feel overwhelming and confusing, regardless of its size and purpose. The RIBA Plan of Work sets out a project plan in 7 stages, but for the sake of simplicity, some of the stages can be combined, and many projects run through fewer stages than seven.

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Evelina Vatzeva Evelina Vatzeva

How to identify the right Architect?

Once you've decided you will need an Architect to assist you with your project, the question becomes how to choose one. Each project is unique and not every Architect will be the right choice. Here are five steps that will help you to identify the professional best suited to you and your property.

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