The last year of global challenges has presented unique changes to us all. One shared experience is the altered requirements of our personal space. Stay at home orders, restaurant shutdowns, and working remotely have coerced us into a routine that will likely remain even after the pandemic demands are over. At Traverse Landscape Architects, we have seen a clear uptick in the demand for residential landscape design. Regardless of the client age or project location, the wish list remains similar. Here is what we have gleaned the 2021 landscape wish list.

Selecting the right architect to build your dream home isn’t all too different from choosing a life partner; you will spend a lot of time (and money) with one another, you’ll experience moments of excitement and moments of frustration, and ultimately together you will create something you will feel proud of. This handbook is a good source for identifying architects who are qualified for your project and specialize in what matters most to you.

Designing your next home to the Passive House standard maximizes comfort, healthy indoor air, durability, and energy efficiency, while minimizing your carbon footprint. Passive House level energy performance is the result of 1) thoughtful design, 2) a super-insulated building envelope, 3) high efficiency systems, and 4) renewable energy, prioritized in that order, and all working together as a system.

Crown moulding plays an important architectural role in traditional interior design. It can distinguish formal public spaces from casual private spaces, and add an element of luxury or charm. Crown moulding in concert with other trim, establishes balance and proportion in a room, and creates a space that is pleasing to the eye.

Being a good builder means being a good listener. One of the biggest challenges builders face during the renovation of an existing space is to make it look like it was meant to be there from the beginning. Each home has its own footprint—so, how do you create a new space within an original space while being respectful to the home's personality?

An architect listens to you and serves as your advocate throughout your project. They translate your wishes into buildable form, addresses compliance with state and town regulations, oversees the work of the builder, and coordinates all technical and aesthetic aspects of your project. Your architect solves space problems, manages your budget, protects your project from unreasonable extra costs, and assists in disputes that may arise with your town, other consultants, or your builder.

Budgeting the costs of design and construction is an important first step to help you avoid surprises and frustration. Share with your architect your budgetary goals and constraints. Only with full knowledge of your budget can your architect design within your constraints and allocate your project money wisely.

Public and private environmental organizations are working to reduce energy use and associated C02 emissions by creating incentives for owners and builders to electrify their homes. Electrification allows homes to be powered by solar or wind, or via a grid powered by 100 percent renewable resources.