Casabrava

By Heather Johnston

This is a story about a proof-of concept prototype that combines the precision and speed of factory building with the custom features of a house specifically designed for the owners and the site. The motivation for us, as architects, in taking on this challenge came from two of the most frequent questions asked by clients:  Why is this costing so much and taking so long?

Basecamp: Cloud-Based Project Management

By Kevin Harris, FAIA

One of the biggest challenges to running a successful architectural practice is keeping everyone on the design and construction teams working together, and literally, on the same page. AIA Contract language sets the architect in a leadership position by requiring all communications between contractor and owner to flow through the architect. That’s great for the receiving of information, but an added responsibility to manage.

The House: Regionalism in a Global Environment

By Jermiah Eck | Harvard Graduate School of Design July 21-22

For over two decades I have been organizing, moderating and teaching a two day course on the house in the summer at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Each year the focus of the course changed depending on my current interest and state of the economy. Topics included the small house, the green house, the production house and the large house. This year I take a look at Regionalism, which I believe is one of the critical issues of our time. 

Pencil Preference Revisited

By Laura Kraft

(left: manual; right: digital)

In the 21 months since I posted "Why I Prefer Using a Pencil" on 2H Pencil, technology has marched on. We’ve been through slightly more than one cycle of the phenomenon described by Moore’s Law, that integrated circuits double in performance every 18 months. Devices have gotten smarter and smaller and more connected.  BIM, 3-D modeling, 3-D printing and the Cloud are the current darlings of architectural office technology. 

What Is Your Favorite Technology?

The CRAN Chronicle team wanted to know what your favorite technologies are. We asked and you answered! See what your fellow members had to say.

Projects from Emerging Professionals

This edition of the CRAN Chronicle features projects, not designed, but found by members of CRAN’s new Emerging Professionals Committee. Below are some of their favorite projects discovered on their favorite websites.

CRANtv Announces Fourth Video: "The Client's Role for a Successful Residential Project"

Welcome to our fourth CRANtv video "The Client's Role for a Successful Residential Project." In this video, CRAN explores one of the most import roles in the success of a design process and construction project, that of the owner! That may seem odd, but in fact, once the team of talented architects and designers are assembled, many aspects of the project, specifically issues relating to aesthetics, functionality, budget and the time schedule, will reflect the client’s vision and directives. A client must come prepared, stay on course, and provide feedback to the design in a timely manner. 

CRAN Announces New Emerging Professionals Committee

Recently, CRAN expanded to include an Emerging Professionals Committee. This move is intended to provide representation and support for young professionals within CRAN. The new CRAN/EP committee is made up of emerging professionals from throughout the AIA interested in custom residential design. The coast-to-coast work experience of the committee, their knowledge of the various programs available to interns pursuing licensure and those creating their own practices in residential design will make them a valuable asset for representing emerging professionals in the CRAN community.

CRAN Members in the News

CRAN members, Jean Dufresne and Jay Keller with Space Architects and Planners were featured in the April 2014 issue of CS Interiors. View their article here.

Congratulations to CRAN Advisory Group member Luis Jauregui on his recent appointment to the Design Committee for NAHB.  He will serve with this group for a minimum of one year.