Category: Educational Info
4 Tools an Architecture Design Firm Uses Every Day
Posted By Sapp Design – Nov 19 | 2020
Architect design firms, such as Sapp Design Architects, have come a long way over the decades. We’ve been in business for nearly 35 years, and our firm has seen a lot of changes in the way architects go about their daily tasks. Today’s blog from Sapp Design discusses four tools an architect design firm uses every day.
1. Cameras and Visualization Tools
One important thing we do at Sapp Design involves creating renderings of what the final product may look like. To that end, we take a lot of photos of the existing site with cameras. Then we’ll input the dimensions of a building, what the interior may look like, and any parking lots for the exterior. After these preparations, we’ll create a rendering of the project before crews lift a single shovel of dirt.
Our staff combines photography and 3D rendering software to give our clients an accurate representation of what their completed building will look like. This type of software is called CADD, or computer-aided design and drafting.
During construction, we may go to a site to take photos of the process. We’ll match the photos to the architectural drawings to make sure the construction crews are following the blueprints exactly.
2. Measuring Tools
Before CADD software can render an accurate drawing, we have to take measurements of the site. We’ll use distance measuring wheels along the ground to determine the dimensions of the plot of land we’re dealing with. Then our staff begins to create scale drawings, much like a traditional paper drawing, except we do our work on computers. It’s vastly more efficient to create drawings on a computer and send them to clients as high-resolution documents rather than draw them on paper using rulers, compasses, and straight edges.
Some architecture design firms might still use physical paper. Most turn to computers. No matter what medium someone uses, architects have two things in common: A love for math and a love of drawing!
3. Drawing Tools
Architecture design firms must use accurate drawing tools because they work in a visual field and the numbers need to add up. Corners have to be 90 degrees, structural elements have to follow codes, and beams must handle the weight they support.
But all of those numbers don’t add up to clients who want visually appealing structures as well as functional ones. They need to see what something looks like before it happens. That’s where our rendering and CADD software really does well. Computer programs convert numbers, walls, beams, and doors into visual elements for clients to see. Some of us might use our visual skills to draw on the surface of a tablet computer to give a client an idea of what we have in mind.
4. Tablet Computers
Employees of architecture design firms don’t just sit in offices all day and design buildings. Yes, that’s a major part of our work. But we pride ourselves on being hands-on from our first meeting until the ribbon cutting of your new building.
Our staff takes tablet computers and mobile devices with them wherever they go. Employees can call up architectural drawings, renderings, schematics, electrical and plumbing diagrams, interior design specs, and any little detail of a project.
Honorable Mention: Hardhats
Sapp Design Architects loves to develop relationships with every client we meet. We keep hardhats handy for when our team goes to a construction site or attends a groundbreaking ceremony. We’re just as excited about bringing your building into existence as you are!
Your Architecture Design Firm at Sapp
Sapp Design Architects is your full-service architecture design firm. We serve Southwest Missouri and the Kansas City area. Contact Sapp Design Architects or call (417) 877-9600 for more details on what we can do for you!
What Does a Full-Service Architecture Firm Do?
Posted By Sapp Design – Jun 22 | 2020
Many people understand the role of an architect in a very limited way: blueprints, floor plans, and drafting tables. However, full-service architectural firms like Sapp Design provide a much wider range of services that can truly make a real difference for your construction project.
Read on in today’s blog from Sapp Design to learn the answer to this common question: “What does a full-service architecture firm do?”
1. Guidance from the Beginning
A full-service architecture firm can provide expert guidance from the very beginning, so your vision for the design is fully manifested in the finished project. We can be there with you on the first site visit, to analyze the site and make sure the property is appropriate for your goals. From site selection to concept development and drafting, a full-service architect provides valuable guidance, right from the start.
2. Advanced Technology for Design Development
Sapp Design can create realistic, navigable, three-dimensional renderings of your architectural plans, so you can “try before you buy” and ensure that your architectural design is everything you imagined. Full-service architectural firms utilize cutting-edge technology to ensure every detail is fully planned and properly implemented.
3. The Experience to Keep Costs Under Control
There are hundreds of details that can go awry and become hung up during the construction process. This creates unplanned expenses and costly time delays. Many full-service architectural firms provide cost estimation and construction observation services, ensuring that the project budget is well-established and the construction proceeds according to your budget and timeline.
4. Peace of Mind You Can Count On
Whether you are building a new location for your business or an academic building for your university campus, you want an architect who can provide certainty. You want certainty about your vision, certainty about your budget, and certainty about your timeline.
You might have investors with high standards. You might have local public officials with fixed completion date requirements. A full-service architectural firm can provide the certainty you need to fulfill the vision of your project, giving you peace of mind you can count on.
Sapp Design Is Your Full-Service Architectural Firm
We have more than 30 years of proven excellence in full-service architectural design in Springfield and Kansas City. Check out our gallery of featured projects to confirm our capabilities. Reach out to the team at Sapp Design to learn more about how a full-service architectural firm can make a difference for your project.
ColorMix Forecast 2020
Posted By Sapp Design – Oct 21 | 2019
Sapp Designers welcomed in Sherwin Williams color of the year for 2020, Naval SW6244, a strong, brave, confident deep navy, at the Color Forecast on October 15th. The color of the year is a shade of sophistication that will be paired with natural tones and materials such as soft leathers, gleaming metals, and polished marbles. The trending color coordinates are mute gold, canary yellow, and kale green. In addition to the color of the year, Sherwin Williams forecasted five trendsetting color palettes: Mantra, Heart, Haven, Play, and Alive. Each pallet has a unique array of hues that establishes the overall theme of the year, “Color in Balance.”
Mantra is calm muted pastels coordinating together to influence a sense of minimalism, serenity, and sanctuary. We will see soft, warm neutrals highlighted with dusty rose, mauve, and teals. Clean lines with accents of natural elements and solids embrace the feeling of peace.
Heart is a twist on Mantra with a slight edge. The bohemian influenced palette is unique and modern with twists of emotion. Shades of clay neutrals with a speckle of coral is influenced by humanity.
Haven, Sapp Design’s personal favorite, is a phenomenal array of earth tones embracing heath and simplicity. The palette includes shades of warm greens, soft neutrals, and touches of bold confident hues of blue and yellow.
Play is truly unique with energy and joy. The bold hues in this palette create a dynamic collection with a base solid of whites. The palette includes blues, oranges, yellows, and pinks. Punchy Pink is still in trend but forecasted to plateau and evolve into a blush pink that would still be utilized as a fun energic vibe.
Alive is truly appealing with rich tones influenced by optimism and globalization. These tones are a celebration of positivity evoked with a sense of community. The deep tones of navy and olive paired with pink-under toned neutrals will make a bold statement in any space.
Overall, the design industry seems to be embracing colors and materials that influence positivity and comfort in the space. Sapp is excited to embrace and drive the new trends of colors and materials into 2020.
Link: https://www.sherwin-williams.com/architects-specifiers-designers/color/color-forecast/2020-color-foreca
30,000 Safe Nights!
Posted By bsapp – Feb 10 | 2017
Harmony House – Domestic Violence Shelter Opens
Harmony House of Springfield Missouri provided safe emergency housing to families escaping domestic violence. The shelter provides, case management and advocacy to more than 700 women and children. Their mission is to help women break the cycle of domestic violence and live live free from 
abuse.
What started as an old three level hotel was drastically renovated to become a new domestic violence shelter for 160 people. The old shelter is more than 100 years old and had a capacity of only 100 beds. The new Harmony House features 160 beds and larger rooms that can sleep up to 4 people and have private bathrooms.This increased capacity equates to 30,000 safe nights of sleep. One of the new key features is a medical exam room overseen by Mercy Hospital nurses who will provide basic medical attention. The new space has conference areas, child care rooms, and a commercial kitchen.
How Technology is Impacting Student Learning
Posted By bsapp – Aug 12 | 2011
While this info graphic focuses more on college students, there is no reason to exclude the idea that these facts would not apply to the k-12 arena. Technology along with Social Media is a force that is evolving everyday and challenges us as Architects to effectively plan and provide insight into the latest trends.
Via: OnlineEducation.net