Stairs afford architects and designers innovative design opportunities and are an ideal vehicle to enhance the experience of being in a space. With stairs now highlighted for prominent placement so as to encourage short bouts of exercise throughout the day and viewed as places to facilitate unexpected coworker social ‘collisions’, stair design has become an … Read more
As eco-friendly design becomes more important for the health of building occupants and the planet, it’s up to all of us to carefully evaluate materials. The benefits of a particular building material may suddenly pale when its environmental impact is known. Luxury vinyl tile, or LVT, a now popular flooring option, is one material in … Read more
Outside of the home, the classroom environment is where most children spend the majority of their time. K-12 education is a pivotal time in children’s development that helps them grow intellectually and socially. Since so many factors affect student achievement during this imperative period, having a holistic view of the educational experience is important. The … Read more
The green city movement continues to strengthen and expand, further emphasizing the need for green buildings. While there’s been a constant focus on sustainability in Architecture & Design for the last several years, the city-wide approach fuels these initiatives. With buildings accounting for a third of all greenhouse gas emissions, it only makes sense that … Read more
Natural Patterns and Human Well-being: A Deep Connection Nature has incredible patterns. Everywhere we turn in the natural world, these intricate patterns emerge, painting a complex tapestry that spans from the expansive spirals of distant galaxies to the delicate symmetry found in a leaf’s structure. These inherent patterns in nature are more than just visual … Read more
People are eating out more than ever. Customer expectations have risen and they want more from their dining experiences. Restaurants need consumers to come in and come back. Great food alone is not enough. Design is integral to the total experience. It sets a tone and conveys a message and promise to customers. According to … Read more
When I first learned about teak, its history, and all its benefits, I was fascinated by it. Over the years at TerraMai, we work with many wood types and surface materials but teak holds a special place. In many ways it reminds me of the great redwoods in the U.S. Another really majestic and amazing … Read more
Wood is beautiful, but did you know it can actually improve cognitive health? That’s the conclusion that many recent studies have reached, and it’s inspiring architects and designers to make wood a central locus of the built environment. Wood is now being chosen not only for its looks but also its psychophysiological benefits. This research … Read more
Mention reclaimed wood and rustic, character-rich wood tends to come to mind; wood with weathered and naturally distressed patina, nail and bolt holes, circle sawn markings and checking. But, reclaimed wood can have a clean, slick aesthetic too. Clean or rustic, reclaimed wood brings biophilic attributes to a space. For minimalist design, incorporating the organic … Read more
Beautifully Weathered Lost Coast Redwood has a naturally distressed patina associated with the Northern California coast providing a color range of weathered browns and greys. The wood has developed a lovely character from decades of natural weathering. The rich textures, attractive color range, and surface checking is evidence of its prior life. You can imagine … Read more
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