Topic: Classroom
The basic structure of the American system of education at all grade levels, its very foundation, must dramatically shift. Emphasis must be on : Fundamentals of Finance : Money management, budget planning, saving money by not spending, c Read more
Topic: Classroom
Homebuilding is mysterious. Whether it's professionals trying to build and sell, or individuals trying to find a place to live, Earth is a planet of home-seekers who know too little about how the dwelling industry works. No single step is hard to do. Read more
Topic: Classroom
In the part of my career which could be called 'long ago' there was a point in time when see-through fireplaces were being built in homes in cities around mine, and in states surrounding mine, but not in my own home town. That's because the chief bui Read more
Topic: Classroom
Exponential Disappearance: That's an oxymoron to describe the rate at which integrity is evaporating from the home dwelling industry. I have isolated a few traits of such ethical failure: Drive-By Supervision: That's when a 'builder' pulls Read more
Topic: AB HOME e-zine
What's Next? You have reached the point when "What's next?" is a critical question if you are considering building a whole new house or a renovation or addition. Don't feel bad. Everyone, novices and professionals alike, will reach a moment when Read more
Topic: AB HOME e-zine
Storms. Sunsets. Social Distancing. Independence. All within the same Summer. This will be a season to remember. Synopsis of this issue: Independence has a Favorite Season : Still free after more than 240 Summers.Built FROM a Wheelchair Read more
Topic: Classroom
Home-building can be a String of Bad Decisions Combined with the Ignorant Expectation that Nothing Can Go Wrong Home-building decisions should be made by informed thoughts, and a rational look into the future to see the outcome of a logical chain Read more
Topic: AB HOME e-zine
WELCOME, SPRING! You have arrived with sunshine and stress. Even so, we can still celebrate the wonders of new life, the imposition of more togetherness at home than we ever imagined, an almost laughable yet unwarranted shortage of toilet paper Read more
Topic: Classroom
A very influential friend of mine, Curtis Jackson Wall, died this week on July 6th, 2019. I was first introduced to him many years ago by his son, also Curtis, who is like a brother to me. I told Mr. Wall I was about to open my own business drawing Read more
Topic: Classroom
Hotter. Colder. Wetter. Dryer. This is called climate load, and it comes in an evermore random order. The need to design homes and buildings which can live through many decades of crazy weather is upon us. Long overdue are standards of constructi Read more
Topic: Raising the Roof
Texas is one of my favorite places. I'm currently designing a new house in west Texas. It will be next door to an existing house. The guy in the existing house just called me. He began with, "I will sue you unless..." His demand was that I guarantee Read more
Topic: Insights
Way back in 1977, Roy Franklin, one of my earliest builder-clients, was the first person I ever heard say, “The Building Code is the least you can do and get away with it. Rise above it.” I took it to heart and Rise Above became my motto. In the Read more
Topic: Classroom
Video posts on social media, which appeared even as Hurricane Michael roared across the Florida panhandle, revealed buildings falling down, and whole structures lifted up and away. Also revealed was that the hurricane was an almost irresistible force Read more
Topic: Classroom
It is not enough to have sacred laws to lead citizens, unless those citizens are prudent of mind by learning, and strong of body by exercise, that they may lead themselves and others, as well as defend themselves from oppressors. Andrea Palladio - 15 Read more
Topic: Classroom
Given project conditions that will never change, numbers that don't work are numbers that never will work. Stop the project. Read more
