Learning Resources

The Value of Hiring an Architect
There are some common assumptions and misconceptions about the role of an architect.  An architect’s most fundamental purpose, and the reason for having a professional license is to protect the life safety, health, and welfare of the occupants of the buildings they design. However, there are many other tangible and intangible benefits a building design professional offers.  While it may seem easy to view an architect’s fee as another added cost to your project, professional architectural services actually add value to projects in a multitude of ways.
Read more
It’s no secret that people covet naturally lit spaces with wonderful views of the outdoors. Weber Design Group is known for creating architecture that incorporates large walls of glass for showcasing spectacular views, and for providing seamless indoor-outdoor transitions. But where does the desire to provide natural light come from, and why does it matter so much in architecture?
Read more
Aerial Photo, Roof, Sophia Model
The 2017 Hurricane season will go down in history as one of the most catastrophic of all time, and it isn’t over until November 30th. Harvey, Irma, and Maria roared through coastal areas causing a death toll of 177 (as of this post), and an estimated $335 to $475 Billion in property damage.
Read more
Hurricane season 2017 is in full swing, and in with Irma looming in the Atlantic, we thought this e-guide from Allianz Insurance would be helpful for our construction colleagues.  Be safe!
Read more
porch, veranda, lanai, design guide
All about porches and similar outdoor living structures Often as we are discussing a Florida house plan with a client located anywhere outside Florida they are confused by the word “lanai”. After we explain what a lanai is they will invariably say something like “Oh! You mean a porch.” Since we design custom homes for and sell stock house plans to clients all over the world, we thought it would be helpful to clarify porch nomenclature, which by the way, depends greatly on geographical location.    
Read more
stock home plan or custom designed house
If you’re in the early stages of planning the design of your dream home then you might be trying to decide whether a stock house plan or custom design is better for your situation. There are a few considerations that will go into your decision. First, consider your property, and whether it has any unique challenges to address or features to showcase.   Second, think about how the residents will live, what are “must have” features, and those that are negotiable? Lastly, there is the matter of budget, for the design work as well as for the construction of the home.
Read more
SEBC ville - Building in Paradise
We’d love to see you at the Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) at the end of the month.  It’s a two-day event jam packed with educational opportunities as well as the latest building products and services in the home building and remodeling industry. Want free tickets?  Sign up Here  
Read more
hardieboard siding on west indies
You probably know that the external appearance of a home is inextricably linked to the value of the property. Value can be enhanced by the rich and varied look one can achieve by using sidings creatively. Not only that, but siding choice also plays an important role in protecting your home against dust mites, molds and bacteria. Today’s Siding Options Deciding which siding to choose is an important factor in achieving the look you want your home to have. Carefully chosen siding can help save energy and make a powerful statement about your home. So, selecting the right siding should be done with care, employing reputable installation professionals and choosing a material that is easy to maintain and replace when required. Whether it is a new home or a...
Read more
tile roof
The roof style of your house plan’s elevation will play a large role in the aesthetic appeal of your home. It will tie together many of the exterior architectural elements of your home plan that define a particular style, but most importantly it will need to provide a robust and long lasting shelter for the home. The type of roof material you choose will depend on your budget, environmental factors and desired look. Here is a rundown of the most popular styles of roof and roofing materials used today: Shake Roofs One of the oldest styles of roof in America is the shake. The style can transport you to a bygone age, but also has its drawbacks. Shakes are different from shingles, which are machine-sawed. Shakes are torn into thin...
Read more
stemwall and piling foundation before backfill and pour
The foundation is the root for your home. Apart from anchoring the house and providing a flat surface on which to lay floors and raise load-bearing walls, foundations also work as resistance against moisture, insects, fungus, soil gases and the immense pressure the soil itself applies.
Read more
master bath design coral drive naples
Flowers, chocolate or even a visit to the day spa are wonderful ways to show Mom she’s loved on Mother’s Day, but for year-round indulgence of epic proportions we have put together a portfolio featuring a few of our recent over-the-top spa bathroom designs! Enjoy the slideshow, by clicking the arrows below. [rev_slider alias=”spa-bathrooms”][/rev_slider]
Read more
home icon design
Most people think of dollars and cents when they think about home value. An appraisal estimates resale value of a home by comparing it to other similarly sized homes in your neighborhood. Since your custom designed home is not a commodity, an appraisal only tells part of the story of value.
Read more