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Sean O’Hara Quoted in the Denver Business Journal on Energy Efficient Home Projects

Sean O'Hara — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 06:25:12 +0000

I had spoken with Paula Moore last week about a blog post that we had on our website about Tax Credits for Energy Efficent Design.

She quoted me in the article "Vendors expect stimulus to push energy-efficient home projects".

Basically I had told her that the tax credits that are available for energy efficiency projects are not meaning much work for architects. While we're hopeful that homeowners will be talking to architects about major improvements to their homes, I think a great number of the beneficiaries will be small home improvement contractors and suppliers like window installers. We certainly have many clients who will benefit but its hard to say that the credit was the driver.

EVstudio is suggesting that all of our clients who are looking at remodels and additions along with new construction homes pay special attention to the tax credits that are now available.

Originally posted 2009-03-15 21:51:01.

Sean O'Hara and EVstudio Mentioned in the Denver Business Journal

Sean O'Hara — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 17:48:32 +0000

There was an article today in the Denver Business Journal about architecture firms and how they are working in the current economy. I had spoken with Paula Moore about this a couple weeks ago and she used a bit of what I said in the article. To clarify, we have done a number of educational projects as well as affordable housing and we are actively working to expand those markets.

As you might expect what was included in the article is only a very small snapshot of EVstudio. I had sent her an email after our conversation and I'd like to share part of it since it didn't become part of the article:

"Basically what EVstudio is doing to stay one step ahead is looking at where we can be creative with our approaches to teaming and varied project types along with strengthening our existing relationships.

Our partnering with Gene Dane in Texas (157 Architecture) gives us access to a different market and different project types. Primarily that work has been retail and mixed use work and we are looking at expanding into military contracts. We have purposefully built a broad base of experience in multiple project types to help us steer through these situations. EVstudio is also willing to take on the remodel and rehab work where other firms aren't willing.

We are also flexible in our approach where we can work with owners to fit their model. Most of EVstudio's projects are normal where we work for the owner but we are also involved where we work for the contractor or we might work under the institutional client's in house architect. We can produce very basic builder plans or fully developed sets depending on the situation. This is a major difference from firms that are committed to only one form of project delivery.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention our existing base of clients and our great referral network. Many of the new projects that we've recently signed up are from a loyal base that sees that we are holding steady through the slow down. You can't say enough thanks for our clients who are repeat and the client's who make referrals."

EVstudio is continuing to do well, even where other firms are making cuts, and it is due to our great clients. Please remember that EVstudio does commercial and residential, new construction and remodels, big projects and small projects, in state and out of state and we always appreciate any referrals for projects even if someone is just looking for advice.

Interview with the Denver Business Journal

Sean O'Hara — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 06:09:44 +0000

I will be doing an interview next week with Paula Moore of the Denver Business Journal to discuss the current market conditions and how they are affecting the architectural and construction industries. We'll also be discussing the strategies that EVstudio is employing to address the changing architectural market.

Greenwood Village Solar Plans?

Sean O'Hara — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 04:27:13 +0000

There was an article in last week's Denver Business Journal about Greenwood Village not allowing a car wash to install solar panels on the roof. Evidently their current zoning regulations consider the solar panels to be mechanical equipment and they must therefore be blocked from view. It included a rendering of a street facade where the panels were barely visible. It is understandable that they would have to reject it based on a current reading of their zoning code, there's little flexibility.

At the same time municipalities should see this as a call to action to revise their zoning codes to have a more open and responsible view of on site solar and wind powered renewable energy. Both residential and commercial clients need options for on site renewable energy. Architects also need to look at better ways to integrate the solar panel into the aesthetic of their design where it isn't something that needs to be blocked.

The article did mention that Greenwood Village would be reviewing the regulations of other jurisdictions for examples.

Also interesting that the same DBJ had two articles about LEED projects. A new hotel in Golden by Aardex and an expansion of the Stapleton distribution complex by Prologis.

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