Seth A Leeb Architect

Treehouses aren’t just for kids anymore; they’re a big trend in the architectural industry too. Treehouses embody the idea of escapism, and living high up in the branches means that you leave the hustle and bustle of the world behind in favor of a more whimsical and natural alternative. While this trend is making a big impact in the tourism and glamping industry, treehouses are also becoming a trend in  residential architecture . Here are some insights from a home architect. A Unique Home Addition While many homeowners dream of adding on more living space to their home, some homeowners are choosing to achieve this through a treehouse. Modern treehouses, as popularized in a few reality shows, can be almost anything – a living area, a bar or outdoor kitchen/entertainment space, a guest apartment or a way of producing extra income through short-term rentals. These range in cost according to the complexity of the build – a simple deck where kids can plan and camp out under the st...

When most people think about a cozy, warm home, they first think of their fireplace or central heating system – but it’s really your insulation that matters the most. Here are some insights to help make sure your new or  remodeled home  stays warm through the winter. Why do Homes Need Insulation?  Essentially, the purpose of insulation in the home is to create an effective barrier around the building, preventing warm air from escaping in the winter months and keeping your home cool in summer. Heat isn’t just lost through the walls – it also escapes through your roof, your windows and any gaps around windows and doors. This is a serious issue for two reasons – firstly, because it makes your home less comfortable to live in, and secondly, because your home heating and cooling systems are going to have to work much harder to warm or cool your space. Since heating and cooling takes up between 50-70% of the energy consumption of your home, this means a big increase i...

Designing and building a new home – whether its reimagining an existing property or starting from scratch – is an exciting journey. You get to define your new lifestyle and a new future through an intense construction process and being prepared is your personal foundation. Here are some tips for helping you start planning the design of your new home with your  residential architect . Build your brief:  This is a great starting point and it will evolve as you flesh out your house plans, so don’t worry about getting it totally right on the first go. Start with the basics – the number and types of rooms, and any special rooms you want included. Then move on to what’s important to you in a home – a lively family kitchen, lots of natural light, low running and maintenance costs, and so forth. Think about what you want from your home, whether it’s to wake up to a particular view, to make an architectural statement or anything else – remember, it’s your home. Analyze your si...

When you’re planning to  build your dream home,  you’re going to want an architect with the right experience and qualifications. Here’s a quick guide to the industry terminology and what it means. Registered Architect:  In the USA, a Registered Architect is a Licensed Architect – a professional who has complete the requirements for architectural registration and hold a license to offer services in the relevant state. It is in fact illegal for anyone to call themselves an architect or offer these services without a license. RA, AIA or FAIA:  If your architect has any of these behind their name, it indicates that they are a Registered Architect. RA stands for “Registered Architect”, AIA stands for the “American Institute of Architects”, and FAIA stands for “Fellow of the American Institute of Architects”. An FAIA is a high honor and is only awarded to those architects who have made distinguished contribution to architecture. Architect’s stamp/Architect of ...

Remodeling an apartment is a very different project to remodeling a home, simply because of the amount of space you’re working with. Here are some tips from a top  residential architect  in NJ. Knock down walls:  Knocking down certain walls can transform your space, enlarge rooms and get a layout that actually works for you. You will need input from your architect and contractor before you break out the hammer, however, as you need to be sure that the wall is not a structural necessity. Open up the kitchen:  Older apartment buildings tend to have small, enclosed kitchens that are dark and difficult to use. Instead, open up the kitchen and make it a centerpiece for your apartment. It is the perfect entertainment space, making your apartment feel bigger and often opening up space for bigger appliances. Design your closets professionally:  There’s more to a closet than shelves and some hanging space, and you’ll be amazed at how a professional closet desig...

Old and period homes have so much to offer, it’s no surprise that so many people are interested in purchasing these properties and updating them. Although this process can be incredibly rewarding, it’s important to go into these projects understanding that there can be many expensive and difficult challenges to overcome before your dream home emerges. Here are some insights from a  residential architect in NJ. Plumbing problems:  Pre-1960s homes often have galvanized pipes which will have become clogged or corroded over time – and these issues may extend to your sewer lines as well. Moisture:  Water is incredibly damaging to a home, affecting walls, flooring and cabinetry as well as creating structural damage. Moisture also causes mold and mildew to thrive and attracts pest infestations. Older homes are especially susceptible to these issues, and leaking pipes or cracks in foundations and walls could mean stripping out walling and flooring, waterproofing and repa...

Craftsman style homes are a classic style that’s popular all across the USA. They are known for their wonderful curb appeal and charming architectural details. So, what makes this style so unique? Here’s a guide from a  leading NJ residential architect . History of the Craftsman-Style Home  This style has its roots in the British rebellion against the mass production and industrialization of the 19 th  century that started the Arts and Crafts Movement, a movement focused on handcrafted, unique character delivered by artisans. This was popularized in architecture through Gustav Stickley, who founded  The Craftsman  magazine through which he published free architectural blueprints. Features of Craftsman Architecture  Although this style was developed for its individuality, there are certain features that are common throughout many of these homes. These include: Low-pitched rooflines in a hip or gable style A covered front porch Pillars linin...

The cost of building a new  custom home plans  varies wildly according to where you’re building, your specific lot, the size of your home, and it’s features and finishes. HomeAdvisor puts the national average at $286,277 – but customized and high-end features in high-demand areas can push this average up to $700,000 with ease. So, how can you budget for a new home? Here are some guidelines from a leading NJ residential architect. What can you afford?  This is the ultimate deciding factor, so take a good look at your savings, assets you may sell (for example, your existing house) and what kind of loan you would qualify for at your bank. A good guideline for loans is that they should not exceed 25% of your stable monthly income. Square foot costs.  Square footages usually refer to heated areas of a home (so, not the basement or garages). Find a home that is similar to what you’d like to build – same area, same size, etc. – for comparison. A sales agent will be...

Building a new home is an exciting adventure with a fantastic reward once all the hard work is done. Ending up with your dream home takes hard work though, and there are plenty of challenges to overcome along the way. Here are the most common ones to look out for, from a leading  residential architect  firm in NJ. No project manager:  Acting as your own project manager is often used as a way to save money on your build. However, unless you have previous experience, you’re going to find that this will be more stressful and more expensive than you anticipated. Firstly, you won’t have the connections with local contractors to get the best quality at the best price. You’ll likely experience delays because you won’t know who needs to be hired and schedule at what point of the build, and because you’re a once-off project, contractors will likely prioritize return business over yours. Hiring an experienced project manager is worth the cost – they ensure that the best peo...

Homes may have one purpose – to deliver a living space for ourselves and our loved ones – but there are many more factors that come into play when we start the process of designing and building our dream homes. One important factor is the style of the home itself. Here’s a quick guide to the most popular architectural styles in the USA, from a leading  residential architect  in NJ. Craftsman:  This style dates back to the arts and crafts movement of the early 20 th century, where artisans rebelled against the cookie-cutter look of the homes built in the Industrial Revolution. These homes are all about creating a uniquely and artistic look, and generally have porches with thick columns, low-pitched roofs, exposed beams and a strong use of natural materials. Country or colonial style:  Reminiscent of the 18 th  century European colonists, these homes often have 2-3 stories and symmetrical placement of doors and windows. The front door entrance is a focal ...

Building a home is a large and complex project that, according to research by the 2016 Survey of Construction, takes about 6 months on average. However, the length of a project is influenced by a range of factors that can result in a building taking longer or shorter than this projection. Here are some insights from a  NJ residential architect . What Factors Can Influence the Time it Takes to Build Your Home?  Custom or production homes:  Production homes are faster at 4-6 month, while custom homes take 10-16 months on average to finish. The more unique, demanding or unusual your home’s style, the longer it may take to build. Region and environment:  The accessibility of your property for construction equipment, whether you’re in a rural area, small town or metro, and whether you’re in a mountainous or mid-Atlantic area all affects the timeline. For example, rural areas take 9 months on average while metros are around 7 months to completion. Weather can al...