We all enjoy trying on clothes before buying them, right? Think of test fits as the real estate equivalent of trying on clothes. Lately, we've seen a surge in feasibility studies for potential properties, which are often referred to as "test fits". This increase may be a response to last year's freeze on short-term rentals in Orleans Parish, which left many developers wondering, "What else can I do with this property?" Let's explore some key questions that test fits are designed to address.

Developer Guide, Construction & Permittingben allenJune 26, 2024test fit, feasibility study, new orleans real estate, real estate developments, historic tax credit feasibility, as-of-right, zoning codes, architecture, design, predesign services, new orleans construction, new orleans architecture, new orleans real estate planning

Can Third Place Developments Fill Our Vacancies?

The term “third place” has infiltrated our market as a space to be in that isn’t - one, our home, or two, our office…it’s our third place: a place to socialize, be creative, relax, meet and entertain.

Sustainability, Developer Guide, Interiors & MaterialityKim AllenMay 30, 2024third place, cowork, vacant buildings, real estate developments, new orleans real estate, social clubs, hi-rise buildings, indoor garden, business plan, investment plan, real estate investments, new orleans architects, Urban architecture, Urban development, Adaptive Reuse

Regional Materials Palette

Our regional materials palette features tile, stone, wood and other building material sourced locally, supporting sustainability by reducing the transportation impact of building materials over long distances. Below is a compilation of materials we think you should consider using in your next building project.

Sustainability, Design Principles, Interiors & MaterialityKim AllenMay 22, 2024regional, material research, US Southeast region, Southeast region, Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, Tile, Stone, Wood, Building Materials, sustainability, Carbon Footprint, Design Resource

Framework for Excellence: Design Strategies

The American Institute of Architects has recently released its Framework for Design Excellence, a guidance tool consisting of ten key principles complemented by probing questions. This tool serves as a guidepost to help designers make advances toward a better built environment that is zero-carbon, promotes health, fosters resilience, and upholds equity.

Sustainability, Design PrinciplesKim AllenMay 2, 2024AIA framework for excellence, Design for Well-being, Design for Integration, Principles in Design, Design, Architecture, sustainability, project goals

Behind the Scenes: Coordinating Photoshoots

This week we wanted to take you behind the scenes of a few photoshoots we are coordinating of our recently completed projects here in New Orleans by sharing our typical process - from initial decision making to execution.

Quick TipsKim AllenApril 4, 2024photoshoots, styling, architectural photoshoot, interior photoshoot, behind the scenes, professional photography, staging

What's Happening to Real Estate in New Orleans?

Those of us involved in building things - planners, city governments, developers and architects and designers - need to advocate to fundamentally change they physical framework of daily commerce, and we need the support of the citizens to do so.

Developer Guideben allenApril 3, 2024urban development, retail vacancies, new orleans, new orleans neighborhoods, construction, real estate, new orleans real estate, downtown new orleans, urban planning, urban environment, commerce, city framework, housing demand, housing issues, architecture, communities

Selecting the Perfect Terra Cotta

When our clients for a new, two-family home in the Irish Channel neighborhood asked us to provide them with something warm, modern and organic, we were excited about exploring this design aesthetic, especially as it pertains to key features like terra cotta tile.

Robert Street Pool House Project

Construction & Permitting, Design PrinciplesKim AllenSeptember 11, 2023uptown new orleans, new orleans design, new orleans pools, pool design, pool house design, pool house addition, porch addition, residential master planning, residential architecture, custom homes, custom additions

Adaptive Reuse in Downtown NOLA

When our clients came to us with an adaptive reuse project to build a hotel in an old warehouse structure, we knew there would be some challenges. Soon the solution became clear: what if we built a hotel UNDER an old warehouse structure?!

Construction & Permitting, Design Principles, Developer Guide, Historic Projects, Interiors & MaterialityKim AllenSeptember 8, 2023warehouse hotel, boutique hotel, mixed-use, adaptive reuse, warehouse district, new orleans hospitality design, NOLA architects, New Orleans design, interiors and architecture', courtyard, industrial-vibe, CMU, terracotta

Marfa: An Architect's PhotoBlog

Contrary to popular belief and personal history, going on vacation to the desert in the middle of August turned out to be a wonderful idea. The story of Marfa’s transformation from a small Texas town to a shining beacon of contemporary art is too tantalizing to pass up if the opportunity arises to visit.

Travel & LagniappeAna AziziJune 26, 2023marfa, donald judd, chinati, macdonald observatory, texas road trip, photoblog, west texas, desert, big bend

Loire Valley: An Architect's Photoblog

Châteaux were everywhere to be found, in all sizes (S,M,L,XL), and all made of brick and limestone with all the most beautiful flourishes. Small, winding roads connected their associated French villages together, all while hugging the banks of the Loire River.

Almost After: The Picheloup Place Renovation

Two couples, a brother and sister and their spouses, bought the home in an effort to downsize, and retire closer to their children and grandchildren. The home is a 1920s bungalow style two-family residence, but had been modified with dated finishes and an inefficient floor plan.

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This week we wanted to take you behind the scenes of a few photoshoots we are coordinating of our recently completed projects here in New Orleans by sharing our typical process - from initial decision making to execution.

When our clients came to us with an adaptive reuse project to build a hotel in an old warehouse structure, we knew there would be some challenges. Soon the solution became clear: what if we built a hotel UNDER an old warehouse structure?!