Sparkflight Studios

Farmhouse in Warwickshire, UK (2017). Photo ©  Architecture 00 . According to the United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, carbon neutrality by 2050 is the world’s most urgent mission . Buildings generate nearly 40% of annual global CO2 emissions. In response, WikiHouse has developed a mission to “put the knowledge & tools to build beautiful, zero-carbon buildings into the hands of every citizen, community and business.” How it Works Designer Alastair Parvin presents a simple but provocative idea: what if, instead of architects creating buildings for those who can afford to commission them, regular citizens could design and build their own houses? The concept is at the heart of WikiHouse, an open source construction kit that means just about anyone can build a house, anywhere. Watch Alastair Parvin’s TED Talk, here . The big idea behind WikiHouse is the power of 'many small'. WikiHouse isn't made by just one company in one large, centralized factory, but b...

Framing has begun on our Wardelle Street Townhouses project! Now that spring is here, we are finding joy in the blue skies and emerging flora. It is a treat to get outside and into the field during this beautiful weather! Our construction projects continue to roll forward despite the current crisis. During site visits, just as in the workplace, we are strictly following OSHA health and safety prevention measures, including maintaining safe distancing and limiting group sizes as much as possible. Despite the heaviness of the current situation, we are excited to report projects that are on the boards for Sparkflight Studios: Wardelle Street Townhouses, Pinto Campus Social Services Training Room, and Government Center Reroofing and Sealant Replacement. These projects are all in the construction phase! At Wardelle Street Townhouses, post-tensioned structural slabs have emerged as building footprints are taking shape. This project is a new 57-unit affordable housing complex for t...

The Parks at Walter Reed Our mission at Sparkflight Studios is to "design for humans," to create spaces for our neighbors that produce positive social impact. To that end, we are actively pursuing and passionate about mixed-use, multi-family affordable housing projects. These types of projects encompass what it means to truly design for the betterment of our communities. By developing an area that is a self-sustaining business and residential destination not totally reliant on cars/parking for its clientele, we are providing much-needed affordable housing while supporting economic development by bringing businesses a built-in customer base. These projects are starting to be built across the country, with promising results. According to the Multi-Housing News website : "Developers from market-rate to affordable housing are identifying ways to create mixed-income and mixed-use developments that promote diversity, equity and integration." One such project is th...

Rendering of the proposed mixed-use site In September, we introduced Sparkflight Studios' involvement in the 2019 AIA Blueprint for Better Housing , a mission to solve housing needs in our community. Anne was invited to be the Team Coordinator of the Multi-Family Mixed-Use group. She worked diligently with her team and alongside the charrette participants and members of the local community to create a design that was presented to AIA Las Vegas in October. The team proposed a 381,000-SF mixed-use, mixed-income development on the west side of Martin Luther King Boulevard, south of Lake Mead Boulevard, in the 89106 zip code. The team chose this site due to the economic disparity between this zip code and the rest of our city, with a diaspora of community members seeking opportunity elsewhere. This community has an intense desire to preserve its heritage and build a vibrant future for its children; Anne and the rest of the dedicated charrette team worked hard to come up with u...

At the halfway point of the charrette This year AIA Las Vegas put a call out to our professional community to coordinate a Blueprint for Better Housing.  This is our local chapter's response to a national project Blueprint for Better that challenges architects to work closely with community leaders to "...tackle key issues from rising water levels and more frequent natural disasters, to diverse housing needs and the increased urgency for sustainable design." After coordination with community stakeholders, the AIA identified three housing categories: Multi-family Mixed Use, Workforce Housing, and Micro Housing.  Key locations within the city were targeted as virtual project sites, and an all-day visioning charrette was held in late August.  Happily, our design teams, six total, consisted of a mix of non-architects like business owners, bankers, government employees, developers--and a few architects and landscape architects too.  This event was just the star...

Nendo's nest shelf allows users to expand unit to desired width. Micro Living has made an impact in North America. Many are choosing to give up their large living space for a home that is less than 1,000 square feet.   The increasing appeal of Micro-Housing can be attributed to many wanting to minimize their mortgage, reduce carbon footprint, and enjoy portability, as seen on previous blog Rural Micro-Housing – Could you live in 572 SF? ,   or the desire to be in a dense city fabric as discussed on Urban Micro-Housing: A Path to Sustainable Livability . Although some are choosing to give up space, comfort and luxury do not have to be lost.   Some companies such as Nendo and  Resource Furniture , are designing incredible, sustainable, transforming furniture.   We no longer have to give up comfort and luxury due to space limitations. Resource Furniture’s unique multifunctional, transforming furniture line has a variety of Wall Beds, Transformin...

Are you concerned that your property may not be in compliance with the current accessibility requirements?  Invest three to four hours with a professional architect that is familiar with Americans with Disabilities Act, HUD , Fair Housing and state/local accessibility requirements.   We use current standards to evaluate your existing property, project or design documents and provide recommendations to bring your property in compliance with applicable code.  For older properties fixes can include "readily achievable" barrier removal, while newer properties are required to fully comply.  Equip yourself with the knowledge to reduce your liability. We can provide framework for new property acquisition as well as existing properties.  An accessibility report can also be provided with our real estate feasibility consultations .  For a typical accessibility consultation, we spend two to three hours at your property and perform a comprehensive evaluation o...

Have you found a commercial space or home that you like, but want to convert it into a space that you love?   Whether a property is already purchased or being considered, we can assist you in your planning.   Invest two to three hours with a professional architect and let us show you the design possibilities so it can become the home or office space of your dreams. We are available to work with realtors, property owners, and potential property owners to prepare feasibility consultations.  For commercial properties, accessibility evaluations are also performed by our office together with appropriate consulting professionals. We spend up to two hours at the property*, prepare a brief report back at our office, and are available for an additional phone meeting to discuss the presented design options.   Options may include renovations, additions or energy usage improvements.   During our visit at your property, we will do a brief walk-through, ask key ...

We're looking forward to the transformation of this multifamily project at Vera Johnson Manor A!  Over 71,700 square feet will be overhauled with a fresh, sophisticated palette for interiors.  The exteriors will be refreshed with a three-part color scheme for variety; and the addition of new patio enclosures, durable paint coatings, and replacement roofing. Front Perspective at Patios Interior Materials & Color Palette Exterior Materials & Color Palette

Nindo House - Finland Micro-housing can be defined by size at under 1,000 square feet of living space.   A very talented and resourceful couple in Iowa have managed to build a 572 square foot home, which they put on wheels in case they want to move.   While its small size certainly qualifies for micro, other attributes add to the livability of the design. What makes micro-housing attractive?   Compact and efficient space management immediately come to mind along with the inherent need for a clutter-free, minimalist built environment.   Portability can also be a useful feature for rural settings.   While this home features an eclectic bohemian aesthetic, it’s easy to see how the space-saving attributes could translate into a modern style.   Special features that charm in Tim and Deb’s “Movable House” are the pushed out dining area, which can be detached and loaded inside for transport and the creative catwalk running across the ceiling.   On the ...

Being a native of the Southwest, and living in Las Vegas for a decade, I've eagerly awaited building codes that support graywater use in our region.  Our water is a precious resource, right?  Recently, our residential clients are beginning to inquire about graywater use as well. What is Graywater? According to the California Graywater Code, "Graywater" means untreated wastewater that has not been contaminated by any toilet discharge...and does not present a threat from contamination by unhealthful...wastes.  "Graywater" includes but is not limited to wastewater from bathtubs, showers, bathroom washbasins, clothes washing machines, and laundry tubs, but does not include wastewater from kitchen sinks or dishwashers. How is Graywater used?  Graywater is acceptable for use in landscape irrigation, however the landscape system must be designed to prevent ponding or spray of graywater.  If spray irrigation is part of the landscape design, for example at a tur...

image by Desert Sol team The 2nd Place Global winner from the 2013 Solar Decathlon, Desert Sol, is now at its permanent home at the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas.  Admission to DesertSol is free for members or with paid general admission. Built by teams of UNLV students, the 754-square-foot sustainable solar-powered home took over two years to conceptualize, design and build.  Per the Springs Preserve website, its features include: Solar panels Low-flow fixtures and a multipurpose water system that combines plumbing and fire sprinklers Remote access to temperature controls Strategic window placement to promote cross-ventilation A custom screen along the outdoor deck that filters sun in the summer and retracts to allow warmth from the sun in winter  Intended primarily as a vacation home The bullet points don't begin to describe the beauty and function of this home.  See it in person to experience the textured and weathered materials, contemporary int...

UNLV students have done an impressive job with their DesertSol house at this year's Solar Decathlon.  They are currently standing at second place, which is an outstanding accomplishment for the first year's entry for UNLV.  If you agree, give them a vote--or more--for the People's Choice award.  Voting is through this Thursday at 11AM at the Solardecathlon.gov site. See all of the entries through next weekend, October 13 at the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, California or at the website . The Solar Decathlon is a bienneal program hosted since 2002 by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that, per the DOE, "challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive." Read more here... I traveled out to see the homes first-hand and was invigorated by the enthusiasm and innovation--inspiring!  Check back soon to see photos from the trip.

City of New York/Public Domain City of New York/Public Domain As populations worldwide become more urbanized, development of micro-housing that is both livable and sustainable for city dwellers, who tend to be single or couples, is more critical. Action based on New York City’s Mayor Bloomberg’s awareness of this reality resulted in an impressive outcome as briefly excerpted below from the press release . "adAPT NYC is a pilot program that was launched in July 2012 through a Request for Proposals to develop a new model of housing – micro-units. The proposals were evaluated on several criteria, including innovative micro-unit layout and building design. The ‘ My Micro NY ’ proposal excelled in this category, with features like generous 9’-10” floor-to-ceiling heights and Juliette balconies that provide substantial access to light and air. The micro-units developed as part of this pilot will measure between 250 and 370 square feet." The unit is innovative ...

We've recently discovered this amazing tool which allows designers to compile color and furniture boards with a click of the mouse.  This fun tool is called the " Olioboard ".  It allows us to quickly communicate our inspirations and design directions with clients.  They can try it themselves too. For my first Olioboard project, I gathered furniture and color pieces to create a traditional space.  A mid-tone color palette was the start of my inspiration, then the furniture came in to play.  When I think of traditional , three words come to mind - calm, orderly, and comforting.  Furniture pieces match, tables have ornate details or chunky baluster legs, sofas and living chairs are upholstered, classic moldings and trims are used on walls, wall covering with a subtle print, draped window coverings, and a large detailed area rug is used to tie to look together. Explore the Olioboard site to discover some of the endless possibilities for creating your ...

Opower, in partnership with Facebook and NRDC , has established a social energy app that allows you to see how your energy use stacks up against friends and homes across the US.  Join groups and discover how you can save even more. This leadership challenge provides a path for everyone to be a winner with individual energy savings and positive results for the very air we breathe. Opower partnered with their first utility client in 2007 from a rented desk in San Francisco. Their purpose is to engage the millions of people who are in the dark about their energy use. “Our product platform now reaches more than 10 million homes in North America. Together with our clients and their customers, we're saving energy, saving money, and helping reduce global carbon emissions.” Get started now on Opower .  You can also try a home comparison without connecting to Facebook at the same link.  After your first pass, make sure to click the "Update home information" button for the most...

Although the NV Energy rebate window for photovoltaics (PV) has closed*, Southern Nevada residents can still pursue green energy generation through wind power.  Local codes are still evolving to encourage residential and large-scale wind power installations.  Use the In My Backyard (IMBY) tool to estimate how much power your property can produce with PV or wind turbines.  Then contact a licensed contractor for more information.   Be aware that there are local ordinances governing the installation of wind turbines.  For example, in the City of Las Vegas, “small wind energy systems” are only allowed in certain residential districts zoned R-A, R-E and R-D and up to 100kW.  Check out Wind Power Nevada for some more background on current state and local laws. WindGenerations and HydroGenerations are still accepting applications.  NV Energy is also now accepting more options for wind generators.  See their website for a listing of accepte...

Yes, gardening can be even greener.  Maintaining a garden is a sustainable idea by itself:  Grow what you eat; travel a few steps to pick out dinner; connect with the food cycle.  Whether container gardening on a patio, or a raised bed in the backyard, growing your own food sustainably is achievable. A few trends from MyGardenGuide.com for a more sustainable garden follow: Lifecycle and Environmental Impact - How much energy was consumed in a plant or product's transportation and if any recycled materials were used?   How much water was used in the production of a product?  What kinds of chemicals are used and how do they affect the soil, air and water? Water-wise Landscapes - Use drought-tolerant plants, and install drip irrigation systems instead of using conventional watering techniques.  Visit Springs Preserve for ideas. Plants for Wellness - Garden for the betterment of mental health, nutrition or fitness.   Mixing it Up - M...

Live greener and enhance your cash flow. The recent passage of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) opens the door to tax savings for energy efficient home improvements, commercial renewable energy development, and many other green choices. For homeowners, the new law increases the credit rate to 30 percent of the cost of all qualifying improvements and raises the maximum credit limit to $1,500 for improvements placed in service in 2009 and 2010. Examples of improvements include insulation; heating or cooling systems; roofs (metal and asphalt); and energy efficient exterior windows, doors or skylights. Qualifying standards for energy efficiency are increasing, so stay tuned. In the meantime, homeowners may continue to rely on Energy Star labels for exterior openings in determining whether product purchased before June 1, 2009 qualifies for the credit. Renewable energy improvements also are funded with the residential energy efficiency property credit as the pr...

There are several ways to make energy efficient improvements to your home, while improving your bank balance.  A few quick links follow: Federal tax credits NV Energy cash rebates NV Energy RenewableGenerations Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) rebates Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEM) EEMs are offered by federally insured mortgage programs (Federal Housing Authority and Veterans Administration) and the conventional secondary mortgage market (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). More local information is available through Nevada Energy Star Partners .