Tag Archive for: NYC architect

Meet the Architect, Eric Davenport

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Get to Know LEAP Founder and Architect, Eric Davenport in our next series of posts!

5 Questions with Eric

 

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What was your first job?

My first job was working at Stewarts in Clifton Park, NY, where I grew up. One of my duties was scraping out the bottom of the chili pot—an experience that turned me on to vegetarianism, lol!

 

What led you to become an architect?

I think I’ve always been drawn to architecture, even as a little kid. The process of designing something that people will live and work in, it seems commonplace, but when you really think about it, it’s a really big deal. Architecture influences all of us, everyday, whether or not we consciously recognize it. One of my favorite quotes:

“Architecture is basically a container of something. I hope they will enjoy not so much the teacup, but the tea.” –Yoshio Taniguchi

 

How does your family influence your design approach?

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LEAP Architect, Eric Davenport with his 3 kids.

My wife Claire and I have 3 children, ages 4, 12, and 19. So I understand that family  life is sometimes chaotic. The flow of the house should bring a family together, be a backdrop for, yet also enhance daily activities. The materials used is another big consideration. These should be aesthetically pleasing, but also durable and easy to maintain. A good design meets the needs of both growing children and the parents. Many families need “together” spaces and “away” spaces to help balance the family dynamics. We also explore specific growth plans for families, and also businesses to help improve their bottom lines.

 

Have you traveled? How has that shaped you?

Travel has had a profound influence on my life and work. I worked through my undergraduate degree at Ball State University in Indiana. My last semester was spent in Copenhagen, Denmark. I really connected to the Scandinavian aesthetic—clean lines, lots of light, and it always feels fresh. The weather in Denmark is not so great, so little effort is spent on simple exteriors. However, the interiors are other-worldy: warm, cozy, vibrant spaces for living, working and playing are key to the Dane’s happy lifestyles.

I also traveled and studied in Sri Lanka, India and Nepal, which helped inform our practice with historical context. It’s one thing to look at these ancient structures in a text book. When experiencing them in person, I learned how historic structures can be used in contemporary ways, and contribute to sustainable design strategies.

After coming back to the states, I knew that I needed to incorporate green and sustainable building practices into my designs. I complemented my environmental architecture education by attending ECOSA, the sustainable design institute in Prescott, AZ.

Spending time out in the desert was wild. It helped me appreciate the specificity of regional climates and their impact on architectural design. I studied under the guidance of Tony Brown, who was an apprentice of Paolo Soleri. Soleri, for those of you that don’t know, founded the Arcosanti, an urban laboratory focused on innovative design, community, and environmental accountability in the high desert of Arizona.

For the last 10 years I’ve been living and working in New York’s Capital District, which is also where I grew up. Living here, it feels a little like completing a circuit.

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Portrait of the Architect as a Young Man in Nepal. LEAP Founder and Architect, Eric Davenport in his formative years.

Do you have a passion project?

Haiti is a big one. I started volunteering in Haiti in 2003. The initial focus was on education and how to affordably create schools as a space for teaching with cultural arts. My involvement grew from there. I really fell in love with the country and the people. I’m proud to say that LEAP has worked not only on schools, but emergency relief community designs, sustainable agricultural pro
cessing plants, community centers, computer centers, and food security programs. I’m working on a longer story about my Haiti experiences, so stay tuned for that in the coming weeks.

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LEAP Founder and Architect, Eric Davenport overseeing construction of a seed storage facility in Haiti.

 

 

[box type=”bio”] LEAP Architect, Eric Davenport excels in understanding complex needs of businesses and families. LEAP’s goal is to provide affordable solutions to companies and residential clients. He has extensive experience in single family and multi-family residential projects and also specializes in interior design.

Contact LEAP and let us put our experience to work for you![/box]

 

 

Modern Addition – Dramatic Before and After Reveal

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LEAP Architecture had the vision that transformed a little run-of-the-mill ranch house into a two-story, light and spacious modern-home. Form follows function in this Upstate NY modern addition, where every detail from bathroom tile glaze to the support structure for the great room was considered with the occupants, the environment and the budget in mind.

 

Architect’s Vision of a Modern Addition – Albany, NY

 

Vision of Air and Light

Where before rooms were dark and cramped, the new open floor plan – with floor to ceiling windows – fills the space with abundant natural light. It quite literally looks like a completely different house.

 

Dream Home, Sweet Home

LEAP succeeded in making the house feel vibrant and fresh, adding 520 sq. ft of new  living area and completely renovating an existing 680 sq. ft of interior space. In an effort maximize the occupant’s enjoyment of their backyard, a 20 sq. ft balcony and 200 sq. ft deck were seamlessly incorporated into the design. And the homeowners? They are over the moon about their updated living space.

“I measure the success of a project by the satisfaction of the homeowners”, says Eric Davenport, LEAP’s founder and chief architect, “and their satisfaction comes from LEAP’s innovative design process”.

 

Innovative Design

What does he mean exactly? Well, a LEAP architect considers a project from every possible angle – design, sustainability, cost, but mostly importantly the occupants.

How do the homeowners want to feel in this space? How will they move through it? How can their home best serve their dreams, desires and needs? Davenport is a master of envisioning this, and uses it to inform all other design considerations.

In this project, the owners wanted their home to feel expansive, luxurious, and joyful. They wanted to reconnect as a couple and delight in their living space. We were so honored to work with them and bring their dream-home to fruition.

 

Before and After Reveal

The before and after addition images are pretty staggering. Check out them out for yourself and leave us a comment. We’d love to hear what you think!

Still curious about our design process? Read more about LEAP’s process and see additional interior photos from this project here.

Have a dream project of your own? Contact LEAP to make it happen!

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First floor view, showing expanded open floor plan – new kitchen area, dining room, and cozy nook with fireplace.

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Dramatic update of the kitchen area -clean, bright and functional.

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Existing space was altered, with walls and ceiling removed to create an open floor plan.

Updated Curb Appeal – Classical Concepts AVEDA Salon

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The modern design fit-up showcases custom wooden lights and prominent colors from the sidewalk, enticing new customers with enhanced curb appeal.

 

Commercial Curb Appeal

The clients were impressed and astonished by the amount of traffic generated by passers-by enticed into the welcoming space. The secret: Mystique. The architect designed blue LED-lit panels deep within the space that can still be seen from the street and sidewalk, and turns heads.

High Design Draws Customers

 

Modern Architecture: Design Approach

The client goals for a high-end, luxurious environment were coupled with the desire to fit AVEDAs natural product line, so a sustainable modern design approach was a perfect solution. Customers experience a warm, environmentally-conscious space while getting massages, mud applications or hair and nail care with natural products.

 

From The Architect: Details

Color was an important branding element for AVEDA and Classical Concepts. The green cylinder encloses customers waiting in the massage area; wooden lanterns provide gentle light, and blue highlights behind translucent panels complement sleek fixtures and furniture.

*Project completed while working with Phinney Design Group

 

Have questions for the architect? Ask them here…

LEAP: A New York City Architect In Upstate NY

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Looking for the high design that comes with a New York City architect?

 

Get the Value of a New York City Architect with Upstate NY Rates

High-Caliber Design from Upstate NY

 

 

LEAP’s architects have years of experience designing in New York City. The apartment renovation pictured here is a great example of how existing spaces can be transformed to be otherworldly experiences, escapes into peaceful abodes.

LEAP Architecture provides metropolitan design to the Capital Region: clients in the Albany, NY area who hire LEAP receive high-design at affordable rates.

LEAP’s architect that designed the project pictured in this article has the experience of designing in Manhattan as well as in New Jersey, Connecticut and Vermont, and understands how to provide uncluttered designs so that people can be restful in their homes. Modern materials, their details and form provide a clean, uncluttered space for today’s New York City lifestyles.

The project is shown still under construction, with completed photos to come soon. Stay tuned!

 

Before and After: Albany Architect Designs in New York City

New York City Architect Before and After: NYC Apartment Kitchen

Before and After: NYC Apartment Kitchen

 

Before and After: New York City Bathroom 

New York City Architect Apartment Renovation

Before and After: New York City Apartment (Bathroom)

 

Design Matters: A New York City Architect Layout And Interior Design is Accentuated

New York City Architect Bathroom

Modern Bathroom Design by Architect and Interior Designers

 

LEAP’s architect designed the layout of this space, and worked with a great interior design team (McGrathII) on built-ins, custom fabrication, coordination of existing utilities and material and fixture selections – this will be an amazing space once complete!

 

CONSTRUCTION

Ken Lee, of Habiterra, LLC, renovated the apartment and provided full services for mechanical design, electrical and plumbing installation, millwork builds, and provided a great finished project.

~ Eric Davenport, AIA, CPHC

 

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]http://www.leaparchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/eric_davenport-blog-profile.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]Eric Davenport, a native Up-State New Yorker, began LEAP Architecture in 2003 at age 23 while designing projects for Haitian education efforts and working to achieve efficient agricultural-based solutions for Haitian families. Eric’s projects in New York include both commercial and residential architecture specializing in energy efficient and net-zero buildings.

Questions about your next design project? Contact Eric.

[/author_info] [/author]

 

Have questions for the architect? Ask them here…

Passive House: High Performance Construction Standards in the US

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Passive House Design [founded in the US, then developed in Germany as Passivhaus] is different than passive solar design since insulation and heat exchangers are utilized while solar energy plays a lesser role.

Passive House Design: Introduction and History

In the United States, passive house design standards dictate space heating energy of 1 BTU per square foot (11 kJ/m²) per heating degree day which equates to 75-95% less energy for space heating and cooling than current new buildings that meet today’s US energy efficiency codes. [1] Typical strategies implemented to achieve the standard include well insulated envelopes coupled with air barriers, air sealing, and the use of heat exchangers to recirculate indoor air. Other considerations include: passive solar design, landscape design, advanced window technology, airtightness, ventilation, space heating from internal heat sources such as equipment and people, lighting and appliance efficiency.

 

 

Modern sustainable architect in Albany designs Saratoga, NY home

Passive Building Attributes

Advantages of passive buildings include fresh, clean air, homogeneous interior temperature, slow temperature changes, and low energy loads that support renewable energy sources. Passive buildings could be up to 14% more expensive upfront than conventional buildings. [2] However, when designed to balance budgets, the mechanical system costs and alternative energy system costs are reduced. These reductions in system costs off-set the money spent on better insulation, windows and doors. And, owners get the payback dollars for insulation, windows and doors permanently in the building, as opposed to spending money on replacing mechanical and alternative energy systems 13-15 years down the road (just as they started getting pay-back!).

 

Passive House Design Process

Buildings can be certified as Passive with the help of a CPHC (Certified Passive House Consultant) via the Passive House Institute US (PHIUS) or Passive House Academy US (PHAUS). Both residential and commercial buildings utilize the Passive House model.

 

Passive House Architect - Elevation

Passive Building: Principals

Passive building comprises a set of design principles used to attain a quantifiable and rigorous level of energy efficiency within a specific quantifiable comfort level. “Maximize your gains, minimize your losses” summarize the approach. To that end, a passive building is designed and built in accordance with these five building-science principles:

  • It employs continuous insulation through its entire envelope without any thermal bridging.
  • The building envelope is extremely airtight, preventing infiltration of outside air and loss of conditioned air.
  • It employs high-performance windows and doors
  • It uses some form of balanced heat- and moisture-recovery ventilation and uses a minimal space conditioning system.
  • Solar gain is managed to exploit the sun’s energy for heating purposes and to minimize it in cooling seasons.

Passive building principles can be applied to all building typologies, from single-family homes to apartment buildings to multi-story offices and skyscrapers.

 

Passive House - Largest

The building for Cornell Tech’s new campus on New York’s Roosevelt Island by Handel Architects, will be the largest Passive Building in the world.

 

Passive Building Benefits

Passive buildings offer tremendous long -term benefits in addition to energy efficiency:

  • High levels of insulation and airtight construction provide unmatched comfort even in extreme conditions.
  • Continuous mechanical ventilation of fresh filtered air assures superb air quality.
  • A comprehensive systems approach to modeling, design and construction produces extremely resilient buildings.
  • Passive building is the best path to Net Zero and Net Positive buildings because it minimizes the load that renewable energy sources are required to provide. [3]

Click here to watch a 90-second video explaining the “Passive House”

[1] Waldsee BioHaus architect, Stephan Tanner

[2] “Passivhäuser im Bau bis zu 14% teurer”. Franz Alt. Retrieved 2009-06-05.

[3] www.phius.org/what-is-passive-building-/the-principles

 

 

Have questions for the architect? Ask them here…

Luxury Home Renovation on Long Island Sound

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The design for a luxury home renovation and addition for a mid-century American-Mediterranean house on Long Island Sound transitions into spaces between Traditional and Modern architecture. 

Renovation of a Greenwich CT Home on Long Island Sound

Modern Architecture: Design Details

The existing house was fully gutted and outfitted with a newly designed aesthetic enhanced by amenities such as high-end finishes and millwork, whole-house integrated lighting, security, and Audio/Visual systems, along with complimentary interiors by Drake Design Associates with the landscape design by Janice Parker.

 

The House – Luxury Home Renovation in Action

Modern insertions designed into a traditional architectural style results in a cohesive, luxurious living space in the existing house, while a new guest wing comprises the addition, which includes a garage, pool house, fitness room, living space, kitchen and two bedroom/bathroom suites.

*Project completed while working with Taber Studio

LEAP Architecture

Businesses and families have hired LEAP Architecture when looking for a Residential or Commercial architect.

Whether in New York City or in Upstate from Hudson to Albany, in Saratoga or in the Adirondacks, a LEAP architect will help you develop creative design solutions.

Click here to contact LEAP Architecture