Paradigm Projects » The Things We Do

The Things We Do: Summer Structures

J. Jerrald Hayes — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 19:40:44 +0000

Are you thinking about a Decks, a Cabana, a Porche, a Patios, a Pergola, a Gazebo, a Treehouses, an Arbors, a Trellis, a Sheds, a Playhouses, or some Outdoor Furniture? Well we apply the same professional project management methods, planning, and organizational skills to those kinds of projects as we do to the even larger more comprehensive home imporvement projects.

And we’ve just set up a new website to talk to you about our approach to those kinds of offering too.

Click to visit SummerStructures.com

ParadigmProjects@Work: Tennis Court Cabana Mt. Kisco (Bedford Corners); NY

J. Jerrald Hayes — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 19:26:21 +0000

As we move through the process of remodeling our web site we’ve just added our first gallery of photos from a Tennis Court Cabana project we did in August of 2006 in the Bedford Corners area of Mt. Kisco NY.

Slide Show:Tennis Court Cabana

The slide show starts with the excavation and setting of the tubes for the concrete piers and then continues with the erection of the walls and basic structure. And then contues on with the exterior finish carpentry and then shows a few photos of the framing as seen from the interior before the erection of the partition wall and paneling of the ceiling. The next group of photos then shows the cedar paneling applied to the partition wall and ceiling as well as the installed base cabintry. And the slide show ends with photos of the painted and roofed cabana and a few shots of the scenic surrounds.

We haven’t added any captions yet to help tell the story but we will soon.

We also have a lot more Galleries still to come so check back again soon for more.

The Things We Do: Timber Framing

J. Jerrald Hayes — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 18:50:20 +0000

Timber Frames Honor the Structure by Displaying It as Artwork for All to See

Timberframing is perhaps one of the most satisfying and rewarding carpentry disciplines to a tradesperson and one of the most beautiful and dramatic construction methods in the eyes of homeowners too.

In fact in his seminal book on the subject Building the Timber Frame House Tedd Benson quotes J. Frederick Kelly writing: –"The massive framing of our early houses is thing to delight anyone possessed of the smallest amount of architectural sense. A feeling of boundless strength, of security and steadfastness, as well as a notable kind of dignity, is inseparable from the ponderous timbers which go to make up these mighty frames."—

Yes, timber framing can inspire the poetic spirit in both builders and owners alike.

If you’re thinking of a timber frame home or addition we can work with you as project managers assisting you in either finding the right frame producer for your project or even cutting and fabricating the components your project needs ourselves given the experience some of our key personnel have had with cutting timber frames themselves. We can plan, organize, budget, and contract your project from foundation to the last pint of paint used to finish your home.

We’ll put together the team of artisans and craftspeople and supervise and coordinate their actions so everything can come together in a satisfying and exhilarating experience for your and your family.

Call us at 914-239-3635 to arrange for a Free Consultation
to discuss your Timber Frame dreams.

Helpful Reference Materials & Book Recommendations

Timberframe: The Art and Craft of the Post-and-Beam Home

The Timberframe Way: A Lavishly Illustrated Guide to the Most Elegant Way to Build a Home

Timberframe Interiors

Timberframe Plan Book

Call us at 914-239-3635 to arrange for a Free Design Consultation

The Things We Do: Finished Basements

J. Jerrald Hayes — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 17:05:26 +0000

Designing a Better Basement Space

For years builders in the northeast have built their homes on basement foundations as standard operating procedure and often leave them unfinished for the homeowner to decide on the space’s use later.

Some of the important elements you need to consider in finishing a basement that apply to any project regardless of it intended use are:

Lighting is essential to make the space comfortable and useful. Large well insulted windows or sliding glass doors (with a secure three pronged locking system) in a walkout basement can do a lot to help in accomplish that goal (while also helping to satisfy the building code’s requirement for a suitable means of egress from the space). In lieu of and in addition to windows and doors a well thought out lighting plan is essential.
Keep the space as open as you can. It ’s very likely that the total finished height of the basement space will be typically lower than the spaces through out the rest of the house since ceiling height will be lost at times too beams and hiding the services such as electrical, plumbing, and duct work that are channeled through the space so closing the space in with too many walls will tend to make the space feel more confining.
Keep the basement dry. Before doing anything develop a plan to keep the basement dry. Spraying asphalitic or fiberglass waterproofing material on the foundations exterior is on way to go or if that’s impractical a french drain and sump pump system in conjunction with a DRIcore sub flooring and a dehumidification system may be the way to go.
Keep the basement climate controlled. Make sure the temperature and humidity don’t vary from the other rooms in the house by installing the appropriate heating and air conditioning system.

Helpful Reference Materials & Book Recommendations

Basement Planner

Design Ideas for Basements

http://www.amazon.com/Design-Ideas-Basements/dp/1580111580/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b/002-0642622-9368046

Remodeling a Basement

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Finishing Your Basement

Call us at 914-239-3635 to arrange for a Free Design Consultation