By Kerry Hansen
Design for Living
![Accessible bathroom with dual vanity and floating cabinets.](https://blog-cdn.chiefarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Featured-Image-1140x660.jpg)
By Adam Gibson, Architectural Designer, CMKBD, CLIPP, CAPS
There’s a growing need to make homes safer and healthier with thoughtful elements that don’t compromise aesthetics.
Many of us use assistive devices that have become part of our everyday lives, things we consider normal… take glasses and hearing aids, for instance. Why not take this same approach when designing a home?
Baby boomers are retiring at an astonishing rate, creating issues not often addressed. Aside from them, many families have specific needs (outside of age) for features embedded in design. We are doing them a disservice if we don’t educate ourselves, and in doing so, them, on how to contribute to their health and welfare.
(more…)Modern Lake House Design Places 1st by Brent Julius
![Modern two story home with rooftop balcony, and lots of natural light.](https://blog-cdn.chiefarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Brent-Julius-1140x660.jpg)
Brent Julius’ 1st place modern lake house in the Chief Architect Residential Design Contest is a stunning example of turning clients dreams into reality.
![Brent Julius with 306 Drafting and Design.](https://blog-cdn.chiefarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Headshot-930x1024.jpg)
“I started designing while in college as an architectural student. Shortly after, I worked at an architectural firm learning a lot about the construction and design industry. A few years later, I transitioned to a job specializing in residential design. It was there that I started using Chief Architect. Fast forward a few more years. I now own a residential design firm, 605 Drafting + Design.
(more…)Award Winning New England Coastal Inspired Home, by Joey Martin
![New England coastal style home, complete with multiple decks and patios, stonework and shake siding.](https://blog-cdn.chiefarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Joey-R.-Martin.jpg)
By Kerry Hansen
New England Coastal Inspired Home by Joey Martin of Martin Design and Planning, places second in the Chief Architect Residential Design Contest.
![Portrait of Joey R. Martin, 2nd place winner in the Chief Architect Residential Design Contest.](https://blog-cdn.chiefarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Joey-R.-Martin-Portrait.jpg)
“Born and raised in Elwood, Indiana, just north of Indianapolis, I knew from a young age that residential architecture and construction were what I wanted to do.
My first design project, to layout a new home for my family, took place in an advanced drafting class at Elwood High School. Working with the drafting instructor, and a local architect, that I ended up interning with, I created a set of plans and we built the home the next summer.
(more…)Modern Mountain Rustic- An Award-Winning Design by Todd Wilderman
![Modern mountain rustic home with timber framed accents and cooperating materials.](https://blog-cdn.chiefarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Todd-Wilderman-1000x660.jpg)
With a long history of experience in construction, Todd Wilderman creates a top design in Chief Architect’s Residential Design Contest.
![Todd Wilderman hiking in the mountains.](https://blog-cdn.chiefarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Profile-Image-857x1024.jpg)
“I started doing residential drafting at about the age of 12. My father was an industrial arts teacher at the local high school but drew plans on the side to supplement a meager teacher’s salary. I walked by his drawing table one day and said: “I could do that, doesn’t look that hard”. The next day, there was another drawing table in the room and I had a garage plan to draw.
“After that, I eventually went on to do many other things… construction trades, sign-making, welding, and carpentry. I also managed to get a BA in Art with studies in Math and Physics, a Construction Management certificate, a diploma in Surveying, and a Masters in Architecture.
(more…)August’s Remodel/Addition Design Contest Winners
![Elevation view showing the as-built and the remodel.](https://blog-cdn.chiefarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Overlay-Side-N-Elevation.jpg)
Congratulations to our three Chief Architect Remodel/Addition Design Contest Winners!
Thank you all for sharing your designs with us and our community.
(more…)Jerry Heckendorn Places First with His Craftsman Style Addition
![Layout sheet of a residential second story addition and interior remodel.](https://blog-cdn.chiefarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Jerry-Heckendorn-1044x660.jpg)
By Emily Black
Jerry wins 1st place in the Chief Architect Remodel/Addition Design Contest. His level of detail and craftsmanship show his passion and experience.
![Jerry Heckendorn](https://blog-cdn.chiefarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Jers-LinkedIn-portait-copy.jpg)
“Soon to be 63 years old, I was born and raised in the Detroit Metropolitan area. After high school, I attended the University of Michigan, graduating in 1980 from the School of Architecture with my Bachelor of Science in Architecture. Shortly after graduation, I married my beautiful and brilliant high school sweetheart, Debbie, who often helps me when I’m struggling with project designs… and is also my best critic (soon to be celebrating our 39th anniversary!).
(more…)The 2019 Chief Academy is Almost Here!
![Scott Harris teaching a Kitchen and Bath design training course at the 2018 Chief Architect Training Academy.](https://blog-cdn.chiefarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/DSC_4383-1140x660.jpg)
Our Chief Architect team is excited to meet and reconnect with all of our new and long-time users. Chief Academy is at our home headquarters in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
(more…)12-Year-Old Christian Dewitt’s Award-Winning Spa Bathroom
![Small, rectangular bathroom with a waterfall shower and sunken tub.](https://blog-cdn.chiefarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Christian-Dewitt--1140x658.jpg)
Christian Dewitt is a passionate 12-year-old who placed 2nd in the Chief Architect Kitchen/ Bath & Interior Design Contest. He has a natural eye for design that shows through his renderings.
![Boy sitting on brick steps.](https://blog-cdn.chiefarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Profile-729x1024.jpg)
“My name is Christian Dewitt and I have been designing since I was two. I would draw plans and put families in front of the homes. I have been doing this for ten years now. I helped design our current home in North Carolina about 8 years ago. This experience really helped me increase my knowledge in the construction part of designing a house.
“I found Chief Architect’s Home Designer Software when I was looking for software that could perform the task that I needed to, at a great price, so I could stop having to sketch or draw my designs. I had compared other design software programs like SketchUp and Virtual Architect with Chief Architect Home Designer Software. I found that SketchUp was too pricey at the moment and you couldn’t own it outright. Virtual Architect’s graphics were very pixelated, also it didn’t offer the customization that Chief Architect’s Home Designer did.”
(more…)Modern Remodel Design by Eric Hoff
![Modern home design with metal and brick siding, roof top patio, and two car garage.](https://blog-cdn.chiefarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Winning-Design.jpg)
By Emily Black
Eric, an Idaho native, places third in the Chief Architect Remodel/Addition Design Contest. His artistic talents were a perfect fit for a career in home design.
![Picture of Eric Hoff](https://blog-cdn.chiefarchitect.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Eric-01.jpg)
“I was born in Pocatello, Idaho and then moved to Idaho Falls and lived on the family farm and worked with my father who flew airplanes and was a metal fabricator. I took on a job as a laborer that placed me in the building industry framing houses and building cabinets. I was very intrigued by the plans that we worked from. I am an artist and planned to go to college in Boise, Idaho to study Art, Advertising and Design. To pay my way through college, I worked construction at various levels including building houses.
(more…)