Bushfires in Australia, tsunamis in Japan, earthquakes in Nepal, and the fire of Notre Dame in Paris; these are just some of the natural disasters that have wreaked recent devastation….
As an architect, I come across all sorts of commercial clients. Some are very experienced in the industry protocols, some used to be practicing architects, while others have no familiarity…
The legislature of the state of Virginia recently introduced H.B 152. This legislation stipulates “All localities adopting a zoning ordinance under the provisions of this article shall allow development or redevelopment…
Many restaurants and bars have outdoor spaces where customers can enjoy a meal or drink al fresco. When the weather is sunny and warm, outdoor spaces can provide a wonderful…
When you must make a choice between electricity or natural gas, it’s clear that electricity is better for the environment and maybe for your checkbook, too. Maybe you’ve heard the…
No two projects are ever the same. At JL Architects, we have the privilege of repeat business with many of our clients, with some of that business being multiple locations…
Industry meetings are a wonderful way to become familiar with and immersed in the organization’s mission. There are also presentations to increase awareness of new products and research. These are…
January 24, 2019, I was in my last semester of architecture school at Penn State, and enjoying a band in downtown State College when my friend got an eerie text….
With the coming of the holiday season it is important to look at gathering space. In restaurants, there is always a need for tables to seat eight or more people. …
Building permits! Are they just a piece of paper stating you can build a specific design? Some may feel this way, but they are designed to ensure your project’s plans…
Clients love glass buildings and high skyscrapers because glass provides more natural light and prestige. Architects have a growing affinity for glass too. However, this building with glass creates problems…
The environment and climate change are big topics in today’s world. These topics are important to architects who are designing new homes and buildings every day. As more and more…
“Escape rooms” are popping up everywhere and have become the thing to do with friends and workplace colleagues. These are not rooms for affluent homeowners to retreat to in the…
Who remembers getting the JC Penney’s Christmas catalog as a child? Besides having more than enough toys to go around, big department stores had something for everyone no matter the…
The International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) held its annual regional conference in Philadelphia last week. Attendance was down, but there were deals being done and new contacts made. The…
Eighteen years ago, on September 11, 2001, tragedy struck the USA when the World Trade Center was attacked and destroyed by the militant Islamist network, al-Qaeda. As a memorial of…
America was built on the dream of an opportunity to own land. Success was built from owning your own property and this idea carried within America for centuries. Though, that…
The field of architecture is constantly changing in this era of technology and innovation. Programs are continually updated, building materials are becoming smarter, and technology is changing how we view…
Virtually every municipality has Zoning and Land Development Departments. These departments are in place to regulate the changes over time and oversee the masterplan in place. Beyond these departments some…
I visited Chicago for a few days in May 2019. The weather was still cool and good to explore the city. Like most tourists, what attracted me to Chicago was…
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