Ever since I moved into my current house, I wanted to add a retaining wall right off our front porch. Our yard slants to the right, and our existing landscape just blended in too much.

Justin and I took the long weekend to finally attack this project and WOW, it was a lot of work. This was the first true landscaping project for both of us, and we just figured it out on our own step by step. Justin started by deciding what shape he wanted the retaining wall. Although he just eyed this part, using a garden hose to mark the shape can help....

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The whirlwind tour continues of the best places in the world to see and study architecture . Asia, the United States,Europe and the Middle East are all represented so get your passport and take in these sites. Tokyo. Modernmarvels dominate this city. Of particular note are the headquarters of Fuji TV on O’Daiba, the red and white Tokyo Tower and the Imperial Palace in Chiyoda. The suspension-designed roof of the Yoyogi National Gymnasium is a favorite of Kenzo Tange fans. New York. So many displays of architecture are situated in the Big Apple. Along with the spiral structure of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum by...

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Now that spring is here it is time to lighten up a little bit and let the burdens of winter simply melt away. As a homeowner you can do exactly that as you enjoy the many benefits a new sunroom can bring into your life. These stunning additionscan be enjoyed regardless of the season. Come rain or shine, sleet or snow, you and your guests will always be able to kick back and enjoy the beautiful scenery outside.

Sunrooms are commonly added as extensions to kitchen, library, and living areas. However, there is nothing in the rules of residential design that says sunrooms can not...

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Kitchen designed by Design Build Team

Did you know that buildings in the U.S. are responsible for 75 percent of electricity usage and about 50 percent of energy and emissions? This, in combination with other environmental factors, is influencing architects to become more aware and knowledgable to the use of sustainable design in order to build energy efficient green houses. The Design Build Team supports six simple steps to help architects become leaders of sustainable building designs.

1. Grant design awards to architects that at least meet the minimum standard of sustainable performance in architectural design. 2. Have all American licensing agencies require architects to...

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Although the construction of green houses is beginning to catch on all over the world, there are still a number of issues that are raised concerning possible drawbacks of green building. To the contrary, green building has advantages.

Image via Shutterstock. Many developers care. Most developers should understand that green building will grow vastly into the future. More and more homeowners demand sustainability in their homes due to their increased understanding of climate change. More company owners are asking for green building as well in order to avoid “sick building syndrome”, which negatively affects business. Clients want sustainable home design. Sustainability can make homes more...

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