Blog
See our blog for new projects, announcements, and all things TMS Architects.
Flex Rooms: Maximizing Space in Any Home
TMS architects is always keeping track of the most popular home design trends, from building materials to market trends. And today, we will be taking a closer look at flex rooms in houses and lofts, which are becoming particularly attractive to homeowners and potential buyers.
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Minding the Future: Integrating Sustainable Landscaping
Encouraged by an ever-deepening understanding of global environmental issues, many homeowners and commercial enterprises are seeking new ways to “build greener” and surround their homes with sustainable landscaping. Such insightful landscaping can enrich your home and its natural surroundings in multiple ways.
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The Timeless Quality of Historic Homes
Between the facades and shimmering storefronts of new developments, historic homes can still be found in cityscapes across the nation, and globe, because of the variety of benefits provided by historic preservation.
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Buzzing in Durham
Durham, NH, home of UNH, is a hotbed of construction activity these days as multiple projects are underway to provide housing and retail space for university students. A groundbreaking ceremony was held today for Madbury Commons, a TMS-designed project that, when completed by the fall of 2015, will provide students with 126 residential apartments and commercial space on the ground floor of both buildings.
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Organic Architecture: Bridging Architecture and Nature
Since 1908, Frank Lloyd Wright has used the word “organic” in his philosophy of architecture. Expanding on the teachings of his mentor, Louis Sullivan, he took this concept that form follows function and developed it into the idea that “form and function are one.”
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Outdoor Showers That Pop With Character
Relaxing in a long, hot shower after a busy day is a great way for most diligent workers to unwind. Unfortunately, one aspect of oceanfront home design that’s often overlooked is the outdoor shower and bath.
Not surprisingly, outdoor showers are well-suited and highly functional for coastal homes. They’re novel enclosures that allow one to rinse off after a swim or enjoy a proper shower while remaining outdoors. Other uses of outdoor showers include washing hands and tools after a gardening session, showering after exercise and cleaning a pet’s muddy paws.
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Finding an Architect for Your Project
Hiring an architect is the highest level of service you can receive for a residential construction project. And, working with an architect is the best solution for the busy homeowner who doesn’t have the time to oversee a full-scale project day-in and day-out.
Just like you wouldn’t trust just anyone with your car, you should never hire a residential architect you aren’t 100 percent confident will meet and exceed your needs and expectations. After all, it’s your home; it’s your most valuable asset! Whether it’s a small-scale remodel or a whole-home renovation, there are several factors to consider before bringing an architect into the picture.
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Designing a Home for Relaxation
While many homeowners opt for a glitzy showplace for their residence, more practical ones realize that a house should be a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Here are a few home design ideas for accomplishing this goal and designing an inviting and relaxing environment in your home, commercial business or oceanfront retreat.
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Sustainable Architecture: Has the Smart Home Arrived?
Smart technology is undoubtedly on the rise. First, it was smart phones and TVs, now it’s smart homes. These homes are designed with high tech features and advancements that bring safety, comfort, convenience, style — and now — efficiency to a level that was unfathomable just 10 years ago.
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A New TMS Home – “Oceanfront Outlook”
Rob Karosis of Rob Karosis Photography recently photographed this TMS-designed home with interiors created by Cebula Design and landscaping by Woodburn and Company. The location near the ocean is stunning and the interiors utilize a design palette that compliments its oceanfront location. Samia Touma, TMS project manager, explained that “this very inspiring site presented a number of challenges, including the clients’ wish to save some existing mature trees while the elongated shape of the site made siting the residence a difficult task. Incorporating a generous program on the narrow site was a challenge. The screen porch and attached garage had to be relocated several times to achieve the final layout due to programmatic and site constraints.”
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How to Make a Remodeling Project Easier on Everyone
Planning a commercial or residential remodeling project may seem dreamy and exciting at the outset, but remodeling is a complex process. It can feel a little overwhelming at times and, if the project isn’t planned by professionals, remodeling can become a logistical mess. This should never be the case.
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New Housing in Progress for UNH Students
Foundation work began in July on a new TMS-designed 212,000 square foot student apartment and commercial complex in Durham, New Hampshire. This badly-needed student housing will be ready for occupancy in the fall of 2015 and will accommodate up to 524 students in 126 residential apartments. Consisting of two separate buildings, the commercial units on the ground floor of Building “B” are designed for a number of different tenants while Building “A” will bring the well-respected UNH Interoperability Lab into downtown Durham and closer to the UNH campus. We will keep you posted as construction continues.
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Four Reasons People Love Sustainable Architecture
In a world where we’re more conscious than ever about the carbon footprint we leave behind, sustainable architecture is taking a strong foothold in new construction, additions and renovation projects. Although the benefits are many, here are just four reasons why people love sustainable architecture:
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Container Water Features: A Defining Feature That Saves Space
Incorporating water features is a great way to add a zen-like quality to your outdoor space. While they can require significant maintenance, container water features can define your yard without consuming vital space, all while providing the natural, soothing effects of water.
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Back to Basics: Applying Common Sense in Sustainable Architecture
Not very long ago, the term sustainable architecture would have been redundant. Architecture was, by its very nature, sustainable. Humans either inhabited structures that already existed or built just enough shelter to protect their families from the elements.
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A Boy’s Dollhouse Memories
Having just moved a large pink dollhouse, made for my daughter by her grandfather, J. Dennis Robinson’s recent post for TMS Architects was very poignant. The pink dollhouse has seen better days and needs some refurbishing but it was a labor of love and evokes so many good memories. Dennis Robinson is absolutely right….architecture can be found in a pink dollhouse, a model of Portsmouth’s South Church, a hand-made wooden fire station, a home or skyscraper…all were designed, built and are repositories of very powerful memories.
Dollhouses are not just for girls. My grandfather made one for me when I was a boy. It was a realistic, hand-made, wooden fire station almost three feet tall. It had a tower and two arched openings for my fire trucks. Grandpa Jake painted every red brick on the firehouse and installed every tiny shingle on the steep sloping roof. The model is still up in the attic of my parent’s home.
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Welcome House Guests with an Alluring Entryway
Like a personal introduction, the first impression of your home is vital to how well it is perceived in its entirety. While attention to the entryway or foyer of a home is often overlooked, we at TMS Architects think it is a crucial area to carefully and thoughtfully design. Having a fabulous entryway is an important indicator to whether or not you will experience comfort, happiness, and safety throughout the rest of the home.
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Historic Preservation: Keeping History Alive
Historic preservation is about more than keeping a beautiful building alive; it’s about strengthening our present community by remembering and honoring our past. It gives us the opportunity to not only tell our children and grandchildren about the places that made us the people and community we are today, but to show them in person.
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What to Know Before Bringing Water Features into Your Landscape
Whether it’s a trickling fountain or a gently flowing stream, a water feature can add graceful movement, soothing sounds and therapeutic beauty to landscape designs. It can turn an outdoor space into a calming oasis or a work of art in nature to create the perfect scene for dining and entertaining.
This water feature constructed with concrete and stone, complemented with colorful Koi and pond fish, makes this back patio and outdoor living space a dreamy escape.
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Designing a Functional Kitchen for Any Summer Gathering
The hottest months of Summer are upon us, and one of our favorite pastimes revolves around being surrounded with good food, friends, and family. No summer gathering would be same without the three F’s — food, friends, and family — and a gorgeous, functional kitchen.
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