Often times when you are buying a home you hope to change, update and/or renovate a space. And when you are moving to a new area, that task seems a bit more daunting as you are not sure where to start or who to trust. We hope to make the process a bit easier by interviewing local architects, builders, landscapers, etc. and posting their responses to four common questions. Enjoy! Sig & Syl
Four Common Questions
1) How long have you been in the business and what are your credentials?
2) What inspired you to pursue your career in this industry?
3) What would you say is your specialty?
4) What would you say is the most common thing people underestimate?
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148 Quarry Lane
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-468-2336
kathy@bogledesign.com
Kathy Bogle from Bogle Design Group
1) Credentials
Kathy has been serving the residential Princeton market for over 10 years. Prior to specializing in residential projects, she worked for an international, commercial Construction Management firm. Kathy has an undergraduate degree in Architectual Engineering from Penn State University with an emphasis in Construction Management and a thesis in Design/Build. She also holds an MBA from Rider University.
2) Inspiration
Kathy loves design, working closely with people, and knowing that the end result improves the way her clients feel in their homes. She chose to combine her design and construction background to simplify the process for her clients and to ensure that space planning, product selection and construction are seamlessly executed.
3) Specialty
Kathy’s specialty is space planning. Whether a project is small or large, Kathy and her team enjoy maximizing an existing space and transforming it to be both functional and beautiful. Kathy will often redefine spaces by removing walls, adding windows, or adding built-in cabinetry to create a room that is both comfortable and connected to the outdoors.
4) Common underestimation
“People underestimate how important it is to like, relate and trust the people you are working with.” Kathy’s strives to understand your family’s needs and to put herself in her clients’ shoes not just during the design process but throughout the life of the construction project.
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Lasley Brahaney Architecture & Construction
860 State Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
Tel: 609.921.2822
Fax: 609.683.0615
www.lasleybrahaney.com
Marc Brahaney
1) CredentialsMarc Brahaney started Brahaney Architectural Associates in 1987. He co-founded Lasley Brahaney Architecture + Construction with his wife, Janet Lasley in the mid 90’s. He has served as President of Lasley Brahaney Architecture + Construction since 1997.
Since Janet’s passing in 2010, Marc has taken on full responsibility for the operation of what had been a shared undertaking. The firm has been successful in adapting to the new realities of the post-financial crisis economy and is now well positioned to grow as the economy improves.
Marc graduated Summa Cum Laude from PrincetonUniversity as an undergraduate. He went on to earnhis Masters in Architecture at Princeton as a University Fellowship recipient and Merit Prize winner. He is licensed to practice architecture in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Marc divides his time between working with clients and heading the company’s design and construction operations. Marc is on the board of Planned Parenthood of the Mercer Area. He is also an active member of the Board of Trustees at Princeton Day School (PDS) where he has served on the school’s Building and Grounds Committee and on the Headmaster Search Committee. He also co-chaired the PDS Annual Fund in 2006 and 2007.
2) Inspiration
Early on, Marc realized he truly enjoyed the process of how to make a home fit the family life that happens within. Accommodating the necessities of everyday life where families take root and grow is extremely rewarding. He takes great satisfaction in improving thequality of people’s lives. Providing a well planned, beautiful safe haven from the world can truly enrich life.
3) Specialty
Residential additions/renovations are our core business witha wide depth of experience ranging from historic renovations to very modern projects. Our scheduling process allows us to manage very complicated projects with tight time frames. Our strength and expertise are centered around finishing on time and on budget. Take a look at our work at www.lasleybrahaney.com.
4) Common underestimation
Cost and time are the most misunderstood issues. It might surprise you to hear that “simplicity” is also underestimated in many instances. Simply moving a wall, adding a window or reconfiguring space can make all the difference!
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271 Carter Rd
Princeton, NJ 08540
609-921-2658
Lewis Barberllc@aol.com
Lew Barber in his workshop
1) Credentials
Lewis Barber, known to his clients as Lew, has been serving the Princeton area for over 22 years as a full service General Contractor.
2) Inspiration
Lew’s specialty is custom home renovation and new construction on any scale. Lew, and his team of master craftsmen, have the capability to design a space and to build almost anything in-house. This unique skill not only provides his clients with a higher level of quality and affordability, but it also helps eliminate the many layers and potential hassles of a project.
4) Common underestimation
“People generally underestimate the cost and time of a project. There are so many components when building/renovating that is important to have the knowledge and ability to execute. And because we have the the ability to streamline the process, we are able to seamlessly address most of the common shortfalls.”
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Maximillian Hayden Architect
230 Hopewell Princeton Road
Hopewell, New Jersey 08525
609-466-6966
max@maxhaydenarchitect.com
Max Hayden from Maximillian Hayden Architect
1) Credentials
Max has had his own firm since 1991. Prior to going out on his own, he worked for Michael Graves Architect and Clarke & Caton. He has a Bachelor in Architecture from Carnegie-Mellon University where he graduated in four years from a five year program.
2) Inspiration
As I child Max was always drawing – primarily cars, roadways and houses. ”When I was six, my grandparents were working with an architect to build a new house and had the plans set about on her dining room table. After my mother and grandmother left the room, I took a pencil and drew steps out of the kitchen door. Upon their return, voices were raised until they saw that I knew what I was doing and after that the die was cast – not only did I want to become an architect but it was also generally fostered by my family.”
3) Specialty
Max most enjoys working on single family residences and/or historic buildings as he strongly believes in historic preservation and the adaptive re-use of old buildings. That said, he also enjoys variety and as so much depends upon the client/architect dynamic, it’s often his desire to work with a fun and interesting client as well.
4) Common underestimation
The amount of work required on both the homeowner and architect to complete a project.
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Robin Resch
1) Credentials
Robin opened her own studio in 2003 upon the completion of her Master’s in Architecture at Princeton University. An accomplished photographer with a keen eye, her goal was to create a comprehensive design studio, encompassing photography, graphic and interior design, and architecture. Her first major architectural project was the complete renovation of Princeton’s renowned historic Beatty House for which she won an historical preservation award in 2006. At 18, she received a Guggenheim grant to study in Venice, Italy, and went on to study at the Ecole du Louvre in Paris, receiving her undergraduate degree in art history from the University of Michigan. She then moved to New York and worked as a fashion stylist for Karl Lagerfeld and then as a photographer in the Netherlands for nearly ten years. Her vision and sensibilities are greatly informed by European aesthetics and Dutch design.
2) Inspiration
After years of designing and making her own furniture ‐out of frustration with what she found on the market ‐she finally bit the bullet and returned to school to study architecture. In architecture she found she could create spaces that were meaningful to people while synthesizing all of her interests.
3) Specialty
Robin is best known for her eye for color and her clean aesthetic sensiblity, which is grounded in her varied experiences as an art historian, fashion stylist, photographer and architect. She brings to each job a great sensitivity that informs the project on many levels.
4) Common underestimation
Simplicity. Focussing on the essence of a space and how it will be experienced.
