On July 1, 2014 new Title 24 standards will go into effect. California’s Title 24 is the part of the state building code that defines...

When you call a lawyer and ask for their professional advice and they talk to you for half an hour, you expect to get a bill for half of...

By now almost everyone is aware that most architects don’t draw their designs at a drafting table with a protractor and a t-square...

I just listened to a webinar sponsored by the Stanford Center for Professional Development. The speaker was Sam L. Savage and the topic...

We just got a call from a potential client who wants to get her home “legalized”. Legalization is a process whereby an architect works...

One of the most common questions in our business is “What triggers the need for a building permit?” The law is not completely clear on...

“If you build it, they will come,” is an oft-quoted expression from the baseball movie “Field of Dreams”, but it holds true for business...

The other day we received a referral from a friend who told us that her son and his wife wanted to remodel their home but were afraid to...

Happy New Year everyone, and along with a fresh calendar comes a revision to the building code. The new code is called the 2013...

At the holidays I’m always cheered by decorations in the windows of homes and businesses. Other than signage, windows are the most...

Just when you thought it was safe……………read this blog. The Kastrop Group, Inc. Architects You already know not to put fats, oils and...

You already know not to put fats, oils and grease (FOG) and potato peels and other gooey stuff down your sinks, or even the garbage...

It is very common for businesses and homeowners to wait until the springtime to get started on improvements to their buildings. Better...

How did that happen? Why didn’t someone stop it? Citizens are often taken aback when they see a building that is or has become an...

If you have a business, you should be aware of the requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Your place of...

We’ve all heard horror stories about construction projects, but we often don’t hear when things go right. We just heard back from the...

By now you are aware that “green” and sustainable design is a hot topic in the field of architecture. There are many resources to find...

We are busy with architectural projects, which is fantastic after the long slow period during the recession. We are, however, aware that...

Everybody thinks they can design! Many people are enthusiastic about making suggestions for building improvements and give their advice...

The other day a potential client contacted our company for a consultation about adding on to his home . We asked for his address and a...