Undercover Architect

Helping homeowners get it right when designing, building or renovating their family home.

Underfloor Heating: What you need to know, and how to include it in your renovation or new build

Want to learn about underfloor heating?

There’s still lots of confusion and misconceptions about how it works, where it can be installed and how to get the most from it – whether you’re building or renovating.

Here are some of the questions I asked Luke about underfloor heating:

  1. How does underfloor heating work? What are the elements under the floor? How is it powered?
  2. How much room does it need to fit under a finished floor?
  3. What are the electricity costs compared with something central heating?
  4. Does it always need to be under tiles or concrete to be thermally efficient … and mounted on a concrete slab? Or can it be used under timber floors, and on suspended structure and still be ok (or will you need to have it on all the time)?
  5. Is it worth it for future re-sale/electricity cuts to budget for under floor heating for the whole house?
  6. How much does it cost? For a standard bathroom or living room area?
  7. At what stage in your reno or build do you need to think about it? And when you need to have it locked down for installation?
  8. Is difficult to retrofit underfloor heating in a renovation? How does that work?
  9. What are the big mistakes people make when it comes to considering/installing underfloor heating?
  10. What tips can you give to customers looking for reputable products and installers? For example I just had a friend tell me on the weekend who’s done a reno in Sydney, and had drama after drama because the builder went bust mid-job … they’ve just discovered their underfloor heating which is driven by this big unit that then also heats the pool … the installer as gone bust as well … and they’ve discovered a bunch of parts in the unit are second hand … it’s never been able to be commissioned.
  11. What are things people assume about underfloor heating that they’re usually wrong about?
  12. Can underfloor heating damage or crack tiles?
  13. Are there any safety concerns to worry about with underfloor heating?
  14. Do you need another heating source to supplement underfloor heating?

You can watch this interview on video, or scroll down to play the podcast …

Underfloor heating is a topic of much interest in the UA Community. Previously seen as a luxury item only used in high-end homes, in recent years it’s become much more prevalent.

In this episode, I’m bringing in an expert … Luke Chant, from Hotwire, who has 15 years industry experience, to help shed some light on how to get it right when it comes to underfloor heating.

Luke and I met through a business networking group we’re part of. This is not sponsored content … it’s simply from talking with Luke, and seeing the reputation Hotwire has in the industry, and how many other brands trust them, that made me want to bring him to the UA Community – because I knew how helpful his knowledge would be for your projects.

As I said, Luke has 15 years industry experience in this area. His company, Hotwire, supplies the various components and gear to installers for underfloor heating, plus a range of other items you may want to check out. Hotwire is based in Melbourne, and they have installers throughout Australia that specify and use their products.

UndercoverArchitect-Underfloor-Heating-Hotwire-Thermal-Camera

Photo of thermal imaging that shows issue with underfloor heating, as described by Luke Chant in the interview

Hotwire has been featured on, The Block, House Rules, Reno Rumble and The Home Team.

Hotwire is also the recommended floor heating (and/or) heated towel rail supplier for some of the biggest tile and electrical suppliers in the industry.

UndercoverArchitect-Underfloor-Heating-Hotwire-Thermostat

An example of the Hotwire thermostat screen, as described by Luke Chant in the interview

I asked Luke some of the most common questions I receive about underfloor heating … the different types, what type of floors you can put it under, how much it costs to install and run, retrofitting it to an existing home, and how to find a trustworthy supplier. He gives us loads of info on all of these questions – plus lots more.

Want the answers? Listen to the podcast now!

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:
You can connect with Luke Chant and Hotwire here >>> https://www.hotwireheating.com.au/

How can home garden design be inspired by award-winning and large-scale public projects?

Whatever the size of your home garden, there are key tips you can take away from these amazing examples of landscape and building design – The High Line in New York, and The Spheres in Seattle.

In this episode, I’m heading back to the USA, and sharing 2 incredible projects where gardens and landscape were designed in an innovative way.

I think they’ll help you with ideas for your home, whether you’re renovating or building, and whatever the size of your project.

These projects are The High Line in New York, and The Spheres (or Amazon Spheres) in Seattle.

The High Line is an urban park, sitting 30 feet, or 10 metres in the air. It’s a repurposed rail-line, and it has a fascinating history. It’s 1.45 miles or 2.33km long, and has been opening since 2009, as new sections are completed.

In the podcast, I share 2 key ideas from the High Line that can inspire your home garden design. These are:

#1 Remembering history (of your home, or the area it is situated in) and how that memory can enrich the quality of your home design
#2 Looking at the small things, and how they can create intimacy and a sense of relaxation in your home garden design (and the home itself).

You can see photographs and more information about the High Line in this blog I wrote here >>> The High Line

The Spheres are glass domed structures built by Amazon to provide a place for its employees where they can be directly connected to nature, within an urban location (the CBD of Seattle). They were built between 2013 and 2018, and house over 40,000 plants, as well as cafes, meeting rooms, and break-out spaces for employees to meet, sit, work and enjoy.

There are lots of ideas in The Spheres by Amazon to inspire your home garden design, and I talk about those, as well as 2 in particular:

#1 The impact of volume
#2 The impact of natural light.

You can see photographs and more information about The Spheres in this blog I wrote here >>> The Spheres

There’s loads more in this episode of the podcast to help you with your home garden design – no matter its size. So, let’s dive in …

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE NOW.

Resources mentioned in this episode

More information on The High Line >>> BLOG POST WITH PHOTOS
More information on The Spheres >>> BLOG POST WITH PHOTOS
Podcast on how to create spaciousness using volume >>> LINK TO EPISODE
Podcast Season on orientation and natural light >>> LINK TO SEASON 1 EPISODE 1

Avoid these 3 commonly made and expensive mistakes when planning your renovation or new build.

And ultimately avoid disaster and heartache as you create your future family home.

Let’s talk about HOW TO AVOID 3 EXPENSIVE MISTAKES WHEN PLANNING YOUR RENOVATION OR NEW BUILD.

These are mistakes I see homeowners commonly make that can cause big budget overruns, and unnecessary expenses in their projects.

MISTAKE #1
The “DIVE IN” mistake

Undercover-Architect-diving-podcast-expensive-renovating-building-mistakes

I see there are 2 phases with planning a renovation or new home. The first is what I call the “research” phase. The second is what I call the “rip tear bust” phase.

Now, these aren’t the phases of the actual project. These are how I see homeowners often behave when it comes to getting prepared, and then executing, their project.

So, what defines each stage? Well, the research phase is the part of the project where you’re toying with the idea, actually thinking about it, or do actually know you’ll be … at some point in the future … renovating or building your home.

This phase varies in length of time … depending on the homeowner and the way they ordinarily do things, the state of their current living situation, and their lifestyle overall. It can be anywhere from 6 to 12 months up to 5 or more years.

I’ve had some homeowners tell me they’ve been seriously considering renovating or building for 20 years, but life has just continued to get in the way.

Meanwhile though, they’re honest about the fact that it’s occupied time, attention and conversations. Collecting ideas, and considering what will work and what won’t in their own home, and their desire to change it.

For most people though? Well, the most common I see is that 2 to 3 year time period. Renovating and building can involve big change, big expense and big commitment of time and energy, and so it’s no wonder that it takes a while to get momentum, and to feel prepared and ready to move onto the next phase.

And oftentime, that research phase can be overwhelming.

As you start to learn about what’s involved in building or renovating, you can feel you simply discover more of what you don’t know. If you’re doing this alone, on your computer, ipad or phone in the evening … or you’re talking to others who haven’t done it but can share every horror story they’ve heard … or you’re watching reality TV … well, they’re all surefire ways to prolong your research, as the fear and nerves build up that prevent you from taking action.

Now, what’s the next phase? Well, it’s the ‘rip tear bust’ phase I mentioned earlier.

Now, when I say ‘rip tear bust’ I’m not talking about the process of starting demolition, or site preparation when construction happens. I’m talking about the attitude of homeowners once they actually decide to kick off their project.

See, even after having spent years on planning, researching, getting ready to hit ‘go’ … and perhaps it’s because years have been spent … once the decision is actually made to go ahead with a project, homeowners generally dive in boots and all. And this is the ‘dive in’ mistake I mentioned right up front.

There’s this slow, patient, we-have-all-the-time-in-the-world, pace that happens with the research phase. And then when a homeowner says “we’re actually going to do this, we’re going to start moving on our renovation or new home”, there’s this attack, or urgency that happens.

If a designer isn’t ready for 6 months, it’s too long to wait. If it’ll take 12 – 18 months to get drawings and approvals done, it seems like forever. If it’s not all happening yesterday, there’s an impatience and frustration with the process overall.

Now, I can completely understand this. Of course, when you want it done, you want it done. However, the thing with renovating and building is that certain parts of it can’t be hurried regardless of how fast you’d like them to happen. And if you’re making decisions based on availability, or reduced timing, then those decisions can sometimes not serve you well.

In fact, I’ve seen homeowners not be prepared to wait 3 months for the builder they actually wanted, because they were ready to get going now. And then the builder they choose instead ended up going into liquidation in the middle of the project … they ended up with the original builder they had wanted to use, who agreed to come in and fix everything, as well as finish the job.

The only problem was, that by that stage, it ended up being hundreds of thousands of dollars over budget, and 12 months past the original finish date.

I’ve seen the same happen with designer selection.

Homeowners have chosen someone based on availability, not on fit. And then they’ve not been able to trust them fully when working with them, or have full confidence in their ability. They’re not convinced by the design concept they’ve created, they doubt whether it’s the right way to progress. And so they stall, and delay, having invested money and time in working with a designer that wasn’t the best fit for their needs or project.

Good quality designers usually have a wait period. Good quality builders are the same. And if you’re in a rip tear bust mindset, you rarely save money when you’re needing to do things with urgency.

So, what should you do instead?

TIP #1: Use your ‘researching’ time more effectively

This includes having some structure to your research, using it to understand process rather than simply collecting beautiful and inspirational images to your pinterest board, and also mapping out an overall plan for your renovation or building journey – including the timeframes and people involved.

The first research I recommend you do when planning a renovation or new home is to understand the steps your project will take … from the point of understanding what you’re allowed to do in your area, through to what you can afford, what team you’ll put together, how you’ll get the design right, and how you’ll get it built. Then, this can shape all your research so you spend your time far more productively, rather than disappearing down that google or pinterest rabbit hole.

And this can help you save money as you get ready, working out what will be the best places to put your budget overall.

My online course, “How to Get it Right in Your Reno or New Home” is a simple way to get a useful and effective framework for your renovation or building journey. It’s laid out step-by-step to take you through the four phases of any project, regardless of its budget or location.

These phases are

  1. “Before you Begin”,
  2. “Getting your Design Right”,
  3. “Before you Build” and
  4. “Getting your project built”.

Understanding the steps involved in each of these phases will help you move confidently through your project, and even get started sooner than you thought you could. I find that once the fear is lifted, once there is an effective plan and process laid out, then homeowners find it’s not so overwhelming and actually get excited about making their project happen … in a calm and confident way.

Trina, a previous member of the course said this …

“How to Get it Right” gave me an oversight into the process of building literally from the ground up. I feel it is preparing me for the process and streamlining my decisions to ultimately save me time and money. It has instilled confidence in me to find a team that will work for me to build our forever home.
I am going into two architects offices next week and I am excited about it because I feel confident from taking this course that I know what to ask them in order to choose the right person for this job. And I am armed with a brief that will help them see our vision as well.”

Since doing the course earlier this year, Trina has actually been working with an architect and is moving closer to getting her design finalised soon.

MISTAKE #2
The “MAKE YOURSELF A TARGET” mistake

This is where you don’t get informed for your project and not give yourself the means to benchmark anyone’s performance, check the advice you’re being provided, or confirm you’re making the right steps for your reno or build.

And then you make yourself super susceptible to be taken advantage of, and a target for dodgy builders, bad designers, and terrible service all round.

You’ll often hear me say that renovating and building is not one decision. It’s a series of decisions, made one after the other. Sometimes you can be making several simultaneously, or sometimes making sequential decisions where one leads to another. Some come flying at you fast and furious, others take more time and need more consideration.

What I see happen for people is that they often keep their view at a micro level. So, they’re making each step with their view on how they’ll keep moving forward and make the next step.

However, if you’re maintaining a close-range view – especially one that’s uninformed – it means you can ignore really obvious red flags because you have blinkers on, or you don’t jump up to helicopter view to check you’re on the right path, and don’t have benchmarks to check your progress or performance against.

I saw a woman’s post in a renovating and building Facebook group. She was asking for help to deal with the situation she was in with her builder.

She has been dealing for 2 years with a builder who consistently makes errors, is months overdue on her project, bullied her into signing a contract under duress, and lies about work being done that’s not. Handover was set, and he instead delayed it to wait for his final payment.

He’s charging variations they’ve not agreed to, and is withholding the keys until he’s paid. She’s also discovered a clause in his contract that forbids her from reviewing him online. And as you can imagine, she’s stressed and exhausted.

From the benefit of where we sit, and this is what I often see happen, we can all think “Oh, I’d never get myself into that position”.

And yet, I speak to so many homeowners who have been working with builders, or designers, or other team members for weeks, months, years sometimes and tolerate terrible service and behaviour.

Because they’ve not been informed about what they can demand from those they’re working with, and how to avoid making themselves a target for this type of shoddy service. And get ripped off financially, or worse still, stuck with a home that’s a liability.

Please let me reassure you that building and renovating does not have to be a disaster.

It can be enjoyable. It can be a process where you get excited about the finished home you’re working towards, find an amazing team who are on the same page as you, and get to deliver a great design on budget. This does happen … far more often than the horror stories actually … it’s just that the news of them travels so much further and faster.

So, how do you enjoy your project? And set yourself up for success? Here’s your tip.

TIP #2: Be informed, so you can set your expectations.

This includes having benchmarks and tools to confirm your progress and give you strategies to put into action.

If you don’t have these tools, it’s really easy to be delivered mediocrity and sub-standard service and be none-the-wiser. And it’s much easier to get the wool pulled over your eyes, or fall for someone telling you what you want to hear – not the actual truth you need to hear for your project.

In my “How to Get it Right” course, I share information about this for lots of different aspects of your project. One is the various members of your potential team, when they’re compulsory and when they’re optional – so you can avoid unnecessarily paying for people, or not getting the right team on board from the outset.

I also share some great strategies to interview your potential builder, so you can find the best fit for your project. Plus recommended dimensions for the various rooms in your home design … plus a lot of other type of tools and tactics like this to support you to make the right decisions in your project.

Previous member Karen said “Thank you so much for all of the info in this course, it is really informative and has us well armed for our build”.

And one of my favourite bits of feedback was from a woman named Bronwyn, who said “”With the paperwork presented and questions put forward, they asked what part of the industry I worked in LOL. The great start is all thanks to our not-so-secret Ally!”

MISTAKE #3
The “SAVING TO SPEND” mistake

What does this mean?

Well, remember when I mentioned the 4 phases of a project that I teach in “How to Get it Right” … those 4 phases were …

  1. Before you Begin,
  2. Getting your design right
  3. ,before you build, and
  4. getting your project built …

What I see is homeowners seeking to save all their money to spend in phase 4 … getting their project built. And they resist spending any money in the other 3 phases.

And yet, time, effort and strategic spending in phases 1 to 3 … before you start construction … will actually end up saving you time, money and stress in phase 4, in the process of getting your project built.

Spending your money on experience and expertise can be a really worthwhile and important way you avoid heartache and drama in the execution of your project.

We can get caught up with all the things we want to buy for our home … the space, the materials, the interior finishes, the fixtures, and the furniture … and forget that how those spaces get shaped, and those materials and products get chosen, will dramatically determine whether the home is great to live in, or an expensive mistake we regret for a long time to come.

If you’re paying for all your upfront costs … as in designers, other consultants, approval fees etc from your own pocket, and then funding the build from your mortgage, I find this can impact your decision-making around how you spend your money.

I see homeowners have a different relationship with the money that comes out of their own account, vs what they’re borrowing from the bank. It can be a timing thing as well … because you’re not often getting your finance sorted until you’re ready to build, and the leadup to your construction can take some time.

However, spending strategically on this experience and expertise can be an incredible way to access years and years of knowledge across many other projects like yours – so yours is far more successful as a result. To anticipate potential pitfalls, and manage your risks that can cause cost blowouts if you don’t avoid them. And to stretch your building budget so every dollar you spend on it has the greatest impact on your home and the lifestyle you lead in it.

TIP #3: Don’t apportion your budget like assigning dollar items to a shopping list.

Assess what spending might occur in those first 3 phases of your project, and determine whether the early spending is an investment in experience and expertise that will streamline the execution of your project.

What you’re seeking is an efficient project where the process is simplified, and you feel supported and guided throughout. Don’t go lone ranger on this – it’s not necessary, or necessarily wise either. Having a guide can make a huge difference in the home you create, and the journey you take towards it.

And of course, “How to Get it Right” is a super affordable way to access this expertise and experience. Not only mine which is over 20 years industry experience over 250 projects including 3 renovations of my own … but also to share the experience of others.

This is the last live round of the course that I’ll be running for 2018, which means that you can enjoy being part of a private Facebook group where you can get your questions answered, and see what other homeowners are challenged by.

What I love is that, every time I do this, I see homeowners leapfrog their learning, because they benefit from other homeowners asking questions they haven’t even thought about yet. And they also get the enjoyment of being part of a community of likeminded people also planning their projects. It’s a huge opportunity to tap into the collective learning and knowledge base for the period of your membership.

In fact, Laura told me … “Amelia, you’ve created such a welcoming, unique and accessible space for people to tap into your wealth of experience, and a host of other professionals, at a time when we feel confused, vulnerable and nervous! Thank you so much.”

And Nigel’s feedback was this … “Firstly, thank you so much for the fantastic H2GIR course! It was packed with information that provided us with further clarity as to the team we need to establish to create our family’s “forever” home. The community and your guiding input was really enlightening and we got much more out of it than our initial positive expectations!”

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE NOW.

“How to Get it Right in Your Reno or New Home” is a great way to get ready for your renovation project …

Whether you’re planning on kicking off in the next few months, or next year, or even the year after that … to be frank, no one has ever learnt this information and said “well, I learnt that too early, I should have waited!”

Mostly they’re saying what Christina said “I am absolutely loving this and wish I had found you sooner! Your advice and tips are brilliant”.

So, quickly let me go through some common questions I receive about “How to Get it Right” …

Who is it for?

Anyone who is planning to build or renovate their home, or has even started working with a designer or architect on the plans for their project. You can never do this course too soon … because it streamlines everything you do from here on in. If you’re about to start building, then Manage Your Build is a better fit for you.

Why would you do it?

Well, because you want to be more efficient and strategic in your project. You want to save time, money and stress. And you know there’s a lot at stake as the decisions and choices you’re making will become the permanent home you’ll be living in … and you don’t want to create a home you hate, or regret. You know that renovating or building is an undertaking, and so you want tools and knowledge to make it simpler for you, and to help you feel more confident and in control of the process, so you can be in the drivers seat for your project.

How is it different to Manage Your Build?

Manage Your Build goes into detail on signing contracts, and the actual construction process on site for a build or renovation. It only focuses on that 4th phase … “Getting your project built”.

“How to Get it Right” encompasses the whole process, and covers those 4 phases I’ve already mentioned a couple of times. There’s a lot more involved in a renovation or build than the construction process … and in fact getting the design right is a big part of this. You can have the best build process, but if you’re building a terribly designed home – well the best building process will simply not save it.

Many members of “How to Get it Right” have gone on to join Manage Your Build to get a complete picture. Some have felt confident in how they’ve been taught to choose the right builder that they don’t need to … as we do go through that in How to Get it Right. And I do help you with understanding site management and making selections for your project in “How to Get it Right”, plus give you some tools and templates for that.

For more information on “How to Get it Right in Your Reno or New Home” HEAD HERE NOW.

How can a restaurant design inspire your home?

Here are 5 restaurant-inspired design ideas to consider (from Enigma Barcelona by Pau Llimona and RR Arquitectus) to help your home feel great.

But before I dive into that, let me share some exciting news!

If you follow Undercover Architect on Facebook or Instagram, you may have seen I recently travelled to the USA. The idea for this trip started late last year, and in January, I booked it all and started getting really excited about heading off on the first overseas trip I’ve had on my own since I was in my late 20s!

See, for some time now, I’ve had gorgeous American members of the UA Community get in touch with me and ask if my courses are relevant for them. Some American homeowners have even joined the Australian version of my online program.

And so, in the back burner of UA, I’ve been learning more and more about remodeling and building in the USA so as to be more helpful American homeowners. The thing is – it is similar to how we in Australia do it. However, there are terminology differences, and some process differences … and of course, the orientation thing is flipped, with the sun moving through the south and not the north!

About a year ago, I discovered an architect with an amazing YouTube channel that shares his knowledge, experience and insight on practicing as an architect. His name is Eric Reinholdt, and his channel and business is called “30X40 DESIGN.WORKSHOP”. He’s based in Maine, right up in the north-eastern corner of the USA.

His YouTube channel is the most watched architectural YouTube channel, with over 180,000 subscribers at the time of this recording … and climbing.

The videos are gold … whether you’re a homeowner, or in the industry … they’re so beautifully put together, and share a huge wealth of advice and education to demystify what it’s like to both work with an architect, and to be an architect. I really encourage you to check them out, subscribe and follow along – head here for more info.

Anyway, about a year ago, I emailed Eric to congratulate him on such awesome work, and to introduce myself. We kept emailing, and then a few months later, jumped on Skype. I suggested to Eric that we collaborate on something. And then when they announced that the American Institute of Architects’ National Conference was to be in New York city at the end of June, well, let’s just say I took it as a sign I needed to get myself over there!!

So, to the reasons for my trip … it was definitely a research trip … to understand more about the remodeling and building industry in America. Part of that was attending the AIA Conference in New York, which also included a huge Building Expo as well.

This is a recent video where Eric shared his experience of attending the American Institute of Architects’ Conference in New York.

However the main reason was to be able to hang out with Eric in person, and be able to collaborate and create something together. And that’s the exciting news I have to share.

EXCITING NEWS FOR AMERICAN MEMBERS OF THE UA COMMUNITY

Eric and I have created a new online course together. It’s called “The Welcome Home Course” and it will teach you how to confidently remodel or build your future family home – and get it right.

Eric and I have over 40 years combined industry experience in residential design, remodeling and building. In The Welcome Home Course, we’re diving into what you need to know to successfully design, remodel or build your home, and how to avoid the expensive mistakes, heartache and drama along the way.

There’ll also be other industry experts to support you in your learning, and give local insights for your region, climate and specific challenges. I’ve been to the USA a few times now, and it never ceases to amaze me how big it is, and the diversity of environment and natural conditions from state to state … and so this course is crafted to really guide and help you wherever you’re located in the USA.

This course is specifically for USA homeowners. However, if you’re in the USA design, building industry and want more insight into residential home remodeling or building, this will also be awesome for you – as in it, we take you through the step-by-step process from start to finish of a remodel or new build project.

We seriously can’t wait to bring The Welcome Home Course to you. Having worked with hundreds of Australian homeowners in this way (and already a few Americans), I personally know how great it is in empowering you for your remodel or new build, so you can enjoy the process and successfully create that fantastic home you’re dreaming of.

HOME Method is my flagship online program to get you ready and confident for your project – and save you time, money and stress. CLICK HERE to learn more.

OK, now on with the podcast and blog!

5 Restaurant-Inspired Design Ideas to Consider for your Home Design to Feel Great

In this episode, I’m talking about a project I learnt about, which is actually an incredible restaurant in Barcelona. It may sound strange to talk about this, and your home, but stick with me here, because I feel there’s always things to learn about our home design when we look at how other project types are working in the built environment.

So, when I was in New York, I attended an event at the HG Stones Showroom. HG Stones is a stone supplier that does a huge range of natural and engineered stones, and they’re located in New York City.

5 Restaurant-Inspired Design Ideas for Your Home

At this event, Pau Llimona, a Spanish architect, talked about the design of a project called “Enigma”. This is a restaurant in Barcelona, where a maximum of 24 diners per evening are taken on a journey that melds food, theatre and the materiality and design of the spaces.

Enigma is a restaurant owned by Spanish chef, Albert Adrià, who is a renowned chef. Let me tell you a little about what happens when you go to Engima.

As I said, there’s a maximum of 24 diners in the restaurant. When you make your booking, you’re assigned a time-slot to arrive, as no more than 6 diners can enter the restaurant at one time. There’s no reception, no welcome desk. You’re given a pin code to use on the external security panel to let yourself into the restaurant once your group of 6 is assembled. Once inside the restaurant, you walk alone, through a winding corridor until you arrive into the restaurant’s first space, and start your evening’s experience.

5 Restaurant-Inspired Design Ideas for Your Home

Image Source >>> archdaily
RCR Arquitectes/Pau Llimona

The evening involves travelling through a series of rooms in a specific order inside the 750m2 or 7,534 square foot space … as you enjoy 40 courses in an experience that can take up to 4 hours to complete (!)

5 Restaurant-Inspired Design Ideas for Your Home

IMAGE SOURCE >>> archdaily
RCR Arquitectes / Pau Llimona

The price? Yes, that was one of my questions too. From memory, it was around 220 Euros per person, plus alcohol. This is bucket list stuff.

Everything is custom made in the restaurant … right down to the plates you eat from. One of the main things Pau spoke about was how the wall linings and floor had been created.

A company called Neolith worked with the design team to help create a really unique wall and floor lining for the restaurant, using their Sintered Stone product. What’s Sintered Stone? Well, let me read a quote for you that explains it from The Creative Kitchen and Bathroom website.

“Sintered stone is created through a kiln-fired process that heats and applies pressure to a mineral blend until it binds together. In short, it’s synthesizing the process by which igneous rock is formed. Not only is sintered stone UV-stable and chemical resistant, it has the best compressive strength of any comparable products currently on the market. Sintered stone also has no warping and essentially no thermal expansion, regardless of temperature and moisture changes.  Not to mention it’s completely non-porous and will not stain.”

So, super durable. Super hard-wearing. And this is a product that is available throughout USA, Europe and Australia and can be used as tiles, benchtops, wall cladding … all sorts of applications.

How was Sintered Stone used in this project? Well, a series of watercolour paintings were enlarged, and then applied in a grid formation over the entire floor and wall linings of the space.

5 Restaurant-Inspired Design Ideas for Your Home

Image Source >>> Archdaily
RCR Arquitectes / Pau Llimona (Pau is on the right, and these are the watercolour images that were used)

5 Restaurant-Inspired Design Ideas for Your Home

Image Source >>> Archdaily
RCR Arquitectes/Pau Llimona

A watercolour painting about the size of a 6 seater dining table … then got enlarged and then divided into a grid pattern where each piece of stone shows one small part of that painting. Each stone piece was printed with its part of the grid, and then these individual stone tiles were used to line the walls and floor of the restaurant. Each stone tile was approximately 3m x 1m … so very large format.

5 Restaurant-Inspired Design Ideas for Your Home

IMAGE SOURCE >>> archdaily
RCR Arquitectes / Pau Llimona

It was really fascinating to see how this really added to the sense of drama and theatre in the space … so much more than choosing an off-the-shelf finish. Of course, other elements really added to this. The furniture design, the lighting played a big part, the ceiling was designed to look like a series of clouds, all backlit and glowing.

It was honestly mind-blowing. I asked Pau how involved he was in designing the experience … I was really curious whether the chef, and his team, had come with a pre-defined idea of how the restaurant experience would occur, and then got Pau to basically design the various rooms to accommodate it. Or whether they’d collaboratively worked it all out together.

5 Restaurant-Inspired Design Ideas for Your Home

Image Source >>> archdaily
RCR Arquitectes/Pau Llimona

Pau told me the design process had taken over 12 months. He showed me images of how they’d mocked up the experience inside the actual venue before finalising the design … using cardboard boxes for tables and chairs, and plastic curtains to mimic the glass panelled walls.

They’d all worked together as a team, so the restaurant staff were really involved in understanding how the architecture was going to create the dining experience they’d be delivering. That actually seemed to be one of the things Pau most enjoyed about it … the way everyone had brought those collaborative skills together.

So, what does this have to do with your home?

Well, I’ve got 5 things I’d love you to think about, that are inspired by this project. These 5 things are:

#1 experience
#2 materials
#3 lighting
#4 customisation
#5 your team

So let me go into more detail on each of these.

#1 Think about Experience

What is the experience of your home?

To start thinking about this, think about how do you arrive in your home, and how do your guests arrive? What is revealed at the point of entry … vs when you get to come further into the home? Some homes really suffer from putting everything on display at the front door … or from people arriving and feeling like they’re simply falling into the home with no ceremony at all.

You can picture the theatre of this restaurant … that wonderment of walking in, mouth open, as you start to discover the spaces and you’re invited to explore.

How can you bring theatre of experience to your home? This may sound weird and the opposite of homely … but this is exactly where the idea of entry voids first came from. These grand statements on entering a home, that have over time become more and more compact, but still often people are asking for entry voids, or something that adds drama at that point of arrival into their home.

If you check out the Anderson project, you’ll see we created an entry experience, where the home is screened as you arrive at the front door. A long wall, which the Andersons painted a dark navy colour, and sat a long church pew, with a collection of artwork and photos, gave an immediate ‘taste’ of the feel of the home … without revealing the home to those they didn’t want to.

Functionally, it gave somewhere for guests to put down their bags as they walked in … but this idea of walking into this screened space, taking a small journey into the home, and then turning around this wall to have the home open up to you – with its light and open space, and connection to outdoors … that adds to the experience of arrival. It emphasises the feelings of those spaces by reinforcing how they feel each time someone walks in.

For those entering for the first time, it was often a surprise of “wow, this home is much bigger and more spacious than I thought” … because that entry process concealed the volume and space of the home. For the homeowners, it acts as a small transition space between the public world, and the haven of their home, that enables them to feel they’ve arrived home each time they enter it.

Start looking at other homes you walk into … even public spaces you move around. How has entry, and threshold, and movement from public to private, been handled to make it feel ceremonial, and important that you’re coming ‘home’ to a space or place? This can make a big difference to your home’s ability to welcome you each day, and to make your guests feel welcome too. I find most homeowners want their home to embrace them like a hug … they may not say it in such woo woo terms … but that idea that your home’s architecture can do this is very real. Think about how this works at your place.

5 Restaurant-Inspired Design Ideas for Your Home

Image Source >>> Archdaily
RCR Arquitectes/Pau Llimona

#2 Think about Materials you use

The sintered stone used at the restaurant, and the way its surfaces were printed, of course added a richness and drama to the interior design of the restaurant. And whilst incredibly spectacular, it came at a cost premium and is not in everyone’s budget.

Yet, it was specifically chosen for a series of reasons, not just how it looked. Any wall and floor surface had to be hard-wearing and easy to clean to satisfy the needs of a restaurant. It also had to create a certain atmosphere of intimacy and comfort without feeling cold or hard. And it needed to create something that was memorable in the restaurant. Materials need to do a lot of jobs in a space.

So, what I’d love you to think about here is how you choose materials, and what you want them to do for you and your home.

Materials can be thought about in a few different ways … and I think we forget this because residential construction uses a pretty standard palette of products, finishes and materials, so we may feel we don’t have a lot of options … but we actually do!

I recommend first and foremost that you choose materials for durability and longevity. Especially anything that’s structural, or on the exterior of your home, or in a location that makes it difficult to replace or maintain.

5 Restaurant-Inspired Design Ideas for Your Home

You want your home to help you relax. So, staring every weekend at the material finish you chose that’s rapidly deteriorating, needing refinishing, or needs you to hire someone to sort it out at a cost you didn’t anticipate … none of that is going to help you relax. And our homes take daily punishment – so it’s important the materials we build it from can sustain that daily life and still look great.Image Source >>> archdaily
RCR Arquitectes/Pau Llimona

Think also about choosing materials for the life and character they give a space. This can come through texture and pattern, and also how they reflect or absorb light. Whilst you may not be able to fund getting an original artwork printed onto the surface of materials you choose, there are SO MANY OPTIONS available in residential materials these days to add colour, texture, pattern and light to spaces … that will add richness to your design and the way your home feels overall.

I always suggest that you think about the materials you come into contact with, that you might brush your hand over as you walk into your home, or that are eye and hand level in your daily use of your home. We often forget the sense of touch and how it can change our experience of something.

Say, for example, you have fallen in love with a particular natural stone you’d love to use on the outside of your place. Your budget may not extend to wrapping it around your home’s exterior. But perhaps you can afford a low landscape wall as you walk into your home that’s made from it. Or it could be used in a section of your entry landing as you arrive at your home.

Small touches like this, when sitting in amongst a simple, complimentary palette, can help these materials have specialness and impact, and enrich the experience of your home. And don’t fake it … choose the real deal if you want it to look a certain way. Materials that mimic something they’re not can create a real disconnect in the integrity and authenticity of a space and home.

5 Restaurant-Inspired Design Ideas for Your Home

Image Source >>> archdaily
RCR Arquitectes / Pau Llimona

#3 Think about Lighting

Electrical lighting in a home, from what I see happen for homeowners, often gets left until the quoting stage. Or worse still, gets left until construction is underway, and the electrician requests a layout and final selections.
I really encourage you to design your electrical lighting solution with the same intent that you’re giving the floor plan, the exterior of your home, and all the internal finishes and fixtures.

You can see from this restaurant, how impactful the lighting is for creating mood, drama and atmosphere, whilst also needed to satisfy the functionality of being able to see what you’re eating, and not trip over each other as you move through the space.
How do you want your home to feel once the sun goes down? What will you need specific lighting levels for to make spaces work … for relaxation, or for doing homework, or for entertaining, or to be safe and secure.

Think about this as you create the floorplan, and picture how it will be laid out. Because you’ll be frustrated on a daily basis if you don’t get this right, and its super expensive to retrofit after you’ve finished. It’s important to incorporate the design of this early into your project to keep your options open, and manage your budget overall.

5 Restaurant-Inspired Design Ideas for Your Home

Image Source >>> Archdaily
RCR Arquitectes/Pau Llimona

#4 Think about Customisation and Personalisation

The Sintered stone, and use of the original water colour painting, was an incredible way to create a unique and different environment in this restaurant. A total one-off. It’s great to look at how you can do this in your home … and it doesn’t have to be such a big statement either.

We can get caught between wanting to choose something super personal and unique for our homes, and worrying it’s not a good investment for resale … or that we’ll tire of it … or that it will date … or that it will not appeal to others.

However, there are lots of ways you can simply personalise a space that isn’t irreversible, or permanent. One of the friends I stayed with in Denver, Kirsten Coe, who has the design company Lasso Design, had done a great job of this in their home.

My favourite was a gorgeous wall paper they’d chosen for one area of the home. It was contained enough to one space so as to not overwhelm. And it was so quirky and gorgeous, it made such a beautiful statement in the space. Add to that the small objects, wall hangings and other items that were intentionally placed in that space and elsewhere in the home – it felt incredibly personal to her and her family.

Kirsten Coe

Image Source >>> 5280.com This is the gorgeous Kirsten Coe in front of her funky wallpaper

When you think about the selections you’re making for your home, think about where you can customise something in a small way, or add a personal touch so it breathes your life and personality into your home.

Lastly #5 Think about Your Team

It was very evident how critical the team had been in bringing this vision for Enigma to reality … and to continue on delivering that experience night after night in the restaurant as it operates.

I’ve spoken about the importance of teamwork a lot on the podcast, and I’ve had guests who’ve also spoken about it loads. It’s because it works. A great team is what separates a successful and fun project from a terrible and stressful one.

Often the resistance to building a team can be purely about budget. If you bring people on board for your project, their fees take budget away from the actual renovation or build of your home … that’s how many homeowners see it. I would encourage you to see professional fees as an investment that will have a return for you … either in money saved on your project, certainty that you’ll get a great outcome for all this effort and spend, or the opportunity to save time and stress on your project overall.

Another reason I see people resist bringing on a team is that they feel they’ll have to relinquish control on their project. So many homeowners tell me they’re really excited by the idea of creating their home design, or choosing all the fixtures and finishes, or managing and coordinating things in their project. And they see if they hire a designer, that they’ll have to give that up, as the designer’s vision will overrun theirs.

Please, if this is your thinking, I encourage you to instead think about the type of designer you bring on board. Because the right designer is not someone who will make you relinquish control. The right designer is someone who will expand your vision for your home, fill the expertise gap in your experience, and actually help realise your dreams into something that is deliverable. Find someone you trust to work with in this way, and it will far exceed what you can create on your own. The same goes for how you work with a builder and anyone else you bring on your team. Teams that work collaboratively, where everyone is working to their strengths – including you as the client, funder of the project, and future owner of the finished result – they create magic, they really do.

5 Restaurant-Inspired Design Ideas for Your Home

Image Source >>> Archdaily
RCR Arquitectes / Pau Llimona

Ok, so those 5 things to think about for your home, as inspired by the Barcelona restaurant Enigma, are:

#1 experience
#2 materials
#3 lighting
#4 customisation
#5 your team

After I attended the event at the HG Stones Showroom, I jumped on the subway towards my hotel. One of the things I love about New York is that it is always open. It was 10.30pm, and there were still queues filling up the inside of Carlos’ Bakery on the corner of 42nd and 8th street. So, I joined the queue, treated myself to a cannoli and headed back to my hotel. It was a big cannoli, and I didn’t think it possible to finish it. But clearly I underestimated my abilities, and the next thing I knew, it was all gone!

5 Restaurant-Inspired Design Ideas for Your Home

Thank you to HG Stones Showroom for hosting me that evening. Getting to hear Pau Llimona talk about this project and share his experience and learnings was sensational.

The Welcome Home Course >>> WAITLIST HERE
Eric Reinholdt’s (30X40 Design Workshop) brilliant YouTube Channel >>> 30X40 DESIGN.WORKSHOP
See the floorplan of the Anderson project (and its entry) here >>> FLOOR PLAN DESIGN 
HG Stones Website >>> CLICK HERE