Experience Architecture Journal

Lane Architecture + Design, P.C.
Experience Architecture Journal
Seven Steps to an Extraordinary Home

A QUALITY OF Space series
Residential series
EXPERIENCE ARCHITECTURE
www.LaneArchitecture.blogspot.com
Experience Architecture
SEVEN STEPS TO AN EXTRAORDINARY HOME
1
FROM THE DESK OF LARRY LANE

Welcome to Experience Architecture
7 Steps to Creating an Extraordinary Home
Dear Friend,
Welcome to Experience Architecture, and congratulations on your commitment to taking your

home and your life to the next level. As you begin this program, you are taking the first steps
towards transforming the level of vitality you experience within one of your most important
investments. I am excited to share these principles with you now because they have repre-
sented a breakthrough in physical and emotional vibrancy for a countless number of families
throughout the nation. Experience Architecture is an opportunity not just to wish for a better
place to call home but to really live in an extraordinary place.
Getting to that extraordinary place has often required homeowners to endure an endless num-
ber of challenges. We all have heard or have lived through horror stories during a construction
of a new home.
2
Difficulties obtaining permits.

The contractor disappears in the middle of tearing out everything.
Neighbors complain about dust and noise coming from your home.
Cost over-runs.
Construction Delays.
All of these issues (and many more) stack upon each other until you feel that there is no
painless way out.
This journal is designed to help you navigate through the design and construction process by
using a simple seven step method. I believe that there is immense value in each of the seven
sections in this journal.
This manual is not meant to be used as a substitute for the many other important things that
you will learn from our monthly newsletter, at our blog
(www.LaneArchitecture.blogspot.com), vlog at www.YouTube.com/LarryLaneTV, podcasts
at www.blogtalkradio.com/LaneArchitecture, CD’s, and DVD’s. If there are topics that you
would like more clarification about, feel free to call us during our weekly radio show which is
aired every Monday at 5:30 PM EST. Our listener call-in number is 1-646-595-2228. You can
also call (212-594-2007) or fax (212-594-2039) to our office with your questions.
3
Since I began studying the methods that have become Experience Architecture almost three
decades ago, the question I have attempted to answer is how do we transform the quality of
our homes – and thus our lives – at the most personal level? Our vitality – physical and emo-
tional passion – starts at the most basic level: spacial perception is the fundamental key to
achieving every other dream that we have for our ideal home. The “home” that this booklet
refers to is one that is within an existing single family dwelling.
Enjoy this program, but more importantly, use it! In order to obtain your ideal home, you need
to bring this journal with you during your home search and review it throughout the design
and construction processes. Congratulations once again on making the commitment to take
action, and to creating an extraordinary place for you and your family to live. Utilizing the
principles of Experience Architecture, you too can have the dream home that you always de-
sired.
Live Well
Warmest Regards,
Larry Lane
4
Transforming an old farm house

into a new two story colonial with
a wrap around porch.
5
The back façade was redes-

igned to suit the needs of the
home owner.
After
Before
6
Before
After
Change an old dining area into a family

room where you can entertain guests during
important occasions.
7
The Seven Steps

To Creating an Extraordinary Home
THE ULTIMATE ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE
Give yourself a good foundation during Step One so the Other Steps will be
easier for you.
Adhering to the 7 Steps will create a home that you deserve!
Getting During During Con-

Started Design struction
1 2 5
Good Foundation Schematic Design Bidding/
Negotiating
3
Design Develop- 6
ment Construction Ad-
ministration
4
Construction 7
Documents The Move-In
8
Walls, windows, lighting,

and décor can be changed
to match the new home
owner’s preferences.
After
Before
9
The Seven Steps

Step 1: Clarify your lifestyle
The design elements that form our home could be viewed as a wheel with three parts.
• The hub of the wheel represents your core emotions. These rarely change. They
affect how you perceive everything around you.
• The spokes of the wheel is where our radiant attributes can be observed. These
are some of the activities that are formed from our core beliefs.
• The outer edge of the wheel is where the “rubber hits the road.” These are the
practical issues that help make all other parts of the wheel function. (This also de-
scribes all spec. homes).
Use the space below to jot down anything else that is important to have in your new home.
This will be your first annotated “sketch” of your new home. After you write down some key
points that are important to you, you will begin to better visualize what your extraordinary
home will become.
It is important that my new home has:

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
10
The Seven Steps

Core Issues that describe the inner you

that rarely changes.
Radiant Issues that affect your day to

day life.
Outer Issues that contain your

extraordinary home.
All spec homes are from the

“Outer Edge” – Only.
11
The Seven Steps

Core Issues:
What do you want to feel while in your home?

___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
We all want to feel secure in our home. What outside interruption to do you want to avoid in
your home?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Are you usually pressed for time? ............................................................... Yes No

Are you eager for efficiency? ..................................................................... Yes No
Do you crave convenience? ...................................................................... Yes No
Do you only want to deal with competent people? ................................. Yes No
Do you want your life made easier? ......................................................... Yes No
Do you need to have a home that you can be proud to show colleagues?.. Yes No
Do you feel love between yourself and others? .......................................... Yes No
Do you want that love expressed in your home? ........................................ Yes No
12
The Seven Steps

Radiant Issues:
Do you entertain? ….. Yes No If so, how often? ___________________________

What are all of the activities that you expect to perform in your new home?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Do you like classical, contemporary, or eclectic interiors?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Do you have any collections that should be designed into your next home? Yes No
Do you want pets in your home? ................................................................ Yes No
Do you need an outdoor space? .................................................................... Yes No
For a BBQ? ................................................................................................ Yes No
For a kid’s pool? ........................................................................................ Yes No
For fresh air? .............................................................................................. Yes No
Do you cook? ............................................................................................. Yes No
Do you need extra space in the kitchen? .................................................... Yes No
Do you like to relax in a Jacuzzi after a tough day at work?...................... Yes No
Do you exercise in your home? …….......................................................... Yes No
Where do you like to read? …………......................................................... Yes No
Will you be expecting more family members to live with you?.................. Yes No
13
The Seven Steps

Outer Issues:
How many bedrooms and bathrooms do you need?
_______________________________________________________________________
Do you have a budget? If so, what is it?

_______________________________________________________________________
Who will be making the critical decisions – you alone or your family?
_______________________________________________________________________
Where will the resources come from to create and maintain your home?
_______________________________________________________________________
Do you have any experience in past renovation projects? If so, what was successful and
what was disappointing?
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
Will this be your primary residence? ........................................................... Yes No

Do you need extra space for storage? ........................................................... Yes No
Do you want to invest a little extra up front on systems that will save energy or bring
other operations savings and payback over time?..........................................Yes No
14
After
Before
Capture an upper floor attic space

for a master bedroom/bath suite
15
The Seven Steps

Step 2: During Design - Schematic Design
Maybe you already own a home and just want to renovate it to fit your current needs. Maybe
you have are looking for a new house that can provide your current lifestyle. Let’s transform
your existing or new home into an extraordinary place to live and thrive! This is where the fun
really begins. It can be an exciting step for you if you follow the steps below:
1. Review the notes that you wrote on the previous pages with your architect so they can
better understand your lifestyle and needs.
2. Existing floor plans surveys can help your architect locate plumbing risers, load bear-
ing walls, and will give clues to what type of renovations may have been done previ-
ously. Locate them from the previous owner if possible.
3. Another place that you can find existing floor plans is from the original builder or from
the building department.
Here is what your architect should be doing during Step 2…

1. They will meet with you to learn about your needs. A written version of your needs is
called a “program.”
2. They will visit your new apartment to measure the space in order to draw the existing
floor plan.
3. The architect will establish the design scope, general concepts, and spacial relation-
ships.
16
The Seven Steps

Here is an Option for

Some Home Owners:
Hire a construction manager at
this time. This manager could be
the architect, but it is usually a
contractor. A construction man-
ager will work with the architect
to develop construction details,
and will work with the home
owner to keep the project on
time, and on budget. This person
might also become the builder if
the owner chooses not bid the
project out to other contractors
during Step 4.
17
The Seven Steps

Step 3: During Design Development
After the schematic design has been approved by you, the architect will begin to expand upon
the approved studies of Step 2 and develop more detailed drawings. Here are some of the out-
comes that will be created during this step:
1. Other aspects of the proposed design are illustrated.

2. Floor plans show all the rooms in correct size and shape.
3. Outline specifications are prepared listing the major materials and room finishes.
4. The Architect verifies that the design complies with building codes.
5. Engineers are consulted to design the structure, mechanical and electrical systems.
6. Sometimes, Step 2 and Step 3 are combined into one phase of architectural services
called “Design Development.”
7. A model might be built in order to better visualize the designed spaces. This model
might be built with card board or it might be a virtual model with the help of computer
animated software.
8. The Architect needs to conform to handicapped accessibility requirements as per the
building codes.
18
Local zoning ordinances might

limit the height of your house and
lot area coverage
After
Before
Find an architect that can create

virtual walk-throughs for you to see
your renovation before construc-
tion starts.
19
The Seven Steps

Step 4: Construction Documents
Once the Owner has approved the Design Development phase, the Architect prepares detailed
construction or working drawings. We used to know of these construction drawings as
“blueprints.”
1. Compared to the other steps, this is the step that the architect will spend most of their
time.
2. The construction drawings will show the dimensions of the spaces. They will also indi-
cate the finishes and the general relationships of the building parts.
3. Specifications are also written in this step. This may be incorporated in the drawings or
it might be a separate book. The specifications describe the materials that are to be used
during the construction process.
4. The Contractor will use the construction documents to establish the actual construction
cost and build the project.
5. These drawings and specifications become part of the construction contract.
20
Resources:
Book “The Designed Office” (www.MyDesignedOffice.com)
Audio CD Larry Lane explaining when one needs an architect to

design their dream home
.
DVD- Main Street Revitalization.
DVD – Go Where the Money Is, Marketing Your Downtown to the Affluent.
DVD – Secrets of Successful Historic Storefronts.
Checklist for COOP Owners
Checklist for Commercial Real Estate Investors
Weekly Podcast at www.blogtalkradio.com/LaneArchitecture
Blog www.LaneArchitecture.blogspot.com
Vlog www.YouTube.com/LarryLaneTV
Follow us at:
Facebook www.facebook.com/LarryLane
Twitter www.twitter.com/LaneArch
LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/LarryLane
21
The Seven Steps

Step 5: Pricing the Construction
The builder will use the construction documents to determine the cost of the construction.
1. The Architect can work with the contractor that you already chose earlier throughout
the design process so you don’t have to go through the bidding process. By this time,
you should already have a good idea what your designed renovation will cost and how
long it will take to build it.
2. Meet with the Contractor and the Architect to best understand line items on the con-
struction cost breakdown. That way, you may want to add or subtract from your scope
depending on your budget and priorities.
3. The Owner selects and hires the Contractor. Therefore, the Owner has a separate con-
tract with the Architect and another with the Contractor.
Submitting Drawings to
Your Town to get Permits
This is one of the responsibilities of the

contractor and his subcontractors.
22
Add a home office to

your house while im-
proving the curb appeal
After
Before
23
The Seven Steps

Step 6: Construction Administration
While the Contractor will physically build the project, the Architect has several services to
offer to the Owner.
1. The Architect can assist the Owner by making site visits to observe the construction to
determine, in general, if the project is being built according to the plans and specifica-
tions.
2. The Architect may also review and approve the Contractor's applications for payment,
process change orders, and generally keep the Owner informed of the project's pro-
gress.
3. The Contractor is solely responsible for construction methods, techniques, schedules,
and procedures.
4. The Owner can protect themselves and their property from the being sued for unpaid
invoices that the general contractor receives from their sub-contractors by insisting that
the general contractor submit a lien waiver. This lien waiver should be signed by all
contractors prior to being paid any payments from the Owner.
5. Some contractors asked to be paid a percentage of their overall construction costs when
certain phases of construction are complete. Another way to compensate the contractor
is by using the American Institute of Architect’s forms G702 and G703 Applications
for Payment. This form keeps track of each individual subcontractor’s prices, percent-
age of each completed task, and the amounts that is held back from being paid until the
final payment. Click on the AIA Documents link at
www.LaneArchitecture.blogspot.com to download your copy.
24
Journal
While it is fresh on your mind, write down what you enjoyed during the construction process
and what you could be improved. Share this feed back with your architect.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Before After
25
The Seven Steps

Step 7: Move In!
If you followed the first six steps, then you should now have an extraordinary home - a home
of your dreams.
Larry Lane
Experience Based Architect
26
What are people saying about Lane Architecture + Design?

“We are just really happy with it. We were please with the whole process which generally produced
results that were far better than what I even imagined. We were very pleased with your services…All
of our expectations were exceeded.”
Dr. Victor Belfi
Fort Worth, TX
Homeowner
“We are most pleased with how the apt. came out. Since we were largely absent during the project, I
especially appreciate the ease of working with you and Beton. I would definitely recommend you or
give a positive reference.”
Kerry Clayton
New Orleans, LA
Homeowner
“By the time you are reading this text you will have probably been through a plethora of designers/
architects/artistic friends/self help books/magazines/do it yourself nightmare. We did and it all went
nowhere fast not to mention has driven you insane and consumed your every thought. We were intro-
duced to Larry by a general contractor who had done previous work for us of excellent quality.
We could not be more pleased with our association with Larry and we are not prone to exaggeration. I
provided Larry with nothing but an apartment, some ludicrous suggestions, some/many ridiculous
questions, and a few (read many) changes to what I wanted the outcome to be. This may have some
driven lesser individuals to an untimely end. Through it all Larry remained committed, skilled, pleasant
and accommodating. With his easy personality and design/architectural know how he has provided us
with the ability to transform our Manhattan garden apartment into a livable, working, comfortable, func-
tional, stunning showcase.”
Steven Lavender and family

Residential client in NYC
27

“Working with Larry Lane was an exceptionally good experience. Building anything is stressful, time
consuming, and at times, seemingly pointless when you can simply, well, do something else! But if
you want your vision, your own baby, Larry Lane can help deliver.
His company was prompt, direct, and worked with other companies that were professional and de-
tailed. The plans he provided for our space were of perfect quality, and were accepted by the building
department upon first submission. That is because he knew the laws and requirements for building
my establishment. He surrounds himself with artisans that know their craft, and is stern in removing
them from the roladex if they prove otherwise. Thank goodness the contractor had to follow the plans!
I highly recommend him for your next project. If you have an artistic vision, he’s the one who can put it
on paper. He really is great at what he does.”
Kim Rubens-Quiros
Quiros & Rubens Enterprises
Brooklyn, NY
“Hi Larry. your Experience Architecture journal is a great resource for buyers purchasing property in
need of renovation. It explains the process from beginning to end in laymen terms. It's just enough
information to give customers a sense of what to be aware of.”
Brian Anthony Mattis-Phillips
Prudential Douglas Elliman
New York, NY
“I am so happy that we are working with Lane Architecture + Design. We really needed your architec-
tural expertise on this project.”
Iwona Herdzik
Beton Builiders
28

“In over a decade of investing in real estate, I have NEVER encountered an architect of the caliber of
Larry Lane who is proactive about informing and working with me as an investor! All the other archi-
tects I have ever dealt with were very passive and showed no interest in fully engaging with me as a
client to help me make my project a success by saving me time and money. How refreshing it is to
meet a professional who actually cares about my needs as an investor and who takes the time to get
me up to speed on critical success factors for my project.
The coolest thing about working with a true professional like Mr. Lane, who actually cares about the
success of my project, is the comfort of knowing that someone with trained eyes is looking out for me
and my project’s best interests from the very beginning. This is so much better than only relying on
the contractor or my expertise, because there are so many details that we don’t know when it comes
to a building’s construction and design.
I strongly recommend that if you are working on a residential or commercial project do whatever is
necessary to get Mr. Lane on your team from the very beginning!”
Marlene Green
Real Estate Investor/Entrepreneur,
Jersey City, NJ
“I like the way you talk to your clients. I sometimes forget that they don't understand the DOB
(Department of Buildings) language.”
Mitra Mehr
NYC Expediter
“After listening to Larry's presentation to our Coldwell Banker Realtors, it was

evident that Larry is a seasoned Architect with an amazing talent for great
design and a wealth of information about all aspects of the building process.
Larry is highly recommended to our clients.”
Marilyn Grum
Coldwell Banker Realtors, Basking Ridge, NJ
29

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Lane Architecture + Design, P.C.

Experience Architecture Journal

Seven Steps to an Extraordinary Home

FROM THE DESK OF LARRY LANE

Welcome to Experience Architecture, and congratulations on your commitment to taking your

Difficulties obtaining permits.

Transforming an old farm house

The back façade was redes-

Change an old dining area into a family

The Seven Steps

Getting During During Con-

Walls, windows, lighting,

The Seven Steps

It is important that my new home has:

The Seven Steps

Core Issues that describe the inner you

Radiant Issues that affect your day to

Outer Issues that contain your

All spec homes are from the

The Seven Steps

What do you want to feel while in your home?

Are you usually pressed for time? ............................................................... Yes No

The Seven Steps

Do you entertain? ….. Yes No If so, how often? ___________________________

The Seven Steps

Do you have a budget? If so, what is it?

Will this be your primary residence? ........................................................... Yes No

Capture an upper floor attic space

The Seven Steps

Here is what your architect should be doing during Step 2…

The Seven Steps

Here is an Option for

The Seven Steps

1. Other aspects of the proposed design are illustrated.

Local zoning ordinances might

Find an architect that can create

The Seven Steps

Audio CD Larry Lane explaining when one needs an architect to

DVD – Secrets of Successful Historic Storefronts.

Checklist for COOP Owners

Checklist for Commercial Real Estate Investors

Weekly Podcast at www.blogtalkradio.com/LaneArchitecture

The Seven Steps

This is one of the responsibilities of the

Add a home office to

The Seven Steps

The Seven Steps

What are people saying about Lane Architecture + Design?

Steven Lavender and family

What are people saying about Lane Architecture + Design?

What are people saying about Lane Architecture + Design?

“After listening to Larry's presentation to our Coldwell Banker Realtors, it was

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