BLOG

As the world of work continues to evolve, so do the spaces in which we conduct business. Recent trends in office interiors reflect shifts in how companies approach productivity, collaboration, and employee well-being. With a renewed focus on returning to in-person work, the rise of co-working spaces, and the innovative practice of adaptive reuse for…

Designhaus has over 25 years of experience in designing bars and restaurants across the United States. Whether it's transforming an existing location into a new and exciting environment or developing a brand-new venue from the ground up, our mission stays the same; to design a space that enhances the restaurant's brand and promotes customer loyalty.…

WHY MULTI-LEVEL? Multi-level self-storage can be achieved through three primary tactics: conventional stacked floors, mezzanine within a conversion, and sloping site. A fourth method is the conversion of a multilevel building, which could have its own structural issues. However, since multiple stories are intrinsic to such a situation, is not important for this discussion. The decision…

The U.S. has a demand of roughly 325,000 new apartment homes each year on average. 289,000 were in development in 2020. 10-12 million apartments need renovation from now to 2030. Immigration and work visas are predicted to account for half of all new U.S. population growth through 2030 and immigrants mostly rent. For millennials 22-37…

SELF-STORAGE INDUSTRY SHOWS STEADY DEMAND The demand for self-storage facilities has been rising steadily over the past few years. According to the Wall Street Journal, the self-storage industry has become a top-traded stock in the past year alone. More so, the self-storage industry is projected to continually grow in the coming years and is expected…

RECENT SPIKE IN DEMAND FOR LUMBER In the past year, lumber has become somewhat of a prized commodity. Lumber prices have increased as much as 60% (now 400%) in the past six months alone. On average, the cost for 1,000 board feet typically ranges from $200 to $400. However, current prices are now over $1,000.…

SHOULD WE GO BACK TO THE OFFICE? The average commute for people who worked in an office environment was 27 minutes, pre-pandemic. Before asking when or if those people should return to that weekly commute, the better question may be: what makes that trip worth it anymore, and should empty office buildings embrace adaptive -reuse?…

Bars and restaurants were shut down. Gym-going became an unhealthy habit. Planes were grounded. But as the summer heat began to rise, so did RV sales and stocks. People took to the great outdoors as a last-ditch effort to stay social with friends and family. Recreational vehicle purchases were at an all-time high this year,…

Distribute, don't dismiss Not going to bore you with details on how businesses and offices alike are adjusting policies to keep environments safe post-COVID-19. If you need your company to work, but not from home, consider dispersing your workforce across a smaller office building that already has all necessities: desks, printing services, concierge, and security…

How COVID-19 helped us let go of the past The practice of Architecture has been altered, maybe even for the better, by the Covid Pandemic. Since about 1995 we have been inching our way towards efficient use of internet platforms, virtual meetings, broadly available survey data and tele-working. That’s right 25 years of clinging on…

Designhaus pushing to meet apartment demands for Millennials Millennials are taking the wheel for the U.S. housing economy, and the recession and student debt are the backseat drivers. Millennials are renting apartments and condos longer while delaying a home purchase, mostly due to the belief that renting is cheaper than owning a home. Apartment demand…

What renters want, and why they may never buy again. Opting to rent apartments instead of purchasing homes is gaining popularity this year according to economist Greg Willett of RealPage, Inc. Millennials and Gen Xers are choosing to rent over buying a home because they say it's less costly when considering all-expense factors such as…

We are cannabis facility architects. Before we dive into the world of growth facility and retail architecture associated with cannabis, marijuana, or marihuana, and other cannabis-related products, we recommend that you work with a THC consulting firm or contact your state’s cannabis governing agency on how to become licensed, grow, and run a cannabis business…

[Insert New Year’s health resolution article here] After reviewing the top trends of fitness from 2018 moving into 2019; Men’s Health Magazine, Self Magazine, Outside Magazine, and the ACSM Health & Fitness Journal all seem to agree on at least five of the same top ten fitness trends that play an important role in gym…

According to Merriam-Webster, the first known or recorded use of the word Glamping was in 2005. Glamourous camping (glamping) however has existed for hundreds of years. Also called luxury camping, it’s the concept of sleeping under the stars or embracing the elements with added comforts of what we call modern living. This could include any…

A love/hate relationship tends to exist for those living in geographical areas affected by snowfall or freezing temperatures. While the entire world experiences the season of Winter, Winter in North America is not created equal to the Winter in South America. The same can be said in every corner of the world, we all have…

Numerous distractions in the workplace exist outside of cellphones, gossip, and email alerts. As much as employers would not want to hear, productivity is controlled by the individual, their motivation and attitude on a day-to-day basis. And while blocking websites, restricting cell phone use, and providing free, usually cheap, coffee is great for making co-workers…

SELF-STORAGE ARCHITECTS PROUD VENDOR OF THE SSA PUBLISHED IN INSIDE SELF-STORAGE We are a leading provider of architectural services in the Self-Storage industry in 32 States. Designhaus focuses on the following types of self-storage architecture: Climate Controlled Adaptive Reuse Building Conversion Mixed-Use Drive-Up or Non-Climate Controlled Learn about the storage demand spike from 2020 Sounds…

MULTI-FAMILY ARCHITECTS We are Multi-Family Architects We have been designing apartments, townhomes, condominiums, and other multi-family buildings for over twenty years. No matter what style or size, we put your future tenets' needs in mind when creating a successful building design. THE CITY FLATS APARTMENTS Multi-Family WOODCHIPS MIXED USE LAPEER, MI Bar/Restaurant, Commercial Development, Mixed-Use,…

In 2016, Designhaus began work on a new 24/7 mixed-use development that could solidify Birmingham’s role as the premier destination for shopping, living, and working in Southeast Michigan. After partnering with world-renowned designer, Robert A.M. Stern Architects, we proposed an active shopping destination that draws Booth Park up into the center of Birmingham via a…

Post-recession dining has evolved in many ways whether it be the source of the food or drink we consume, how it was prepared, and the fact that more Millennials dine out more often than any other age group. A study conducted by Bankrate.com says that the millennial generation prefers spending money by dining out rather…

CLICK HERE TO CHECK FOR AVAILABLE RESIDENTIAL & OFFICE SPACE The Midwest Innovation Lofts, or MiL Community, will be the new home to next wave of game-changers in the automotive and advanced technology industries. The MiL is being developed at the Southeast corner of Auburn Road and South Squirrel Road in Auburn Hills Michigan. The…

Self-landing rockets, self-driving cars, and a Guinness world record of 1,300 self-dancing robots--Ok, that may not be a huge deal--but 2018 is the year of autonomy. The machines have finally taken over and this is a good thing! Now more than ever we have new opportunities for innovation in transportation which will further advance the…

Doctors are here to take care of our health while architects draw building plans, right? Webster's defines the word health as such, "freedom from physical disease or pain." According to The Architect’s Handbook of Professional Practice, the mantra of the architect regarding his or her prime directive and the underlying objective is to protect and improve upon the health, safety, and…

"Diversification" describes my experience at the helm of Designhaus during the last couple of years. Our private development prospects seem to be flowing in steadily and maintaining a pattern of diversity regarding use-type, market-type and location. While Designhaus is experiencing higher-than-usual growth, there seem to be real and sustainable roots as to why. Fears of a "bubble" are…

Many individuals are drawn to the simple beauty and unmistakable feeling of calmness in Japanese gardens. Rich in culture and authenticity, these gardens are a favorite amongst the green crowd. It’s no easy task trying to duplicate but with the right tips and tools, it can be done. The inspiration for the plant color and…

Dining out is an old-time social tradition that has been evolving for centuries. What started out as enjoying a meal with family and friends in a space designed to make you feel at home, now has the ability to transport you to familiar cities or exotic locations. The menu may bring new customers to the…

So you’re planning on buying or building a residential home. It’s a big step and a decision that requires a lot of thinking and research. To some, it’s hard to distinguish the different types of architectural styles. While they may all look just like an ordinary house, there’s actually a significant difference in the types…

Self-storage facilities offer a decent amount of benefits when you are looking at ways to save space in your home or property.  It ultimately can come down to the cost when deciding if you want to consider owning a self-storage. If you’re on the border about choosing whether to invest in a self-storage unit or…

When you think of architecture, the first thing that comes to mind for most people is the enormous skyscrapers they see downtown on their way to work.  The huge buildings with windows glaring in your eyes scream great architecture at you. Some may think of luxurious homes that feature some great architectural features. However, have…

With summer here, it's always good to make sure to keep your patio updated with seasonal touches. You don't want to be the one house on the street that's behind on the new trends. Updating your home will give you that new look sensation that'll have your neighbors looking in awe at your property. Here…

Excited for the long weekend ahead? Who isn’t?! If you’re planning on having a party this weekend, we know things can get a bit hectic. Does the place look good? Do you have enough red, white and blue? What should you make for dinner and have for desserts? Don’t worry, we’ve got some tips for…

It’s hard to believe how far the developments in family homes have come. While many may think that having the bigger and better home designs is the best way to go, that simply can’t be said today. The shipping container started out as a small side idea but now has taken the housing community by…

Whenever one visits Michigan, they can expect to find many beautiful and significant trademarks that make the mitten state so great. With various cities and hot spots to explore, it’s really hard to easily get bored. One particular idea that interests many people is food. We all love to eat at a restaurant that offers…

To the dismay of Northern Michigan recreationalists, Lake Charlevoix’s, ”The Landing” dockside restaurant was slated for demolition and replacement by an RV park a few years ago.  The loss would have been devastating to the boating culture, as very few opportunities for dockside family fun and nightlife exist. In 2014, an inspired local businessman/philanthropist stepped…

With the tiny house" and shipping container house trends on the rise, it's a strange evolution that living in a big, open barn is also a trending concept known as the "Barndominium". It's not only fun to say, but converting an old barn into a fun living/dining space brings a whole new aspect of life…

Spring is here.  It’s time to start dreaming about how to enjoy the outdoors again. Turns out, at least according to the home building industry insiders that I know, enjoying the outdoors is now top priority in custom home designs. Specifically, a room that is both indoor and outdoor. I’m not talking about the traditional…

Gov Committee, Don’t take this as confrontational or critical…these are thoughts from an owner of a 15 person private sector firm out in the trenches… I work solely in the private sector so the issue of QBS doesn’t affect me every day.  It is worth pointing out, however, in the private sector, low fee is…

Switching a paint color is commonly suggested as a quick way to breath new life into a space. Rather than browsing through paint chips at your local hardware store for hours, consider these alternatives: Think texture, not just color. Wall Tiles Not just for your kitchen or bathroom. Wall tiles, or rather any tile can…

Design is not a straight path.  In fact, the richness of a tapestry depends on a complex and unique set of threads.  Great design happens when a talented person can, from the jumbled spools, recognize and compose every thread in perfect harmony, excluding none. The emotions, conflicts and purpose of the designer flow into the…

1. SIMPLIFY THE LANDSCAPE Limb up, cut down, and remove. Just because its green doesn’t mean it helps.  Clean, straight forward and low maintenance looks organized and easy to approach. 2. PAINT Technology has come a long way with coatings, and for the dollar, paint is the fastest and cheapest way.  Don’t take risks, take…