Elwin Wong

Accessory Dwelling Units or ADU's. I'm going to document my experience with a proposed ADU but before I start I'm looking for initial opinions. When you hear of an ADU what is your initial perception? In SLC, I think basement apartments, or garage conversions or some other structure that I won't really notice. We have several basement apartments on our block and the main reason I know they are there is additional cars on the street. Right now, the cars are not a problem but if every house had an ADU it would definitely be a problem. Overall, my initial perception of ADU's was positive to indifferent.

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Formation Association Architecture, Inc. co-founder, John K Chan, AIA, LEED AP talks with Building LA Podcast host Sam Pepper, RA for episode 16 of the podcast. The pair talk shop about Formation Associations Atwater Canyon project, creating a “great retail experience”, John’s journey into architecture, and more. ⁠ ⁠ Atwater Canyon, an adaptive reuse project, located in the Atwater Village neighborhood of Los Angeles, produces a mid-block passageway through an old market’s masonry shell. The design more than doubles the retail frontage and connects the property to municipal parking in the back. Formation Association’s use of existing material, experimentation, and the consideration of the local community increases the project’s commercial exposure, walkability, and creates a great retail experience. ⁠ ⁠ In the discussion John tells Sam, “Atwater Canyon was like a wholesale sort of reworking of the building from the bones on out, not in this kind of binary new old way, but really in a much more nuanced, sublimated way of transforming this thing from one state to the next. But it emboldened us to keep more and to learn how to work with that. And to learn how to create a conversation about that". John likens the experience at Atwater Canyon to the chef’s table. “When you look at the chef tables, open kitchen, the experience of food that we all love, right now, that same version needs to be happening in architecture as well. Seeing how things work, seeing how things are made, elevating the back of house, or the backstage experience, into something worth talking about.”⁠ Click the link below to listen to the full episode and learn more about, the inspirations behind Atwater Canyon’s design, the sensorial reception to the materials used, input from the property’s owner and developer, Myles Roggs, and the retail experience. ⁠ https://lnkd.in/geTR95M4 Photo by Here and Now Agency #design #architecture #podcast #buildingla #losangeles

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🚀 I just paid my $45 registration fee for the upcoming Introduction to the Last Planner System workshop on May 8th in Oakland, CA, hosted by The Lean Construction Institute | Northern CA Community of Practice! This planning and scheduling system revolutionizes construction project management by focusing on production control and efficient workflow. I've been a practitioner of it for over a decade and used it to save time and money to the tune of BILLIONS of dollars. 🛠️💡 The Last Planner System (LPS) enhances project predictability and efficiency by allowing teams to plan work collaboratively, ensuring everyone understands the tasks and the order in which they need to be completed. It emphasizes continuous learning and adaptation, crucial for meeting complex project demands. This isn't command and control, this is creativity and distributed leadership for teams to work towards successful project delivery. 😉 Join us and the LCI Northern CA Community of Practice to dive deep into these methodologies and network with industry leaders. 🌉🤝 📢 Don't miss out! Make sure to register if you haven’t yet and spread the word. I am looking forward to seeing many familiar and new faces even more diverse than this AI-generated image! What are your thoughts on implementing the Last Planner System in your projects? Register and bring your questions to the presentation and panel. Let’s continue to grow our vibrant community of practitioners! 👇 Tap the registration link in the comments below to join me. #LastPlannerSystem #LeanConstruction #LCINorthernCA #professionaldevelopment #constructionmanagement

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Looking to learn more about #SB9, #ADU's and #Passivhaus and how all three of those are being implemented in California? Today is your lucky day.... Log into this FREE webinar today hosted by Passive House California (PHCA) where all three of these topics will be explored, exhumed, and elevated (not necessarily in that order. :) cc. @CasitaCoalition, @YimbyAction, @NancySkinner, California Energy Commission, California Public Utilities Commission, Dave Intner, @DecarbCoalition, Pacific Gas and Electric Company https://lnkd.in/g6EHZxa7

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I write letters to colleagues, friends, and past clients about my work. Here is a write-up on sustainability that I wanted to share with the LI community: --- Sustainability is the foundation of my practice having spent most of my career working on some of the biggest, public projects in Southern California. This is a market where progressive public opinion governs alongside some of the most energy-stringent building code in the world. Today, I strive to apply these best practices learned to all my projects; regardless of location, budget, and client. And now thanks to current International Building Code, it is practically a prerequisite that architects and owners deliver energy-efficient buildings. This is a victory that should be celebrated and continued. Now, let's get a bit more real. The truth is that a large part of the construction industry continues to operate focused on the excessive exploitation of raw, virgin land. For many decades, we have replaced our natural ecosystem with a thoughtless expansion of non-descript buildings, industrial processing, and vehicle infrastructure placed solely in the interest of money and utility. I believe this phenomena to be a driving force in waste, pollution, and inefficiency — the antithesis of sustainability. Given the context that I have just described, I find myself recalibrating my focus as it relates to sustainable building design to consider the value of more intangible criteria. I realize we are in the midst of an environmental crisis not because of the building process itself, but because of the way in which we choose to build: what, where and why. Unlike current progressive industry trends in regards to sustainability, I am not fearful using carbon-intensive materials such as concrete or plastics. Instead, priority should be given to design buildings of lasting value — the idea is that those who inhabit it, will care enough to preserve and protect what was spent to develop it. In part, I’m advocating for a sustainable philosophy in life. This seems less idealistic than believing that the carbon footprint of the buildings we create will move the needle. --- What do you think about using carbon-intensive materials in design and construction? Plastic is actually an amazing material. The Denver Airport roof canopy is outfitted in plastic (ETFE), it is adorned by millions, and I suspect that that building will be protected and used for centuries to come. #sustanability #nocheapbuildings #lifecycle #design #architecture #construction

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As a board member for Passive House California, I helped man the booth yesterday (along with Tracy Blair, Christian Kienapfel & Cyril Petit) at the USGBC held at The Beehive by SoLa. I appreciated that they didn't use single use cups/plates, offering water filling stations and recycling bins throughout. There were many great vendors and non-profits that I'll be studying up on in the coming weeks. We got the word out about PH standards. 1. Climate specific insulation (if you don't think we need insulation in California, I'll share my own experience on it) 2. Thermal bridge free construction  3. Airtight enclosure (which also means water and smoke tight) 4. High performance windows/doors 5. Hygienic ventilation with heat recovery and no recirculation of air (especially great for those with allergies) #interiordesigner #passivehousestandard  #greenbuilding #greenmeanshealthier #walkthetalk

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DIRTT is proud of our long standing commitment to this Kaiser Permanente prefab modular of excellence program. CannonDesign commitment to designing with innovation assessed every building component, element and space to unlock new efficiencies that made access to care more equitable and value-driven. DIRTT’s well executed prefabrication strategy with modular multi-trade components significantly boost the efficiency, safety and sustainability of construction projects. More and more Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) projects are starting with a targeted percent of construction to be prefabricated. DIRTT’s full solution can achieve large positions of these goals. In conclusion, at DIRTT we don’t just embrace the evolving prefab landscape around us, we lead the way in advancing the future and its offerings. The “Do It Right This Time” philosophy builds a better project each time in the same way the iPhone 15 Pro has built off the technology of the IPhone 1. https://lnkd.in/gCwyWEma

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🎧 Excited to share the latest episode of the TRXL Podcast! Join me as I sit down with David Benjamin of Autodesk and Ryan McNulty of MBH Architects to discuss the integration of architecture and technology in creating a 300-unit affordable housing development in the Bay Area, known as Project Phoenix. In this episode, we explore: - The collaboration between MBH Architects, Factory OS, and Autodesk. - How they leveraged generative design and real-time analytics software tools. - Efficiencies gained through modular construction. - Challenges of incorporating new technology in design and construction. - Potential implications for the AEC industry. 👇 Listen to the full episode at the link in the comments #innovation #AEC #architects #industrializedconstruction

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The biggest public construction project in decades for the Portland metro area may break ground as soon as late 2025, according to the latest estimates from planners at the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) project. IBR is the current incarnation of plans going back more than two decades to replace the aging Interstate 5 bridge over the Columbia River. Read the full article on Northwest Labor Press at https://lnkd.in/gqFpRKQR. Here at Stiver, we appreciate that each client and project is unique in terms of needs and preferences. This is why our skilled team of engineers is the best choice for your project. We tentatively oversee each process from conceptual decisions to implementing and completing construction so that the integrity of your overall project is robust and durable. See how our commitment to excellence has set us apart in structural design at https://lnkd.in/g4wpS2Bk. #stivereng #structuralengineers #structuralengineering #structuraldesign

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Especially when it comes to the cost of working with an architect or structural designer in locations like Malibu and Maui, there’s a common misconception that hiring a top contractor or architecture firm is a waste of money. The reality is that working with a reputable architecture firm can actually save you money in the long run. Here’s how. 👉 https://lttr.ai/ASX48

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I had the opportunity to discuss California’s new building code targeting embodied carbon at Bisnow’s SOCAL Industrial Conference. This new amendment, effective July 1, is a major step towards our net-zero goals. Check out the full article on BISNOW to learn more about this pivotal change. #LowneyArchitecture #SustainableBuilding #EmbodiedCarbon #GreenConstruction #NetZero #BISNOW #IndustrialDesign #CaliforniaBuildingCode

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What seems like an anomaly, could send ripples through Cali Counties that possess high DIFs. Developer Impact Fees are just one of many costs associated with keeping #affordablehousing costs per unit elevated. However, DIFs have been a reason for not significantly (and regularly) raising property taxes.

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How much do Architect’s Matter?? Success in any project hinges on the collaboration between the owner and architect. A harmonious partnership can turn a complex task into a seamless endeavor, while discord can lead to unnecessary challenges. An MEP engineer I spoke with thrives doing institutional projects, such as universities, where clear standards and a knowledgeable engineering department streamline the process. Anyone else have thoughts?

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I just had the insightful chat with fellow project management gurus at PMI of Portland! 🤯💼 We dove deep into the world of project management, swapping insights, tips, and tricks discussing how we tackle projects. 🔥 Can't wait to implement these fresh ideas and take my projects to the next level! 🌈✨ #ProjectManagement #PMI

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Proud to be a member of the AIA Seattle Housing Design Forum Task Force again this year. Come check out the exciting program we put together, centered around users. Final registration is this Thursday! https://lnkd.in/gVnVPBX4 We are at a critical point for housing with the release of the draft comprehensive plan, One Seattle Plan! Seattle needs to build a massive amount of housing, and we must put people’s diverse values, shifting needs, and lived experiences at the forefront while doing so. After all, housing is not just a commodity, but a place where everyday life unfolds. - What challenges and opportunities exist in the development and design of housing? - How do we ensure we meet the diverse needs of communities and prioritize access, affordability, equity, and livability in rapidly changing neighborhoods? - How do we champion adaptable density and provide more housing for more people with more flexibility? Housing: A Stage for Life seeks to respond to the evolving housing landscape and explore how housing can center specific community needs and support people through various life stages. This year’s program will spotlight policy interventions, innovative project case studies, community perspectives, and inspiring design that foreground users while addressing actionable solutions to develop more plentiful, quality, diverse, and sustainable housing options in Seattle and beyond.

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Because sustainability and wellness are at the heart of everything we do!

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