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Dear Friends … January 2027 will bring the adoption of a new Building Code for many states in which ODA Architecture is designing buildings. There are complexities and contradictions in all building codes, which are enacted to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare. Codes are written to ensure structural stability, fire prevention, safe evacuation

Dear Friends … You know a great neighborhood when you experience one, it has an energy and identity all on its own. It is about creating a place where people want to spend time, connect with one another, and feel a part of something that is bigger than a bunch of buildings and addresses. Developing

Dear Friends … First impressions matter. Whether meeting someone new or arriving at a destination, it’s arguably the most important interaction with something new. In architecture, Marriott’s concept of “Transformative Arrival” describes the powerful impression created upon entry. Thoughtful planning and design can shape visitors’ moods, memories, and perceptions of a place. Sensitively considering how

Dear Friends … In our daily lives, the spaces we occupy have a significant impact on our physical and mental well-being. Beyond aesthetics and functionality, thoughtful design can encourage healthier habits, improve comfort, and create more positive experiences. As the focus on wellness continues to grow, architects and designers are finding new ways to shape

Dear Friends … In our day-to-day experiences, we are constantly influenced by many factors—people, events, and even the weather. One element that is often overlooked is the lighting that surrounds us, especially within the spaces we occupy every day. While its effects may not always be obvious, lighting plays a major role in shaping mood,

Dear Friends … In a world full of beautiful colors, the way color is used in architecture affects how we feel every day. It does more than make spaces attractive – color can shape mood, influence how we see a space, and affect how we interact with it. Color can boost productivity, lower stress, and

Dear Friends … In March, we discussed the “First Thirty Feet” of buildings in urban settings. The first thirty feet is where a pedestrian engages and interacts with the built environment. If the design of the first thirty feet is of prime importance to urban planning, should citizens and Planning Departments attach emphasis on “height”

Dear Friends … Commercial developments are often planned from an aerial perspective, focusing on site acreage, leasable square footage, unit mix, and parking counts. While these metrics shape the overall structure of a project, the everyday experience of that place unfolds much closer to the ground – within the first thirty feet. This point of

Dear Friends … Everyone has walked into a space and immediately felt something—calm, tension, comfort, unease. Whether they notice it or not, these reactions reveal the powerful influence the built environment has on the human subconscious. Architecture consistently shapes emotional responses through form, light, color, and material. Long before we’ve consciously registered a space, it

Dear Friends … January is a good month to look forward and to anticipate exciting future advancements. As I enter my 46th year practicing architecture, I reflect backward and project forward to where the architectural and construction industries will be in 46 years. It is important to anticipate change to prepare for future trends. When