by Ross Cann AIA RA | May 14, 2026 | Architectural Design, Architectural Technology, Articles, Guide, Sustainable Design
As energy costs rise and the awareness of rapid climate change grows, homeowners and building managers are increasingly considering deep energy retrofits (DERs), which are comprehensive upgrades that tackle insulation, windows, and heating and cooling systems all at...
by Ross Cann AIA RA | Apr 8, 2026 | Architectural Design, Articles, Guide, Newport Spotlight, Professional
One of the biggest challenges for people who have not undertaken a renovation or new construction project before is figuring out how to get started. Some are tempted to skip the design process and just hire a contractor, but starting a construction project without a...
by Ross Cann AIA RA | Mar 25, 2026 | Architectural Design, Articles, Guide, Newport Spotlight, Professional
When planning a building project, whether a new home, a commercial space, or a significant renovation, the temptation of an owner to skip the architect and go straight to a contractor is understandable. Architects cost money, and budgets are tight, but this logic is...
by Ross Cann AIA RA | Jan 28, 2026 | Architectural Design, Articles, Guide, Historical
Sainte Chapelle (Paris, France, Built 1248) People often think of architecture as the “background” of our lives, but to architects, buildings are complex systems and artistic creations. Just as a novelist uses syntax to convey plot or a composer...
by Ross Cann AIA RA | Jan 21, 2026 | Architectural Design, Articles, Guide, Sustainable Design
If you’ve ever been the last person in your household to shower and found yourself shivering under a stream of lukewarm water, you have experienced the primary limitation of the traditional hot water storage tank. For decades, the insulated tank was the standard, but...
by Ross Cann AIA RA | Dec 3, 2025 | Architectural Design, Articles, Guide, Health and Wellness, Sustainable Design, Technology
The pervasive issue of microplastics (plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size) has evolved in the last decade from being a hypothetical environmental problem into a direct concern within every home. These tiny fragments, originating from the breakdown of...
