Category

Professional

Events, Professional, Stories

And the Chief Academy Award goes to…

March 31, 2020
Chief Architect User Breakfast at IBS tradeshow 2020

By: Ariana Beaudry

What better to raffle off than an advance in skill level? We raffled for the first time the opportunity to attend our annual Chief Academy training event.

Thank you to all that were able to visit the Chief Architect Booth at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) and Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Vegas. We had a great time being able to put faces to familiar names and introduce more professionals in the industry to Chief Architect Software. One of our favorite parts of the event each year is the User Breakfast that we host on Day 2 of the show. It’s here that our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Scott Harris, CKBD, presents What’s New in the latest version of our software. In addition to showing off the new features, we also threw in a twist this year… not only did the attendees have a chance to win big at the casino, but for the first time in the history of this event, we raffled off a chance to win a ticket to our Chief Academy User Event, valued at $1,295, and Brian Farris of Farris Construction was ecstatic to win.

Continue reading…
Leave a comment
Featured Customers, Professional, Residential Home Design, Stories

The Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture: Through the Eyes of an Apprentice

March 30, 2020
Michael Rust in 1987 enrolled in the Taliesin Fellowship at the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture.

Author, Kerry Hansen by Kerry Hansen

Like many, when we learned that after nearly 90 years, the iconic School of Architecture at Taliesin would be closing its doors later this year, our hearts skipped a beat. Frank Lloyd Wright is one of the founding visionaries of Modernist architecture and a towering figure in American culture. For a first-hand perspective on the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture at Taliesin West, we turned to Michael Rust, an architect based out of Chandler, Arizona. Rust, a member of the Taliesin Fellowship for over a decade, was the recipient of the third Master of Architecture degree ever issued by the prestigious school. Michael’s architecture is featured on the cover of Chief Architect Premier X11 and X12, and atop our booth at the International Builders’ Show.

Continue reading…
2 Comments
3D Library, Professional, Stories

Keeping up with the latest home design trends

March 27, 2020
Luxurious shower with three shower heads and no-barrier entry.

Author's Portrait by Kendra Dorosh

Each year, I’m intrigued by all of the blogs, social media posts and emails that flood my feed featuring the hottest trends for home design. We’ve seen it all, from floral everywhere to gray everything. Are these trends something that most designers track and incorporate into their latest work? Are we driving ourselves crazy trying to stay on top of the latest trends, or is it a necessary component of keeping a competitive edge in the market?

Continue reading…
2 Comments
Featured Customers, Professional

CHC Design-Build, Brings Creativity, Quality, & Integrity to the Forefront of Home Design

February 6, 2020
An exterior view of the red party barn designed by Kevin Transue of CHC Design Build.

By Kerry Hansen

Kevin Transue is recognized locally, across the Midwest and nationally for his remodels, additions, finishes, and conversions.

Kevin Transue, CR, is the founding partner, principal designer, and craftsman at CHC Design-Build and TAO Design in Kansas City. He and his wife and partner, Judy Transue, are two of fewer than 50 individuals in the Kansas City area certified by NARI, the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. Kevin and Judy have been recognized locally, across the Midwest, and nationally for their designs, remodels, additions, finishes, and conversions.

Continue reading…
Leave a comment
Kitchen Design, Professional

Chief Architect Kitchen & Bath Webinar – How to get started using 3D Design Software

February 4, 2020
Galley kitchen with custom backsplash and pendant lights

By: Phillip Gibney

Chief Architect and the NKBA co-hosted an informative webinar focusing on how easy it is to start using 3D design software.

As many Chief users may already know, Chief Architect has partnered with the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) since 2003 to provide kitchen and bath designers with information and software tools to assist in their design process. Since partnering with NKBA, their input has helped us to develop tools that efficiently meet the standards of the kitchen and bath industry. Local chapter meetings held at Chief Architect headquarters gives our employees a look into the industry, while giving NKBA members a chance learn more, discuss, and give feedback on our software.

Continue reading…
Leave a comment
Contest Winners, Professional, Remodel-Addition

Two-Time Design of the Year Contest Winner, Nathan Ensminger!

February 2, 2020
Nathan's 2018 Remodel/Addition Design of the Year Contest Entry.

By Jake Murray

Congratulations to Nathan, who has won the Chief Architect Design of the Year Contest for two years running! What will he design next?

In 2018, Nathan placed 2nd in the Chief Architect Remodel/Addition Design Contest in September and won the 2018 Design of the Year Contest in December with his backyard getaway. Nathan wasted no time and entered into the Kitchen/Bath and Interior Design Contest in June of 2019 where he took 1st place with his Kitchen design. Nathan then went on to win the 2020 Design of the Year Contest in December. He’s certainly on a roll and we look forward to seeing what he’ll submit next year!

Continue reading…
Leave a comment
Contest Winners, Professional, Residential Home Design

Form follows function in Residential design from Robert Smith

January 30, 2020
Front perspective of farmhouse style home with columned entry and gable accents

by Ariana Beaudry

Robert Smith embraces fresh design concepts to meet clients’ needs.

Our Second place Residential Design Contest winner, Robert Smith, was encouraged at a young age to start on his design path. When he mentioned that he enjoyed working with wood, his high school counselor suggested, “Why not draw houses?” to fill an elective. He proceeded to study Architectural Drafting all 4 years of high School, earned a degree in Architectural Design and Drafting from York Technical Institute, and has been an avid student of design ever since.

Continue reading…
Leave a comment
3D Library, Bathroom Design, Interior Design, Kitchen Design, Professional, Remodel-Addition, Residential Home Design, Tips & Techniques

Using Advanced Custom Materials to Improve Your Renderings

January 14, 2020
How to create and use custom materials to improve your renderings.

By Dustin Cruz

“But what will it look like?”

In the Home Design Game, this may be the paramount question, and one of the best ways to capture your clients’ hearts and loyalty. Show them what it will look like and they will become committed to the vision.

Continue reading…
12 Comments