Blog
Architecture education, dream home inspiration, and design thinking.
12 Projects in 12 Months: The GAS Studio 12x12 Challenge
The GAS Studio 12x12 challenge — launching 12 projects in 12 months. Apps, e-commerce, education, marketing, and more. Why I'm doing it, what I'm learning, and how it connects to the FOA Course.
How to Read an Elevation Drawing
Learn to read architectural elevation drawings like a pro. Understand the 4 elevations, key symbols, and why elevations matter more than floor plans for your home's look.
ADU Design Guide: Planning a Backyard Guest House
Everything you need to know about ADU design — from zoning basics and popular layouts to utility connections and design tips for your backyard guest house or in-law suite.
What to Know Before Building a Custom Home: A Homeowner's Complete Checklist
Essential pre-architect homework every homeowner needs: site assessment, budget reality check, needs vs wants, and 7 more critical steps before hiring help.
How to Read a Construction Drawing: Symbols and Abbreviations
A practical guide to reading construction drawings — common architectural symbols, abbreviations, and how different drawing sheets connect. No architecture degree required.
What Questions Should I Ask My Architect?
Essential questions to ask your architect before hiring, during design, and before construction to protect your project and budget.
Google AI Studio for Architecture: A Beginner's Guide
Learn how to use Google AI Studio for home design brainstorming, concept generation, and architectural research. A practical, beginner-friendly guide for non-architects.
What to Expect in Your First Meeting With an Architect
Learn how to prepare for your first architect consultation, what to bring, what they'll ask, and how to evaluate fit for your dream home project.
Kitchen Layout Guide: The 5 Most Popular Floor Plans
Confused about kitchen layouts? Here's a straightforward guide to the 5 most popular kitchen floor plans — galley, L-shaped, U-shaped, island, and peninsula — with pros, cons, and which one fits your home.
What Is Schematic Design? The First Phase of Architecture Explained
Schematic design is the first phase of architectural services where basic concepts, layouts, and massing are explored. Learn what happens in SD phase.
What Is an Architectural Program? (And Why You Need One)
Learn what an architectural program is, how architects use it, and how to write your own for your home project. Essential planning for any building.
What Is Vernacular Architecture? Designing for Your Climate and Region
Vernacular architecture explained — why homes in Arizona look nothing like homes in Vermont, and how understanding regional building traditions can make your dream home smarter, cheaper, and more comfortable.
How to Write a Design Brief for Your Dream Home
Learn how to write a comprehensive design brief for your dream home with this practical step-by-step guide and template.
From Dream to Blueprint: How FOA Students Plan Their Homes
Follow the journey FOA Course students take — from vague dream to actionable home design brief. See how non-architects learn to plan their dream homes with confidence.
The Psychology of Home Design: How Spaces Affect Your Mood
Ceiling heights, natural light, color, and spatial flow all affect how you feel at home. Learn the psychology of home design and how to create spaces that support your wellbeing.
What to Expect During the Building Permit Process
A step-by-step guide to the residential building permit process — what needs a permit, how long it takes, common reasons for rejection, and how to avoid delays.
How to Use SketchUp Free for Home Design Projects
A beginner's guide to SketchUp Free — the browser-based 3D home design tool. Learn the basic workflow, what you can create, and how it compares to paid tools.
Modern Farmhouse vs. Contemporary: Architectural Styles Explained
Modern farmhouse vs contemporary — two of the most popular architectural styles today. Learn the key differences in materials, layout, and design philosophy to decide which fits your lifestyle.
What Is a Site Plan? Understanding Your Property Before You Build
A site plan is the first document you need before designing a home. Learn what it shows — setbacks, easements, utilities, topography — and how to get one.
Month One of Building FOA: Lessons Learned
An honest behind-the-scenes look at the first month of building Foundations of Architecture — what worked, what didn't, and what I'd do differently if I started over.
Designing a Home Office That Actually Works
How to design a home office that supports real productivity — covering lighting, acoustics, ergonomics, and spatial separation from the rest of your home.
What Are Building Codes? A Homeowner's Plain-English Guide
Building codes demystified for homeowners — what they are, why they exist, how they affect your project, and the difference between zoning and building codes, all in plain English.
How to Use D5 Render to Visualize Your Dream Home
A beginner-friendly guide to D5 Render — what it does, why it's one of the best architectural rendering tools for non-architects, and how to start visualizing your dream home in 3D.
Small Home, Big Design: Maximizing Space Under 1,500 Square Feet
Practical design strategies for making a small home feel spacious — from multifunctional rooms and smart storage to visual tricks that open up compact floor plans.
What Is a Load-Bearing Wall? (And Why It Matters for Your Renovation)
Load-bearing walls explained in plain English — how to identify them, what happens if you remove one, and why understanding structural walls is critical before any renovation.
What's Inside the FOA Starter Kit (And Why It Matters)
The FOA Starter Kit includes an architectural scale ruler, drafting pencils, grid paper, and more. Here's what's inside and why hands-on architecture drawing tools for beginners still matter.
How to Hire an Architect: What to Ask, What to Avoid
A practical guide to hiring an architect for your home project — where to find them, what to ask in interviews, how fees work, and red flags to watch for.
What Is Universal Design? Why Your Home Needs It Now
Universal design in homes means building spaces that work for everyone — regardless of age, size, or ability. Learn the 7 principles, practical examples, and why it's smart even if you're 30.
Rayon vs. Spacely AI: Which Floor Plan Tool Is Best for Beginners?
A head-to-head comparison of Rayon and Spacely AI — two of the best floor plan software options for beginners. Features, pricing, ease of use, and which one fits your project.
How to Design a Home for the Way You Actually Live
Stop designing for Pinterest. Start designing for your actual life. A lifestyle-first approach to home design that prioritizes daily routines, traffic patterns, and how your family really uses space.
What Is Passive Solar Design? A Homeowner's Practical Guide
Passive solar design uses orientation, windows, thermal mass, and ventilation to heat and cool your home naturally. Here's how it works — explained for homeowners, not engineers.
Why I Built an Architecture Course Without Being a Licensed Architect
I'm not a licensed architect. I'm an engineer who fell in love with architecture while designing his own home. Here's why I built an architecture course for beginners — and why that background is actually an advantage.
The Drawer vs. The Brief Builder: Two Paths to Designing Your Dream Home
FOA Course offers two learning paths — The Drawer for hands-on sketching and The Brief Builder for digital planning. Find out which one fits the way you think.
What Is a Floor Plan? How to Read One Like a Pro
Learn how to read a floor plan — from common symbols to room layouts. A plain-English guide for homeowners who want to understand architectural drawings.
What FOA Course Covers: A Module-by-Module Breakdown
A complete walkthrough of everything inside Foundations of Architecture — from Welcome to Portfolio Project — so you know exactly what you're getting before you enroll.
How AI Is Changing Home Design in 2026
AI home design is transforming how regular people plan, visualize, and build homes. Here's what AI can and can't do — and why human knowledge still matters.
What Is Biophilic Design? Bringing Nature Into Your Home
Biophilic design explained in plain English — what it is, why it works, and practical ways to bring natural light, materials, and living elements into your home.
Open Floor Plan vs. Traditional Layout: Which Is Right for You?
An honest comparison of open floor plans versus traditional layouts — the real pros, cons, and tradeoffs nobody talks about when designing your home.
How Much Does It Cost to Build a House in 2026?
A realistic breakdown of home building costs in 2026 — cost per square foot, what drives the price up, and the hidden costs most people completely miss.
The Best AI Tools for Visualizing Your Dream Home (2026)
A practical guide to the best AI-powered design tools for homeowners in 2026 — from floor plan generators to photorealistic rendering, ranked by ease of use.
7 Questions to Answer Before Designing Your Dream Home
Before you pick a floor plan or hire an architect, answer these seven essential questions. They'll save you months of backtracking and thousands of dollars.