ZULUETA ARCHITECTURE

Refrigeration Bay at Southeast Calgary, AB Floor Area: 13,000 SF, Refrigeration Bay Bare unit converted to a refrigeration bay Use of Metal insulated panels at the interior walls and the ceiling Sprinklered  Storage metal racking already installed Ramps at the front and end of the bay for barrier free access Zulueta Architecture . info@zuluetaarchitecture.com , Phone 587 355 8433.

How To Design A Restaurant to Building Code.  One of the more popular small businesses that I have worked with are restaurants. The restaurant business, specially for a newbie, poses its own unique challenges and can be quite daunting in the beginning. There are requirements in terms of design, building code and permitting that are very specific to a restaurant project.  This post offers advice mainly to business start-ups and small business owners in planning and designing for a small restaurant, specially their first one.  A small restaurant, for the purpose of this discussion,  are restaurants that have floor areas from 1,000 square foot to 2,000 square foot and has a dining area.  The reference in code will be the Alberta Building Code. Here are the items to consider: SEATING The seating and the number of seats is critical to the success of the restaurant. The more seats you have, the more opportunities to generate revenue. To be allowed a c...

I find that the Mezzanine issue is one the most confusing subjects in the building code. Even people in the industry is not aware as to what a mezzanine actually is. The biggest misunderstanding here is how big the area can be before it gets classified as a floor. Here is the code reference- a mezzanine is not considered a storey/ floor if It less than 40% of the open area of the floor below.  Most of the contractors and designers who do not deal with mezzanines extensively think it is 40% of the area below. No,  it is 40% of the open area below. There is a big difference right away. And here is another issue as well, some of these mezzanines gets approved at the City at development permit stage with oversized areas. Come building permit time, it gets a whole gamut of code issues. The way the permitting works in the City – development permit process is handled by planners and gets reviewed for building areas, density, zoning, parking. There might be a preliminary building cod...

I went for a completion field review for an A & W Restaurant project and I thought that this project did quite well, despite the usual hair pulling and teeth gnashing that go with any construction project. I faced some comments with the City – there is one whole side that is fire rated. Not that anyone would notice it. A & W updated their look – white exterior metal cladding, a darker aluminum panel, glass tiles on the washrooms, the bright interiors  and nuances on the colors. It looks fresh and I believe it serves the purpose of bringing people in. Aside from the juicy burger I suppose. I gently asked from the client if there was any more work coming- and the reply I got is that fast food places like these rely on the drive-thru to generate revenue. Apparently it’s difficult to get the drive thru approved. These fast foods places rely heavily on the drive thru for revenue.  If I remember correctly, 60% of the revenue comes ...

I went for a  site review for a Building improvement project to check on its compliance and completion. The story behind this project was the  client went ahead on improvements without having the proper permits. At the end of the day, all the improvements that were done to this building were removed. It was too costly to bring the building up to Code to justify and  retain those improvements. Needless to say, it was a long and difficult process for everyone.  My advice to anyone who is thinking of constructing without permits-   Do not even think about it . It is a very painful journey that is not going to be worth it in the end. ******************************************************************************* www.zuluetaarchitecture.com

I took my girls to the neighborhood playground and I noticed the play “tree”.   It’s a play equipment that takes after a tree and it rotates thru pushing it on its side. I saw a few kids on the tree playing, 4 or 5 older kids, a smaller child wearing Spiderman and a young girl. They were all laughing and playing unabashedly with each other.   At that moment, they were connecting with each other so freely. No concept of color, gender or age, just play. I myself have been to the playground a couple of times and never talked to any of the parents, never made an attempt to relate to anyone else.         I thought the image of the Play Tree was such a beautiful sight. To realize that it works, is even more amazing. ********************************************************** www.zuluetaarchitecture.com 

I had a building permit revoked because the City would not accept that the walk out basement renovation was for the use of the homeowner’s son. It did not matter if it was the truth- as long as the City saw a bedroom, a kitchen and a washroom in a basement, it’s a suite to be leased out to a tenant. For people who are not familiar with the process- once a space is classified as a secondary suite, there is a long list of requirements that needs to be met. You need to go thru a development permit (and good luck with that) and go thru all code requirements as well. It’s unbelievable to me how one sided and convoluted this interpretation of secondary suite. This to me is an infringement of property rights. Plus, there is no recognition of multigenerational lifestyle and diversity.  For example, it’s a traditional practice for communities with Asian heritages to live with their family way into their adulthood. Also, when you are a new immigrant it’s common to live with one of you...

Are you thinking of converting your basement or garage into a rental?  T hen you are looking   at building a secondary suite in your home.                                                                                                             What exactly is a secondary suite? A secondary suite occurs when there is another dwelling unit on the same property aside from the primary dwelling. The primary dwelling, the main house, is oc...

This is a tricky question from a newspaper headline spurred my thoughts. I am big believer in collaboration. The construction industry is tough and competitive. Every single project, big or small, it seems you are fighting tooth and nail for it. To survive, it helps to work with parties  that complement your strengths. That's how I got started on some of my projects. Design and working on projects is a continuum of dialog and partnerships. That is how relationships flourish. At the end of the day, because everyone knows each other, you will eventually work together in a some form or the other. So, why not the build the foundation now? Zulueta Architecture is a dynamic professional practice currently based in Calgary, Alberta.

For some strange twist of events, I stumbled upon a big client who was looking for an architect to work with in Calgary. I believe I was chosen by merit, but I was also at the right place and at the right time. Who knew that my reprieve in Manila last year would lead to this fortunate circumstances.  In any case, I went from being a nobody to a person of influence.  I was so used to being ignored, people could not even pronounce my name correctly. Suddenly, because I am representing this client,  I get a dozen calls from suppliers, vendors and contractors trying to get on my good side so that they can get a piece of action.  All of this though, has not changed my attitude. Down to earth, and as fair as I could to everyone. I know  how quickly the tide can turn. But at this moment, it does not hurt to enjoy this moment of influence, however short-lived it may be. Zulueta Architecture is a dynamic professional practice cu...

As an architect, I am always in the pursuit of new projects to keep my practice running. I realize that my firm's name, which is named after my last name Zulueta, has attracted a certain market- the immigrants. I believe that because of my background I have an edge, my clients can easily relate and communicate with me. Not that other architects can't perform as well. Still, there is an underlying thread  that serves as a bridge- immigration experience, minority view, cultural ethnicity. This growing clientele of mine I enjoy working with and look forward to long term relationships. After all, Zulueta is more than just a last name. Zulueta Architecture will be representing the stronger and visible role of immigrants in this socio-economic web of society. Zulueta Architecture is a dynamic professional practice currently based in Calgary, Alberta.

I have been noticing increased construction activity in my neighborhood.  The house next door is new and I know the builder, of course, is intending to sell it at the highest price possible. But get this, a million dollars, no.  More.  $ 1.325 M dollars. So, I scratch my head and look out the window. Sure, its a wider lot, 40feet vs. our 30feet. Its same structure though, 2 floors and a basement.  The footprint is not any bigger. Also,  there's  only 8feet distance in between the sidewalls. At the second floor, there are windows annoyingly looking straight at each other. So they have fancier finishes probably, but are the sinks lined with gold? I am thinking the houses are a growing premium here because of the proximity to downtown, that I would understand.  Even through this new fence that's shared, anyone standing from our rear landing is still overlooking at their yard. So, nex...

I have a number of clients, smaller businesses or start-ups, that work with very limited budgets in improving their leasable space. Majority of them do not have a clue of what it entails to take on a renovation project. They only look at the dollar figure as the bottom line and get a bolt of shock when underlying costs begin to show up. My advise is really to do proper research. Look at very realistically what the construction costs are going to be and that is including: professional fees and permit fees. Prepare in advance. For smaller projects, it is more often than not difficult to get professionals and contractors to get interested.  Set timelines that can be met and works for your operations. Do not ask for impossible schedules, you do not want people walking out on you.  Be aware of City requirements and timelines. The City is busier this time of the year, processing permits ta...

 Until early this year, I was heavily involved in finishing my mother's project in Manila. It is a 5 storey residential building sitting on a narrow lot. The lot itself is about 72sqm or 775Sf. Built out of steel and concrete, it stands tall showcasing a modern look with its geometric ironwork and dark stonefinishes. Each floor is treated as a separate unit with its own main door and access to a stairway. Each floor has 2 bedrooms and 1 washroom with a front balcony. Of all my projects, there was a Ripley's believe it or not moment when we were undergoing construction . A private plane crashed less than a block away from the project site. The plane flew so close to side of the building, that our workers felt the heat coming off the plane.    Nevertheless, my favorite part of the building is the deck. From the deck, you really get a good view of the neighboorhood. With...

I recently worked on a house plan for my aunt Flora in Manila. The lot area is about 50 square meters or 540 square foot and is elongated. In Philippines, it is fairly common for extended families to live in one roof. Typical approach to increase living space in this case is to go vertical. Currently, the floor plans are showing 3 floors with a finished deck. I initially designed for 4 bedrooms, and one washroom per floor. Given the  limitations on the actual physical space, I truly believe that projects such as this  is an opportunity to be creative. It's a challenging, for sure. As designers, we are made to reflect and revisit our assumptions on treating  space. Then again, people across the world inhabit in such myriad of ways. Square footage is always a factor, but it is not everything. As what the  Swedish furniture retailer Ikea campaigns on-  Any space can be beautiful. B...

Cheers to the release of the much awaited building permit for the medical clinic project at NW Calgary. I even said to the owner, once we have the building permit, we should throw a party complete with cake and balloons. The story of the permitting process for this project is close to a thriller movie, complete with the unexpected twists and turns and fall-off-my seat scenarios. Truly, although small, this project is a good exercise in building code and City of Calgary coordination. This building was upgraded from residential to commercial classification.  The application of building code was revisited in terms of exits, fire ratings, window calculations.  In any case, this permitting chapter is over and all parties concerned for sure, are looking forward to moving ahead.   http://architectblog.zuluetaarchitecture.com/2012/04/27/thriller-building-permit-in-calgary/ PermitGo is a division of Zulueta Architecture that spe...