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The [K]orner

The official blog of Fabric[K] Design

What is an Architect, Really?

Lawyers. Doctors. Therapists. Engineers. When thinking of these occupations, most have a good idea what each does. But when thinking of an architect that’s when things become of bit ambiguous. An architect is a generalist; a polymath; a “jack of all trades” so to speak. The architect is responsible for both the artistry and science of creating space and constructing the form of society. They do more than “draw pretty pictures”. For thousands of years they have been tasked with creating the vision for civilization and managing the complexities associated with designing and constructing the man-made environment.

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Detroit is the New Rome

Had it not been for these two empires, the world would certainly look different. Rome, over the centuries always managed to realize the value in its ancient, yet, abandoned structures. Now the city is reaping the benefits of history and longevity. Detroit, poised to be America’s version of the “Eternal City”, now sits at a critical pivot point in its history. Will it make decisions in response to economic urgency? Or will it make decisions of historical sustainability that yield innumerable dividends in the long run? I hope the latter, holds true; for there is no town, like Motown.

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How to Properly Manage Your Property

One of the largest obstacles comtemporary home owners face is how to successfully operate and manage their property. There are many cost factors to be aware of besides your mortgage payment. Determining what these costs are is a crucial component in positioning yourself to budget property expenses properly and potentially build some equity.

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How to Choose What Neighborhood to Buy In

Among the neighborhoods you will evaluate in the search for property key characteristics of value will vary in quality. In some cases they may be slightly intact while in others they may be completely absent. Places like Detroit are unique because many neighborhoods lack a lot of these valuable assets. But these are precisely the neighborhoods that should be looked at more closely. By finding what’s missing in a community, you will have uncovered an opportunity to bring tremendous value somewhere it’s needed.

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Real Estate, The Best Long Term Investment

It’s important to remember that civilizations and their economies run through regular cycles of growth and recession. When the cycle comes back around for the upturn, you want to be the one standing there with the deed & title in hand. Now is the time Detroit. "Boss up and..." well, you know the rest.

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What the Heck is Zoning?

Zoning is the process of regulating land development. This is done through a city or county zoning ordinance of some sort - a set of land laws that dictate what you as a private landowner can build on a piece of property. Knowing your zoning entitlements is the first step toward developing the home or income property of your dreams and maximizing its potential value. 

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When the Grass is Not 'Greener'

Today's world would have you think 'Green' = Sustainable. But some of the world's most sustainable places have no 'Green' at all. The two terms are related but they are not synonymous. Nonetheless, we've developed an entire market of 'Green' products that completely over-shadow the importance of an overall sustainability strategy. Time to get real about sustainable living.

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The Seductiveness of Imagery

Did you know that less than 20% of human communication is verbal? That means 80% of all human communication is not coming out of our mouths. By nature, humans are visual creatures. Before we developed advanced languages, we inferred our emotions, intentions and ideas with visual expressions using the parts of our body. Today linguistics are highly advanced systems - there are over 7,000 languages in the world today - but visual information is still the primary influencer of human behavior

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Building Better, More Sustainable Lifestyles: The Story of Fabric[K] Design

The condition of the Detroit neighborhood is also the condition of the American neighborhood. The solution is complex and multifaceted. But I believe it has much to do with the design of the built environment and the relationship - or lack there of - that people have to that environment. This is the genesis of Fabric[K] Design.

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