William Stout Architectural Books Review

This place is a shrine of amazing books. As an studying architect, this place is definitely a heaven of great books. Just a quick walk in this book store will inspire you. The shelves of books will leave you in awe.

It's a pretty small space that's consist of two floors. They place their newer books upstairs at the ground floor. The basement has a more variety of design books. Their main focus is architecture (score for me) and their collection is mind blowing.

I typically just walk in, find a book and sit on the floor for hours just to scan through as many as I could. I also purchase a few books here and there, you can definitely get the same book with a cheaper price on Amazon (or other book websites), but we need to help our local bookstores! Besides, William Stout might have books that you typically can't find anywhere else.

The staff is nice. I really don't know what more you can ask for if you're looking for a great architectural book. (Also found in William Stout: Interior Design, Photography, Illustration, Typology, Graphics) What the hell, go on their website!!

804 Montgomery St
(between Gold St & Jackson St)
San Francisco, CA 94133
Neighborhood: Financial District

(415) 391-6757

San Francisco Architecture Walking Tour Review

Recently moved out of the area and wanted to do so something 'touristy' during my next visit. This tour had really high reviews on yelp, so I thought I would give it a try.

I have worked and gone to school in the financial district. It is crazy how I have never stopped and appreciated the architecture in the area. This tour is great and would highly recommend to visitors and my fellow Bay Area folks. It really helped me slow down my pace and take in what I passed by for so many years.

Rick, our guide combines his background of architectural history and love for SF in this 2 hour+ tour.  His information is not easily found in your common tourist book or map. He has also recently started to touch upon future plans of SODO (this adds a few more more minutes to the tour). I won't give away what he talks about ... you just have to take the tour yourself!

I will definitely try and take his Chinatown tour when I come back to town!

To get the most out of the tour, I recommend a weekday.

Galleria Park Hotel
191 Sutter St
San Francisco, CA 94104
Neighborhood: Financial District

(415) 264-8824

Eco Care Landscaping & Construction Review

We've been on the search for a viable, reliable, communicative and professional landscaping business for 3 months to build a flagstone patio in our side yard plus brick a small patch of the front yard that sees no sunlight. After leaving messages for close to 8 difference places, I was introduced by chance to the owner of Eco Care at a social gathering in early September. I'd explained how hard it was to get a hold of someone, anyone to come out and make a bid.  he explained that many of these places (including a lot listed on Yelp) are small businesses that don't have offices and literally work out of their homes and work vehicles. Since they work outside all day, everyday, it's difficult to call every call back.

I appreciated his honesty and requested a bid for the work. He came out a week later then emailed me within 3 days a written bid plus a timetable. Since one bid is never enough, I'd received another landscaper's information (coincidentally off of Yelp) and set up an appointment. This guy not only never showed up, he called the next day from my house while I was offsite wondering where I was! I came home to meet him. He said he'd get back to me within a day with a bid. 5 days later....nevermind...let's just say this guy just didn't seem to need the business. Good for him.

Eco Care Landscaping came in and built us a beautiful 15' x 20' flagstone patio and the aforementioned bricked area on time and on budget. Their staff was on-site at the times requested, were very personable and professional. I can't recommend Joe and his staff enough for anyone's landscaping needs.

All I have is his phone number, I don't know his business address. But try him out! We'll be using him next spring for all our gardening and landscaping requests!

3535 N. Leavitt
Unit G
Chicago, IL 60686
Neighborhood: University Village

(773) 459-9575

Arch Drafting Supply Review

This place is awesome. They have everything an architecture student would need and much more, at good prices, and good service. A word of caution though: It's best to walk in with a clear, defined shopping list.  Otherwise, you'll spend your time carefully perusing the supplies, hobby and craft stuff, their cool gift section, or just plain procrastinating because you know you have lots of work to do when you get back to school. Get in and get out, or plan on staying for awhile!

99 Missouri St
(at 17th St)
San Francisco, CA 94107
Neighborhood: Potrero Hill

(415) 433-2724

Chicago Architecture Foundation Review

I've always wanted to take one of the boat tours while visiting Chicago and I finally got a chance when I visited in August.  The thing that always turned me off was the price but it was totally worth it.  I know a lot about architecture and Chicago but I learned even more on this tour.  Our guide was hilarious and made small jokes the entire time.  It was interesting and a different way of seeing a city.

Funny story:  A few days later I happened to be wandering around downtown Chicago admiring the buildings while my friend was at work and i happened to stumble upon the architecture store.  I went in and instantly wanted to buy everything in sight.  I ended up just buying a cool Daniel Burnham mug (urban planning nerds represent!).  I asked the clerk how long they had been there and he said a few years.  I don't even want to think how many time I walked by this place not noticing it.

224 S Michigan Ave
Ste 430
(between Adams St & Jackson Blvd)
Chicago, IL 60604
Neighborhood: The Loop

(312) 922-3432

John Lum Architecture Review

John Lum Architecture did a great job in our home remodel, which ended 14 years ago! The time and attention he put into every detail has paid off so well, as we still enjoy and are grateful for our home, as though it were still new. He really listens well, and was able to incorporate all of our ideas, while dramatically improving our design with his own wisdom. We have also sent many friends and acquaintances to John, from remodels to building entire homes, and everyone has been satisfied. In an industry where it is difficult to please everyone, John and his crew are stars!

3246 17th St
(between Van Ness Ave & Capp St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission

(415) 558-9550

Actual-Size Architecture Review

Geoff Gainer is the best architect! He remodeled the main living floor of our house and came up with a beautiful solution to a challenge that another architect could not address. He works with the client to understand what was needed and the style we wanted to achieve. Geoff brings his professional advice and judgment but gives the client choices. He turned a narrow clumsy staircase into open spacious steps with easy access. Our kitchen was moved to a much bigger room that was opened up with the addition of skylights. Geoff listens to what you want, is honest and straightforward on what he thinks and works with you to stay on budget. He presented the pros and cons of alternatives, which allowed us to make the best choices. We would definitely hire him again. We highly recommend Geoff - it would be difficult to do better!

29 Liberty St
(between Valencia St & Guerrero St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission

(415) 643-3366