Maria Luisa Castellanos
How about adding to the front of your apartment building?
... there was a project where the architect took an old apartment building with no balconies and added an entire terrace in front of the old
Search
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- May 28, 2019
- 2 min
Will online shopping kill brick-and-mortar stores?
A lot has been said about online shopping vs. shopping at brick and mortar stores. Many people think that physical stores are on their way
37 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- Apr 13, 2019
- 2 min
Flood Zones - Why You Need to Know if the Building or House You Are Buying is in a Flood Zone
If you are buying a building or house in a flood zone, later, it may be difficult or next to impossible to add to it or remodel it.
951 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- Mar 1, 2018
- 3 min
Want to buy that condo - really?
Condo remodeling is not easy, not as easy as remodeling a single-family house. There are certain things you need to consider.
42 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- Feb 13, 2018
- 3 min
10 Questions to ask a general contractor before hiring him
1. How is your company structured? Do you carry workmen’s compensation insurance as well as liability? It’s important to know with whom you
28 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- Feb 7, 2018
- 2 min
Can you phase your commercial remodeling project?
Why is phased construction something to consider for a commercial remodel? Most small businesses cannot afford to shut down completely when
19 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- Dec 28, 2017
- 3 min
Planning a house for today and for future sale
Many people ask me what they should do with their houses when they are redesigning them. Some plan their remodeling and/or addition as thou
33 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- Dec 8, 2017
- 2 min
If you live in Unincorporated Miami-Dade, can you turn your single-family property into a duplex?
Yesterday, Public Housing and Community Development along with Miami-Dade County's Planning Department unveiled the regulations on their
1,614 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- Nov 30, 2017
- 3 min
Where would we go if we had a revolution?
We should start generating a consciousness for urban spaces. Miami needs them. We should lobby for them. Why should we have to go to shoppin
22 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- Oct 11, 2017
- 2 min
What does 'good bones" mean and what makes a good floor plan?
To me, “Good bones” means a house with a working floor plan, solid structure, and windows. In other words, it may need to be remodeled or u
69 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- Oct 2, 2017
- 2 min
Time is right for investing in the Florida Keys
I went to visit a friend in the Keys this weekend, and while I was there, decided to drive around and see how much damage Hurricane Irma had
62 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- Jul 13, 2017
- 3 min
Principles of Good Planning from the Miami 21 Zoning Code
Maybe you want to know why Miami 21, the zoning code for the City of Miami, is such a different code from all the other municipal codes in S
34 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- Jul 11, 2017
- 4 min
When to Tear Down, When to Add & Remodel, & When to Sell your House
So you are thinking about spending substantial money to add and remodel your present house. But should you? Or would it be better to tear do
26 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- Jul 7, 2017
- 2 min
What is a 40-year Re-certification?
This is about the requirement for 40-year re-certifications in Miami-Dade County. United Architects can perform
these inspections.
617 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- Jul 3, 2017
- 2 min
Five major issues in adding to or remodeling residential property
1. Look at the required setbacks. Before doing anything, look at the zoning code of the city or the county (if you live in an unincorporated
23 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- Jun 1, 2017
- 3 min
Designing the Mansion Junior instead of the McMansion
When I was a child unlike most Cubans, my family lived in the north – Missouri, New Hampshire, Alabama, and Georgia. We would come to Miami
55 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- May 24, 2017
- 1 min
New Trends in Laundry/ Utility Rooms
One of the trends in home design is a larger Laundry/Utility Room. Instead of just a place for the washer and dryer, it is becoming a place
27 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- May 15, 2017
- 2 min
Planning your new Miami home or remodeling to reduce insurance costs
Sometimes a particular remodeling or addition to a home can get you more in value than the actual cost of the item.
23 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- May 12, 2017
- 2 min
8 Ideas for a More Energy-efficient Home Design
Include cross-ventilation in the design. There is not need to air-condition a house all-year around. Including windows on several walls of
27 views0 comments
Maria Luisa Castellanos
- Apr 4, 2017
- 4 min
The Coming Walkable City
Miami 21 is the most comprehensive zoning code change I have seen in any part of Miami-Dade County in my over 25 years of practicing archite
26 views0 comments
