04C

View Our Blog Below

MUSINGS ON ARCHITECTURE, INTERIOR DESIGN, & PUBLIC POLICY

If you are interested in architecture, urban design, or how public policy affects affects architecture and the built environment, please read by blog below. I hope that you will write comments to me as well. Send me an email at MLC@UnitedArchs.com

Enjoy,
Maria Luisa Castellanos, R.A., LEED AP
President
United Architects, Inc.
Miami, Florida

CALL OR EMAIL

Call 305-552-5465 or Email MLC@UnitedArchs.com to discuss your exciting project ideas.

Do you really want to get your plans permitted by the City of Miami quickly?

Maria Luisa Castellanos

19 hours ago
3 min

Do you really want to get your plans permitted by the City of Miami quickly?

This article is about how to get your City of Miami plans get through the city quickly for a new building.

2 views0 comments

Nov 14, 2021
2 min

Granny Flats – should we build them?

The Miami 21 Zoning Code for the City of Miami allows what it calls “Granny Flats” in certain areas, specifically T3-L.

458 views0 comments

How involved should you be in your project? Who picks the finishes?

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Jun 21, 2021
3 min

How involved should you be in your project? Who picks the finishes?

This post is about the design process and whether the architect or the client will shop for the finishes.

31 views0 comments

So you got your permit. Now what? The 6 Phases of Construction

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Mar 22, 2021
5 min

So you got your permit. Now what? The 6 Phases of Construction

So you got your permit for your building, what happens now? This outline of the phases is for a small building in Coral Gables or Miami

31 views0 comments

So you want to build a new house. Do you know how to pick a site for it?

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Feb 20, 2021
2 min

So you want to build a new house. Do you know how to pick a site for it?

This article discussed 5 issues to consider when buying a site for a new home.

13 views0 comments

Feb 8, 2021
2 min

Space Matters

Whenever I go anywhere I notice the space. I doubt other people are as aware of the space. Learn factors which may have an influence.

22 views0 comments

Do we want tourists to see this – the entrance to Downtown Miami Government Center and Metrorail?

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Jan 27, 2021
1 min

Do we want tourists to see this – the entrance to Downtown Miami Government Center and Metrorail?

The approach to the downtown Government Center Metrorail and Metromover Station looks like this as we approach from the east. It is the...

27 views0 comments

Adaptive Reuse - Will This Become a Trend in Miami

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Jan 19, 2021
2 min

Adaptive Reuse - Will This Become a Trend in Miami

After the pandemic is over, what will happen to all the commercial office space available in Downtown Miami and other areas. Will people...

25 views0 comments

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Aug 5, 2020
1 min

Does your space work for you?

In these times many employees have been asked to work from home. If you look at the new, funny ad from Apple, sometimes this is not easy...

16 views0 comments

10 Ways to make your design more beautiful and livable

Maria Luisa Castellanos

May 23, 2020
2 min

10 Ways to make your design more beautiful and livable

Architects can make your general design work and space flow from one area to another, but without great details the space can appear stark.

24 views0 comments

Jun 22, 2019
1 min

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

42 views0 comments

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

32 views0 comments

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.

803 views0 comments

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.

34 views0 comments

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

25 views0 comments

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

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

29 views0 comments

If you live in Unincorporated Miami-Dade, can you turn your single-family property into a duplex?

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Dec 8, 2017
1 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

1,029 views0 comments

Where would we go if we had a revolution?

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

What does 'good bones" mean and what makes a good floor plan?

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

60 views0 comments

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

61 views0 comments

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

31 views0 comments

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

24 views0 comments

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.

576 views0 comments

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

21 views0 comments

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

54 views0 comments

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

26 views0 comments

May 18, 2017
3 min

Deciding on which area & which zoning is best for buying real estate

This article should serve as information for anyone interested in buying property in Miami or Realtors who are helping a client look for a p

11 views0 comments

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.

20 views0 comments

May 12, 2017
2 min

Using Miami Area Zoning Codes

Most of the zoning codes in the Miami area are based on mathematical equations, except for the City of Miami. The City of Miami Zoning Code

12 views0 comments

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

Apr 4, 2017
1 min

Beware of deed restrictions

Besides the many items that a buyer needs to be aware of such as any environmental issues, whether the site has the appropriate water and se

18 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

24 views0 comments

Should Floridians give our public money to private entities.

Maria Luisa Castellanos

Apr 4, 2017
3 min

Should Floridians give our public money to private entities.

Now this year the legislature is considering requiring the bond money that the public approved for public schools to be shared with charter

19 views0 comments