Welcome to Blueprint South Dakota, a blog created by architects in South Dakota to provide a forum for public conversations with citizens, city planners, developers, property owners, designers, public office holders and others. Through these conversations, we want to participate with the public and community leaders in the creation of vibrant, prosperous, beautiful and effective places to live, work and play in South Dakota. Please join us in conversing about design and planning issues in our state.
Masterplanning: The Path to the Future
Many cities across the nation are fortunate to be experiencing an influx of population with growing businesses and economic development. The Midwest is no exception. However, there are often growing pains associated with rapid expansion – especially when time and space are tight. Having a masterplan to help direct and provide a guideline for future …
Designing With 5G
The race to be the first to successfully take 5G to market has caught the attention of many across the globe. Communication companies are planning to spend billions, with a B, trying to do just that. Within the next 15 years, the 5G industry is said to be worth trillions (with a T). But, wait, …
Affording the Unaffordable
By: Chellee Unruh Sioux Falls grows on average by 2.5% each year and is the fastest-growing metropolitan area in the heartland of America. With an estimated population of more than 187,200, it is the largest city in South Dakota. Sioux Falls is the business, health care, shopping, entertainment and cultural center of the region. With …
Thanksgiving Architecture
Assuming you haven’t gotten to your Thanksgiving dessert yet, here is a bit of fluffy (but light) reading about the Architecture of the Thanksgiving Dinner. I got my start last night (see cover image), and think I fared well, towards the informal. But I wonder if we can apply the realm of design and planning …
Architects in Space
My initial plan for today didn’t come together, so a quick, shareable, fluffy video post is on tap instead; One of my favorite designers, illustrates how, at the core, an architect’s skill set is valuable outside of the regular realm of professional practice – in this instance specifically, in regards to “systems” thinking at a …
Dignity Through Design: Better Serving a Diverse Population
By Andria Bender, RN The Americans with Disabilities Act will turn 30 next year, and the landmark legislation greatly improved accommodations for persons with disabilities. The regulations set a clear expectation that everyone deserves to be present, active, and engaged in our society. ADA guidelines serve as a reminder for architects, engineers, and interior designers …
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A Debt to LEGO
When CNN (or any other mainstream news agency) shares something about architecture, I’m always interested. This was an nice “fluffy” find this weekend: https://www.cnn.com/style/article/lego-architecture-design/index.html I’m one of those architects who owe a debt to LEGO for sparking and fostering a curiosity about the built environment from an early age. This sentiment is fairly pervasive in …
AIA National, Where we stand: Climate change
Within the last few years, AIA National worked to continue to “advance our nation’s quality of life and protect the public’s health, safety and welfare,” by creating priorities based on AIA’s legislative goals for the 115th Congress. These priorities were driven from the feedback of thousands of AIA members, and a call to action was …
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When to hire an architect – This Old House
Happy November! The cold temps are truly upon is as we’ve seen this past week, and for me that gets me inwardly focused on my house as I get it buttoned up and ready for winter. Fall is my favorite time to look through one of my favorite magazines – This Old House. Recently I …
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2019 AIA SD Merit Award – Farmhouse Bistro – JLG Architects
For decades, a series of dilapidated farm structures on a rolling farmstead along Spearfish Creek defined quintessential rural Americana. When the original owner demolished the buildings and listed the property for sale, the new owner, Merideth Pangburn-Walker, decided to use the opportunity to create a restaurant that reflected the fondly-remembered old farmstead in both structure …
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