Bartlett's Blog

Ken Bartlett worked with Ms. Lacey and Ms. Nunez and some kids from Alice Maxwell Elementary to create their mascot (bulldog) out of cans and compete with other teams from the area for an event known as CANstruction. A big thanks to David Stachofsky of Save Mart who helped us with can donations.

1. Architects can save you money. Depending on the project, design and engineering fees can range from 2 - 8% of the total cost of construction. More often than not, the general population worries about the smaller percentage of the project costs (hiring the architect) not realizing that the architect can save them significant money on the 92 - 98% of the project through good design, planning and material specification.
2. Architects have the best understanding of local and international building codes. Architects have been trained heavily and must maintain their licenses through continiuing education learning units relating to local and international building codes.
3. Measure twice cut once. We have all heard the saying "measure twice cut once". That is essentially what you are doing by hiring an architect. You are ensuring that your vision for your project gets carried out in an elegant and professional manner with fewer problems during construction.
4. Architects have a better understanding of the local building and planning departments. We deal with the local building departments on a daily basis. We know who to talk to get an answer to our question.
5. Architects can guide you through the design and building process. Architects have extensive experience working with contractors and understand not only the design process but the construction process of a project.

If you have any further questions please contact Ken Bartlett at (775) 786-6688.

Jessie Marchesseau from the University of Nevada created a new website and video for 11 @ the Firehouse, check it out!

Former firehouse transformed into loft living
By Susan Voyles • svoyles@rgj.com • August 28, 2009
When Kelly Rae and Pam Haberman first stepped foot into the old firehouse on Morrill Avenue, it was filled with rotting food, human waste and several hundred vodka bottles left by squatters.

But the Reno developers saw that the building had class, and is one of only three Streamline Moderne deco buildings in Reno, characterized by its curved office corner.

"Our heads are into ugly old dead buildings and bringing them back to life," Rae said."And this building is doing jumping jacks," Haberman said, as a truck pulled up bringing in another load of furniture for a tenant.

Tenants are now... to read full article click here

featured in Northern Nevada Business Weekly - Reno architect Ken Bartlett on his work, in his own words
NNBW: How did you get started in this business? Bartlett: It helped that I’d lived here all my life and had ties in the community. My first job came from word of mouth.

NNBW: What natural talents did you bring to the study or architecture? Bartlett: Building things with my dad; building decks and fences. Wanting to know how things go together.

NNBW: What did you have to learn? Bartlett: Having to sell yourself and your projects. Having to stand up in front of people and talk to them about the architecture.

NNBW: How has the industry changed since you started? Bartlett: Technology is probably the biggest change. When I first started, we were drawing on plastic mylar. Now it’s all done in 3-D. You get to see it in the computer before its built.

NNBW: What do you find most satisfying about your work? Bartlett: Seeing the built form. Driving around town and thinking I helped get that piece of architecture onto the street.

NNBW: How do you spend your time away from work? Bartlett: I keep a journal of ideas; sketches of new products, inventions and what-could-be’s. Also hunting and hiking.

NNBW: What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? Bartlett: My dad always told me: “It’s who you know.”

NNBW: Of what project are you most proud? Bartlett: The Joseph residence. The private home is a contemporary pueblo style. We realized quite a bit of the initial design and incorporated some stunning views.

NNBW: If you had a do-over in life, what would it be? Bartlett: I would have taken the art side more seriously. I do painting and sculpture as a hobby, but there’s not enough time to do both that and architecture.