May’s Remodel/Addition Design Contest Winners


Chief Architect Remodel/ Addition Design Contest Graphic

Michael Rust, Organic Architecture at its Finest


The Hinshaw Residence, another example of Organic Architecture designed by Michael Rust. The house flows organically and becomes one with the natural contouring of the land.

Author, Kerry Hansen By Kerry Hansen

“Architecture is not just about buildings,
but about nourishing the lives of those within them.”

The Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation

If you haven’t yet heard of Michael Rust, you will be glad you took the time to learn a little about him and his work. Michael, an architect based out of Chandler, AZ, first sparked our interest when his organic, Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired design was entered in the Chief Architect Residential Design contest. Located in Webb City, MO, this incredible home was designed in harmony with its steeply sloping lot. This posed challenges during the design phase but, with Rust as the architect, those challenges inevitably inspired its magnificent lines, grand exterior staircase, cantilevered awnings, and towering windows that let the views of nature climb right inside.

(more…)

Student Design Gallery


Chief Architect Student Design Gallery graphic.

The Chief Architect Student Design Gallery is a great way to celebrate the talent and fresh design ideas of the next generation of designers.

If you are a student leveraging the Chief Architect student license or a teacher utilizing Chief Architect in your classroom and would like to showcase a student design, we’d love to hear from you!

Submit your designs for a chance to be featured on our social media channels.

(more…)

Bringing European Design and Craftsmanship to America


For us, there is nothing quite like a beautiful kitchen adorned with big windows and a walk-in pantry.

Abe Neufeld’s Winning Design Showcases Kitchen and Bath Industry Trends


Portrait of Abe Neufeld, second place winner in the Chief Architect Kitchen, Bath, and Interior Design Contest.

Abe Neufeld of Abe Neufeld Design


Author, Kerry Hansen By Kerry Hansen

A sleek, on-trend kitchen wins 2nd place in the Chief Architect Kitchen, Bath & Interiors design contest.

Drawing and painting from a young age, Abe Neufeld, of Abe Neufeld Design from Bow Island, Alberta, Canada has always been fascinated by the creative arts. Like most creatives, he relies on his talent to draw or draft up an idea in the beginning phase of his projects. “Whenever I begin a project I draw or draft it up first.” This foundation is likely one of the reasons Abe has secured the runner up title in the March 2020, Chief Architect, Kitchen, Baths, and Interiors contest.

(more…)

TheBuild.tv Launches for DIY Home Renovation Education


HGTV star, Anthony Carrino posing in finished kitchen renovation.

Author's Portrait By Kendra Dorosh

Dreaming of renovating your home, but not sure what to expect? Thebuild.tv by Anthony Carrino may just be the new series you’ve been waiting for.

(more…)

8 Ways to Be a Boss at Working From Home


An elegant home office, designed and rendered in Chief Architect.

Author, Kerry Hansen By Kerry Hansen

Whether an architect, interior designer, draftsperson or design-builder, working from home is a key strategy for many. Carving out a personal work space for yourself can serve as an essential resource and is one of the keys to success and productivity when working from home. Here are a few tips to get going.

(more…)

April’s Residential Design Contest Winners


Chief Architect Design Contest with a technical illustration of a home design.

The Value of Hiring a Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP) for your Next Design


Kitchen Elevation showing accessible grab bars.

Author's Portrait By Kendra Dorosh

Did you know that a person aged 60 needs three times the light as a 20-year-old?

That may seem like a drastic amount, but Certified Living in Place Professional (CLIPP) Adam Gibson explains the reasoning behind this statement: people over 60, “need more light, and everyone needs a high Color Rendering Index (CRI) to best reveal the colors of various objects. It’s no fun going outside in your black socks only to realize they’re blue. One solution? Light-colored walls washed in light provide more ambient light than the same quantity of recessed lights pointing toward the floor.”

(more…)

And the Chief Academy Award goes to…


Chief Architect User Breakfast at IBS tradeshow 2020

Headshot of Ariana BeaudryBy Ariana Beaudry

What better to raffle off than an advance in skill level? We raffled for the first time the opportunity to attend our annual Chief Academy training event.

Thank you to all that were able to visit the Chief Architect Booth at the International Builders’ Show (IBS) and Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) in Vegas. We had a great time being able to put faces to familiar names and introduce more professionals in the industry to Chief Architect Software. One of our favorite parts of the event each year is the User Breakfast that we host on Day 2 of the show. It’s here that our Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Scott Harris, CKBD, presents What’s New in the latest version of our software. In addition to showing off the new features, we also threw in a twist this year… not only did the attendees have a chance to win big at the casino, but for the first time in the history of this event, we raffled off a chance to win a ticket to our Chief Academy User Event, valued at $1,295, and Brian Farris of Farris Construction was ecstatic to win.

(more…)