Douglas R. Schotland Architect

06/01/2026

Renovating a historic home in the Princeton area? Here are the 10 costly mistakes to avoid.

Key takeaways:
• Complete the design before demolition—deferred decisions become expensive change orders.• Budget a 15–20% contingency and account for permits, inspections, and temporary living arrangements.• Address structure, systems, and the building envelope before investing in finishes.

We designed this guide to help homeowners in Princeton, Pennington, Hopewell, and Lambertville navigate renovation with confidence and control.

Visit https://drsarchitect.com/2026/05/31/10-costly-renovation-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them/ to learn more.

05/05/2026

Properly managing moisture in older homes can reduce energy costs and improve comfort while preventing mold and decay. If you are thinking about making improvements to your historic home but worried about unintended consequences, this article is for you:

https://drsarchitect.com/2026/05/03/moisture-management-in-older-homes-protecting-historic-fabric/

02/02/2026

02/02/2026

On the Boards: Lake House, Litchfield County, CT

Excited to share this first glimpse of a new custom vacation home in Connecticut. Sited near the high point of its site to capture tree‑filtered lake views, it features a compact, adaptable plan designed to support a growing family on a modest footprint. Natural cedar shingles, local stone, and board-formed concrete accents settle the home into its forested context. Entry from the uphill side creates a deliberate reveal as the main level opens to the downhill façade and the lake beyond.

Follow along as we refine the design: drsarchitect.com

08/29/2025

What is the true cost of cutting corners in home design? Our new article, “The $238,400 Lesson,” explores two identical projects with dramatically different outcomes. See how expert design not only prevents costly overruns but also enhances comfort, efficiency, and long-term value.

Read the full story and discover why great design is the smartest investment: https://drsarchitect.com/2025/08/29/the-238400-lesson/

04/15/2025

Thinking About a Major Renovation or Addition to Your Vintage Home? Discover the Essential Project Planning Pack to Ensure Success! https://resourcesforbuildingdesign.com/drs-planning-opt-in

The #1 cause of budget overruns is rushing into the design phase before conducting research and analysis. This is like a doctor rushing a patient into surgery without a proper diagnosis. An out-of-control project is stressful, massively expensive and unnecessary.

The solution is successful planning. That is why we created the Project Planning Pack.

09/23/2024

WHAT ARE HIGH-PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS?

The buildings we live and work in have a huge impact on our health, our environment, and our wallets. Learn about the benefits of high-performance buildings and six key ways to meet that standard.

The buildings we live and work in have a huge impact on our health, our environment, and our wallets. Learn about the benefits of high-performance buildings and six key ways to meet that standard.

01/08/2024

Check out our latest article:

4 Types of Builders: How to Choose the Right One

https://drsarchitect.com/2024/01/07/4-types-of-builders-how-to-choose-the-right-one/

10/19/2023

We are honored to have been voted "Best Architect" by Town Topics readers in the annual Readers' Choice Awards. Thank you to our clients and community!

09/11/2023

Wondering whether your next project will need a variance? If so, check out this article, the latest in our 3-part series on zoning:

https://drsarchitect.com/2023/09/05/zoning-laws-part-ii-do-i-need-a-variance-for-my-project/