Facet Architecture

01/22/2026

When churches evaluate a new property, the biggest risks usually show up before design even starts—inside the assumptions.

We’ve helped 200+ churches nationwide and on 5 continents, and we just published a quick, practical guide to the 5 most common mistakes churches make when evaluating property (and how to avoid them).

Inside the post, we cover the pitfalls that quietly derail projects—things like how “plenty of parking” can vanish on paper, how a “simple renovation” triggers major code and MEP scope, and how early decisions can lock you into expensive constraints.

Read the full article here:
https://www.facetarchitecture.com/blog-thoughts/the-5-most-common-mistakes-churches-make-when-evaluating-propertyand-how-to-avoid-them

When churches evaluate a new property, the biggest risks usually surface before design even starts—within the assumptions.

01/09/2026

If you’re thinking about adding an ADU (a backyard cottage, garage conversion, or in-law suite), here’s the part most people don’t realize until it costs them time and money:

Most ADU projects don’t get stuck due to design. They get stuck because the lot isn’t as simple as it looks.

Before you buy a “ready-made” plan set or start paying for drawings, you need to know what your property can actually support—because zoning rules and site conditions change everything: setbacks, height limits, parking requirements, access, utilities, easements, slope, and how your local permitting office interprets the rules.

That’s why we created our ADU & Lot Analysis—so you can get clear, lot-specific answers before you spend real money or collect bids that are full of unknowns.

Start here:
Read the blog → https://www.facetarchitecture.com/blog-thoughts/thinking-about-an-adu-start-by-getting-the-right-answers-before-you-spend-on-design

Explore the ADU Analysis page → https://www.facetarchitecture.com/adu-lot-analysis

Common questions we help you answer:
• Can I build an ADU on my lot—and what type?
• How big can it be, and where can it go?
• Will parking, access, utilities, or easements change the plan?
• What are the biggest cost drivers for my specific site?

The goal is simple: replace uncertainty with a clear, project-ready path forward.

12/28/2025

Thinking about buying land with a great view?

Mountain, lake, and coastal properties often come with hidden constraints—slope, access, zoning, buffers, and utilities—that don’t show up in the listing photos.

Before you fall in love with a parcel, make sure it can actually support what you want to build.

Facet Retreats™ offers architect-led Lot Analysis to help buyers understand real buildability before they commit.

A small step up front can prevent expensive surprises later.

Before you fall in love with a parcel, ensure it can support what you want to build.

https://www.facetretreats.com/blog-thoughts/before-you-buy-the-view-a-practical-reality-check-for-smart-buyers

Facet Retreats™ Lot Analysis Mountain LotsWhat you see isn’t always what you can build.Slope, access, and elevation determine cost & feasibility long before design begins. Lake LotsWater views come with hidden constraints.Buffers, setbacks, and utilities often shape what’s truly possible. Coas...

12/11/2025

Site selection is one of the riskiest decisions a church can make. From parking miscalculations to code-trigger surprises, avoidable issues often derail projects. Learn the five mistakes church leaders make when assessing property—and how a simple Test Fit provides confidence before you commit.

12/01/2025

No TV wall.
No wasted space.
Just family.

The Bee Hive Cabin 2025 is our newest retreat prototype — part hexagon log cabin, part French-inspired geometry, all heart.
A grandparent cabin designed for slow mornings, big tables, and kids piling into the bunk room.

Stay tuned as this one unfolds.

11/28/2025

I wrote this blog post for all of those friends that are renting a cabin over the holidays and are dreaming about having a cabin one day.

https://www.facetretreats.com/blog-thoughts/thanksgiving-at-a-rental-cabin-the-moment-you-start-wondering-what-if-this-was-ours

11/28/2025

If you're spending Thanksgiving in a rented cabin or beach house, you might know this moment:

The dishes are put away, the kids are laughing on the couch, football’s humming in the background… and you turn to your spouse and say:

“What if, one day, this was our place?”

Not just a holiday rental.
But a mountain or coastal retreat your family returns to year after year—
and a place that helps pay for itself as a smart STR the rest of the time.

This week, we published a new post on Facet Retreats that walks through:

🔹 Why this weekend often sparks the “Let’s build our own place” conversation
🔹 The 3 things families get right when starting a retreat project
🔹 The simple steps to take while you're still in your rental
🔹 How Phase One (not the “dream cabin”) is usually the smartest first move
🔹 What a Test Fit can tell you before you buy land or commit to a design

If you’re imagining future Thanksgivings on your own porch—mountains or coast—this article is a helpful place to start.

Read the full post here:
👉 www.facetretreats.com

Curious whether your property idea is realistic?
Drop a comment below or message us—happy to point you in the right direction.

11/28/2025

The dishes are done, the kids are laughing, football’s on… and you whisper:

“What if this was ours someday?”

You’re not alone—and you’re not crazy.
This is exactly how real mountain + coastal retreats begin.

This week on the blog, we break down:
✨ How families actually start their STR retreat journey
✨ The simple decisions to make while you’re still in your rental
✨ Why Phase One (not perfection) is the smart path
✨ How to turn this weekend’s dream into a real plan

If you’ve been thinking about a mountain cabin or coastal getaway you can enjoy and rent, this one’s for you.

Tap the link in our bio to read the new post on Facet Retreats.
“What if this were ours someday?”

11/22/2025

Unlock the secret to finding your dream mountain retreat!
Discover how to know if you have the right mountain lot for your cabin and start building your perfect getaway!
Read the full story at:
www.facetretreats.com/blog-thoughts/t52y16fnpjadwmis1ss43f9q90qkch

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11/06/2025

A new blog post we published about what we have learned about ADUs (Auxilary Dwelling Units). These are some of the things to keep in mind if you are pondering exanding the value of your single family home.

https://www.facetretreats.com/blog-thoughts/blog-post-title-one-xdfzw-p55aa