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Architecture/Questions Answered by Expert Cary Simmons
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Forts Structure from Architectural Point of View | 9/15/2011 |
| Q: Forts are Great Structures for Study from Architectural Point of view. Primarily Built for Defense ... A: Prashant: Forts are indeed very intriguing undertakings, but vary so greatly as to defy ... | |
| GREEN ISSUE | 8/6/2011 |
| Q: i'm a student in Malaysia competing to design a chalet in the fruit orchard of the client. According ... A: Yvonne: Your question is an excellent one and your project seems challenging and timely, but ... | |
| windows | 1/27/2011 |
| Q: What is better to use at the beach, clad windows or vinyl. thanks. A: Dee: If blowing sand is an issue, vinyl will retain its finish better than any clad product. I'd ... | |
| strengthening a floor joist | 9/11/2010 |
| Q: I live in a 1 year old home in Saskatchewan, Canada. The floor joists are those wooden I-beam type. ... A: You're on the right track Ian, but a few suggestions. First, I assume that your intention with the ... | |
| HI | 7/29/2010 |
| Q: What type of degree do you need for this profession?what level of math is used in this profession? A: Monica: It has been many years since my schooling and licensing as an architect and some things may ... | |
| Architectural elements business | 7/14/2010 |
| Q: I am an artist and have a son who is studying architecture. My idea is to start an architectural ... A: Alfonso, your question is largely outside of my strictly architectural experience. I have often in ... | |
| long lasting buildings | 6/4/2010 |
| Q: Suppose a 100 storey building is erected today. now for how many years would it last? Or after how ... A: Neelesh: In the US, and perhaps all parts of the world where the local economy can justify a ... | |
| prmits | 4/9/2010 |
| Q: 000 dollors on a project.I am opening a pharmacy. During the inspection the Fire Dept told me that I ... A: Dilip: I did not receive your attachment. If this proves impossible, just let me know the specific ... | |
| Mansard Roof | 4/8/2010 |
| Q: I am renovating a home inside and out and I would like your opinion on changing a second floor ... A: The basic rule of renovation is that it's possible to do anything if you're willing to endure ... | |
| front screen door | 2/24/2010 |
| Q: My question is about my front screen door. It was installed recently and it is not closing ... A: First, Shelly, my apologies for responding late, but I've been without power or Internet access for ... | |
| Cracks-2 yr old house | 1/16/2010 |
| Q: We have discovered horizontal cracks between the ceiling and the crown molding in 4 out of 6 rooms ... A: There are four facts that you mention that tend to point to the same cause. They are (1) that the ... | |
| Cracks-2 yr old house | 1/12/2010 |
| Q: We have discovered horizontal cracks between the ceiling and the crown molding in 4 out of 6 rooms ... A: Diane: I don't detect alarm in your question, and there is probably no resaon to be alarmed. I ... | |
| Housing Demand | 12/27/2009 |
| Q: How do we calculate housing demand based on given population and given average household size along ... A: John, this is much more a demographic question than one concerning architecture. I will offer you a ... | |
| Angle cuts | 10/28/2009 |
| Q: This was my"How do you calculate the angles to cut 4X4 wood beams to create different shapes, i.e., ... A: Lorna: Please take a deep breath. Your response has made your goal less clear. Your original ... | |
| Angle cuts | 10/27/2009 |
| Q: This was my"How do you calculate the angles to cut 4X4 wood beams to create different shapes, i.e., ... A: Lorna: Actually calculating the angles is as easy as dividing 360 degress by the number of polygon ... | |
| load bearing wall | 10/21/2009 |
| Q: I would like to remove the wall seperating two closets in my house to make one larger walk-in ... A: Michael: Even if this wall is carrying some load, you may be able to remove it and transfer its ... | |
| verification of load | 10/20/2009 |
| Q: I want to put radiant floor heat in a 2" concrete slab on a suspended floor that is supoorted by ... A: It is not possible to verify the existing floor loading capacity without each of the following: (1) ... | |
| Low Second Floor Ceiling | 10/5/2009 |
| Q: I'm looking to purchase a house built in the early 1950's. The first floor ceiling height is just ... A: Steven: Your question is a relatively simple if you can work with the general answer below, but I ... | |
| connecting pergola joists to ledger | 8/20/2009 |
| Q: I'm planning to build a pergola above my patio.The joists will be 2x10x16ft,and 4x8x16ft,all ... A: Joe: I am not aware of off-the-shelf joist hd galvanized hangers sized for other than engineered or ... | |
Answers by Expert:
Cary Simmons
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I can address light construction questions--how things should be assembled, why they come apart and how changes in construction practices, technology and deferred maintenance should be factored into any consideration of the proper fix. I cannot answer complex construction queries that require specific site knowledge and would elect to avoid those that smack of a litigation history.
Experience
I have been in private practice in New England for more than 30 years, during which time, as a hobby, I have personally owned and restored for either personal or adaptive reuse, five pre-1775 homes, of which my wife and I still own and maintain three.
Organizations
social and recreational only
Publications
have not yet felt the need to be published
Education/Credentials
B. Arch, Cornell 1967
advanced studies, Harvard GSD, 1971-72 and 1976-77
Awards and Honors
numerous historic preservation awards in Massachusetts, although historic preservation is not our core practice
Past/Present Clients
they are several, loyal and of long-standing, and would prefer to remain private
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