You want a modern remodel with clean lines and a sophisticated look, but the minimalism that often accompanies the modern style can set unrealistic standards for an actual lived-in home. Or worse, the rooms don’t feel remotely comfortable. That doesn’t have to be the case. By mixing warm and cool colors, incorporating organic materials, and creating welcoming spaces for gathering, you can make your modern home renovation inviting. Mix Warm Colors With Cool-Color Trends Your color choices for a room have a big impact on how welcoming it feels. Touches of warm colors, like those inspired by the ..read more

Quality of life has never been more in-focus than it is right now. We may not be working and learning from home as much, but we won’t look at our living spaces the same way after the past year.  As the world continues to be in a state of transition, architecture trends for 2022 focus on prioritizing our own wellness and working in tandem with the world around us. Thinking Big-Picture Sustainable Home Design At Urban Design Associates, we know that sustainability is more than adding solar panels to the roof. We are a member of the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) and architect ..read more

The smell of perfectly cooked turkey. The sound of boisterous laughter. The feel of an enveloping hug from a close friend you haven’t seen in a while. This holiday season, everyone is ready for the sights, sounds, and smells of family gatherings. As a family business, we understand that a home reflects the time we spend with our loved ones and the memories we make there.  We also understand that hosting takes a lot of work. If you are in a house designed or remodeled by Urban Design Associates, LLC, however, getting your house ready for those gatherings will be a breeze. As one of the top ..read more

Mountain home design by Urban Design Associates.  Nearly every homeowner dreams of having both the view and the seclusion that come with a mountain home. In the Arizona picturesque wooded areas of Flagstaff and the White Mountains, you can turn this dream into a reality with relative ease. Today, we at Urban Design Associates wanted to share our favorite elements we use and tips to designing the perfect mountain home for you.  Mountain Home Exterior Design Tips The exterior style of your new custom-designed mountain home should be one thing: your favorite style. Every exterior st ..read more

Pine Canyon – Urban Design Associates Picking the exterior color for your home is a big task — literally. Not only are you investing in a color that will last for years, but you’re showcasing your preferences and personality to the whole neighborhood as well. It’s a lot of pressure and, unfortunately, it’s not very easy to change your mind half-way through. So that’s why we at Urban Design Associates wanted to step in to offer some guidance. We’re not going to tell you what colors to use, but we will tell you exactly how to use them.  Match Colors to Your Home Exterior’s Natural Facad ..read more

They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, but in truth, it never stopped being built upon. The past always influenced the future, from art to architecture. In today’s blog, we at Urban Design Associates are looking at how Roman architecture of the past influenced today’s buildings all over the world.  A Brief History of Rome  Before we can dive into architecture, it’s important to first understand some of the rich history that created these cultural phenomenon.  Rome was founded around 625 BC in the areas of ancient Italy known as Etruria and Latium. It’s original origins are unkno ..read more

The hidden gems, luxury resorts, and vibrant downtowns filled with history and culture are often found when you look beyond the typical US summer vacation destinations. They’re the places that no one else in your family has experienced — the cities you get to share with others, instead of others sharing with you. Today, we at Urban Design Associates wanted to share a few of these hidden gems we’ve come across. They are full of entertainment, culture, cool architecture, and so much more. Here are some of the best summer vacation spots you need to visit.  Flagstaff, Arizona Flagstaff is ..read more

The infinity pool at Water Way, designed by UDA. In Arizona, pools are a staple for many households. They provide much-needed relief from the summer heat and from the regular Arizona weather. Not only that, but they provide wonderful entertainment and exercise for people (and pets) of all ages. There’s also no shortage of pool types. You can have your typical in-ground pool, or opt for an above ground. You can have an indoor pool, an endless pool, or our favorite, an infinity pool.  As Scottsdale and Phoenix architects, we get asked about infinity pools a lot. That’s why we decided to ..read more

Architectural terms; some are completely straightforward and understandable while others are real head-scratchers. For example, did you know that natural design and sustainable designs aren’t the same thing? We hear you — they sound like they would be similar! But they mean two different things.  Today, we’re going to dive into more architectural terms that are a little confusing to understand. These are important to know if you’re looking to build a custom home, designing a remodel, or just want to know more about the industry.  If you haven’t checked out part one, we highly recomm ..read more

When it comes to designing a home, we know that we use some “weird” lingo from time to time. It can be confusing to try and decipher some things that are common for us, but not to homeowners. We do our best to make sure you understand everything, but sometimes we slip in a few architecture terms that just don’t make much sense.  That’s why our next installment of Arizona Architect’s Share is focused on architecture terms! We’ll explain the difference between a blueprint, floor plan, and site plan, and much more.  Defining Similar Architecture Terms When it comes to architecture, the ..read more