Todd Hallett

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Todd Hallett, AIA, President of TK Design & Architecture (tkhomedesign.com) has been designing award winning homes for over 20 years. He spent 15 of those years working for a $50 million production building company. Todd designed all of their homes but also worked in every other aspect of the company including purchasing, development, land acquisition, product development, and operations, and was President of the company for three years. Equipped with his vast building experience and fueled by his love for architecture he left to form an architecture firm that is second to none in working cohesively with Builders. Todd specializes in Lean Design and works, alongside Scott Sedam of TrueNorth Development, in the trenches with builders, suppliers, and trade contractors. His Lean Design blog appears weekly at Housingzone.com. Todd welcomes your feedback at thallett@tkhomedesign.com.

Lean Design Blog: Feeling a bit schizo on Fat Tuesday

Posted: Tue, 2012-02-21 14:20

By: Todd Hallett

I am of two minds today. I have two entirely unrelated topics to discuss:

A. Show Village at IBS
B. Windows

Show Village at IBS was great. Professional Builder did a phenomenal job of showing homes and product...

Lean Design Blog: Check out this 2,800-square-foot Lean design

Posted: Fri, 2012-02-17 17:56

By: Todd Hallett

Typically I like to save my drama for my mama – not this time. This time I packed it all into this 2,800-square-foot Lean-designed home. This cost-...

The Lean Designer: Do it now!

Posted: Thu, 2012-02-02 18:47

By: Todd Hallett

Danger Will Robinson! Danger! The IBS plan review sessions are starting to get booked up.

Professional Builder is hosting House Review Live with six different leading Architects and Designers (including yours truly) from across the...

The Lean Designer: Paying too much for trusses? Here is a quick test.

Posted: Tue, 2012-01-24 19:58

By: Todd Hallett

When it comes to trusses "Piggyback" is a four letter word. Piggyback trusses are little trusses that sit upon larger trusses to allow the roof configuration to reach a certain height/span. In general a piggyback system is very expensive and time...

The Lean Designer: The best way to prepare for a plan review

Posted: Tue, 2012-01-17 20:43

By: Todd Hallett

As many of you know by now Professional Builder is holding three days of plan reviews by some of the top designers and architects in the country during the International Builders Show. I am honored to be part of that group and very much look...

The Lean Designer: Second floor laundries are just stupid, or are they?

Posted: Tue, 2012-01-10 17:19

By: Todd Hallett

One of the benefits of working with builders and customers all over the country is that I get a real grasp of what is happening with design trends. For the longest time it seemed everyone wanted a second floor Laundry Room. The logic was that all...

The Lean Design Blog: Two huge things IBS 2012 can do for you

Posted: Tue, 2012-01-03 21:44

By: Todd Hallett

Happy New Year! IBS 2012 is going to be great. Unlike recent years past there is a distinct feeling of optimism going into this event. A lot of builders are looking at this year as an opportunity for growth. If you haven't already considered...

The Lean Design Blog: Another example of low-hanging fruit

Posted: Wed, 2011-12-21 17:45

By: Todd Hallett

I love the easy ones! Scott Sedam and I were implementing a Lean Plan Workout recently and a very simple cost saving opportunity presented itself. Eliminate the tire stop in the garage. A tire stop is an area of raised curb in the garage designed...

The Lean Design Blog: 3 simple ways to spice up your elevations

Posted: Tue, 2011-12-13 15:04

By: Todd Hallett

Designing a new elevation series is a lot of fun. It is an opportunity to define your brand and create homes that will speak to buyers emotionally. Here are three things to look out for when your elevations are in the sketch phase:

...