| Charles M. Schwab Architect , Member: American Institute of Architects is a registered architect in the states of Illinois, Colorado and Wisconsin. Mr. Schwab is also available to design homes throughout the United States and Canada. He is a registered Energy Star Partner.
Mr. Schwab is also a member of the Iowa Illinois Center for Independent Living, National Trust for Historic Preservation, American Architectural Foundation. The Chicago Architecture Foundation and the Solar Energy Society of America. He is also a member of several other ILC's and various Independent Living advocacy efforts.
He is a vocal proponent of designing and building homes that can encompass and adapt to the needs of the homeowners as circumstances change over the years. He is an active member of several Internet Listservs that address issues of green sustainable and energy efficient housing, the adaptable and accessible built environment , Independent living and Aging in Place.
Education and Experience:
Mr. Schwab is a graduate from The College of Environmental Design and Architecture at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Mr. Schwab also studied Architecture and Art for 12 months at The University of Regensburg,(in the former West Germany) and is fluent in the German language. He traveled throughout Europe, visiting 12 European countries. He spent much of his free time sketching and watercolor painting. He did and still does, enjoy museum visits and classical music concerts. He has been an avid philatelist and world history student since he was a teenager.
Upon graduation in 1984, Mr. Schwab lived and practiced as an intern architect in Aspen, Colorado and specialized in custom residential, and hotel design. He also gained significant experience with historical remodels.
In 1987 while working as an Architect in training for the prominent Aspen,Co. firm of Hagman -Yaw Architects, He worked with the team for several years completing construction documents for The Aspen Ski Company Hotel, currently Aspens only 5 star hotel.
Mr. Schwabs first complete set of construction and detail drawings was created while working as the Arch.project manager for Aspen Center for Environmental studies (ACES), while still employed by Hagman-Yaw, located in the heart of Aspen. This is an AIA award winning building and features green"sustainable and energy saving passive solar design and construction. Much of Mr. Schwabs earlier design and detail work can be seen throughout The Roaring Fork (Aspen) Valley.
In 1992 he returned to the Midwest to begin his own practice. Upon arrival in the Quad Cities 9 (Davenport. IA. -Moline Ill) he lived with and was a caregiver for his Grandfather. It was after his grandfather suffered a series of strokes that he realized most American homes do not meet the needs of the elderly or most anybody with a physical disability, and that it was nearly impossible to live your entire life in your own home. Since 1992, Mr Schwab has been specializing in Universal Design and fully accessible housing. Mr Schwab is also an active proponent of sustainable building practices, water preservation and energy alternatives in building design and construction.
It is these experiences that encouraged Mr.Schwab to be the original creator of the concept of The Universal Designed Smart Home : the merging of Universal Design and Sustainable (green) Building Construction as The home for the 21st Century.
While completing the written portions of Universal Designed Smart Homes for the 21st Century in February 2003, Mr. Schwab had a bike accident that left him with a shattered left humerous and an eventual Titanium prosthetic upper arm. He found his own home (not of his design) to be inaccessible even with this type of disability. This experience, as well as being a caregiver for his Grandfather, has convinced Mr. Schwab of the importance of Universal Design and housing that encourages easy living for people of all ages and abilities.
Mr. Schwabs experience with energy efficient building and green building practices has convinced him that the combination of the two traditionally separate schools of design and practice is the most needed and most probable housing solution for the 21st Century.
In 1993 Mr. Schwab published the North Americas first adaptable and universal designed stock home plans that also includes energy efficient and sustainable green design and construction details. The book is titled Universal Designed Smart Homes for the 21st Century. He is working to design, educate and inform so that these homes will become common in the 21st Century.
Mr. Schwab continues to be an advocate for universal design and energy efficient housing design throughout North America. He contributes quarterly to Special Living Magazine He write articles for Ultimate home Design Magazine, EP/ Exceptional Parent magazine. The plan book has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The American Veterans Administrations, PN/ Paraplegia News magazine, MDA 's Quest Magazine, Canada's Abilities magazine and others. His articles can be read in various Independent Living agency newsletters around the country.In the Spring of 2006 he was asked to be a regular contributor to a new magazine called Ultimate Home Design Magazine. This new magazine focuses on new technology in housing, energy efficient, sustainable housing and universal design.
Although Mr. Schwab is active on a national level he takes pride in providing individual service and hands on design and expertise with every project in which the firm undertakes.
Charles Schwab Architect and Schwab Publishers is not affiliated with the Schwab Brokerage Company. |
