Journal
A practitioner's perspective on custom builds in the US Virgin Islands and coastal Florida, renovations in Romania, and residential architecture more broadly — the design decisions, market realities, and project knowledge that don't usually get written down.
Featured articles:
The USVI New Build Field Guide
The complete overview for anyone planning a custom home in the US Virgin Islands — islands, permits, timelines, cost drivers, and what the process actually demands from the start.
USVI Construction Costs Per Square Foot
Honest cost ranges for a USVI build, what pushes numbers up, and what to pressure-test in a contractor quote before you commit.
What Does the USVI Permitting Process Actually Look Like?
The permit path from submission to groundbreaking — timelines, agencies involved, common reasons projects get sent back, and what to have in place before you file.
St. John vs. St. Thomas vs. St. Croix
A practical comparison of the three islands for buyers deciding where to build — infrastructure, permit paths, cost differences, and which fits which project.
Cisterns, WAPA, and Water in the USVI
Every USVI home runs on rainwater. How cistern capacity is calculated, what WAPA can and can't be relied on for, and how water infrastructure shapes design decisions.
What Is the USVI Coastal Zone Permit and Do You Need One?
When CZM review applies, what triggers it, and how coastal zone requirements affect timeline, buildable envelope, and cost on a USVI project.
Adding a Guest House in the USVI
What lot coverage rules, utility capacity, and the permit path actually allow when adding a detached structure — for owners evaluating whether their property supports it.
Adding a Pool to a USVI Property
Coastal zone triggers, cistern math, site excavation realities, and honest cost ranges for a pool addition — before you commit to a design or a contractor.
The Romania Apartment Field Guide
The complete framework for buying and renovating a Romanian apartment — building eras, structural realities, permit path, budget structure, and what to check before you commit.
Renovating in Romania: What Budget Estimates Always Miss
The costs contractors leave out of their initial quotes, why Romanian renovation budgets tend to overrun, and how to build a realistic envelope before you start.
Contents:
What building on St. John, St. Thomas, and St. Croix actually involves — from land to permit to construction.
Building on the Florida coast — from flood zone to permit to construction.
Renovation in Romania — what the building, the process, and the design actually involve.
The developer's side of the build — feasibility, spec homes, real numbers.
What building from the ground up actually involves — structure, permits, cost, decisions.
Architecture, culture, and the ideas worth arguing about.
Latest articles:
How to Manage a USVI Construction Project from the Mainland
Managing a USVI construction project from the mainland is achievable — if you have the right team, realistic timelines, and the right process in place before ground breaks.
What a USVI Project Actually Demands From Your Architect
Hiring an architect for a USVI project? Here's what local experience actually means — concrete construction, sloped sites, permits, and remote project management.
St. John vs. St. Thomas vs. St. Croix: Which Island Should You Build On?
A practical comparison of the three islands for buyers deciding where to build — infrastructure, permit paths, cost differences, and which fits which project.
How Do You Design a Hurricane-Resistant Home in the USVI?
Designing a hurricane-resistant home in the USVI means engineering for extreme wind loads and seismic requirements. Here's what the code requires — and what it doesn't cover.
Why Building on St. John Takes Longer Than You Think — And How to Plan for It
Building on St. John USVI takes 24–36 months—double the US mainland average. Here's why terrain, permitting, materials, and water infrastructure drive the timeline, and how to plan for it.
What Is the USVI Coastal Zone Permit and Do You Need One?
When CZM review applies, what triggers it, and how coastal zone requirements affect timeline, buildable envelope, and cost on a USVI project.
How We Design USVI Villas That Work as Vacation Rentals
How you use your USVI villa determines how it should be designed. Learn how usage, configuration, and zoning decisions drive vacation rental performance.
Buying Land on St. John: What to Check Before You Make an Offer
Buying land on St. John, USVI? Check slope, CZM zoning, site access, and sun position before you make an offer. A practical guide for homeowners planning a build.