https://buildingblockdesign.com/home daily 1.0 2026-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ac3fd775ac3f4ddc774008/a54e6a21-0d86-4e51-93dc-177c3d46bdfd/DJI_0105+copy.jpg https://buildingblockdesign.com/about daily 0.75 2026-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ac3fd775ac3f4ddc774008/85ed6bfa-09be-4683-a9b8-6018b6e448a8/Supplementary+Photo+%282%29.jpg About - About Greetings Dallas neighbors! Aaron Trecartin, AIA, is a licensed architect and the founder of Building Block, a residential architecture firm built on the motto the design process explained simply with “building blocks.” After an initial meeting, Aaron provides a detailed proposal letter that outlines each “building block”—the milestones and deliverables of the design process that are specific to your project and needs. You’ll see estimated hours for each deliverable and transparent fee calculations, giving you peace of mind and clarity from the very beginning. Few architects offer this level of upfront detail and transparency, and it’s what sets Building Block apart. Building Block’s projects are typically single or two-story additions, backhouses, garages, and occasionally a ground-up new home. While serving homeowners across the Dallas area, Building Block specializes in renovating older homes including homes that are in Dallas’s historic and conservation districts. Exterior renovations in these neighborhoods demand exceptional design skill and thorough documentation to gain approval from neighborhood task forces, city staff, and commissioners. Aaron’s deep familiarity with Dallas’ preservation and approval processes makes him a trusted guide for homeowners navigating these requirements. Whatever the size or scope of your project, Building Block helps remove the stress often associated with home renovations—designing with care, leading with expertise, and ensuring your vision comes to life. https://buildingblockdesign.com/explore daily 0.75 2026-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ac3fd775ac3f4ddc774008/819eb5e9-115f-40c4-956c-78f660c3c043/Schafer+Concept.jpg Explore Each "Building Blocks" - Building Block #1 — Concept Package In this first step—or “building block”—the architect documents your existing home with accurate as‑built drawings and immediately begins exploring its potential. From there, you receive a concept package that typically includes proposed floor plans along with simple 3D views to help illustrate the design. These drawings show how renovations and additions reshape the home, all while balancing key criteria: your goals, a functional layout, your budget, the exterior design, and the city’s zoning requirements. When homeowners review these concept drawings, there’s often a noticeable sense of relief—suddenly their goals feel achievable and exciting. Even though the drawings appear preliminary, many major decisions have already been thoughtfully resolved: the building and roof forms, the interior layout, and even the general placement and sizing of doors and windows. These early drawings also give general contractors enough information to offer meaningful feedback and help validate the project budget. This first step is both exciting and grounding: it reveals the full potential of your home while giving us space to reflect, refine, or pivot if your goals or priorities evolve. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ac3fd775ac3f4ddc774008/637188b9-1486-4d13-977f-fedb54330d79/Schafer+Renderings.jpg Explore Each "Building Blocks" - Building Block #2 — Design Development Once the homeowner feels confident in the concept design and comfortable with the ballpark budget, the architect moves into a more behind‑the‑scenes phase. During this stage, the proposed alterations are fully modeled in the computer, allowing the design to take on greater precision. In parallel, the architect provides the homeowner with more technical floor plans and more detailed 3D renderings that convey the look and feel of the design. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ac3fd775ac3f4ddc774008/ce4e86c8-029a-49ac-9e14-92a838afac98/7126+Schafer+-+241104+Arch+For+Permit+Page+010.jpg Explore Each "Building Blocks" - Building Block #3 — Technical Drawings It’s often a quick process and we get to this last step within several weeks. Here, the architect produces the finalized drawings that contractors rely on for accurate pricing, that the city requires for permitting, and that builders use during construction. These documents translate all previous design decisions into precise, buildable instructions—dimensions, notes, details, and specifications—so the project can move forward with confidence. At this stage, the design is no longer conceptual; it’s fully resolved and ready to be executed. With these drawings in hand, the homeowner, contractor, and city reviewers all share the same clear roadmap, ensuring a smooth transition from planning to construction. https://buildingblockdesign.com/meet daily 0.75 2026-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/60ac3fd775ac3f4ddc774008/e724e22d-6014-4d31-8392-ba324c994a4c/Aaron+portrait.jpeg Meet Aaron - Meet Aaron Trecartin, AIA Architect, Husband, Father, Dog Lover, Preservation Enthusiast, Sailor Aaron Trecartin is the principal architect of Building Block. He and his wife, Libby, live with their two young daughters and their dog Lady in a 1920s Tudor Revival cottage in Dallas’ Junius Heights Historic District. When he’s not practicing architecture, Aaron enjoys sailing his Com‑Pac 16 across White Rock Lake. A proud Dallas native, Aaron holds architecture degrees from Texas A&M University and The University of Texas at Arlington and is a registered architect in Texas. Before founding Building Block, he gained extensive experience with more than $500 million in projects and over three million square feet of built work across North Texas and beyond. He is a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Preservation Dallas, the White Rock Boat Club, and Munger Place Church, and is actively involved in his neighborhood. Aaron’s practice is rooted in a passion for Dallas’ historic and conservation districts. Since moving to Junius Heights in 2016, he has served on multiple neighborhood task forces, contributing to preservation efforts as a homeowner, architect, and civic appointee. His commitment to older homes shines through in Building Block’s designs, which honor architectural heritage while enhancing the character and vitality of each neighborhood. https://buildingblockdesign.com/consulation daily 0.75 2026-05-02