The Barnes Perspective: Thoughts, Ideas & Lessons Learned from Joseph Barnes

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Joseph Barnes is the principal of Barnes Design & Development Management advisory services firm. As Community Development Integration specialist, they are dedicated to working with design and development professionals on the creation of built environments which generate incremental and sustained value – aesthetic, social and economic. They leverage the knowledge, lessons learned, and relationships developed by Joseph Barnes over thirty-years of experience with benchmark setting, high-profile, high-concept, mixed-used community and land development projects.

Category: Approvals Process

  • Let the Land Speak First: The Role of Site Due Diligence in Smarter Development

    Let the Land Speak First: The Role of Site Due Diligence in Smarter Development

    This article discusses the importance of thorough site analysis and due diligence in land development projects, illustrating this with examples like Bundoran Farm and Boar’s Head. The author emphasizes that not all land is suitable for development, and initial excitement can lead to misconceptions. Engaging intimately with the land, understanding its features, and involving local…

  • From Design Coach to Compliance Cop: A Cautionary Tale of Design Review from I’On

    From Design Coach to Compliance Cop: A Cautionary Tale of Design Review from I’On

    More than 25 years ago, the I’On neighborhood was designed to embody Lowcountry architectural traditions through a supportive design review process. However, after its transition to the Property Owners Association, the approach shifted from collaboration to rigid compliance, leading to declining design quality and resident dissatisfaction. The author calls for reflection on maintaining design integrity…

  • Why Your Project Needs an Approval Roadmap Just as Much as a Design Strategy

    Why Your Project Needs an Approval Roadmap Just as Much as a Design Strategy

    The post emphasizes the importance of integrating a clear review and approval process into project design management. It highlights how vision alone is insufficient for successful project execution without a structured approval strategy that addresses both internal and external stakeholders. Through examples from various developments, it illustrates how confusion in approvals can lead to delays,…