Lauren E Hirt
architectural columnist, author and speaker

Big Seed Press & Big Seed Media

• http://www.bigseedpress.com

I write and publish books that teach homeowners and small business owners how to draw their own permit and construction drawings. Basically, I show them how to easily and confidently be their own architect. I frequently teach a wide variety of workshops, where we use the books as text books.

I've started a new division called Big Seed Media, where I'm creating DVDs, Podcasts and Webinars on architectural topics.

I take complex topics, such as building codes, land use codes and drawing skills and make them interesting and easy. I'm constantly amazed at how well homeowners can draw, once they get past the mystery of architectural drawings.

I need to tell you about my new newspaper column! Homeowners, realtors, contractors and the curious will find simple and real information in this D.I.Y. architectural column. Monthly articles can be found in the Queen Anne, Capitol Hill, Magnolia, Eastlake, North Seattle Herald-Outlook... neighborhood newspapers.

I have a double Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and Architecture History and a Bachelor of Science in Building Construction, as well as a Non Fiction writing certificate, all from the University of Washington.

I practiced architecture for 12 years. Most of my experience was residential, but I was also a design project manager for Starbucks Coffee Company. I was a Land Use Planner for the City of Seattle's Department of Planning and Development for seven years. I frequently write architectural profiles for magazines.

I started Big Seed Press in 2003, when I saw that homeowners and small business owners wanted to do their own projects, rather than hire an architect, but they didn't know what to do.