_edited_edited.jpg){kind=small}
Design + Build
Tight Knot specializes in the design and construction of custom residential spaces in Pittsburgh, PA. Tight Knot has constructed projects in Washington State, New York, New Hampshire, but primarily serves the Pittsburgh metro area. The company began with a focus on wood construction and decks, and later expanded into custom built-ins, architectural renovations, additions, and custom home building. The team is led by Adam Lans, who is a trained architect and experienced carpenter. The idea behind the company is to eliminate the homeowners' need to hire different designers and builders for their project. With one skilled design-builder, the homeowner has the protection of streamlined cost, communication, and a coherent project vision. Tight Knot is particularly different than other design-builders in that the company is driven by the founder's design philosophy and training. All concepts are focused on space and the user's experience first. Concepts are driven by functionality, where the art of the projects lie within the details of how the components come together. If you appreciate our work, and are thinking of a project, we encourage you to reach out to us. We want to work with anyone who wants what we do.
About
Tight Knot
Tight Knot Design Build is a small company specializing in a fusion of design and construction services. The bulk of Tight Knot's work comes from new home design and construction, in addition to custom cabinetry design and fabrication, renovations, and custom deck projects. Tight Knot is distinguished by its "Design Build" methodology and sophisticated design approach.
Design
Philosophy
Tight Knot is different from other design-builders because the company is driven by founder Adam Lans's particular design philosophy and training, resulting in concepts that prioritze space, and the user's experience first. Driven by functionality, the art of these projects lies within the details of how the components come together. This approach is rooted in modern architect Mies Van Der Rohe's saying, "Less is More" and requires careful execution, and a collaborative design process between the homeowner, the designer, and the place. This thinking can be utilized to reduce costs as well. Each project reflects a vision suited to the homeowners' most base living needs, and to the character of their home and life.
Where
We Work
Pittsburgh, PA
Tight Knot has constructed projects in Washington State, New York, Maine, New Hampshire, but primarily serves the Pittsburgh metro area as well as New Hampshire. Our building, which contains our woodshop and offices, is located in the East Allegheny neighborhood in Pittsburgh, PA. We are insured in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire.
Problems with
the Conventional Architecture Process
Mismanaged budgets, projects not happening as planned, and communication breakdowns (which clients usually pay for), are all issues that stem from the conventional model of hiring an architect and a separate contractor. In general, the industry has become heavily specialized, which has caused a breakdown of responsibility for the "whole" of a project.
About
the Owner
The team is led by Adam Lans, who is both an architecht and general contractor.
"I studied architecture in Pittsburgh at Carnegie Mellon, graduating in 2015. Since then I've trained as a carpenter, site lead, and project manager, managing projects and their budgets. I've been working hard to integrate the design world with the built environment. My goal has always been to offer skills that most architects don't integrate into their practice."
Deeper Design Philosophy & Speculative Projects
It is our belief that the quality of light and space will elevate everything else in a project. Tight Knot also works in speculative projects, or 'flips,' and our guiding philosophy for these projects is to get the most light in, and to work with natural materials and existing conditions, instead of "covering" everything with polished forms like vinyl floors and white drywall. Our renovation strategy is to sink more money into windows and skylight penetrations, and to then save money by salvaging as much of the existing conditions as possible. We believe natural light and real materials revitalize a space far better than laminate or drywall ever could. Our speculative projects are produced under Lightwell Properties, LLC which is directly affiliated with Tight Knot. We encourage clients who are in the financial space to reach out to us if they are interested in a development idea.