Insights.
Made by Detail is rooted in the belief that beauty is built—not just drawn. These insights come directly from the construction site: the real-world conditions, repeated oversights, and missed opportunities that too often compromise good design.
Through years of delivery-focused architectural work, I’ve identified recurring issues in detailing, coordination, and execution—most of which can be avoided through clarity, craft, and effective protocols. This space exists to share that experience.
Whether it’s waterproofing, facade detailing, or joinery resolution, each post aims to offer practical, step-by-step strategies grounded in deep technical understanding. Inspired by the Renaissance approach—where structure, material, and design were inseparable—this is a journal for those who believe architecture is only as good as its weakest junction.
Stone Cladding Done Right: A Practical Guide to Fixing, Framing, and Failure Prevention.
Published in Design by Detail by Quetzal Diaz de Leon.
Stone cladding is a timeless architectural classic, but unforgiving in execution. Beneath the surface lies a web of structural interfaces, fixing constraints, tolerances, and environmental conditions that must all be accounted for. Based on project reviews, consultant workshops, and on-site challenges, this post distills the key technical lessons and rules of thumb that separate well-executed stone cladding from a liability waiting to happen.
The Architect’s Guide to Sauna Design: Keep It Simple, Get It Right
Published in Design by Detail by Quetzal Diaz de Leon.
Lessons gathered over months of workshopping with sauna consultants, mechanical and electrical contractors, builders, architects, and waterproofing specialists. We interrogated every element of sauna performance, from material selection and ventilation principles to heat behaviour and long-term maintenance. What emerged is a simple framework that works across budgets, typologies, and levels of complexity.