Architectural Authenticity
The proper context for most design elements is what gives them architectural merit. Watering down specific details of any given style compromises the look. “Trends” often reach across the architectural boundaries and pull normally "good design” out of their context, making them inauthentic, contrived, and timestamped.
When considering cost for a home, the materials are a major factor in where that figure actually ends up. If we plan correctly for an authentic architectural style, we can embrace the virtues of a given material or shape that is proper within that context. For instance, stucco is often a lower cost exterior material in certain locations. Can we work with that to create a beautiful home? Embracing a given style and its appropriate materials gives a home authenticity and timelessness. By building it right the first time, both in terms of quality and style, we save on having to redo it 10 years later, which is financially and ecologically responsible.
A more “quiet” approach to design is where I lean. Home is less about being impressed and more about leaving an impression. Theatrical style and gimmicky details that don’t really do much for the overall experience of a home should be done away with. Authenticity is more than just what it looks like in a picture. It has to be spatially comfortable, properly proportioned, and feel inviting. The best homes are the ones where the senses are at ease, and that’s created by thought put into how we interact with and relate to our built environment. Have you ever walked in a room and found a smile on your face? Like, the stupid grin that accompanies butterflies in your stomach? Those are the spaces we remember. When you stop to evaluate it, the space becomes more than a sum of its parts. Putting the right materials together in the right way creates an architectural experience.
A More Practical Approach to Design
Understanding “the why” of a home improves so much about the design. Be prepared to answer that question a lot. Designing a home isn’t just about making it pretty. Don’t get me wrong, that’s part of the deal, too, but it’s got to function for how you live your life. In the process of building a program for the home, why you do what you do is a major component to the conversation. Most clients start out with an idea of what they’re looking for in terms of function and aesthetic, and as we break it down piece by piece, we get to the fundamentals where we can potentially modify or improve upon the initial idea in terms of function, aesthetic, schedule, and cost.
In the interiors specification process, durability is key. Investing in the right materials for longevity makes much more financial and ethical sense to me. By focusing on finishes that will “wear in” and get better with use, we create a home that will last. Your home needs to be a workhorse for your life. Today’s families have varied needs, and by factoring those into the plan from the outset, we make a home that is both beautiful and practical.
Value-based design is important to me. My clients are the kind of people who understand that creating home has inherent cost, and they’re willing to invest in the things that truly make a difference. To some, upgrading appliances is worth it because they get the functional benefits while others love solid hardwood flooring. Investing in quality craftsmanship and saving on material cost also elevates the home and balances out the overall cost. A proper installation of inexpensive tile will always look better than a shoddy job with a budget-breaking tile choice. As we discuss what’s important to you, we find the balance of where to spend and where to save. That’s creating value in a home.
Build Smaller & Better
The famed architect Sarah Susanka and her “Not-So-Big House” philosophy just make so much sense. If we build less square footage and volume of space, it allocates funds to invest in the details that make a home a true joy to live in. (And we can also reduce the operating cost of a home. Who wants to pay to air condition a twenty foot ceiling?) In the design process, I push back a bit on the “why” side of function and style, especially when it comes to the need for certain sizes and numbers of spaces within a home. I’ll always allocate square footage to functional and spatial needs, so the goal is to optimize the function relative to size.
If we were to generate a traffic map of your home, how often would we see people occupy any given room?
And within those rooms, what parts are most/least used?
How can we optimize the function of a space without needing to increase the overall size?
Do you have areas in your home that are underutilized? If so, what functions could they serve?
When we simplify the structure of a home, along with reducing the overall size, we save on cost. The simplest form to build is a box. I think that’s why I love a good Colonial home so much. I start out conservative on the structural aspect of a home, even when working with a healthy budget, because if we can reduce the cost of the things you don’t see or interact with on a daily basis (like the number of corners in the foundation), we can then invest in better windows and upgraded millwork details. Those are the things you will really enjoy about a home, so we focus our efforts on optimizing their impact.