Monday, September 9, 2013
Saturday, June 22, 2013
Can you design my house to look like its always been here?
This post is about a question that I get asked often and it seems to be asked more frequently as of late.
"Can you design my house to look like its always been here?"
Sure.
First we need to do a site visit and if you don't already have a site, then you need to get one. Duh.
Whether you hire an architect or a designer, that should be the first course of action. If you hire someone who never visited your site early on in the process, you probably hired the wrong person.
Second, we determine the vernacular architecture of your particular area of the country.
Vernacular Architecture
Wikipedia definition:
Vernacular architecture is a category of architecture based on localized needs and construction materials, and reflecting local traditions. Vernacular architecture tends to evolve over time to reflect the environmental, cultural, technological, and historical context in which it exists. It has often been dismissed as crude and unrefined, but also has proponents who highlight its importance in current design.
It can be contrasted against polite architecture which is characterized by stylistic elements of design intentionally incorporated for aesthetic purposes which go beyond a building's functional requirements.
I live and practice in Middle Tennessee, particularly the Clarksville and Nashville areas. I love it here. My clients that are drawn to historic architecture have expressed interest in three styles:
Federal Style
Wikipedia definition:
Federal-style architecture is the name for the classisizing architecture built in North America between c. 1780 and 1830, and particularly from 1785 to 1815. This style shares its name with its era, the Federal Period. The name Federal style is also used in association with furniture design in the United States of the same time period. The style broadly corresponds to the middle-class classicism of Biedermeier style in the German-speaking lands, Regency style in Britain and to the French Empire style.
One example of Federal style architecture in Tennessee would be The James K. Polk House.
Greek Revival Style
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| The Polk Home |
Greek Revival Style
Wikipedia definition:
The Greek Revival was an architectural movement of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, predominantly in Northern Europe and the United States. A product of Hellenism, it may be looked upon as the last phase in the development of Neoclassical architecture. The term was first used by Charles Robert Cockerell in a lecture he gave as Professor of Architecture to the Royal Academy in 1842.[1]
With a new found access to Greece, archaeologist-architects of the period studied the Doric and Ionic orders, examples of which can be found in Russia, Poland, Lithuania and Finland (where the assembly of Greek buildings in Helsinki city center is particularly notable). Yet in each country it touched, the style was looked on as the expression of local nationalism and civic virtue, especially in Germany and the United States, where the idiom was regarded as being free from ecclesiastical and aristocratic associations.
The taste for all things Greek in furniture and interior design was at its peak by the beginning of the 19th century, when the designs of Thomas Hope had influenced a number of decorative styles known variously as Neoclassical, Empire, Russian Empire, and Regency. Greek Revival architecture took a different course in a number of countries, lasting until the Civil War in America (1860s) and even later in Scotland. The style was also exported to Greece under the first two (German and Danish) kings of the newly independent nation.
One example of Greek Revival style architecture in Tennessee would be Elm Springs.
Italianate Revival Style
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| Elm Springs |
Italianate Revival Style
Wikipedia definition:
The Italianate style of architecture was a distinct 19th-century phase in the history of Classical architecture. In the Italianate style, the models and architectural vocabulary of 16th-century Italian Renaissance architecture, which had served as inspiration for both Palladianism and Neoclassicism, were synthesized with picturesque aesthetics. The style of architecture that was thus created, though also characterized as "Neo-Renaissance", was essentially of its own time. "The backward look transforms its object," Siegfried Giedion wrote of historic architectural styles;[2] "every spectator at every period—at every moment, indeed—inevitably transforms the past according to his own nature."
The Italianate style was first developed in Britain about 1802 by John Nash, with the construction of Cronkhill in Shropshire. This small country house is generally accepted to be the first Italianate villa in England, from which is derived the Italianate architecture of the late Regency and early Victorian eras.[3] The Italianate style was further developed and popularised by the architect Sir Charles Barry in the 1830s.[4] Barry's Italianate style (occasionally termed "Barryesque")[1] drew heavily for its motifs on the buildings of the Italian Renaissance, though sometimes at odds with Nash's semi-rustic Italianate villas.
The style was not confined to England and was employed in varying forms, long after its decline in popularity in Britain, throughout Northern Europe and the British Empire. From the late 1840s to 1890 it achieved huge popularity in the United States,[5] where it was promoted by the architect Alexander Jackson Davis.
One example Italianate Revival style architecture in Tennessee would be the Beach-Northington House.
(When I decided to start my own firm, my first office was located on the second floor.)
A common thread with all three of these styles is that they were popular right before, during, and right after The Civil War.
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| Beach-Northington House |
These historic homes were designed and built on a grand scale however in some ways were designed to be environmentally friendly.
Third, We begin to conceptualize about the design and determine how best to design a historic looking house with modern amenities.
The three architectural styles listed above are the three that I am asked about the most when referring to historic architecture in Middle Tennessee. They are not my favorite but I don't dislike any of them.
Thanks for the time,
Joshua
Friday, May 31, 2013
An office condo and what do architects really do?
Hi! This blogging stuff takes up a great deal of time! When I started, I thought I would be able to blog about a different project every other Friday but it has been really difficult to keep up!
Anyway, I thought for this post and the next couple of posts I would try to write about what exactly an architect does and use some of my current projects to help illustrate. There's no way I can convey in one blog post exactly what an architect does but hopefully after a few of these you'll start to get the point.
The project above is one that I started a couple weeks ago and has recently been submitted to the planning commission for review. This project will be located behind an existing bank that is adjacent to a heavily traveled highway in middle Tennessee. The client for this project is a developer/contractor and they will be the general contractor for the project. The design aesthetic and material selections were driven by the existing bank structure. The buildings will be approximately 60 feet apart, so the owner asked that we design something that speaks to the architecture of the existing bank and keep the design within a strict budget.
Architects work with clients in a structured sequence of phases. These phases help define the scope of our services and provide benchmarks for a client and architect to look forward to when designing a project. We have completed the programming, schematic design, and design development phase for the referenced project above. Once we have Planning Commission approval, we'll complete the construction document phase (detailed floor plans, building sections, elevations, details, schedules, etc.) The last two phases are the bid phase and construction administration. We'll talk more about the different phases of a project later.
I think a big misconception about architects is that we sit in an air conditioned office all day and draw/color pretty pictures. And we do. But that's only a small portion of what we do. I'll talk about more of what we do in later posts.
Thanks for the time,
Joshua
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Its been a while...
Its been a while since I've been able to blog!
I've been studying for registration exams and i'm happy to say that i've finished all of my exams and officially an architect! Woo! I've been blessed with some great projects that I'll be blogging about very soon. In the meantime I thought I would share a house that I designed a few years ago.
The owners of this house wanted something very clean and "european looking".
The site already had a house and tennis court. The existing house didn't meet the owners needs or style so they decided to move the house.
The new house includes a basement, main floor, and upper floor. The basement includes a three car garage, storage, and a weight room. The main entry on the main floor opens up to a grand spiral staircase and is flanked on each side by a formal dining area and a library. The great room and kitchen are open and both face a modern fireplace. The back patio has access to the dedicated wet bar and opens up to an inground swimming pool. The owners also wanted a stacked closet area that could be retrofitted with an elevator. The master suite includes a generous bath, closet, and dressing areas.The upper floor includes three bedrooms, a theater room, and game room with a wet bar. The exterior of this house is finished with brick veneer that has a colored texture applied to give the look of an older home. A great project for great clients that I enjoyed working with.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
The modern house that never was...
This project was one of the most enjoyable projects that I've ever worked on.
The sad part is, it was never built.
It started out with a husband and wife that wanted to renovate their small home, located on a beautiful piece of property. This location was heavily wooded and included a medium-sized creek that traversed the entire piece of property. We started to sketch ideas of the renovation and quickly realized that the existing house would work better as a guest house.
Once we located a site for the new house, we started designing a very clean, modern house. This couple has an extensive book collection so we included a large book shelf with a rolling library ladder for floor to ceiling access. Also, we included a generous window seat with an awesome view of the woods. The master suite was somewhat standard with a garden tub at the back corner of the master bath. We located two windows with great views of the woods in that corner. The office included a custom wall bed that could be extended for guests and the desk is located directly below a bank of windows with a view of the woods.
The style of this house is very modern (my personal fave).
Exterior materials included cement fiber siding, stone veneer, and round wood columns (utility poles).
The roof included generous overhangs but the front porch featured a pergola instead of a covered porch.
This was used to give the feel of a front porch but allow natural light into the kitchen, dining, great room, and reading areas.
This project was so much fun and I hope that it could eventually be built, but until then one can dream.
Right?
The sad part is, it was never built.
It started out with a husband and wife that wanted to renovate their small home, located on a beautiful piece of property. This location was heavily wooded and included a medium-sized creek that traversed the entire piece of property. We started to sketch ideas of the renovation and quickly realized that the existing house would work better as a guest house.
Once we located a site for the new house, we started designing a very clean, modern house. This couple has an extensive book collection so we included a large book shelf with a rolling library ladder for floor to ceiling access. Also, we included a generous window seat with an awesome view of the woods. The master suite was somewhat standard with a garden tub at the back corner of the master bath. We located two windows with great views of the woods in that corner. The office included a custom wall bed that could be extended for guests and the desk is located directly below a bank of windows with a view of the woods.
The style of this house is very modern (my personal fave).
Exterior materials included cement fiber siding, stone veneer, and round wood columns (utility poles).
The roof included generous overhangs but the front porch featured a pergola instead of a covered porch.
This was used to give the feel of a front porch but allow natural light into the kitchen, dining, great room, and reading areas.
This project was so much fun and I hope that it could eventually be built, but until then one can dream.
Right?
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
From duplex to modern home.
I enjoy the challenge of renovations as much as I enjoy designing new houses.
At one time this house had actually been a duplex and the dividing wall had been removed to create a single family residence.We measured the existing house and started sketching up floor plans. We had this floor plan schematically designed in a very short amount of time. And it was a good thing because the client found out they were expecting their second child. I'll never forget that phone call, "Josh, we need to get these plans done tomorrow, we're having another baby."
This particular project is located in a nice neighborhood in Nashville, Tennessee.
The owner is an industrial designer and wanted to transform their house into something that was a little more modern.
At one time this house had actually been a duplex and the dividing wall had been removed to create a single family residence.We measured the existing house and started sketching up floor plans. We had this floor plan schematically designed in a very short amount of time. And it was a good thing because the client found out they were expecting their second child. I'll never forget that phone call, "Josh, we need to get these plans done tomorrow, we're having another baby."
After a few more meetings, we were finished in a relatively short amount of time.
The plan was to remodel the existing portion of the house and add a modern master suite and a covered back porch. By adding a new master suite, we re-purposed the old master to be used for a new kitchen. The kitchen would double in size and showcase some really nice appliances that the homeowner had designed. Access to the new covered porch would be placed at the back of the new kitchen.
The plan was to remodel the existing portion of the house and add a modern master suite and a covered back porch. By adding a new master suite, we re-purposed the old master to be used for a new kitchen. The kitchen would double in size and showcase some really nice appliances that the homeowner had designed. Access to the new covered porch would be placed at the back of the new kitchen.
Next we moved the living room to the front where the old dining area was located. And the two front bedrooms would remain in their current location.
The new master suite addition includes a bedroom, bathroom, and walk-in closet. The exterior included a shed roof and cement fiber board siding. The existing house is brick and the brick that was removed where the addition is located was reused and relocated to the side of the house.
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
Monday, December 10, 2012
Country kitchen turned CREAM of the crop.
I don't get to do a great deal of kitchen makeovers but when our dear friends wanted a new kitchen, I knew this would be a fun project. This client had one request at the very beginning...the cabinets had to be painted and the color was to be cream. We all have our "must haves" and this one was very doable.
This project began with an existing kitchen that at one time served its purpose well.
It had plenty of space to cook, space for a smaller dining table, and a small enclosed pantry closet.
The double doors at the back open to an enclosed patio area that includes some spectacular views of the backyard.
The existing lighting consisted of some recessed fluorescent light fixtures and one suspended fixture over the dining table that didn't produce much light.
There was a single window above the sink that introduced some natural light into the space but it was still a dark space.
Since Shea and I were friends with these clients, we had spent a lot of time in this kitchen.
We always seemed to gather at the smaller dining table and at the small peninsula located between the prep area and dining area.
We set out to create a more modern cooking area that made better use of the space and create a space for gathering and entertaining.
We came up with 6 different options for their kitchen and ended up taking two of those options and combining them.
We reduced the double doors at the back patio to a single 3'-0" door. This gave us more wall space for base and wall cabinets.
Next, we kept the sink and the window where they were located and added another casement window right beside the existing window.
This doubled the amount of natural light and the view of the backyard.
The best feature of this new kitchen layout is the new island.
It includes a 6'-0" long prep area and a 5'-0" long table.
This has become the gathering place for parties and get togethers.
Finishes:
My wife Shea, the owners, and myself picked out the finishes and we created what I believe to be a very warm space. The new kitchen includes all new stainless steel appliances, new quartz countertops, new butcher block counter top at the island, new custom cabinets, new mosaic tile backsplash, and new rear door (includes a doggie door) and windows.
The end result is a modern, clean, functional kitchen...and the cream color cabinets look awesome.
Designer: Joshua Wright
General Contractor: Steve Griffey
Photography and Finish Picker: Shea Halliburton Wright
This project began with an existing kitchen that at one time served its purpose well.
It had plenty of space to cook, space for a smaller dining table, and a small enclosed pantry closet.
The double doors at the back open to an enclosed patio area that includes some spectacular views of the backyard.
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| Existing kitchen. Photography ByShea |
The existing lighting consisted of some recessed fluorescent light fixtures and one suspended fixture over the dining table that didn't produce much light.
There was a single window above the sink that introduced some natural light into the space but it was still a dark space.
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| Existing kitchen. Photography ByShea. |
Since Shea and I were friends with these clients, we had spent a lot of time in this kitchen.
We always seemed to gather at the smaller dining table and at the small peninsula located between the prep area and dining area.
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| Existing kitchen. Photography ByShea. |
We set out to create a more modern cooking area that made better use of the space and create a space for gathering and entertaining.
We came up with 6 different options for their kitchen and ended up taking two of those options and combining them.
We reduced the double doors at the back patio to a single 3'-0" door. This gave us more wall space for base and wall cabinets.
Next, we kept the sink and the window where they were located and added another casement window right beside the existing window.
This doubled the amount of natural light and the view of the backyard.
The best feature of this new kitchen layout is the new island.
It includes a 6'-0" long prep area and a 5'-0" long table.
This has become the gathering place for parties and get togethers.
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| Schematic 3d model. copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
Finishes:
My wife Shea, the owners, and myself picked out the finishes and we created what I believe to be a very warm space. The new kitchen includes all new stainless steel appliances, new quartz countertops, new butcher block counter top at the island, new custom cabinets, new mosaic tile backsplash, and new rear door (includes a doggie door) and windows.
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| New kitchen. Photography ByShea. |
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| New kitchen. Photography ByShea. |
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| New kitchen. Photography ByShea. |
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| New kitchen. Photography ByShea. |
The end result is a modern, clean, functional kitchen...and the cream color cabinets look awesome.
Designer: Joshua Wright
General Contractor: Steve Griffey
Photography and Finish Picker: Shea Halliburton Wright
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| New kitchen. Photography ByShea. |
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Tennessee (Re)treat
This project is all about the great outdoors.
These clients talked about building a retreat house for their family in a southern, middle Tennessee development. The designers of this development have created a beautiful getaway in and around a mountain just outside of Mcminnville,Tennessee.
We'll call this one a retreat / cabin / getaway house.
The development has a strict covenant that dictates the use of interior and exterior materials and we followed the guidelines very closely.
The plan is very simple and open.
We tried to take advantage of the tremendous views in every direction with ample windows and outdoor spaces. We even included an outdoor shower. The interior is finished in knotty pine boards on the floors, walls, and ceilings. One of my favorite details on this one is the built-in beds on the upper floor that have their own casement (crank out) window. I hope that the client's grandchildren will someday be able to enjoy these spaces.
This was a unique and incredible opportunity for me and it was made possible by some special clients.
Designer: Joshua Wright General Contractor: AKB Inc., Keith Bouldin  |
| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
Craftsman style for one...
I've been fortunate to have been asked to design a lot of craftsman style houses.
I've also renovated a few ranch style houses to look like a craftsman.
This house is a good example of a craftsman style home.
The client (referred to me by a good contractor friend) wanted enough room to entertain guests but not be too large for a single person home.
The floor plan is pretty simple.
A master suite, two additional bedrooms, and an open kitchen/great room concept.
She also wanted an office/loft with a view of her property.
The site for this house is located in the middle of a field with views that are heavily wooded in all four directions.
We extended the overhangs of the house to 24" to help cool the house in the summer and we used 2 x 6 exterior wood stud walls to increase the R value (thickness of insulation).
Designer: Joshua Wright
General Contractor: Jake Welch Construction
Designer: Joshua Wright
General Contractor: Jake Welch Construction
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
Monday, December 3, 2012
The family that does EVERYTHING together.
One of the things that I enjoy most about my job is meeting all different types of people.
This particular house was designed for a family that does everything together.
From the first time they walked into my office, until the last time we went over their final plans, they were all there. Not only did mom, dad, brother, and sister make it to every meeting, the brother's fiance and the sister's boyfriend came to every meeting. I know what you're thinking, I bet those meetings were like a three ring circus. The exact opposite was true. Everybody had ideas about what this house should be and we tried to incorporate as many ideas as we could into the final design. One more thing to note about these guys, they brought pizza and "frosty beverages" to our final meeting. I can't say enough nice things about these folks, they are truly GOOD people.
So about the house, let's call this one a farmhouse. Nothing crazy or over the top about this one, just a nice, comfortable home located on their farm. We did site the house and create as much shade for the window openings as possible. Also, see the two different dormer configurations below. You'll notice the elevation has five dormers and the rendering has one enlarged dormer. This family chose the single dormer design...which do you like best? This was a fun house to design.
This particular house was designed for a family that does everything together.
From the first time they walked into my office, until the last time we went over their final plans, they were all there. Not only did mom, dad, brother, and sister make it to every meeting, the brother's fiance and the sister's boyfriend came to every meeting. I know what you're thinking, I bet those meetings were like a three ring circus. The exact opposite was true. Everybody had ideas about what this house should be and we tried to incorporate as many ideas as we could into the final design. One more thing to note about these guys, they brought pizza and "frosty beverages" to our final meeting. I can't say enough nice things about these folks, they are truly GOOD people.
So about the house, let's call this one a farmhouse. Nothing crazy or over the top about this one, just a nice, comfortable home located on their farm. We did site the house and create as much shade for the window openings as possible. Also, see the two different dormer configurations below. You'll notice the elevation has five dormers and the rendering has one enlarged dormer. This family chose the single dormer design...which do you like best? This was a fun house to design.
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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| copyright Joshua Wright Design 2012 |
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