Custom Home Design

The trip a client takes in designing and building a truly custom house is probably comparable to walking around the world - barefoot! Seriously, it is not a journey for just anyone. For those that are so inclined it is one of the most exciting, most aggravating, most fulfilling adventures they may ever take.  The world is filled with spec houses available for purchase...for those individuals who disdain the bland and the mundane...hiring an archtitect is the only path you could follow in order to achieve the epitome of shelter... the custom residence! Here are a few examples:


House A

The owners wanted a southern plantation house in the traditional white exterior. Besides black shingles, everything  was white; white brick, white mortar, white trim, white balustrade. Five major rooms of the main level have direct access to the rear terrace, loggia, pool deck and backyard.

As can be seen in the photos, the entrance foyer has a dramatic curving floating stair. This is quite striking either from the entry or looking down from the oval art gallery.


Two of the four upstairs bedroom suites open up to the veranda above the front door. The attic has been designed so that 80% of the floor area can be used for storage  and is reached by a secret curving stairway.


The main level owner's suite has its own private screened porch, his and hers bathrooms, a "circus tented" ceiling in the sitting area, a bedside fireplace and a 275 square foot wardrobe / dressing area.

The main level  has an exercise suite with full bath that could also be used as an in-law suite. The house also has a six car garage.

It is tough to pinpoint the owner's favorite spots; it could be the view of the estate from the upper level veranda, the open kitchen, or the master bath shower... or  perhaps  the home theater with niche for the popcorn popper. That would be the architect's favorite spot!



House B

The owners desired a contemporary house for the in-fill, heavily wooded lot they had recently purchased. While the architect and the owners put together a program of requirements, they also wanted a house as maintenance free as possible. 

With the maintenance free goal in mind the house was designed...

  • To be gutter free... so no cleaning would be necessary
  • With aluminum clad windows...so no painting 
  • With brick veneer on all walls...so no siding to paint 
  • With stucco on eaves and soffits...so no wood to rot out 
  • With concrete decks...so no treated wood to maintain

First time visitors are surprised to learn this house is over 6,000 heated square feet, has a three car garage,  screened porch, two terraces and more than 2,800 square feet of space to be used for storage or future expansion.

The most striking feature of the house is the seventy foot long by eighteen foot high "spine" that runs from the front to the back of the structure. It is peppered with skylights, some of which open for natural cooling. This spine allows free movement to the major rooms; entrance hall, main terrace, kitchen, dining, living, piano alcove, family entry and stairwell without encumbrance. This is residential architecture that is stimulating, invigorating and a joy to live in!

What made this house such a success was the terrific owners. Clients who were willing to try new ideas, listen to suggestions by the architect and in the end, make bold decisions that lead to incredible results!




 

 

Dean Hatjioannou, AlA
Residential Architecture
Office: 704 - 321 - 2394
Fax: 704 - 321 - 2395
dean@housedean.com