Harris - The Forever Home: How To Work With An Architect To Design The Home Of Your Dreams

Copyright 2015 by Kevin Harris

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written consent of the author, except as provided by the United States of America copyright law.

Published by Advantage, Charleston, South Carolina.

Member of Advantage Media Group.

ADVANTAGE is a registered trademark and the Advantage colophon is a trademark of Advantage Media Group, Inc.

Printed in the United States of America.

ISBN: 978-159932-428-9

LCCN: 2014953412

Book design by George Stevens.

Photography Chipper Hatter.

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This book is intended to express the views and opinions of the author and is neither written as, nor should be interpreted to be, professional advice regarding code compliance, safety, engineering, financial or other matters. The advice contained herein may not be suitable for every situation, and readers should retain licensed professional(s) and consult authorities, codes, covenants, and regulations before starting any construction project.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

A garage addition transforms this house into a forever home by including guest suites and a dayroom upstairs with a separate entrance.

Theres no place like home.

D OROTHY , T HE W IZARD OF O Z

F or most of us there really is no place like home. But like Dorothy, even though we want to go there and may have the resources to get there, we still need someone to show us the way. The purpose of this book is to provide a foundation that will empower you, the reader, to make your journey to your forever home and to detail how an architect can be an indispensable guide.

What is a forever home? Its the home youve always dreamed ofone that fits so well it becomes a part of your identity, a place that nurtures your spirits and houses your most precious earthly belongings, including your family and possessions. You may leave to visit other beautiful places, but whenever you return, you know you are truly home.

From an architects perspective, a forever home is designed with the thought and care not only to accommodate your current needs, but with the anticipation of how it will support your life going forward. It means deliberately designing spaces and selecting materials that optimize livability for you, your children, grandchildren, aging parents, and even you, in your later years. I call this design approach grace in place.

Renovations and additions to a former ranch home (also depicted, ) embrace the surrounding wildlife, landscape, and pond.

The Value of Architectural Guidance

If youre contemplating building, renovating, or redesigning a home, whether its your current home, your next home, or your forever home, youll need help. My architectural role is to help you create the home you want, and I wrote this book to be a guide that will help you reach that goal.

I have been a residential architect for more than three decades. The experience Ive gained in that time has given me a deep understanding of the concerns, fears, and dreams people typically have regarding the construction or renovation of a home. The questions I hear are familiar ones: Where do I start? What is the process? How do I protect myself? How do I put together the team Ill need to get it done? And so on.

Over the years, the size and scope of my firms projects have increased along with my experience, but what has remained constant is my commitment to helping and educating my clients, even when they were just potential clients.

Wrap around verandas and an elevated foundation elegantly create a home that resonates with the Southern culture.

Early in my full-time practice, I began to offer design consultations to people who were considering building a new home or renovating an existing home. During these house calls we would discuss items specific to their vision, of course, but a lot of time was spent reviewing the different options for design and construction, the pros and cons of each, the factors that influence the decisions on both accounts, what to expect during the process, and how to prepare for the journey. The first phase of our conversation always included architectural discussions, but it also began an educational process that continued until my clients moved into their new home.

Each month in the United States, between six and seven hundred thousand new homes are built. According to the statistics, the vast majority are designed without an architect. Is this representative of the cultural disconnect between the architectural profession and the residential consumer? Or is it, rather, due more to a lack of exposure to an understanding of what architects actually do? I believe it is a bit of both, but either way, the numbers underscore the lack of professional influence architects have on the marketplace, and the potentials of increasing their role. More information must be made readily accessible to empower existing homeowners, future homeowners, and potential remodelers about the process of home design and construction, and of the value prospect of engaging an architect.

Historic research guided this authentic composition that captures the majesty of houses along St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans.

As of this writing, there are more than 100,000 registered architects in the United States, but only a fraction practice custom residential design. Considering the millions of homes built or remodeled each year, its easy to see why there is a greater demand for residential design services than architects alone can satisfy. Its also really no surprise that many people dont even know an architect, much less understand what they bring to a project.

Creating a home that sustains and supports the life of the family that dwells in it is a priceless endeavor. Its where much of our lives are spent, where we eat, sleep, grow, love, nurture, and form bonds. A home is part of the American dream, as deeply entrenched in our societys collective psyche as baseball and apple pie. For two-thirds of American families, it also represents their single largest asset.