Herlong Architects

When it comes time for homeowners to start the interior design process, most focus on the color of paint, whether to select carpet over hardwoods and how to match the window treatments to the furniture style, but those elements don’t mean as much if you haven’t had an architect keeping tabs on the interior design from the beginning.

Interior architecture is about those little details, those finishing touches that give a house that “wow” factor. As architects, we don’t just figure out where to place the bedrooms and how to make the best use of closet space. We focus on continuity and the proportions. Often, in our work, we define spaces with interesting beams and ceiling design, but unless the details are harmonious and the proportions are correct, the entire balance of the space can get out of whack.  A comfortable summer cottage can lose its charm with heavy-handed formal beams and trim.

Coordination among the architectural beams, the cabinetry, the lighting and the plumbing were critical to the success of this kitchen. Had any one element been ignored, the focus would immediately shift to the element that was not symmetrical. Instead the balance achieved creates a harmonious and welcoming space.

In simple terms, our job is to make sure a house fits and flows. Dozens of hands touch a house during the building process. The builder handles the construction of the entire house, but then there’s a trim carpenter, a plumber, an electrician and a whole team just to put in the kitchen cabinets. It’s the job of the architect to bring consistency to all those various pieces.

For example, we pay attention to how the details of the wainscot in the living room complements the style of the cabinetry; whether a room’s sense of balance is thrown off-kilter by beams that are misaligned; and how the lighting works in the entire room. We’re coordinating all those efforts, so the end result is a beautiful home.

We architects first look at each room and make sure the interior design fits together in that one room. Then we look at each room in relationship to the other rooms and the house as a whole.

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As pictured below, an old Sullivan’s Island cottage is transformed to a bright comfortable space well suited to today’s lifestyle. Though undergoing a major change, the basic comfortable cottage feel was retained by the use of simple trim details that stay true to the home’s island character.

You’ve just purchased an amazing home with a great view of the Atlantic Ocean. You can’t wait to enjoy those ocean breezes and multicolored sunsets. But, first you’re thinking of making some changes, maybe adding a master suite and another guest room to accommodate your friends and family.

Sounds simple, right? Well, maybe not, depending on just how much renovating you plan to do. It’s easy for homeowners to get excited about their renovation and addition plans and forget about those pesky little details like building codes.

Anyone who lives in a Lowcountry flood zone should pay close attention to building codes and flood ordinances. The FEMA flood ordinance has been in effect since the mid-1970s. Originally, houses were required to be elevated approximately 6 feet off the ground in a flood zone, but every few years the codes are reassessed and the building height requirement rises like the tide.

OK, so what does this have to do with adding on a room or two? It’s all about the 50-percent rule. Take the appraised value of your current structure, and if you’re spending more than half that value on your addition project, you have to bring the entire house – old and new – up to code. For example, if your house is appraised at $300,000 and you plan to spend more than $150,000 on the additions, you’d better get the whole house in line with the current codes.

Here’s an example of how your budget can take a real hit. The current FEMA flood ordinances often require oceanfront houses to be built 21 feet above the height of an average low tide. The average grade on a piece of oceanfront property is 8 feet above low tide, so that means the house would need to be built 13 feet in the air.

If you’re following that 50-percent rule and need to bring your house in line with current codes, you just might have to jack up your house, which might only be elevated 6 to 8 feet in the air, and build a whole new foundation to raise it up a few feet. That’s quite a big task – with quite a big budget.

Plus, it requires extensive design and planning to build a house that meets those requirements and looks aesthetically pleasing and proportional.

Your best bet is to first get in touch with a design professional. With a quick call to our office, we can help you understand the ordinances and figure out if you need to scale back or create plans to accommodate a bigger budget.

Whether it’s cleaning products, office supplies or food containers, just about everything comes in a green option. But when we’re designing and building houses, just how green can you be?

When we talk with clients about designing an environmentally friendly home, we focus on creating a high-performance structure, particularly on the Charleston coast where houses need to be designed to withstand hurricane-force winds and the potential window-rattling earthquake.

And with the air conditioning cranked up in July and August, you want a home that is energy efficient, ultimately costing less to cool in the summer and heat in the winter.

Making decisions to build a green home start long before selecting bamboo floors or dual-flush toilets. It means starting at the drawing board. Even a large home can be built efficiently if you take the time and effort to focus on the planning process.

Consider how the sun hits the home and design extended overhangs to create more shade. Spend more time on the placement of the mechanical systems, ensuring the unit is running at maximum efficiency.

Is the building envelope durable from the frame to the siding? Starting the green process at the beginning gives the house a cohesiveness that allows all systems – from the HVAC to the plumbing – to function together.

We work closely with clients, discussing the design and the budget and how to achieve a green home. It’s often those little things that turn a vision on a blueprint into a high-performance house.

And being green doesn’t always mean you have to make expensive choices. Yes, solar panels to heat your water are pricey, but you can make an equally important impact by putting 15-cent water flow restrictors on your shower heads. If you don’t have an endless budget, start with less expensive items and work your way up.

By putting some thought into green building before the hammer hits the first nail, you can achieve a high-performance house.

In recent weeks we’ve been hearing from clients who want to make the move to a better property and build, but are hesitant to take the next step. Because our company does mostly high-end, custom projects, our clients can afford to build, but they feel guilty about spending any money when so many people are struggling.

But now is the best time to build. Lot values have hit levels we haven’t seen since 2003. Building costs – both labor and materials – are the lowest they’ve been in a decade. Costs are down about 30 percent, letting you take advantage of significant savings.

With less work on the horizon, materials and subcontractor labor costs are dropping as they compete for what work is out there. In fact, prices are becoming as competitive as they should have been in recent years.

Homeowners are at a distinct advantage. You can build the home you’ve always wanted for less money, which means you can add that swimming pool, sunroom or spa-like bathroom because you’re spending less money on the entire project.

We also stress to clients who can afford to build that they are in fact stimulating the economy. Don’t feel guilty about building a new house; instead, see it as an opportunity to employ your neighbors. Hire an architect, a contractor, painters, interior designers and cabinet makers. They’ll be grateful and happy to have the business.

People may be tempted to put their lives on hold because of an uncertain economy, but there’s never been a better time to build. And, predictions are the economy will improve next year, so if you don’t start the design and building process now, you’ll miss out on the lower costs.

Consider building your new home today – there’s no time like the present.