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MITCHELL RESIDENCE
The Mitchell Residence is one of potentially 6 homes located on a 400+ acres nature conservancy bordering the St Helena Sound on Lady's Island SC.. This new 4000 sq. ft. home reflects its largely wooded surroundings with its one story sprawling floor plan. The house focuses its occupants on multiple views of the property while taking advantage of the site's many great qualities. This project is currently being landscaped and completed.
SVILAND RESIDENCE
This new 1-1/2 story home, is located walking distance from downtown Beaufort SC. The design was influenced by Craftsman and Bugalow Style Architecture which feels right at home in coastal SC. This 1800 sq ft. home also has a separate garage with a 400 sq. ft. guest suite above as well as a separate workshop for the new owner's woodworking profession. The project is currently being landscaped and completed.
PISANO RESIDENCE
Elizabeth Pisano and I would meet everyday day to design this fun 1900 sq. ft. home in a great location in downtown Beaufort SC. Porches and natural light were the owner's main concerns in designing this two bedroom home. The program also included a studio space and an office so dialing in the appropriate scale on this small lot was key.
HEFNER RESTORATION
This home in Downtown Beaufort SC. was our 2nd home and required a complete restoration due to rot and termite damage. Given the house's location in the Historic District, great care was given to keep its character while bringing the home to a like-new standard. Starting at the foundation and working up to the chimney cap, every inch of this house was fixed to last another 100 yrs. During the process, I converted the false dormer into a true dormer to naturally light the kitchen living space as well as adding a loft space. A bathroom, closet, and screen porch were added to the rear. This house was published in Cottage Living Magazine in 2007.
SIMMONS ADDITION
Heath and Chilton Simmons bought a great house on one of the best lots on Lady's Is., SC. It has incredible sunset views overlooking downtown Beaufort and has been the 1st choice party spot location for the Simmons' many friends. The house seemed to be oriented by the original designer for a future addition with the original home pushed to one side of the property with its long axis parallel to the side property line. By reworking some of the interior of the original house, we were able to create a large pass- through foyer that framed the awesome view out to Beaufort. From the new foyer, you walk into the addition which is a casual living space + kitchen with a bedroom above. Large folding doors allow this space to be opened up to the outside patio which can be used often throughout the year due to the cooling southern breezes in the summer. From the upstairs bedroom, a porch links the new addition's bedroom to the original house's upstairs bedroom and becomes another scenic viewpoint.
PRUITT COTTAGE RESTORATION
The Pruitt Cottage built circa 1910 is located in Downtown Beaufort. This complete restoration + addition won "Best Architectural Renovation" by the Historic Beaufort Foundation. It also was published in This Old House, top 10 old house neighborhoods. Starting by elevating the structure to build a new foundation, we paid close attention to preserving this historically contributing structure. The front of the building was the only portion that was salvageable. The two small bedrooms at the rear had to be rebuilt to exact replication. A new front porch went on to match the original, and a master bedroom addition with side porch was added to the rear. We reclaimed much of the original wood to be used for interior trim details.
HEFNER ADDITION
My wife and I bought this house a few years ago after telling my friend who is a real estate agent to let me know if any houses on Factory Creek came up for sale that needed a lot of work and was reflected in the sales price. We liked the simple, modest house with a stunning view. The ranch needed new siding, replacement of some windows and doors etc. but most importantly needed a new kitchen addition. After building the addition on the weekends, I have moved on to building the cabinets which are almost done....I promise, Katherine...., almost done.
HAFFAJEE RESIDENCE
The Haffajee Residence was designed to be a very efficient
2400 sq. ft. home by easily reduce its footprint to 1500 sq. ft. when guests are not occupying. This simple strategy, along with the use of a roof mounted solar array, we were able achieve our design goals. We created an airy, day lit, unique home that takes it occupants on a tour of the property, framing great views from every space.
P R O C E S S
Hefner Residential Architecture is an intentionally small firm which focuses on only a limited number of projects a year to insure all aspects from conception to completion of the design meet and exceed the client's expectations. Below is a list of the Phases of the design process which are used as milestones for the project.
S C H E M A T I C D E S I G N
At the beginning of the process, the homeowner and I look and discuss their property. The owner brings a program to the meeting or we write the program together which is a list of things the owner knows they would like achieve in the design. It can be as simple as saying they want a 4 bedroom home with a large Kitchen with connected Living Space or it can be as complex as adding the minimum sq. footage of each space with special furniture requirements. This is where I start to get a feel for what the client is looking for..., size, style, special requirements. After getting a clear understanding of the owners program, I will visit the site to become familiar with the sites characteristics, best views, prevailing winds, topography, vegetation, site restraints etc, The owner will also provide a tree and topography survey once the home site has been selected. Often it is easy to create sketch drawings of the home from the owners program, I do not start the design until I have a great understanding of the site characteristics which has a major effect on the design . This phase of the process is very important and has to be right, I work closely with my clients to insure this phase of the design by showing the client multiple sketches or auto cad drawings of the floor plans, section drawings, rough details, and elevations.
D E S I G N D E V E L O P M E N T
After approval from the owner of the Schematic Design, more attention can be given to all aspects of the design. Working to figure out unique aspects of the design, I decide on materials to be used, door and window systems, etc. All key architectural interior drawings are created as well as hardscape drawings at this phase. If the owner has a builder or would like to start interviewing builders, this is a good time to introduce the project for their feedback on rough cost numbers and all other construction-related feedback.
C O N S T R U C T I O N D O C U M E N T S
Once the owner and I feel that the design is complete, we have reached the Construction Document Phase. This is where the drawings the builder will build from are created and can be the longest phase of the project's design. Working alongside a structural engineer, the documents are created. Contractors are updated to any major changes in structural systems, material changes, and other potential cost changes during this phase.
C O N S T R U C T I O N A D M I N I S T R A T I O N
From the beginning of the design, I am available to work with my clients, their builder, and interior decorators, at any time to answer any questions. During the Construction Administration Phase, most of these questions arise and having an in-depth understanding of all aspects of the design is needed to answer these questions. I am always available to ensure the project's success. Keeping an eye on the project during construction through multiple site visits to update the owner is key to a successful project.
ASHLEY HEFNER
architect
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