Traditional American House; Need Architect With Understanding Of Vitruvian Priciples

[xj6693]

We are planning building an American traditional house on a 60' X 125' corner lot in the western side of the Montrose area. The architect we've trused completely, died just after we bought the lot, and we're in a real quandry.

The house will be two stories with an attic, and between four and five thousand square feet. Because of the size and location of the lot, we want a genuinely urban house (like those seen in Philadelphia) as opposed to a country house squeezed onto an innercity lot, and we lean more toward Federal than Georgian. We're looking at a budget not to exceed a million dollars, so the emphasis will be on classical design integrity as opposed to applied trim and elobrate finishes.

We have recently read Marriane Cusato's Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid. As a result, we understand that the houses to which we've always been drawn are houses that are historically accurate in scale and proportion. Although her explanations of such concepts as the Golden Section are abrieviated, we gained enormous insight into the illusive aesthetic we have been looking for.

We're having difficulty finding local architects with a clear understanding of the classical orders and the application of those pricipals to residential design. Recommendations and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Dan the Man]

I suggest Curtis & Windham Architects, a local firm that does specializes in Classical Architecture. I don't know too much about them, but I've been impressed with the quality of their work.

http://www.curtisandwindham.com/default.as...teOnSearch=True

[xj6693]

Dan,

Thanks for the reply. We have considered Curtis and Windham, but it is our impression that their projects are much larger scale and considerably higher budget than we ours. Or perhaps I'm wrong about that.

Any other ideas?

[gwilson]

I can check with the designer who has done most of my stuff. He is extremely talented and one of his homes was featured in Custom Builder this month as well.

[xj6693]

GWilson,

Thanks for the offer. I'd really like to hear a number of recommendations.

Regards