From our cabin collection

Southern Living, Apr 1996 by Nesmith, Lynn, Joyner, Louis

We did it because it was fun," says architect Bill Phillips. And his new Cabin Collection is indeed a great deal of fun. The 16 cabins in the collection pack a lot of living into a little bit of space. (They range from about 600 to 1,500 square feet.)

Over the years, many of Bill's larger home designs have been featured in Southern Living and have also been made available as working drawings through Southern Living House Plans. But Bill also wanted to do something else: "People kept calling us and asking, 'Do you have anything smaller?' People were yelling for smaller stuff," he adds. So Bill set out to design some really small houses.

He used the vernacular structures of the rural South, as well a the more refined outbuildings o Colonial Williamsburg, for inspiration. There is even a dogtrot cabin. Bill not only studied the simple massing and roof forms of these houses from the past, but he also borrowed their simple detailing and honest use of materials.

Last summer we visited the residential community of River Oaks in Searcy, Arkansas, where developer E. D. Yancey built some of the cabins from the collection, including The Ozarks, Deer Run, and Yancey's Mill. The houses are sited on a ridge overlooking a pond and golf course. "Nine o'clock is when the animals take over--deer, raccoons, squirrels," adds E. D.'s wife, Peggy.

In keeping with the vernacular tradition, Bill and E. D. used local materials. Foundations and chimneys are stacked stone and exterior walls are rough-sawn cypress. "We went to the local mills and picked the wood," says E. D. "When we got the cypress, it was so doggone pretty," adds Bill. Too pretty to paint.

To duplicate the painted tin roofs often seen on rural buildings, Bill selected color-coated, standing-seam metal roofing. Even though it is three to four times more expensive than conventional shingles, the cost isn't prohibitive because very little material is needed for such a small house. This meshes with Bill's philosophy of downsizing the house while upgrading the quality of materials. It's a way to make luxury more affordable. But Bill hastens to point out that you could build these houses using less expensive materials.

ARCHITECTURAL BEGINNINGS

Bill Phillips has never wavered from his commitment to design. "When I was 5 years old I knew I wanted to be an architect," says Bill. "Knowing what you want out of life makes living a lot easier."

Born in Mobile in 1936, Bill was exposed to architecture early on. His father was a draftsman, and the family tradition continues. His son is also an architect.

Bill shares his love of design with his wife, Anita, who also manages the practice. They married in 1959, two years before Bill graduated from Auburn University's School of Architecture. A few years later, Bill accepted a position as a draftsman with Colonial Williamsburg,

While at Williamsburg, Bill found time to pursue a wide variety of professional opportunities. He taught design for four years at The College of William & Mary, and opened his own part-time practice in 1966.

Three years later, Bill won the commission of a lifetime--to redesign several rooms in the White House. His scheme focused on creating a warmth and dignity that would complement the grandeur of the original architecture.

After over 15 years in Virginia, Bill was ready to return to his roots. In 1979, Bill and Anita moved back to Mobile to open a practice and developed a specialty in residential architecture--designing custom homes, Southern Living House Plans, and community developments.

After a decade in Mobile, the couple made another move. This time down the bay to Dauphin Island, a narrow spit of land facing the Gulf of Mexico. Their office is now located in a studio sunroom in their waterfront home. When you work in your own home, office hours translate into a very long day, especially if you love to design as much as Bill does. But even he has his limits. "There's almost nothing I'd rather be doing than drawing," says Bill, "except maybe fishing." The new professional arrangement works well. "I've played with the big boys," recalls Bill. "But I'm much happier with my current arrangement."

Just as every good architect has an individual style, most also have a unique process of designing. "I create an initial scheme in my mind, and then think about a range of possibilities." explains Bill. "I don't put pencil to paper until I have a pretty clear design in my head."

Bill's architecture is based on tradition and historical precedents, but he also acknowledges that new houses should reflect changes in today's lifestyles. "My clients want quality homes, not ostentatious houses," says Bill. He also sees an increasing demand for smaller residences. His Southern Living Cabin Collection shows how Bill is still looking to the past while drawing for the future.

Visit a furnished model from the Cabin Collection at the residential community of River Oaks in Searcy, Arkansas. From Little Rock, take U.S. 67 north about 50 miles to Exit 46 at Searcy. Turn left on East Race Street and go under the overpass toward town. Continue 1/2 mile to Marion Street and turn right. Go 1/4 mile to Moore Street and the entrance to River Oaks. Then follow the signs to the Cabins on the Knoll. Call (501) 279-2788 for an appointment.