Built for a lifetime

Southern Living, Spring 2001 by Belden, Derick

Southerners have always prided themselves in holding on to the basics of life-family, traditional values, a place cherished as home. Today, however, with the explosive growth of many Southern cities, we have begun to lose that sense of community. Architecture, once a defining characteristic of the region, is becoming homogenized. It seems the concept of homeplace is being forgotten.

We believe that it doesn't have to be that way; a home should be more than four walls and a roof. It can be designed wisely to adapt for a growing and ever-changing family. The Life-Point House at I'On in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, exemplifies that idea by blending beauty and style with logical answers to the multiple demands of contemporary life. Those answers, we found, came from the past.

"In the past, a house could easily adapt to a changing family," writes concept architect Andres Duany of Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company (DPZ). "Because houses were flexible, families could stay in one place if they wished. The homestead was an heirloom; it could accommodate the life span of a family and be available for the next generation."

Led by Andres, a talented team of architects, builders, and designers set out to make the Life-Point House a reality. They knew that the house needed to grow in phases, but it also must look like it belonged at every stage. That meant siting it in a neighborhood that embodied the project's ideals, one based on principles of traditional town planning-compactness, walkability, and a diversity of building styles.

I'On proved the perfect place. "Our development philosophy allows us to encourage evolution," says Vince Graham, one of the neighborhood's founders. "We realize that one size doesn't fit all" Joe Barnes, also of I'On, adds, "The flex concept allows for growt build what you need when you need it" With the location chosen, I'On design coordinator Macky Hill, builders Kevin and Betsy Kalman, architect Luigi Bianco, and interior designer Carolyn Griffith joined the team to make the plan work.

This community is full of different forms of architecture, from the Charleston single house to shingled cottages. A Lowcountry vernacular worked best for the Life-Point House because it was not limited to a tight footprint and, therefore, could grow in different directions. The house's exterior includes some of our favorite details, from the heavy shutters to the red metal roof, but the most charming is the sweeping front porch.

The house's exterior details do a lot to carry the adaptable concept, but how do you design a floor plan that changes with the family? Well, it's not as complicated as you might imagine. Think of an older home that has changed with time, then think of those changes as different phases in that home's life.

This is how the Life-Point House's floor plan works, but with one major difference. All phases are designed first, then built as needed. With an older home, the phases were built as they were needed-with no plan. Read on to learn how this concept came together. 10

ORDERING INFORMATION

Working drawings for the Life-Point House (FAV-0104-496) are available from Southern Living House Plans. To order call 1-800-755-1122, or visit southernliving.com/houseplans.

WHAT ARE TNDS?

Traditional Neighborhood Developments such as I'On were conceived as a reaction to suburban sprawl. Towns such as Rosemary Beach, Florida, and others all continue the values started with the first TND: Seaside, Florida. For more, visit southern I iving.com. AOL Keyword: Southern Living

where to find it

BUILT FOR A LIFETIME

Pages 124-130: Builders were Kevin and Betsy Kalman, Kalman Construction Corporation, 157 1A Mathis Ferry Road, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, (843) 856-0515, kalman@usit.net; architecture by DPZ, (305) 644-1023; interior design by Carolyn S. Griffith, Carolyn S. Griffith Interior Design, Charleston, South Carolina, (843) 766-7744; developer is The I'On Company, 159 Civitas Street, Mount Pleasant, SC 29464, (843) 971-1662; windows from Andersen Windows, Inc., www.andersen windows.com; paint from Lord

& Evans Paint, (843) 722-1056, www.lordandevans.com; shutters from Withers Custom Shutters, 1-800-285-1612; plumbing fixtures by Kohler, www.kohlerco.com; HVAC system from Trane, www.trane.com; some accessories from Brittain's of Charleston, 1-800-578-9158; artwork from Carolina Fine Paintings & Prints, 1-800-328-6256; outdoor lighting by John M. Gantt Lanterns, (843) 577-5686; sisal and seagrass rugs from Design Materials, Inc., (913) 342-9796; some antiques from Golden & Associates, (843) 7238886; some accessories, lamps, and pillows from Carolyn S. Griffith Interior Design; china by Fitz and Floyd; flowers by Nostalgic Bouquets by Sally Wallace, (843) 571-6331; some accessories from seebuy.com, (336) 882-9550; some accessories from Yves Delorme, (843) 853-4331; gourmet foods by 3d Gourmet, (843) 8499001. Building materials from APA-The Engineered Wood Association, RO. Box 11700, Tacoma, WA 98411-0700, (770) 427-9371, www.apawood.org; Weyerhauser; Chadsworth's Columns, 1-800265-8667 or www chadsworth.com; Designer Doors, 1-800-241-0525; Forester Moulding & Lumber, Inc., www.forestermolding.com; Home Automation, 1-800-2297256 or www.homeauto.com; The Modern Fan Co., www.modern fan.com. Countertops from Fireslate, 1-800-523-5902 or www. fireslate.com; fireplace by Rumford Fireplace Co., www.rumford.com. (D) Available only through a designer or architect; (M) Contact the manufacturer for a retail source near you; (0) Mail order; (R) Retail store. Unlisted items are one of a kind or unavailable.