The Hilltop Estate project was not only a sizeable one,
but it spanned over a four-year stretch. We couldn’t have done it without the partnership of a tight-knit, talented team. Allow us to introduce to you: Lombardi Construction, led by Chris Lombardi, did the build; Hart Howerton, led by Louise Le Gardeur, designed the architecture. It was a true pleasure partnering with such a talented team.
02 The Architect
We were so fortunate to have the experts at Hart Howerton lead the planning of this estate. To check the project’s many boxes, Louise, and her team drew up a one-of-a-kind blueprint with impressive craft and creativity. The design and architecture of this project so masterfully established the home’s look and feel, while taking full advantage of the landscape surrounding it. Here, Louise shares her experience on the project.
Tell us more about the design process going into the project.
Louise Le Gardeur: Starting any design process, the most important thing is getting to know the client — how they live and what their aspirations are for their home. Liz and Neil did a great job of describing a “day in the life” of their family. Together we sat down and looked at sketches and imagery to help illustrate their vision. With an understanding of their goals and lifestyle, we started with the siting of the home — where on the site do you want to be in the morning and evenings; how each part of the home can create a unique experience; how to take full advantage of the sun as it changes throughout the day; and ways to capture the most important views. We draw a lot. We work through multiple concepts until we all feel comfortable that we have landed on a design that fulfills the client’s vision. In addition to sketches and drawings, we utilize 3-D modeling and even virtual reality to help the client get a sense of the masses and interior volumes.
Studio McGee:
What is the overall goal for this space?
Louise Le Gardeur: It was immediately clear that their objective for this space was about family and flexibility. They wanted to make sure that it felt inviting and comfortable, as well as light and airy. They envisioned the home growing as their three kids grew up. We talked a lot about making sure that the home flowed seamlessly from the indoors to the outdoors, where the outdoor space became an extension of their living spaces. Ultimately this home is about gathering with family and friends.
What were some of the main needs of the client for the project?
Louise Le Gardeur: There was a huge emphasis on having a “heart of the home.” A great gathering space that integrated indoor-outdoor living where family and friends can gather and enjoy in all seasons. The design was to feel timeless, comfortable, authentic, and elegant so that both friends and family of Liz, Neil, and their kids would want to enjoy time together. As one moves through the home, there is always a complimentary outdoor space to an indoor space. There is a great ability to open doors and connect different spaces in order to really expand the home for a wide variety of activities. We all felt that it was important the home felt appropriate in scale to the site. We accomplished this by creating a sense of compression and opening as you move throughout the home, breaking up the massing.
Two spaces that we really enjoyed designing were the Wine Room and the Family/Kitchen area. The Family Room and Kitchen area is one open airy volume that creates a central gathering space of the home, with wide pocketing doors that allow the room to spill onto an outdoor dining and living room. While so many of the rooms create a light and airy atmosphere, the wine room with the coffered ceilings and paneled walls created a different ambiance, accentuating a space that feels cozy and intimate.
How are you hoping to highlight the architecture/construction of this project?
Louise Le Gardeur: Highlighting a style that is rooted in traditional materials and clean lines – a lot of care was taken into making the house look clean and simple with attention to detail.
“The architecture is then complemented by the interior design to create a seamless final aesthetic and feeling.”
What are you most excited about in this project?
Louise Le Gardeur: As architects and designers – it is always exciting to see drawings on paper come to life. With that in mind, seeing the family utilize the spaces as we had originally discussed in our first meeting is such a fulfilling moment as a designer, from their daughter celebrating her birthday at the house to friends gathering in the wine room. My personal favorite is seeing the application of indoor/outdoor living, where the doors are always open and the outside becomes an extension of the hearth of the home.
What is your favorite part of the design/build process, on any project?
Louise Le Gardeur: It’s always about creating and collaborating. No home or family is the same as another, so each project brings its own ability to create something special and unique. Knowing that the space that we help foster and create will be something that can have a lasting impact on their memories makes our job beautiful.
“The process is also about bringing so many different minds together from the clients to the architects, engineers, interior designers, and builders. There is a sense of community and achievement with each design/build process.”
We think that every project has some sort of takeaway…a lesson learned or a design element you’ll repeat again, etc. What was the takeaway for you on this project?
Louise Le Gardeur: The reaffirmation that a good collaborative team makes a great project – between the client, architect, interior designer, builder, and engineers.
Read the full article on the Studio McGee Blog.