Custom Homes
SHELTER
One of the three basic needs; it is a construct that we have been refining for millennia. At its most elemental, a shelter is a means of providing protection from the world. Similar to food and clothing however, shelter was gradually infused by humanity with meaning. Because we feel and think, we moved from the utility of caves to constructed forms that emblemize family, community, status and respite.
What meaning should your house convey….?
How should the architecture make you feel…..?
These questions are the launch pad not for a process but a journey of discovery and actualization.
Why Architecture?
At GCA, we come to work every day because the world is slowly losing its uniqueness. Every year a bland, generic, conformity advances further into our built landscape. Driven by broken processes, over-standardization, and a lack of imagination, homes are drifting towards a lowest common denominator.
We feel that it is imperative to fight that trend whenever our pens touch paper. We believe that every home should possess a sense of place; that it should tell a story. Drawing cues from the client, the environment, and materials, we craft timeless, practical spaces. A future of unsustainable same-ness doesn’t need to be the destiny.
Let's Resonate
We seek to help those in search of better, not bigger…… those who believe that good design, craft, and meaning are more important in a home than height, volume, or the number of rooms. For a small, finely crafted room can provide a timeless quality of life unmatched in a space four times its size.
Let’s look beyond mass production, and what is commonly available. Let’s dig deep, challenge preconceptions, and pattern your home on the specific DNA of your lifestyle.
Our Process
We seek to understand and uncover the distinct patterns of human activity behind every home.
Through a rigorous process of investigation, we break the larger design problem up into a series of smaller issues. Solving the myriad of minor design problems helps to ensure that the larger design gestures are fully and completely vested. This truly collaborative effort ensures that the finished building is precisely tuned to each unique client.
Once the design is complete, we remain involved throughout construction as your advocate with the contractor. Helping to bridge the gaps between drawings and reality, a consistent presence is vital in maximizing
TYPICAL PROJECT BREAKDOWN
Phase One
Information Gathering
Phase 1: Predesign
• Identification of project budget
• Initial client meeting
• Site visit & analysis
• Review zoning & codes for potential challenges
• Site survey (performed by surveyor)
• Visual preference survey (i.e. houzz account, magazine clippings, etc.)
• Lifestyle survey & Room by room “wish list”
Phase Two
Explanation & Communication
Phase 1: Predesign
• Identify key patterns from Phase One work
• Present initial floor plans
• Develop building exterior
• Aid in contractor selection
Phase Three
Determining a Rough Construction Cost
Phase 1: Predesign
• Preparation of drawings for initial contractor estimating
• Work through municipal approvals
• Initial sizing of structural members
• Coordinate construction systems with selected contractor
• Material selection
• 3D Visualization
Phase Four
Construction Documents
Phase 1: Predesign
• Preparation of final drawings & details
• Structural engineering & calculations
• Interior selections (kitchen equipment, plumbing fixtures, etc.)
Phase Five
Construction / Owner's Representation
Phase 1: Predesign
• Periodic visits to construction site
• Review & approval of shop drawings
Sustainability
A significant part of our integrity-based approach to design focuses on the stewardship and responsibility we have towards future generations and the environment. This is one of the driving motivators behind our interest in sustainability. What we leave for those who come behind will speak volumes about who we were. Careful resource management of existing structures, raw materials, project sites, and energy will be appreciated long after we are gone. We see our role in building and construction as one of responsible steward rather than a mere consumer of built space.
Our inclusion of sustainability in a project starts at the very inception. Analyzing each site for its unique solar, wind, and other natural characteristics establishes the opportunities that can be leveraged in the design of the building. We target solutions early on that are inexpensive yet yield great impact from an environmental standpoint. Proper siting, appropriate building orientation, and logical, simple forms help to conserve land, energy, and materials.
Architecture in Nature
Nature is the best architect. We follow its path.
People will go to great lengths to experience the profound beauty of nature. It makes us feel alive. It stimulates imagination and creates memories we can keep. A built environment can and should do the same thing through biophilic design.
We are a team of creative minds who guide clients to the most authentic manifestation of their vision. We design buildings and spaces that have a deep connection to human nature and the environment in which they are built. Function and feeling are seamlessly integrated. We immerse ourselves in your story, goals, and desires to make your vision a reality. The result isn’t simply a building — it’s an experience that feels meant to be.
Historic Preservation
GCA views historic preservation as the most sustainable type of construction because no building will consume fewer resources than one that presently exists. In addition to the environmental benefits, historic buildings are typically more durably constructed, utilize better materials, and incorporate more intricate detail than can be achieved cost-effectively within the modern construction environment. When cultural and historical significance is also factored into the equation, these structures are irreplaceable. Unlike a product, when we “dispose” of a historic structure, there is no possibility of buying an equal replacement.
We offer a full range of historic preservation services including National and State historic tax credit applications, historic structures reports, existing conditions reports, detailed preservation plans, as well as design services for rehabilitation, restoration, and reuse projects. Experience within the firm includes work on numerous historic tax credit projects, preservation work for the General Services Administration (GSA), as well as Historic American Building Survey (HABS) documentation for the Library of Congress.
Unique Capabilities
Since the firm’s inception, Partners Joe Galbraith and Nick Carnahan have sought to strike a balance between commercial and residential clients. We feel that designing the places where people live should always be a part of our studio. Our commercial experience is beneficial for applying efficiency, and cost management helps make residential projects a reality.
There are substantial differences between practicing architecture in a residential arena versus a commercial one, and it is imperative for any architect designing a home to understand these. Different products are used, different drawings are required, and most importantly, an entirely different spectrum of contractors should be engaged to build these projects. Knowing these differences and having contacts within the residential world is crucial for delivering the maximum value on a project.
Custom GCA Homes
Our Architects are excited to hear about your home project. No matter what stage you are at in your design process, we are here to help. Tell us a little about your project, and we will have a designer contact you.
