to view the PDF - Neal Prince Studio

No. 16
summer 2012
Golden Legacy
Illustrious Additions to
Walt Disney World Resort
raising the stakes gertler & wente architecture llp / regional focus: majestic homes of aspen, co
$12.99
ARCHITECTs
LS3P Neal Prince
Design firm greets design challenges with
unsurpassed creativity
by Tricia Despres
Chances are you can’t easily identify a LS3P Neal
Prince design…simply by its look on the outside.
And that’s exactly how they want to keep it.
“There are many designers and architects out there
that once people see their work, they always recognize it as such,” says Matt Tindall, a member of LS3P
Neal Prince. “We approach projects differently here
because we focus on designing for each specific
client, with no overwhelming, specific style or tailored features.”
Indeed, the firm stands out from the rest, and
rightfully so. Encompassing six offices with over
200 employees, LS3P Neal Prince provides high
quality, custom services in architecture and interior design that seems to thrive when presented
with challenges.
“I have walked many sites with clients, and inevitably,
a constraint can develop into an opportunity,” says
Frank Bain, Associate Principal at LS3P Neal Prince.
“There are always going to be things about a piece of
property that you can’t change, but coming up with
solutions to deal with them is what it’s all about.”
“I definitely think we are unique in the way we approach different challenges,” says Tindall.
The firm was forever changed when Greenville, SCbased Neal Prince Architects and LS3P Associates
LTD. merged in late 2010. Since then, their target
audience has changed dramatically, now encompassing the commercial and residential market equally
and essentially broadening their design approach,
whether on the peaks of the mountains or the lakes
and coasts of the Carolinas.
“The merger offered us an expanded network of
experience and strengths that would help lead us
into a number of exciting new markets,” says Tindall,
who has worked for the firm for the past six years.
“Specifically, the addition of custom residential expe-
01
The Glassy Mountain Residence challenges the relationship between structure and the surrounding landscape
02
LS3P's Top Ridge Drive Residence
highlights the stacked stone and wood
accents while incorporating unique
window designs that offer 180-degree
views of Lake Keowee
03
The star of this room is the ceiling, with
cherry-wood beams and matching wood
trim for the windows
04
The breezeway offers views for the front
and backyard. Skylights shine down
on the main entryway that features a
floor-to-ceiling window with views of
the interior
05
For the Wood Sage Residence LS3P
designed a multi-functional fireplace
that serves as storage and media center
for the sitting area
photos: Taylor Architectural Photography
01
48
lHQ
SUMMER 2012
ARCHITECTs
02
04
“There are always going to be things about
a piece of property that you can’t change,
but coming up with solutions to deal with
them is what it’s all about.”
Frank Bain, Associate Principal
03
luxuryhomequarterly.com
lHQ
49
ARCHITECTs
05
Expanding on their expertise certainly means being
exposed to not only different markets, but also a
wide range of clients with specific needs. Marrying architects with clients is an act that when done
precisely can ultimately lead to successful outcomes.
“We have several talented residential architects,” says
Bain. “It's important to find out what the client is
looking for and then align them with an architect or
team that will be able to work with them in a rather
seamless manner. The chemistry has to be right.”
Sometimes, connecting the right client with the
right architect can take time. “I remember meeting
50
lHQ
with the client for two hours one afternoon, and
then not hearing back from them for about two
years,” says Bain of a three story, 5,100-square-foot
mountain home located in Landrum, SC. “I was
pleased to know that in that span of time, they actually interviewed with a number of different designers, but continued to come back to Neal Prince.”
In response to a still somewhat shaky economy,
the firm has had to evolve constantly in terms
of coming up with more creative solutions to
the money spent on the project. The firm’s
Top Ridge Drive project at the Reserve at Lake
Keowee is one of those examples of amazing
architecture performing efficiently. Encompassing over 8,900 square feet of living space, the
palatial surroundings was something that the
homeowner wanted to keep as understated as
possible. “The lot is set on a peninsula, and the
homeowner has nine grandchildren who would
be there often to play on the lake,” says Tindall.
“They didn’t want it to look like just another massive home.”
And if the property doesn’t offer its ample share
of inspiration, LS3P executives say they will continue to seek it out.
“We often travel to other areas such as Texas,
Colorado and California to check out dramatically different building styles,” says Bain. “We also
spend a tremendous amount of time researching
information in books and periodicals that illustrate unique design styles and turn of the century
architects. They all offer us ideas that we can
draw from for inspiration.”
SUMMER 2012
photos: Taylor Architectural Photography
rience has been a huge advantage for us. Ultimately,
we feel like the merger also broadened up our reach
in both of the Carolinas.”