Author: gina2

The Kittrell-Milling Motor Company building that is part of Mobile’s Automobile Alley Historic District has been readapted as the new home of Precision Engineering Company. The 1926 building was transformed by architect Henry Norris of Henry Norris & Associates, Inc. in Pensacola, who calls it “a perfect candidate for adaptive reuse.”

Norris says his objective was to preserve the original integrity of the design, emphasizing the structural design elements within the interior of the building, which lent itself for new use. The main structure and exterior façade were intact and in relatively good condition.

Among the building’s most notable characteristics, he says, are the large “picture” windows facing St. Louis Street, the glazed tile inset designs on the exterior brick façade, along with the existing wood columns supporting the massive steel beams and roof system.

The Kittrell-Milling Motor Company Building was designed by Mobile architect C. L. Hutchisson, Sr. and constructed as the dealership for Dodge Brothers Automobiles and Graham Brothers Trucks in 1926. The building served as the Dodge dealership until 1951.

It stands as an exemplary example of a commercial building specifically designed with the automotive industry in mind. The design is a significant local example of a prevailing architectural style that reflects commerce of the period and contributes to the greater history and significance of Mobile’s “Automobile Alley,” notes Stephen McNair of McNair Historic Preservation in Mobile.

The building was eligible for federal and state historic tax credits because it was listed as a “contributing” building as part of the Automobile Alley National Register Historic District. It was also eligible because McNair was able to work with the architect and contractor to create a design that met the Department of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

The Automobile Alley Historic District consists of 11 city blocks in downtown Mobile. The 37 built resources located in the Automobile Alley Historic District were constructed from the 1860s to the present. The district consists mostly of one to two story commercial buildings, sometimes executed in classical but most often in modernistic styles.

Using the services of McNair Historic Preservation, the developer was able to secure both Alabama and federal historic tax credits for the project. The federal incentive provides a 20 percent return on rehabilitation expenditures for a federal income tax credit and the Alabama program provides a 25 percent return on rehabilitation expenditures for a state income tax credit, McNair explains.

Historic tax credits allowed the developer to carefully restore the building while also maintaining a reasonable budget. McNair says historic tax credit incentives often make the difference in a large rehabilitation project and lead to the rehabilitation of blighted buildings while also creating jobs and economic growth.

“We worked in conjunction with the architect and contractor to ensure the proposed design, alterations, upgrades, and modifications to the historic structure were compliant with the Department of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation,” he explains.

“Careful attention was paid to preserving and incorporating existing historic fabric into the design while also meeting a variety of code compliance issues. The adaptive reuse process when using historic tax credits is complicated and time consuming, but we were able to work with the team and secure every available historic incentive while transforming a 1926 automobile dealership into modern offices for an engineering firm.”

Image 1: The Kittrell-Milling Motor Company building has been readapted as the new home of Precision Engineering Company. The 1926 building was transformed by architect Henry Norris of Henry Norris & Associates, Inc. in Pensacola.

Image 2: The building was eligible for federal and state historic tax credits because it was listed as a contributing building as part of the Automobile Alley National Register Historic District. It was also eligible because its design met the Department of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation.

Image 3: The original construction of the building as it looked when photographed in the 1920s. Note the old style auto to the right of the building.

Image 4: Among the building’s most notable characteristics are the large picture windows facing St. Louis Street, its glazed tile inset designs on the exterior brick façade, as well as the existing wood columns supporting the massive steel beams and roof system.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of McNair Historic Preservation and Precision Engineering Company

 

Tucked in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Sylacauga is Pursell Farms, a sprawling 3,200-acre resort that offers sweeping views of several counties. In March, Pursell Farms opened the doors to the Inn, the latest in the resort’s numerous amenities.

Birmingham-based ArchitectureWorks designed the 40-room, three-story Inn, and Macknally Land Design helped with landscape architecture. Though the Inn is all new construction, it connects to an existing building that houses a lobby, bar, restaurant, commercial kitchen, meeting space and a fitness center. This building that was renovated had been an office building for Pursell Technologies.

The renovated office building contains Arrington, a restaurant that offers locally sourced farm and garden cuisine, and Old Tom’s Pub, a Scottish golf pub and sports bar with view of the 18th fairway with a Scottish and American menu. The renovation of this building also included adding a 4,000 square-foot commercial kitchen and a large meeting space.

“The design of the Inn at Pursell Farms is drawn largely from the existing context around the farm with an emphasis on taking advantage of views of the beautiful landscape,” explains project architect Ryan Coleman.

“In some ways the buildings at Pursell Farms are accessory to the experience of the landscape. The buildings around the farm have an established, sophisticated but relaxed aesthetic, directed by Pursell Farms owner Ellen Pursell. Our goal for the Inn was to stay within that context while finding opportunities to highlight views of the landscape.”

Coleman says the challenges faced were similar to most projects, and centered mostly on the schedule.

“The advantage this project had was that everyone involved worked as a team with a common goal to make this project the best it could be, regardless of the circumstances,” he adds.

“ArchitectureWorks, along with JohnsonKreis, the contractor, and Pursell Farms, tried to make decisions swiftly in order have the least amount of impact on the schedule as possible. We could not have been happier about being a part of this team. We also completed a new wedding venue for the resort just prior to opening of the Inn called Hamilton Place.”

Image 1- Pursell Farms in Sylacauga is a 3,200-acre resort that offers panoramic views of several counties. The design goal for the Inn was to find opportunities to highlight the idyllic views of the landscape.

Image 2 -The buildings on the farm have an established, sophisticated but relaxed aesthetic. The 40-room, three-story Inn is all new construction and connects to an existing building that houses a lobby, bar, restaurant, commercial kitchen, meeting space and a fitness center.

Image 3 -The project also included renovating an office building that is now home to two restaurants. The renovation of this building also includes a 4,000 square-foot commercial kitchen and a large meeting space.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of Pursell Farms and Macknally Land Design

Long celebrated as a historic railroad town, the city of Opelika has a new logo and brand identity that continues to honor this tradition. Rail lines made mid-19th century Opelika an economic hub and a center for shipping cotton to the North.

The concept for the logo was recently developed as a result of a “brand-storming” session with Opelika city officials and staff, says Angela Stiff, who designed the logo. Stiff is principal and creative director of Montgomery-based Copperwing, a creative consultancy that provides design, interactive services, integrated branding and advertising.

“Also, we met with members of the community during DesignAlabama’s DesignPlace charette,” says Stiff. “Listening to stories from citizens and touring the city, it became clear that Opelika’s history, growth and future opportunities rippled outward from the presence of the railroad there.”

Stiff says hearing a comment made by a local woman: “Hearing the train whistle meant you were home,” struck a chord and helped inspire the logo.

“We began by writing a brand story, and the ‘O’ mark featuring the train tracks grew from that core inspiration,” Stiff explains. “Opelika’s railroad history is part of what makes the people of Opelika genuine and down to earth. It is unique to who they are as a community. The logo signifies respect for the past, but also forward-looking momentum.”

Opelika recently participated in DesignPlace, a program offered by DesignAlabama in which professionals associated with DesignAlabama visit selected communities to provide them with design, planning and community identity assistance.

“Angela Stiff worked on the logo after our DesignPlace meetings and presented a design,” explains Opelika community relations officer Leigh G. Krehling, who designed the typography that accompanies the logo. “And after some tweaking, we ended up with our final design.”

The new logo will be seen on social media, signage, graphics and buildings. The traditional city seal will continue to be used for official business. The new modern logo – with its bold yet simple graphics – also appears on the city of Opelika’s newly designed website.

Image 1 -Copperwing’s inspiration board used to create design concepts for Opelika’s new logo and brand identity. These ideas came out of DesignPlace, a DesignAlabama program the city of Opelika recently participated in.

Image 2 – A coffee mug with the full identity printed on it. This new identity will also be seen on social media, signage, graphics and buildings.

Image 3- Opelika’s new “O” logo expresses the city’s railroad history in a fresh and modern way. The typography that accompanies the logo was created by Leigh Krehling with the city of Opelika.

Image 4- The “O” signifies unity and progress. It also reflects Opelika’s past, present and future woven together, with the train tracks representing Opelika’s history and movement onward.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of Copperwing Design and the City of Opelika

 

Alabama’s only public liberal arts college – the University of Montevallo – is getting a new arts center which the dean of the College of Fine Arts Steven Peters says “has the potential to be the creative engine for the entire university — a creative engine for discovery and innovation.”

Davis Architects in Birmingham designed the new 36,000-square-foot center which will provide comprehensive teaching and learning space, as well as give fine arts programs a place to collaborate across disciplines.

Andrew Taylor of Davis Architects is part of the design team that worked closely with university faculty and staff to create a performance venue and educational facility to bring together students and faculty from all departments within the College of Fine Arts. Chapel Hill, North Carolina-based Theatre Consultants Collaborative also worked on the project.

“Dr. Steven Peters charged us with creating a ‘collaboratory,’ Taylor notes, “a place that would allow people to interact and collaborate in new ways, across disciplines, fostering more conversations and creativity.”

The center will include a 350-seat theater with the latest in acoustics and technology and a 100-seat black box theater, an indoor performance space with black walls and a level floor designed to provide flexibility in the configuration of the stage and the audience seating.

In addition, the center will contain an art gallery, theater department offices, multipurpose classrooms and studio, a multiuse digital fabrication lab, along with scene design and wardrobe shops.

Taylor says the challenge was designing a space capable of serving the diverse needs of the program, and at the same time upholding the integrity of the two performance spaces, both acoustically and functionally.

The center will also have a spacious front entry plaza which will form a “front porch” to the building with sweeping views of the center of campus. Taylor says this “front porch” will act not just as a transition space from the street to the main lobby, but also as a pleasant outdoor gathering space for receptions, performances and other events.

Image 1 – A rendering of the main façade of the new University of Montevallo Center for the Arts by Davis Architects in Birmingham. The 36,000-square-foot center offers full-spectrum teaching and learning space, and gives the university’s fine arts programs a place to collaborate across disciplines.

*Article Written by Jessica Armstrong and Image Courtesy of Davis Architects

Visitors will soon have an additional place to learn more about an important event in Alabama’s history. The Montgomery Interpretive Center – which commemorates the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March – is set to open in early 2019.

Located next to the Alabama State University football stadium, the center is the third of three interpretive centers that connect Selma to Montgomery. Construction finished in April 2017 and the interior exhibit space is being overseen by the National Park Service.

Project manager Mike Shows of Chambless King Architects in Montgomery says it was challenging to come up with a design to reflect such a significant period in Alabama’s history, but one the firm was excited to solve. The project won the 2018 Excellence in Design Honor Award from AIA Alabama.

“Symbolism played a huge role and we were fortunate enough to work with a local fabricator on prototypes of the etching for the stone façade, as we knew it was the cornerstone on which the rest of the project rested,” Shows explains.

Site and material selection also played a major role in the design of the project.

“We were presented with a sloping site pinned between a major roadway and an existing football stadium,” he continues. “Light and form play large roles in every project we design, but the entry sequence and staging of a museum increased the complexity substantially. “

A large covered porch creates exterior gathering space and an entry. The site’s steep topography was navigated by setting the larger exhibit volume into the ground and terracing the ground plane along the main façade to the entry.

The primary facade captures the spirit of the march with an 18-foot-tall limestone façade featuring a sandblasted relief pattern that replicates the march. The cedar wood soffit and louvered wall express the subtle voids, or subtractive space, and entry sequence of the building. Dark zinc provides contrast to the wood and stone and emphasizes the line of the roof.

Micro-perforated zinc panels paired with wood louvers at the main entry porch create a sense of enclosure while appearing transparent. The exposed structure, angular white walls and linear lighting express an understated interior that can be adapted for the exhibition design.

Image 1-  Micro-perforated zinc panels paired with wood louvers at the main entry porch create a sense of enclosure while appearing transparent.

Image 2-  The Montgomery Interpretive Center – which commemorates the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March – will open early 2019. Site and material selection played a significant role in the design.

Image 3- The primary facade captures the spirit of the event with an 18- foot-tall limestone façade featuring a sandblasted relief pattern that replicates the famous march from Montgomery to Selma. The project won the 2018 Excellence in Design Honor Award from AIA Alabama.

Image 4-  The cedar wood soffit and louvered wall express the subtle voids, or subtractive space, and entry sequence of the building. Located near the Alabama State University football stadium, the center is the third of three interpretive centers that extend from Selma to Montgomery.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of Chambless King Architects

 

Like most communities, Huntsville has many streets that were designed solely for automobiles. So, with the help of a Smart Growth America grant the Huntsville Planning Commission recently adopted the Complete Streets policy to makes its streets usable for all modes of transportation.

Complete Streets is designed to balance safety and convenience for everyone using the road – providing access for all users including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and public transit riders. Making it easier to cross the street, walk to stores and bicycle to work. And allow buses to run on time and make it safe for people to walk to and from train stations.

Adopting Complete Streets means transportation agencies must change their approach to community roads. There is no singular design prescription and each community tailors it to its particular needs. Complete Street improvements may include: sidewalks, bike lanes (or wide paved shoulders), bus lanes, public transportation stops, frequent and safe crossing opportunities, median islands, pedestrian signals, curb extensions, narrower travel lanes and roundabouts.

Huntsville’s first Complete Streets project was Spragins Street in the downtown area that links Big Spring Park and the Huntsville Depot and Museum, Alabama’s oldest surviving railroad depot. Improvements to Spragins Street included adding a protected bicycle track to make the street more bicycle friendly.

“Spragins is a B street, so it was ideal for the initial project to test Complete Streets,” explained Dennis Madsen, manager of urban and long-range planning for Huntsville. “It also links these two popular destinations, Big Spring Park and the Huntsville Depot.”

Madsen said a number of other roadways in Huntsville have been identified, not only in the city’s commercial core but the outlaying areas as well. The next project is Holmes Avenue, a larger thoroughfare that links downtown to Clearview Cancer Institute and other major destinations that Madsen said is fairly underutilized right now.

“Complete Streets is a process and a way to rethink how we design streets and look at their future use, making sure there are greenways and multi-use paths,” said Madsen. He points out that streets are expensive to build and maintain, so municipalities must maximize the use of their roads and use the money budgeted for roads wisely.

Image 1 (Spragin Street Before)- With the help of a Smart Growth America grant, Huntsville recently adopted the Complete Streets policy to makes its streets usable for all modes of transportation. Huntsville’s first Complete Streets project was Spragin Street in the downtown area.

Image 2 (Spragin Street After)- Two-way bicycle lanes were added to Spragin Street as part of the Complete Streets project. This was the pilot project. A number of Huntsville’s roadways in the downtown area and beyond are slated to be improved following the Complete Streets policy.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of the City of Huntsville

Downtown Birmingham’s skyline is about to get a revitalization of a turn-of-the-20th century, 14-story neo-gothic style building known as the Commerce Center, notes Dave Branch, project manager of Fifth Dimension Architecture & Interiors. The Birmingham firm was chosen to turn this abandoned historic structure on First Avenue North into a 96-room luxury Hilton hotel.

The project is in design development, with construction to begin this summer. Rhaglan Hospitality, who recently redeveloped the historic Redmont Hotel, purchased the building last November and was awarded a $5 million historic tax credit.

It was constructed in 1902 with a concrete and steel frame with brick and terra-cotta cladding. The building was first the original location for the Birmingham Ledger and then served as Protective Life Insurance headquarters. In the 1970s it housed the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce.

Both the original building and a 1928 renovation — which transformed it into the building it is today – were designed by the former architectural firm of Warren, Knight and Davis.

When it was the Birmingham Ledger, large plate-glass windows gave the public a view of the printing presses. Several of these windows still exist, along with areas where the public could view the newspapers being printed, notes Branch.

In addition to its three above-ground floors, the building had a two-level basement. Its foundations and columns were designed to allow for up to nine more floors to be erected above, says Branch, who notes that in 1928 there were 11 floors plus a penthouse.

“One of the greatest challenges in documenting a building of this size and age with no documentation available was to develop a strategy to accurately and efficiently prepare a set of drawings that the design team could use to start the process of design,” he explains.

“The team at Fifth Dimension utilized a combination of both laser scanning and BIM (Building Information Modeling) to develop a fully comprehensive 3D model, which in turn allowed for the creation of existing floor plans, and exterior and interior elevations.”

When the model was field-verified with the existing condition, both were within inches of matching each other, Branch adds.

This design technology allowed Fifth Dimension to quickly respond and work with the historic consultant on preparing a timely application to the state Historic Commission & National Park Service for the historic tax credits. The documentation contained in the application allowed both state and federal entities to have a precise understanding of the proposed design intent.

“The proposed design for the building will radically change the interior layouts, which in turn must incorporate the historical interior elements that are scattered throughout the building,” Branch continues.

Included in the new design is a large and open main lobby space which will restore the former large window openings to allow for abundant natural lighting. Luxury guest rooms and suites, meeting spaces, a business center and fitness center, along with a sky bar and restaurant located on the 14th floor will be part of the new hotel.

“The single greatest challenge will be in developing the design of the proposed new spaces within the context of keeping the historic elements that are required to be preserved and restored,” Branch observes. “Intricate plaster work, trim, millwork, paintings, and marble floor and wainscoting detailing are required as part of the historic tax credits to be incorporated into the project design to meld both old and new elements for a seamless transition.”

Another challenge, Branch says, will be to coordinate the upgrading and installation of new mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. He points out that BIM technology allows the project team to provide a comprehensive and fully coordinated set of drawings to the contractor.

Image 1- The building has had two former lives, first as the original location for the Birmingham Ledger, and in 1928 the headquarters of Protective Life Insurance. In the late 1970s it housed the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce

Image 2- Ornate details that are found throughout the building include light fixtures, elaborate ceilings and curved gothic windows. The proposed design will radically change the interior layouts, but will retain many historical interior elements.

Image 3 -A close-up of the elaborate plaster work on the executive floor elevator lobby ceiling. The project, which will transform the building into a boutique luxury hotel, is in design development. Construction begins summer 2018.

Image 4 -The original building had three stories with two basement levels. Eleven stories and a penthouse were added in 1928, along with changes to the exterior façade. Both the original building and the 1928 renovation were designed by the former architectural firm of Warren, Knight and Davis.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of REV Birmingham

 

 

 

Vulcan – the 50-ton statue of the Roman god of fire and metals – has overlooked Birmingham from atop Red Mountain since the 1930s. Thanks to the newly opened Kiwanis Centennial Park at Vulcan Park and Museum, the statue cast from local iron in 1904 is now more accessible to visitors.

The north side of Vulcan Park now features a new plaza, fountain and steps leading up to the Vulcan that connects the iconic statue to downtown Birmingham. The park also includes the Kiwanis Vulcan Trail, a two-mile walking and biking trail that is the heart of the planned 750-mile Red Rock Trail System.

This $5.8 million project is the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham’s gift to the city in honor of its 100th anniversary in 2017.

Also part of Kiwanis Centennial Park is a multi-colored light show that will be projected on the Vulcan nightly. This third phase of the project is expected to be completed later this year.

Landscape architect Joel Eliason, a principal at Nimrod Long & Associates in Birmingham, says a large, monumental staircase removed during a renovation nearly 50 years ago was replaced. The original 1930s, WPA-built steps were made of stone and the new ones of concrete.

“The new staircase is our interpretation of the original and is almost in the exact location,” says Eliason.

Nimrod Long & Associates also made improvements to the terrace, and added lighting and new landscaping. Native plants such as azaleas and grasses were used to create a more natural setting. Eliason said smaller trees (and not many) were planted because of the importance in maintaining the views of the Vulcan and keeping the area open.

Also part of the Kiwanis Centennial Park project was to expose a seam of iron ore on the mountain. There are educational materials about the local iron ore adjacent to the seam.

“The Kiwanis Club of Birmingham is the largest in the world and they helped create Vulcan Park in the 1930s,” notes Vulcan Park’s President and CEO Darlene Negrotto.

“The park was only accessible by automobile and now it’s accessible for pedestrians and bicyclers. He (Vulcan) is now more visible and we now have a more welcoming entrance.”

Image 1- This rendered site plan of Kiwanis Centennial Park prepared by Nimrod Long & Associates in Birmingham. The $5.8 million project is a gift to the community from the Kiwanis Club of Birmingham in celebration of its 100th anniversary.

Image 2- Nimrod Long and Associates rebuilt the staircase that was removed during a 1970s renovation. The terrace was also improved and lighting was added.

Image 3- The new Kiwanis Centennial Park improved the north side of Vulcan Park, which now features a new plaza, fountain and steps leading up to the Vulcan that connects the iconic statue to downtown Birmingham.

Image 4- In addition to the rebuilt staircase and improved terrace, the Kiwanis Centennial Park project also includes a multi-colored light show that will be projected on the Vulcan statue nightly. This third and final phase is expected to be completed later this year.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of Billy Brown Photography/Rendering Courtesy of Nimrod Long & Associates

 

As the third largest municipality in Morgan County, Priceville is part of the Decatur Metropolitan Area and the Huntsville-Decatur Combined Statistical Area, the second fastest growing region in Alabama. This prime location makes Priceville ideally positioned to kick off new design and planning initiatives.

DesignPlace is doing just that – helping to guide Priceville in a new direction by providing design, planning and community identity assistance. DesignPlace, a program started by DesignAlabama last year, brings a team of experts into a community to show how quality of life increases when the design arts are put into action.

As part of the program, DesignAlabama brought professional consultants to Priceville last November to gather information and create a preliminary “blueprint” based on input from local residents and community leaders. The team’s report will be presented at a follow-up public meeting scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. March 29 in the Priceville Municipal Building.

Councilman Joe Lubisco says he was encouraged by the “fantastic turnout” at the first meeting and expects even greater attendance March 29. He points to several factors that make Priceville ideal for change, including its crossroads location, amenities already in place, a higher-than-average median household, and a commercial corridor that is “ripe for redevelopment.” Another advantage is the amount of land available to be developed through public and private partnerships.

A number of ideas have been expressed and among those topping the list is the downtown. To bring more amenities downtown and redevelop it as a town center where people can live, work and play. Lubisco notes that Priceville offers the best of both worlds – a small, hometown atmosphere and an easy commute to Huntsville.

Says Joey Hester, director of Planning and Economic Development at North Central Alabama Regional Council of Governments: “What I see is the work created by the DesignAlabama team through the new DesignPlace initiative serving as the catalyst for a fresh approach to planning and development going forward in Priceville. This will only enhance the great quality of life already enjoyed by residents.”

DesignPlace, he adds, will positively influence new retail, office, institutional, recreational and residential development through careful planning.

“I don’t think we’ve ever had anything like this in terms of community involvement,” Lubisco adds. “If you can get the community involved, then the community thrives.”

Image 1: DesignPlace, a program started by DesignAlabama last year, brings together experts to assist the participating city with design, planning and community identity. Priceville is currently participating in the program, which is open to Alabama communities that have participated in the DesignAlabama Mayors Design Summit.

Image 2: More than 150 residents turned out for this first meeting to discuss a new direction for their town. Community leaders expect an even greater turnout at the next meeting scheduled for March 29 in the Priceville Municipal Building.

Image 3: An initial DesignPlace meeting was held last November to gain input from residents and community leaders. Two young attendees at that meeting study their town map.

Image 4: DesignPlace is looking at ways improve the quality of life in Priceville, a community near Huntsville and Decatur that already has a lot going for it. A popular idea is to create a town center that will provide residents a place to work, live and play.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Images Courtesy of Joe Lubisco, the Town of Priceville and DesignAlabama.

 

 

Kennebec is a new residential community on Lake Martin offering idyllic waterfront homesites. Buyers are also offered the opportunity to have their home designed for the site by a top regional architect following guidelines created by Birmingham-based Nequette Architecture and Design.

Located on the south side of Lake Martin adjacent to a 74-acre land reserve, buyers at Kennebec receive a style guide to help direct the design of their home. The guide is not intended to limit creativity, but inspire it. Rather than dictating a specific architectural style, it leaves the plan open to be customized to fit the property owner’s individual design tastes and needs.

Design elements that integrate into the landscape include lower pitched roofs that suggest horizontality, large expanses of glass, lakeside porches and balconies, and exposed structural details such as beams, brackets and columns.

Also called for in the style guide is the use of native and natural materials in a neutral color palette. Homes are also to be designed as a collection of structures connected with courtyards and breezeways. In addition, the guide calls for outdoor living spaces that seamlessly connect to indoor rooms.

“There won’t be any pre-designed homes or floor plans, and we have a list of approved architects to custom design the homes,” explains Vince Lombardo, a graduate architect at Nequette who was involved with the design guidelines. “We offer rough ideas for styles that have a low cottage feel to preserve the natural environment.”

Kennebec is a partnership of Alabama Power, Nequette Architecture and Design and Daniel Communities, a community development company based in Vestavia Hills.

In addition, Kennebec is the manifestation of the LakeTown concept that was the brainchild of this partnership, which also includes Derick Belden of FRED Communication by Design in Birmingham.

The aim of the LakeTown model is to create a lakeside community that centers not on the lake as simply a weekend destination, but with added permanence and an essential part of daily life. A concept inspired, notes Belden, by iconic waterside locations such as those on Lake Michigan and Nantucket Island, as well as Seaside, Florida renowned for its New Urbanist design.

Image 1- The Kennebec site map is plotted to include 41 homesites, each with a waterfront view. The design team led by Birmingham-based Nequette Architecture and Design has selected several architects from Alabama and other southern states to design the homes.

*Article Written By Jessica Armstrong and Image Courtesy of Nequette Architecture and Design