Good Design During this Time

To ensure we are ready to navigate what’s next for Herscoe Hajjar Architects, it’s vital that we reactivate our space to balance health and safety for our employees and clients. Also, that we continue to respect each other’s well-being. Preparedness, agility, and resilience will be key as we start to consider the “New Normal” and Good Architectural Design is part of this reality.

Understanding Modern Home Design

Good architectural design needs to be more than a pretty house. As architects will tell you, good design is based on understanding the client's activities, the spaces those activities require, an understanding of space, perception, and familiarity with a multitude of building materials and products; all are important in these times.

Good architectural design and home plans must keep water and weather out, and control light, heat, and humidity; it must consider durability and upkeep of the products used, and the access needed to maintain building systems; it must include selection of the optimum structural, mechanical, and electrical systems; it cannot ignore permit fees, energy costs, utility costs, or taxes. Again, all are important considerations in these uncertain times.

Architectural Design In Light of COVID-19

When asked if he is seeing a change in design trends due to COVID-19 pandemic, architect Rob Herscoe says, “Clients are planning for home-schooling and planning tennis courts and basketball courts—a lot of things people would go somewhere to use, are now on their own property. Kids have play rooms and ample outdoor space to build treehouses. And people are building home gyms, knowing they’re not going to use their health club memberships.”

We must look at a perspective project not just as an individual structure, but as an interconnected part of a much larger world. We must continue to study and examine the way that the house design will appear aesthetically in context, consider the position of the sun, and examine the use of the space to consider the best design path for good design.

Architecture has always been an adaptive profession, therefore, we must envision the home during the so-called “new normal” as a place where families could live, work and play and should be “quarantine-friendly.”

What we do at our practice is architecture and design, but it’s also art.

Human experience drives our practice.

Interview with the Architects

1. What’s the first step of the architectural design process?

Designing you into your home is our first consideration as well as our most important goal. We’re “listeners.” We listen to your thoughts, we understand your priorities and budget, and we see your vision. We value your input every step of the way as we design your home around your life.

2. Why the emphasis on “authenticity”?

As in every aspect of life, authenticity in architectural design is unmistakable. Whether our client’s intention is to create a unique environment or reference a specific style, the importance of authenticity—in concept, materials and details —is critical. It is the difference between excellence and mediocrity.

3. What is the Herscoe Hajjar philosophy?

We are passionate, we are client-focused, we are hands-on. When clients hire Herscoe Hajjar Architects, they hire Rob Herscoe and Michael Hajjar.  The firm is structured to be accessible and approachable with-in all disciplines.  We view architecture as an intellectual pursuit and as a craft, and we strive to benefit our clients with our expertise and personal service.

4.  What is your area of specialization and where do you build?

We specialize in both residential and commercial architecture, spanning a diverse range from highly contemporary to very traditional. Our residential designs can be found in Naples’ most sought after neighborhoods including Port Royal, Old Naples, Aqualane Shores, The Moorings, Bay Colony, Mediterra and Talis Park.