Case Studies in New Classical & Traditional Design: Incremental Development and Intentional Design: Lessons from Senoia, Georgia

with Historical Concepts

By 天美传媒

September 9, 2020

The Case Studies seminar series explores the design and execution of new work from the practitioner’s perspective. Contemporary classical and traditional design encompasses architectural work for all building types, at all scales and budgets, and in the allied fields of urban planning, landscape, interiors and the artisan and building trades. The series aims to explore solutions to contemporary design challenges, foster critical discussion of recent work, and demystify the complexities of how unique projects come together.

Small town America, while a source of nostalgia and pride for many, often is forgotten in today’s world of fresh greenfield developments and expanding urban centers. Senoia, Georgia was no different than most agrarian-based towns fifteen years ago – a pass-through place with only a few lights burning on Main Street. But it had residents with pride, and when a strip center was proposed at the end of Main Street, it was met with opposition, which then spawned passion to decide what the town vision should be.

Leadership called on Historical Concepts, an architecture and planning firm, located just a few miles away, who started by creating design guidelines to enhance Main Street’s architecture and streetscapes. In the years following, the firm has designed Main Street commercial, mixed-use, and residential buildings. As Senoia’s revival took hold, Historical Concepts created a residential pattern book, master planned a neighborhood (an extension of Main Street--where the strip center had been proposed) and has designed two highly successful Southern Living Idea Houses.

In this session of the Case Studies series, Andrew Cogar, Ryan Yurcaba, and Clay Rokicki of Historical Concepts lead an in-depth discussion on the rebuilding of a small town through architectural and planning projects that leverage public and private funding, benefiting the greater good. They talk about how incremental projects can lead to the revival of commercial activity on Main Street, and how that can lead to a new chapter for the town with mixed-use office space and residential units. The presenters share regional design influences and how details and materials were incorporated into new structures to intentionally continue the heritage of Senoia’s built environment.

天美传媒