BUILT TO PERFECTION
originally published in The Hamptons Design Guide 2022 and on cottagesgardens.com
“Creating a Hamptons getaway from scratch? Giving an existing home a modern refresh? Renovating a historic house from top to bottom? No matter what the job is, architects in the Hamptons are more than up to the task.”
- PANEL OF EXPERTS -
Home Building Tips & Advice from Principal Architect Neal Stufano
Building 101: Worth the Splurge
“Spend money on what makes you happy—think of your new home as self-expression.”
What homework should clients do before meeting with or hiring an architect?
“Go through design magazines, clip what you love, and give the architect a little look book—it will help a lot in developing the first set of schematics.”
What if anything, should be salvaged from a rebuild?
“A lot of the overall master plan is going to dictate what you keep and don’t keep. The architect needs to determine what can stay and still ensure that the design is flawless.”
Should an old house be torn down?
“It depends on how much money you are willing to spend. If historic features really speak to you, and you want to preserve them, then new is not always the best choice.”
Top 5: What Clients Want Now
High ceilings that allow lots of light.
A good flow. They don’t want to walk through the entire house to get to a mudroom or bath.
What do homeowners need to know about hiring an architect?
“Clients need to go in knowing that there is a process, but the end result is going to be far superior to what they could have done on their own.”
Where do architects get their inspiration?
“Travel—you’ll never know what’s going to get lodged in your head. I’m doing a 10-acre ranch in Wyoming, and its rusticity is definitely influencing some projects I’m doing out East.”
Which areas are seeing a lot of new construction?
“Montauk still has properties where you can find a nice bit of land with woodland or water views.”
What should clients be involved in, and what should be left to the architect?
“Clients should always be involved in the design program and finishes—the stuff they are going to see and touch every day. But they should leave the spatial specifications and engineering to the architect. Sometimes clients want to get involved in that part of the process, but it typically slows progress and increases the price, and the project ultimately becomes a not-fun experience for the clients.”