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Design Philosophy

We at Cornerstone Builders, Inc., would like to describe some of the principles that form the basis of our completed designs.

The first of these is the idea of integrating a house into its surroundings. That is, because each house is located on its own particular site and is oriented in its own particular way and has its own particular view, it should be different from any other house. Pietro Belluschi, a prominent Portland, Oregon, architect has said this: "Frank Lloyd Wright used the word 'organic.' The way it is understood is that every wall, every ceiling, every piece of design relates to everything else and relates to the ground on which it's placed, which relates to the trees and the view and so on." It is just this uniqueness that we strive to design into each house.

We consider it very important to avoid becoming narrow minded concerning the styles, techniques, and materials that we use to build a house. The technology involved in the construction of warm, efficient, low maintenance houses will always be changing. We try to follow, anticipate, and perhaps even lead these changes to create a better home at a reasonable price.

We are in a continual search for innovative ideas, new materials, and different ways of using traditional ones. However, we avoid untried changes and those that lead us away from our original intent: To build energy conserving houses that provide a warm and supportive environment for their inhabitants.

Winston Churchill once said, "We shape our buildings and they shape us." A great deal of our behavior is formed by the spaces that we inhabit. Too often there is a lack of harmony between the elements designed into a house and the activities planned for that area. The spaces that make up the house should be created to conform to the events that will take place there. In other words, you should not have to change your activities because your house was poorly designed.

Our designs will provide you with appropriate places for all of your activities and possessions. By eliminating conflict between a building’s design and its ultimate use, your house will take on a greater livability. The patterns of events which give character to a place are not limited to our activities, but include other elements as well, like the sun shining through a window, or a bird on the sill. In short, our goal is to create a building that provides a living and dynamic place to call home.

We realize, of course, that everyone has his or her own particular style and taste concerning home design. We are not trying to stifle that individuality, but rather offer this brief explanation of our philosophy simply to act as a beginning point of dialogue.

Lex Morgan
Noel Carey
 

Cornerstone Builders, Inc.  •  PO Box 1633  •  Sequim, WA  98382  •  (360) 683-8477