Process
We strive to fulfill the dreams and visions of our clients, who are also collaborators.
Our 30+ years of professional experience dedicated to providing custom design services, our unique method of designing interactively as collaborators with our clients, and our process of crafting buildings that embrace the distinct characteristic of a site, help us turn our client’s ideas into a building with a powerful sense of place.
We are able to quickly sense the key elements that are unique to each client and capture the essence of their site. We recognize early in the architectural design process how important it is to have a team approach, an integrated design.
Attention to details, helping establish the budget, and planning each phase of the design process helps us achieve your trust and satisfaction.
We involve interior design from the very first stages of architectural planning and assist with all interior selections, fixtures, appliances, cabinetry, colors and molding designs. As analytical problem solvers, we help you examine your options and manage the process. We are dedicated to seeing the project through to a timely completion, on budget.
We accomplish the design process in three distinct parts.
1 | Design Development
We use a unique combination of highly effective creative design sketching and advanced digital three dimensional technology for an interactive and immersive design experience for our clients.
Information gathering site analysis, review board analysis, preliminary sketches and finalized Preliminary Design leading to an assured review board approval.
2 | Production of Construction Documents
Construction drawings and specification are the documents that the builder will bid from and will be reviewed for permits.
We use intelligent digital BIM - Building Information Modeling - technology for streamlined document production.
3 | Assistance during Construction
We will assist you during construction phase from selecting the builder through final inspection and approval of completed work.
We provide effective detailed digitally produced BIM construction documents for contractors.
Sustainability
Cowart Group is committed to being a responsible steward of our natural resources and, as a leader in Architecture, intends to provide leadership in developing an ethic of sustainability in all of our practices.
Green architecture
Green architecture is a term used widely, by both practitioners and academicians, which defines Architecture as a product of and in harmony with the environment.
Green Architecture is synonymous with ‘Sustainable Development,’ a term defined in 1987 by the World Commission on the Environment as, “meeting the needs of today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
Sustainable Design is in part the systematic consideration of a project’s life cycle impact on environmental and energy resources — its long term cost and value.
Green Architecture is not only about protecting the environment; it is about protecting the health, well-being and quality of life of the building’s occupants. Natural ventilation and the use of non-toxic paints, carpets and adhesives help to make a green building a healthy building.
By engaging in Sustainable Design, we create high performance, energy efficient buildings that are in harmony with their context. We optimize energy efficiency and exploit opportunities for passive solar and natural lighting and ventilation.
Resource conservation
We conserve natural resources through reducing waste, using regional resources, and using renewable, salvaged and recycled materials. We optimize indoor air quality and incorporate safeguards to reduce wastewater and protect water quality.
We support the new green standards such as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program and the Earth Craft House. These programs are transforming the building industry toward a sustainable future. With a staff of LEED Accredited Professionals, Cowart Group is committed to the ethics of this transformation through our integrated design approach.
Integrated design
Traditional Design approaches have been largely linear. The Architect/Planner progresses from Conceptual Design through Design Development and Construction Documents to Contract Administration while pulling technical consultants in along the way. Integrated Design employs a multi-disciplinary approach where all the project professionals and stakeholders are brought in to the design process early on, to form a collaborative team. This process recognizes that early design decisions made collaboratively will have a major, positive impact on achieving cost effective, well considered, and sustainable design goals.
Ethical sustainability
Cowart Group is committed to being a responsible steward of our natural resources and, as a leader in Architecture, intends to provide leadership in developing an ethic of sustainability in all of our practices.
AIA Georgia Design Award for Sustainable Residential Architecture 1996 | Hendershot Residence on Spring Island, SC
AIA Georgia Design Award for Sustainable Residential Architecture 1997 | Baron Residence on Brays Island, SC.
Site specific design
Porches form a functional and emotional link between the house and nature, effectively blurring the line between natural and built environment, allowing the two to be seen as one, coastal climate dictated lightweight construction.
Natural context
A raised foundation, ventilation, shading of large overhangs, covered porches gathering prevailing breezes, and tall ceilings with many tall operable windows, all lend themselves to Sustainable Architecture. This decentralized massing of the structure enhances the breeze catching and heat dissipation resulting in passive cooling.
Designed to enjoy nature
“The wonderful views and climatic considerations led to an exploded-one-room-deep design approach. This allowed every room in the house to have dramatic multidirectional views, natural lighting and cooling through cross ventilation in this hot, humid but breezy climate.”
Material and color selection
Sustainable Architecture requires that the selection of materials and colors also reflect a sensitivity to place. Pine and cypress in combination with tabby speak to historically proven, locally available and ecologically renewable resources. This is carried through into the interior with the use of much recycled pine, Savannah Gray Brick, and antique ship ballast stone.
Sense of place
“The historical context of this site suggests a connection with the plantation era of South Carolina. The owner and architect felt strongly that the house should be of its place. This desire encompassed both natural contexts, as well as social-historical context.”
Local expertise
Our work extends regionally from Virginia Tidewater to Florida Gulf Coast, from the Mountains of Tennessee, through the southern Appalachians.
Palmetto Bluff
Building in Palmetto Bluff? If so, you understand the vision of this community and appreciate the value of the natural beauty and richness of it’s sea island landscape. Palmetto-Bluff sets out to preserve and protect one of America’s treasured landscapes while creating a settlement for those who will cherish this unique environment. The architects at the Cowart Group embrace this conservation of scarce resources through Sustainable Sensitive Architecture.
Every Palmetto Bluff home we design reflects the goals and desires unique to each of our clients without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. We enjoy working with people, and pride ourselves in providing traditional integrity while using only the finest homebuilders. We have discovered that individualized architecture designs produce lasting value, pleasure to our clients, and pride for our design team.
Brays Island
This 5,500 acre plantation, with only 325 home sites, has set aside 3,500 acres as a nature and hunting preserve. Brays Island protects the surrounding environment, while maintaining the sporting lifestyle of a traditional Lowcountry plantation.
With 30+ years low country experience, the Cowart Group Architects embrace the conservation of scarce resources and respect for the environment. Every Brays Island home we design reflects the goals and desires unique to each of our clients. Our designs are based upon a complex philosophy that has emerged from a love and respect for history, nature, science and the art of architecture. We have discovered that individualized designs produce lasting value, pleasure to our clients, and pride for our design team
Ford Field and River Club
The Field and River Club was named by Town & Country magazine as one of the top seven safe havens in the country. The Ford Field and River Club is a private community offering an outstanding quality of life and exceptional amenities. There will never be another place anywhere where you can own a home and property in a private coastal sporting community equal to The Ford Field and River Club. The families who are attracted to The Ford Field and River Club have a very special sense of history. It was originally a King’s grant in 1734, then a southern antebellum rice plantation, next the winter retreat of Henry Ford and his wife Clara. Today, The Ford Field and River Club is a private equity membership sporting community under a canopy of Ancient live oak trees, with unlimited views, wildlife and sweet hospitality.
All Ford Field and River Club home we design reflects the goals and desires unique to each of our clients. Our designs are based upon a complex philosophy that has emerged from a love and respect for history, nature, science and the art of architecture. We have discovered that individualized designs produce lasting value, pleasure to our clients, and pride for our design team.
Spring Island
The ratio of land to homes (one home to seven acres) makes it among the lowest density planned communities on the Eastern Seaboard. Over 1,200 acres are dedicated to nature preserves and open space. The region’s long growing seasons and mild winters create ideal growing conditions for the rare oak and hickory forests that cover much of the landscape. The Spring Island philosophy is that the more its members understand about nature, the more they are motivated to help conserve and protect the animals and the habitat.
Each Spring Island home we design reflects the goals and desires unique to each of our clients. Our designs are based upon a complex philosophy that has emerged from a love and respect for history, nature, science and the art of architecture. We have discovered that individualized designs produce lasting value, pleasure to our clients, and pride for our design team.
Oldfield
This is a private club community built along a stunning Greg Norman golf course, nature trails, saltwater marsh, and the gentle meanderings of the Okatie River. Designed to fit perfectly within this gently rolling landscape, homes and cottages will be built in the traditional Lowcountry style that has for so long marked the area.
Though it is less than 30 minutes from Savannah, Hilton Head Island and historic Beaufort, SC, Oldfield feels a world apart. Here, river, tidal marsh, ancient trees, and wildlife provide the natural beauty while the River Club, the Norman Course, the Outfitter’s Center, Sports Club and the equestrian facilities provide the activities and amenities that make this unique land a very special private club. And a very special place to live.
We have grown out of the Historic Preservation Movement in Savannah and the South Carolina Low Country. Our award-winning firm has LEED certified professionals committed to meeting our clients’ needs.
Every Oldfield home we design reflects the goals and desires unique to each of our clients. We enjoy working with people, and pride ourselves in providing traditional integrity. We have discovered that individualized designs produce lasting value, pleasure to our clients, and pride for our design team.
Haig Point
This is an un-crowded, environmentally sensitive, architecturally distinguished single-family community. The overwhelming majority of owners have acquired individual homesites for the construction of their custom designed homes. Custom home lots range from one-half to over two acres in size.
Every Haig Point home we design reflects the goals and desires unique to each of our clients. Our designs are based upon a complex philosophy that has emerged from a love and respect for history, nature, science and the art of architecture. We have discovered that individualized designs produce lasting value, pleasure to our clients, and pride for our design team.
Integrated design process
We help our clients to envision their home by using a unique combination of hand sketching and three-dimensional digital modeling. It is an exciting journey as our professional team makes your dreams and aspirations become reality.
Sketch preliminary design
Using professionally mastered hand sketching and drawing methods multiple design options are explored and refined.
This intuitive and interactive method allows for highly creative explorations and effective response to our client’s needs and aspirations.
Model based interactive design
Following, the sketches are translated into a digital model that enable clients to visualize their design in an interactive three-dimensional model.
Optionally using VR - Virtual Reality - technology they can navigate the exterior and interior of the building model.
BIM - Building Information Modeling
Using intelligent advanced digital production technology, the design and construction documents are linked thus significantly reducing the possibility of drawing errors and producing construction drawings that clearly communicate the design and construction details to the contractors.
Interior design
We sense the key elements that are unique to each client. We recognize early in the architectural design process how significantly the interior of the home affects the overall design.
Design with a sense of place
We help our clients discover the interior qualities - materials, textures, lighting, furniture… - that reflect their unique aspirations.
Create designs that connect the interior and the exterior where living seamlessly flows between the inside of the building and the natural context of the site.
Attention to detail
Attention to details, helping establish the budget, and planning each phase of the design helps us achieve a level of trust that leads to satisfaction. We work hard to define individual design needs and merge them with the unique qualities of your site.
Interior design in all phases
We involve interiors from the very first stages of architectural planning and assist with all interior selections, fixtures, appliances, cabinetry, colors and molding designs...
As analytical problem solvers, we help you examine your options and manage the process. We are dedicated to seeing the project through to a timely completion, on budget.
