Traditional georgian manor

Clients:

TRADITIONAL
GEORGIAN
MANOR

CONTEMPORARY

JESSE’S APPROACH; CAPTURING GEORGIAN CHARM

The Traditional Georgian Manor that Jesse designed for a prestigious lot in West Vancouver is an outstanding example of his traditional English design work. When he started his design process, he sought to capture the symmetrically elegant character of Georgian Manors past, referencing examples dating back to the 1700’s. However, he sought to capture this character in the format of a sprawling country home.

SPRAWLING IN
COMPOSITION

To bring his design vision to fruition, Jesse moulded the composition of the home’s footprint to support the desired exterior proportions. The angled nature of the single-storey “wings”, flanking either side of the grand two-storey middle structure, were designed to optimize natural light. They also serve to create a welcoming entrance within the front courtyard upon approach, as well as characterize the surrounding gardens and walking paths.

SYMMETRY IN
EVERY DETAIL

Jesse designed a window plan that focuses on using symmetry to capture the grand yet quaint and charming character of this ever-so-English design style. The symmetrical ground-floor shutters providing privacy to the floor-to-ceiling arched windows are a timeless detail that adds to the facade’s quaint traditional charm. The inclusion of arched windows on the front facade is a signature of Jesse’s when seeking to deformalize the perceived stature of the facade, making it more inviting to the eye.

A GARAGE STYLISHLY
HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT

Jesse designed the garage so that it is hidden in plain sight, making it accessible from the side of the home to avoid interrupting the symmetry of the facade. To achieve this, he designed a limestone-clad archway tunnel that you have to drive through the to access the garage doors. The exterior of the garage itself was also designed to look similar to the single-storey wing of the home on the left side of the home.

JESSE’S FAVOURITE
MASONRY DESIGN
OPPORTUNITY; CHIMNEYS

One of our favourite exterior details that Jesse designed for this home are the chimneys. We consider traditional brick chimneys a hallmark of Georgian design influence because it is a stand-out feature of so many of our favourite historical examples of Georgian row houses. Their height grandly characterizes the front facade, while their form, featuring several “trunks” with a blooming stepped brick detail at the top, compliments the proportions. The inclusion of brick within the material palette adds to the elegantly traditional character.

LESS IS MORE WHEN IT
COMES TO PROPORTIONS

The front door and vestibule were designed to be purposefully understated so as not to visually diminish a viewer’s appreciation of the home’s proportions. However, that doesn’t mean Jesse didn’t design it with style. This simple limestone vestibule features curved corners, as well as panel details. Jesse also created a unique archway design detail with the intention of it framing a natural gas lamp for authenticity.

A UNIQUE ROOF CLADDING
SELECTION

Interestingly, Jesse chose to include French clay roof tiles as his choice of roofing material. The inclusion of this material both adds a soulfully intentional character to the home, furthering his apparent commitment to the use of noble materials. The thoughtful inclusion of this material also creates a colour scheme that feels weathered by the centuries, adding depth to a palette that’s more commonly dominated by slate or thatching.

AN INVITING COURTYARD

Once you drive down the winding driveway you will reach a front courtyard that greets guests with an inviting end to their journey. The courtyard is surrounded by French gardens, which both create a lush environment within this courtyard, while similarly adding a sense of structured symmetry. Gardens this elaborate are not for the faint of heart, but were a welcomed inclusion on the part of our brave clients.