CHRISTINE G. H. FRANCK

SELECTED WORKS

RESIDENTIAL DESIGN

Custom designed to demonstrate the possibility of building a classically correct home with stock materials and building components, this 4,500 square foot home was built at a total cost of $1,500,000, including the hurri-cane resistant materials and complex structure. The de-sign included all work from schema#c design through con-struc#on documenta#on and administra#on; and from landscape design through the decora#on of the en#re home.

The home sits on the northernmost #p of Figure Eight Island, a barrier island on the coast of North Carolina. A harsh hurricane-prone, humid, coastal environment re-quired building to stringent coastal construc#on codes, including the eleva#on of all habitable space a full floor above grade. The ground floor of the house includes an enclosed entry hall with the remainder of the garage open and all walls built as break-away construc#on.

A,er rising up one flight of stairs at the landside of the house, an ellip#cal arch, commonly used in Northeastern Carolinian architecture, frames the central hall and views outward to the porch and water beyond. A living room, the central hall, dining room, and porch form the primary public spaces along the waterfront façade with service func#ons, such as the kitchen and laundry, located toward the land side. Three bedrooms, including a generous own-er’s suite, occupy the second floor, with an office and en-tertainment room in the a0c.

The homeowner’s interest in Palladian architecture was combined with local building precedents, which were carefully studied in towns such as New Bern, North Caroli-na. Due to the sensi#ve nature of the environment, a bio-filter wastewater system (hidden within the front pergola) was employed.

Chadsworth Co7age was awarded the 2007 Palladio Award for Best New Residen#al Construc#on Under 5,000 Square Feet, was recognized as Wrightsville Beach Maga-zine’s Home of Dis�nc�on, and has graced the covers of five magazines.

Rendering of the waterfront façade (le�) shows the house’s prominent

site. The landside eleva�on (right) employs a Serliana mo�f for the

stair hall windows, providing natural light to the stair hall.

CHADSWORTH COTTAGE

Figure Eight Island, North Carolina

Rising up from the ground floor, the stair hall opens into the lower passage, living and din-

ing rooms of the first floor (far le�). A butler pantry and bar, located along a minor cross

axis, buffer the public spaces along the waterfront from the service spaces. The stair hall

con�nues up to the bedroom level above (le�). From the upper balcony, views open to the

ocean, inlet, and Intercoastal Waterway (above). The landscape design transi�ons from

formal planning at the front entry garden with Crepe Myrtles and various palms, to infor-

mal massings of rosa rugosa and sea grasses where the waterfront garden meets the pro-

tec�ve dunes (right)..

A structured grid of bluestone forms the formal entry path to the

ground level door (le�). At the entry (above) the skir�ng boards trans-

form from open rus�ca�on (above, far right) to allow for poten�al

flooding, to closed rus�ca�on at the enclosed entry hall. Light blubs are

enclosed to limit light pollu�on.

Ligh�ng the stair hall and central passage beyond, a Serliana mo�f win-

dows is composed of stock windows with black sashes, a common

coastal characteris�c as tar was used as a glazing compound and sash-

es painted black (above). Ground floor rus�ca�on con�nues into the

entry hall, handmade bricks cool the floor, and the stair begins (right).

The stair hall rises up to the first floor lower passage (far le�) which

opens to the porch and drama�c landscape beyond (above and bo4om

le�). Column screens define the living room, le� of the passage, and

the dining room, right of the passage. The lower passage is o�en used

as a work space and dining room. From the first floor, the stair hall

con�nues up to the second floor (right). The Serliana mo�f window is

detailed with stock molding profiles assembled to form doubled pilas-

ters around the windows (right and above). All sashes are operable.

The owner o�en opens the stair hall and waterfront windows, taking

advantage of the cross-ven�la�on.

View into the dining room (le�) with its Biedermeier secretary and Fed-

eral-era an�ques. Window architraves descend to the floor, visually

heightening the rooms. Views from the living room, through the lower

passage, and into the dining room, create an expansive view in other-

wise moderately-sized rooms (above).

A fireplace surround is custom designed from stock moldings and fin-

ished with Del� �les painted with a selec�on of birds (above). All trim

elements and doors, such as shown in the living room (right) were as-

sembled from stock profiles. An original paining by John Kelley, over

the fireplace, was purchased for this room.

Stock cabinet sizes and details were used to create a simple, func�onal

kitchen (le�). White subway �les and an oak butcher block counter-

tops create durable work surfaces. Just off the living room, a bar

(above) holds the owners collec�on of Baccarat crystal and an�que bar

service.

A generously sized powder room is located along the landside of the

house, and shaded by Bermuda shu4ers (above). Between the kitchen

and dining room, a Butler Pantry contains the owner’s china collec�on,

drawers for his silver service, and a fuller height counter-top for com-

fort when pla�ng meals (right).

The second floor owner’s suite includes a large bedroom (le�) with a

custom designed fireplace surround (above). The order employed at

both the fireplace surround and in the column screen, dividing a small

ante-room from the bedroom, is of personal significance to the owner,

as the logo for his company is adapted from it.

The column and anta of the column screen at the owner’s suite (above)

which separates the bedroom from the ante-room (right) with its peri-

od French Empire daybed. The stair hall enters this space from the le�

and to the right, the balcony overlooks the landscape beyond.

From the ante-room at the owner’s suite, the owner’s bathroom opens

first to a lavatory and to a bathing room with tub and mosaic shower

beyond (le�). The en�re room is painted a so�, soothing gray. A balco-

ny off the owner’s suite provides a small si;ng area for enjoying the

view (above).

The toile guest bedroom is hung with custom designed curtains and bed

hangings (right) in a pale blue and cream. The color scheme con�nues

into the guest bathroom (above), where simple �le surfaces are easy to

clean of sand and salt brought in from outdoors.

The waterfront porch is a primary living space in the house (le�) with

outdoor shower facili�es framing the entry through to the garage.

Eave ven�ng is handled decora�vely by echoing the pa4ern of mutule

blocks in the soffit (above). Custom pilasters were built to match the

giant order of columns (above and le�).

A bundled wheat mo�f is used for the balcony railing a�er carefully

studying several historic examples. Compared to the simple pickets of

the main porch railing, the balcony appears jewel-like in its more elabo-

rate design (right). Dormer windows light into the a;c space, used as a

private studio and media room (above).

Adding an “American style” house to a small, French vernacular co�age is a challenge. Yet that’s exactly what these clients wish to do. Having lived in America for the last 30 years, and now re"ring home to northern France, the clients desire to build a version of American colonial architecture for their re"rement home.

They wish their new home to accommodate one large salon for dining, musical performances, and living space; smaller spaces for private study; a kitchen easily connect-ed to outdoor living and dining spaces; and a small bed-room suite. Their four daughters and guests are accom-modated on other buildings located on the large property.

Exploring the connec"on between early American French colonial architecture, and the exis"ng regional building tradi"ons in this area of Northern France, com-bined with the client’s par"cular desires has resulted in a single story gabled main body and wing connected to the original co�age with a small hyphen rendered in brick and wood shingles.

The project is currently in Design Development with construc"on scheduled to begin in 2014.

WIART-DEWAVRIN RESIDENCE

Cambrai, France

Once a fine Colonial Revival home (see historic image below) in an historic neighborhood, this home was insen-si"vely modified in the 1980s with incorrect classical de-tails (bo�om right). The current owner decided to remove the front por"co and replace it with a correctly propor-"oned, more beau"ful and appropriate por"co.

Addi"onally, the façade renova"ons included re-whitewashing the brick, which had been stripped in the 1980s, removing poorly detailed and over-scaled cast stone trim from windows and the entablature and replac-ing trim with wood where appropriate. Adding dark green shu�ers and removing the heavy balustrade have re-turned this home to it former beauty.

An ini"al “back-of-the-napkin-sketch” (top right) shows the design intent, and the final renovated façade is seen to the le9. Refinements such as these convey the importance of literacy and understanding how to use scale to resolve design issues.

In addi"on to these façade renova"ons, the overall project included extensive plan reconfigura"ons and a large addi"on to the rear of the house.

Historic Fort Worth awarded this renova"on its 2010 Residen�al Award for Excellence in Preserva�on and the Ins"tute of Classical Architecture & Art Texas Chapter its 2011 John Staub Award for Restora�on/Renova�on.

Conceptual sketch (top right). Period photograph of house in the

1930s (above). House a)er poorly designed 1980s renova�on (right).

BYRD RESIDENCE

Fort Worth, Texas

Detail of columns and entablature (above le)) AFTER renova�on.

Exis�ng columns, capitals, and entablature BEFORE (above right).

Working with the exis"ng projec"on of the eave and the exis"ng column center lines, (see le9), since no struc-tural changes were to be made, the new entablature and projec"on of each element (see far le9) had to be adjust-ed from canonic examples to “fit” the exis"ng condi"ons. Trim elements were all custom milled by the builder, while columns and capitals were selected from stock items.

The Ionic columns were propor"oned to be more a�enuated, keeping with the character and propor"ons of the Colonial Revival nature of the house. A fine quality slate roof was kept intact. The por"co renova"ons also included changing the half-engaged columns to pilasters.

Many heavy details had been added to the house in the 1980s renova"on, including heavy cast stone window surrounds, bulbous balusters, and the shu�ers and white-wash had been removed. All drama"cally changing the reading of the propor"ons of the façade composi"on.

Removing these interven"ons, replacing them with be�er detailed and be�er scaled elements, as well as re-whitewashing the brick and installing dark, contras"ng shu�ers all worked together to improve the design of the façade.

The rear eleva"on AFTER renova"on with new porch and basement level between bedroom wing to the le9 and addi"on to the right, re-whitewashed brick, and new terrace, pool, and outdoor dining pavilion (shown le9) contrasts with the rear eleva"on BEFORE renova"on (shown below) showing poorly spaced column configura-"ons, propor"onally heavy cast stone balustrade, stripped brick, and overall poor composi"on.

A new stair hall (right) connects the new garage level entry up to the renovated kitchen and new family room, and the bedrooms above.

Conceptual sketches (le)) show the pool garden centered on exis�ng trees. Pump

house and po3ng pavilion designs (sabove) are based on historic outbuildings.

An historic Pennsylvania bank barn and early 18th cen-tury farmhouse (top right) have been modified over the years and are now being sensi"vely renovated by a new owner.

Renova"ons include adding a pump house and poAng shed to a pool previously added near the bank barn (site plan, bo�om right). The exis"ng bank barn, with its fine stonework (below) is being renovated to add structural elements and new stone columns typical of the region. An exis"ng guest co�age (not shown) will be renovated to a small Gothic Revival retreat and the original farmhouse will be renovated for addi"onal bedroom space. Eventual-ly, a new horse barn will be added to the site.

Phased over "me, the first part of the project is reno-va"ng the pool terrace and adding tradi"onal pavilions to house a poAng shed and pump house for the pool. Local historic outbuildings, as well as those of colonial-era America were studied to create these simple, func"onal designs.

FARM RESIDENCE

Bucks County, Pennsylvania

Site plan for the new pool adjacent to the bank barn (bo5om right).

Exis�ng farmhouse (top right) Exis�ng stone at bank barn (above)

With a challenging sloping site, this southern house was carefully designed to take advantage of the land. De-signed for Rodney Mims Cook, Jr. and Browne, Cook, Ham-mond, Corp., the specula"vely designed house was sold before construc"on began.

The entry eleva"on (le9) opens into a ves"bule, which gives onto a central stair hall leading to a large living room running the width of the house and shaded by a generous columned por"co, glimpsed through the trees at right. The kitchen and garage wings are located to the south and the second floor holds four bedrooms for a growing family.

The home, designed only as a minimum “builder’s set” scope, was created to also serve as a visual focus when seen through the trees from the developer’s home. Re-sponsibili"es included site plans, floor plans, eleva"ons, and building sec"ons. Details of the interior were carried out by the developer.

RESIDENCE IN BUCKHEAD

Atlanta, Georgia

Side eleva�on (top le)). Aerial view of the property (bo5om le)). De-

tail of a fireplace (top right), view of the dining room (bo5om right).

From the first schema"c drawing through the final construc"on documents, working on this extraordinary house under the guidance of Allan Greenberg was my first experience of architectural design at such a high degree of refinement. As an intern at Allan Greenberg, Architect, my work on this project included development and studies of the plan and eleva"ons, design of interior eleva"ons, all molding profiles and details, as well as the crea"on of schedules and details for doors and windows.

In addi"on to the main house, a small caretakers co�age and guest house with a pool was included in the design. For a house of such a large size, the rooms are re-markably in"mately scaled and comfortable.

COASTAL RESIDENCE

Greenwich, CT (For Allan Greenberg, Architect)

Entry eleva�on (top right). Waterfront porch during construc�on

(bo5om right). Central stair hall with mural of early America (above).

The landside eleva�on (le)) employs an asymmetrical composi�on to

resolve the wide garage bay and elevated entry porch. The asym-

metry resolves itself on the beachfront eleva�on (right).

In a challenging, narrow footprint, and while mee"ng stringent standards for coastal construc"on, this and the following house create a spacious, comfortable seAng for beach vaca"ons or year-round living. The ground floor accommodates parking, outdoor living and an in-ground pool. Construc"on codes require this ground floor to be open with the first floor being a minimum of 18’ above grade. This unusually high eleva"on presents eleva"onal and plan challenges.

Open-plan living, dining, kitchen, and porches take ad-vantage of broad views to the Gulf while a guest suite, en-tertainment room, and reading nook allow for in"mate spaces. Two large master suites, children’s rooms, and an upstairs laundry complete these highly livable plans.

This scheme borrows from Galveston’s Classical Greek Revival and Victorian tradi"ons in the language and com-posi"onal resolu"ons.

NEW URBAN COASTAL RESIDENCE

Beachtown, Galveston, TX

Ground, first, and second floor plans (right) are zoned with circula�on

in a side hall and central service core allowing primary rooms the

street and ocean views. Beachtown under construc�on (above).

Working directly with the na"onal homebuilder, Cen-tex, the ACT Architectural Charre�e Team, developed by Geoffrey Mouen, Architect, developed house plans for several new urban communi"es. Working with their ex-is"ng product manufacturers, we developed plans and de-tails which the developers were willing to build.

Shown here is one of fi9een plans I developed for a typical large lot. For this charre�e, given the project’s lo-ca"on, we worked in the Spanish Colonial vernacular, which we also found to be buildable by the developers. The program, room sizes, and adjacencies were set by the developers.

This par"cular house plan was designed to allow for a ground floor owner’s bedroom and office space and with all principal living spaces oriented to an interior garden.

Work included full construc"on documenta"on as well as these presenta"on plans. The goal of ACT, covered in New Urban News, is to improve the quality of na"onal homebuilder’s work.

NEW URBAN HOUSES

Orlando, FL (For ACT Charrettes)

Ground and first, floor plans (right) are wrapped around a central,

interior garden. Preliminary sketch for eleva�on of house (above).

Side eleva�on (top le)) and front eleva�on (bo5om le)).

A developer in Toronto requested design and feasibil-ity studies for an apartment building that would meet all contemporary real estate requirements while also being complementary to a tradi"onal urban environment.

The developer’s original architects designed the mod-ern tower seen below. A9er a series of studies (shown le9) our team developed the scheme at right, provided preliminary specifica"ons and price es"ma"on, proving this tradi"onal apartment building could be built for no more money than the glass tower below. A version of this tradi"onal scheme has now been built in downtown To-ronto.

STUDY FOR TRADITIONAL APARTMENT HOUSE

Toronto, Canada (With Franck & Lohsen Architects)

Design studies for tradi�onal apartment building eleva�ons (le)).

Exis�ng modern design for apartment buildings (above). Final pro-

posed design (right).

COMMERCIAL & INSTITUTIONAL DESIGN

Built in the 1930s, this apartment building on Madison Avenue has seven shopfronts which (see below) have suffered from neglect and individual changes over the years. Originally built as bronze shopfront frames with beau%ful decora%ve trim, some of which remains, the shop-fronts today are in need of restora%on.

The project entails the restora%on of the shopfronts while upda%ng them to current leasing needs and code re-quirements. Certain elements of the original designs have been matched, such as the decora%ve cres%ng, whereas other interven%ons are new, such as the full height win-dows.

The presenta%on rendering (le+) shows the restored shopfronts as detailed and specified (right) in the design development drawings. Having completed the design and price es%ma%on, a local architect is now being employed to complete the construc%on documents with construc%on scheduled for Summer of 2013.

MADISON AVENUE SHOPFRONTS New York, New York

Exis�ng condi�ons (above). Typical shopfront design (right). Presenta-

�on rendering (le�) by Chris�ne G. H. Franck.

Alterna�on of solids and voids, from the pergolas on the upper corners

to the heavy solid composi�on at the center entrance (lower le�) cre-

ate a visually interes�ng rhythm along the street façade (upper le�).

Along with the previously shown residence in Green-wich, Connec%cut, while interning at Allan Greenberg, Ar-chitect, I had the unique experience of working on the de-sign and detailing of a classically inspired commercial pro-ject.

Work responsibili%es included eleva%onal studies and detailing as well as custom design of display cabinets at the interior of the shops. Originally designed as a Tommy Hil-figer store, the shop is, today, a Brooks Brothers clothing store.

The robustness of the moldings and design are common characteris%cs of Allan Greenberg’s work, with unique touches such as the pergola at the upper level.

BROOKS BROTHERS STORE Los Angeles, CA (For Allan Greenberg, Architect)

Exis�ng renova�on (above). Details of the display windows (top right).

The overall street eleva�on (lower right), while not perfect, is be*er

than what was to be.

Walking down Main Street in Florence Alabama, Mi-chael Franck and I no%ced the renova%on (below) of Grogan’s Jewelers. Feeling that the new renova%on was not in keeping with the historic Main Street, we sketched minor changes to the renova%on and presented them to the shop owner.

Liking our ideas, we were hired to design the addi%on of trim elements at the entablature, quoins, and window sur-rounds. We also designed the signage and awnings to be in keeping with the historic character of downtown Florence.

Our small interven%on saved this important corner of Main Street and garnered the a9en%on of the Main Street USA program.

GROGAN’S JEWELERS Florence, AL (With Michael Franck, Architect)

Like many historic buildings, the Congrega%on Shearith Israel’s synagogue has undergone many minor ren-ova%ons, o+en not coordinated to enhance the whole de-sign.

To improve the beauty and func%on of their entrances, Chris%ne G. H. Franck designed a series of minor interven-%ons including a custom cabinet for the display of leaflets (le+ and right) and a new decora%ve scheme including up-grades to finishes, signage, ligh%ng, furniture and curtains. Below is an image of the doorman at his des in the lobby before renova%on.

CONGREGATION SHEARITH ISRAEL New York, New York

PRESERVATION & LANDSCAPE DESIGN

New landscaping coming in along the new entrance path (le�) rejuve-

na�ng a cemetery which was previously (above ) neglected.

This historic (1829-1851) Jewish cemetery, belonging to the oldest Jewish congrega%on in America, is a rare surviv-ing remnant of New York City’s 19th century history. A+er many years of limited care, a major preserva%on effort has been completed. The scope of work included docu-menta%on of tombstone fragments, tree care, signage, con-serva%on of masonry and metalwork, and the design and installa%on of an historically sensi%ve, low-maintenance landscape to replace weeds and mud.

A new bluestone pathway leads into a garden of newly seeded lawn, a swath of pachysandra and hostas, and care-fully placed perennials for seasonal color. Ongoing work in-cludes future object conserva%on and work on another, old-er cemetery.

New bluestone pathway is laid (above) . New pachysandra and gravel

path line 17th c. tombstones (right), replacing mud and weeds.

CONGREGATION SHEARITH ISRAEL CEMETERY New York, New York

Entry path passes along the pergola (upper far le�). The drama�c

landscape (upper near le� and lower le�) needs li*le help from the

hand of man. The original site plan for Chadsworth Co*age (above).

From the ini%al concept (plan le+) the landscape se@ng of Chadsworth Co9age was paramount in the design. From the structured, formal entry around the pergola (far upper le+), planted with Carolina Jessamine and annuals, along the pathways lined with mounds of hydrangea, to the rear lawn (right) and finally to the wildness of the sea grasses along the dunes, the landscape transi%ons from the formal built world, to the land of sea and sky.

All plant species were selected for drought and salt tol-erance. In the high winds, varie%es of palm trees were planted near the waterfront porch (lower far le+) to rustle and whisper in the wind and provide some privacy from neighbors.

Hydrangeas line pathways around the house (above). A line of dunes

protects the house and waterfront lawn, spacious enough for enter-

taining. Sea grasses and rosa rugosa help protect the dunes (right).

CHADSWORTH COTTAGE LANDSCAPE Figure Eight Island, NC

DECORATION

A vigne*e of the ar�st’s favorite objects was carefully displayed on an

an�que drum table (above le�). Family heirloom candelabra and

Wedgewood grace a formal dining room (above and right).

A young classical ar%st purchased a lo+-type apartment and wished to create a serene classical se@ng for his pain%ngs and collec%ons of family heirlooms. With a small budget, renova%ons were kept to a minimum.

A furniture plan was created to guide the placement of furniture, artwork, and objects. And a so+ scheme of colors was chosen as a background for his highly colored pain%ngs. New blinds filter the New York light, and the wood flooring was refinished. Over %me, Mr. Porter has recovered furniture according to the original color pale9e designed for the renova%on. Future plans include further architectural addi%ons to the space.

Family furniture was arranged along an end wall in the living room to

frame a view of one of the ar�st’s pain�ngs (right).

RESIDENCE OF AN ARTIST New York, New York

The decora%on of a space may include many things, from selec%ng paint colors and fabrics; to designing cur-tains, upholstery, and bedding; and even the selec%on and placement of artwork and objects.

In a home such as Chadsworth Co9age (shown here) the decora%ve scope of work included surveying the client’s ex-is%ng furnishings and artwork, planning the furniture place-ment, and selec%on and purchasing of new furnishings, ligh%ng, carpe%ng, and artwork. Addi%onally, the curtains, upholstery, cushions, and bedding were all custom designed and installed.

The intent of any decora%ve scheme is to create a har-monious whole with the design of the building and to en-hance the client’s taste, such that the “hand” of the decora-tor is not seen, but rather that the client’s own personality and experiences shine forth. Sketches here show the pro-cess of crea%ng a complete decora%ve scheme for a home.

Design and actual curtains (far le�) in guest bedroom; design and ac-

tual bed linens (middle le�) at owner’s suite; and design and actual

CHADSWORTH COTTAGE DECORATION Figure Eight Island, North Carolina

Designed for a 1930s apartment building at 88th Street and Madison Avenue, this lobby redecora%on completed in September 2005 encompassed the ves%bule, lobby, adja-cent spaces, and elevators. En%rely new ligh%ng improved the condi%ons and a new decora%ve scheme updated the lobby from its previously dreary nature.

The redecora%on included a new ligh%ng system, new ligh%ng fixtures, new furniture, rug, artwork and custom designed decora%ve millwork.

Before pictures (near le+) show the drama%c impact of the renova%on (far le+ and right).

A preliminary conceptual sketch shows the original inten�on. A new

fireplace and paneling scheme help counter the extremely long and

narrow lobby.

LOBBY REDECORATION Madison Avenue, New York, NY

Designed for a 1910s apartment building on Park Ave-nue, this lobby renova%on encompassed the ves%bule, lob-by, service spaces, and elevators. Work to restore this lobby to its former grandeur included removal of wall mirrors, dropped ceilings, inappropriate ligh%ng and other interven-%ons from the 1970s (shown near le+).

A new gold-leaf barrel vaulted ceiling was installed in the ves%bule (right), and a new ellip%cal arch and imposts (far le+) divide the main lobby from the elevator and rear service lobby. A false fireplace and applied panel moldings create a well-scaled space in the main lobby.

Not shown is the new elevator interior and custom built mail storage unit. New stone veneer walls were built to match exis%ng limestone walls.

A preliminary conceptual sketch (above) and the newly renovated ves-

�bule (right). The new arch separates the main lobby from the rear

elevator and service lobbies (far le�).

LOBBY REDECORATION Park Avenue, New York, New York

C h r i s t i n e G . H . F r a n c k 6 1 3 F a i r f a x W a y

W i l l i a m s b u r g , V A 2 3 1 8 5 T e l e p h o n e ( 9 1 7 ) 6 9 3 − 0 3 9 1

E m a i l c h r i s t i n e @ c h r i s t i n e f r a n c k . c o m