Design Philosophy

 

Barnard Architects OfficeBarnard & Associates have practiced Architecture, Planning, Landscape and Interior Design in Savannah since 1982.  

Our firm is progressive, innovative, and dedicated to providing a quality Product and Service to meet our Client's needs.  We believe that good Architecture is the product of not only superior design capabilities, but also requires the ability to interpret the client's needs and desires, comprehend the client's budgetary parameters, and orchestrate the complex journey from the inception of good ideas to the completion of sound construction. 

The firm employs designers and consultants experienced in Architecture, Landscape and Interior Design, and allied Engineering fields allowing us to offer a complete design package.  We believe that a quality architectural design solution should encompass not only the building, but also its contextual setting and it's interior environment.  A quality architectural design is completed by a well defined connection to its unique location and surrounding context, and a defined and conscious manifestation of its internal character and function within it's exterior appearance. 

Because of our dedication to this design philosophy, our firm's project experience has included a wide variety of project types and sizes and a variety of Clients.  Project types have included: 

In addition to providing us with a broader market base, maintaining such a diverse practice provides our personnel with an enhanced base of knowledge and experience.  This allows Barnard & Associates to better understand each individual client's unique requirements, desires and needs.  One project's unusual challenge may be commonplace for another.  Our ability to bring a collective wisdom from a variety of related projects to each new design challenge allows our clients to benefit from that wisdom and experience, creating a better solution for their specific needs - a better architecture. 

Practice Philosophy

Paramount to our success is the delivery of a superior Product and Service.  We have incorporated unique as well as traditional techniques into our practice, which combine with strong designs to enable the delivery of superior architecture. 

Project Management

We have built our reputation on the ability to provide a quality architectural solution which meets the needs, time frames, and budgets of our clients.  The ability to orchestrate the complex path from the inception of a client's needs and requirements, to a good design and to the successful construction of the solution requires strong management ability.  Our firm has a large number of repeat clients because we have proven this management ability.  We are proud to list the following clients among those who have commissioned our services on multiple occasions: 

Automation

Our firm utilizes computers for the production of all project design and documentation.  This includes not only word processing for administrative and specification production, but also CADD (Computer Aided Design and Drafting) for graphic production and design.  Our total dedication to CADD has allowed us to provide improved services to our clients in the form of better quality drawings, faster production times, and greater flexibility during the design process. 

Energy

We believe that energy efficiency should be incorporated into every design project.  Attention to even the smallest details with regard to energy efficient design can produce superior projects with greatly reduced operating costs, at little additional cost to the owner during construction.  A quality design should address energy concerns relative to the siteing, landscaping, and interior design of a project as well as the pure architectural elements. 

Acoustics

Through careful design and detailing of even the basic elements of architecture, good acoustics can help provide a superior product.  Commercial and residential projects alike are greatly enhanced through attention to a variety of common acoustical principals. 

Lighting

Attention to the details of what kind of lighting, and the placement of lighting, invokes a significant impact on the aesthetics of space and architecture - as well as the usability, and operational cost of a facility.  As a standard rule, we as architects are intimately involved with the engineered lighting concepts and development. 

Life Safety

Codes represent years of experience, and establish minimum standards for the health, welfare and safety of the public.  We strongly believe that good architecture goes beyond these minimum standards.  Concepts of fire egress, compartmentalization, and the specification of materials for construction, can significantly reduce the risk and liability for Owners, users, and the public - without significantly increasing the construction cost.

Interior Design

A successful building or space cannot be achieved without an intimate knowledge of the furniture, fixtures, equipment and finishes to be installed and used.  We believe the successful project must incorporate at a minimum the basic concepts of the interior design with the architecture and engineering design.

Landscape Design

A successfully pleasing and functional building design cannot 'stop' at the exterior walls - it must involve the concepts and assets of the site, civil site development, and landscape design.

Historic Preservation & Restoration

 

We are experienced and have a successful track record in navigating the local and national historic guidelines for preservation, renovation and new construction developments.  We can provide this expertise as well as tax incentive opportunities when appropriate.