Designer's Profile & Design Firm's Mission Leigh Douglas Johnson, Custom Home Designer Leigh Douglas Johnson is an accomplished artist, craftsman and master builder. He is not an architect, he is a highly professional custom home designer as well as a former design/builder and contractor. With his background in home construction, remodeling and restoration, he has an excellent understanding of the union between custom home design and construction, from the most practical aspects to the fine aesthetic details. Leigh has been active in custom home design since 1969. He creates designs with the practicality of an experienced builder, the attention to detail of a craftsman, and the vision of an artist. Leigh knows how to listen carefully to his clients thereby gaining the insight needed to create the custom tailored design that will best suit their dreams, their tastes, their lifestyles, and their budget. Notes on choosing between an Architect, Design/Builder or Custom Home Designer When seeking a professional to provide a new home design, home remodel design or restoration of an existing home, you may choose from contractors, design/builders, residential/home designers, or architects. The following statements are, of course, general ones and there are exceptions to them. It is my opinion that contractors should build, as it is what they are best at, while design/builders know building and have more ability in home design. I am a home designer with many years of experience as a designer/builder. The combined profession of builder and designer comes out of the ancient tradition of the master builders, who were/are those who understand and can bring a building from the initial conception on through to the final finishing details. In ancient days, the master builders produced, among lesser buildings, the great cathedrals of Europe. Although no longer responsible for such great buildings, there exist today such masters (at that time there were no "Architects"). The segregation occurring within the master builder profession has come about, in large part, as a result of the development of the profession called Architect. Today, it seems that the organizations of architects would like to claim all rights to the business of building design. Most architects are academically trained with little or no real exposure to the building end of the process, therefore most have no practical hands-on knowledge of the actual building of homes. Although some architects do design homes, it seems most do so only occasionally, preferring the higher profit, higher profile commercial building design. There are some who mainly design homes. They certainly do not exclusively have the ability to do a fine job of designing and detailing wonderful homes. The point I wish to make here is that those professionals who have the vision of a creative artist, the skills and experience with building homes, and the comprehensive knowledge of the master builder or design/builder, are generally the best choice for custom home design.   Whomever one chooses, that person should at least have the abilities to listen and respond well to the desires of their client, to understand and guide them smoothly through the process, and to conceive and deliver delightful and practical environments which will enhance their lives. ....and it is this quality of client care which we provide. Mission for Design Firm of Leigh Douglas Johnson Our intent is to be as a tool in the hands of our clients. This requires us to be flexible in terms of how we respond to our clients desires and needs. Some of our clients wish to have a large degree of direct input and influence in the design process. Others wish to allow us more freedom to create for them. In any case, we endeavor to understand our clients in terms of their tastes, needs, desires and style of living. We listen carefully and respond promptly to our clients requests. Unlike many architects, we do not promote our own design agenda, but work to realize the desires of our clients. We do, however, call on our many years of professional experience and aesthetic judgment to advise and guide our clients in their choices. Our practical understanding of the realities of home construction and finishing comes from well over two decades in the construction of our own designs. Although no longer involved in construction, we may be engaged with partial or full oversight responsibilities during the construction of the house. Also, it should be noted that we produce highly documented and very buildable designs that are presented clearly, completely, and accurately in construction plans that building departments and builders appreciate. Our willingness and ability to respond to our clients wishes, as well as our experience with a wide range of architectural styles and the range of climatic and regional influences within which we work, gives us the ability to satisfy the varying programs presented by our clients. Our complete construction plans are designed with the builder in mind. Our home design plans provide builders with all the information they need to avoid costly errors that all too often occur due to the lack of detailed information. Our home design work is done by hand at the drafting board, while our structural plans and details are designed with the use of CAD, for it's technical precision. Like building a hand-crafted piece of furniture or kitchen cabinets for your home, our custom home design plans offer the superior quality of being hand-crafted yet at a reasonable price. We take pride in each design as well as in the construction plans, resulting in our greatest rewards which come form the praise we receive from our clients as well as builders who work from our plans. Leigh Douglas Johnson