>
Heinz Blennemann
> Bryan
Daniels
> Jeff
& Wendy Pressman
>
Karen
and Steve Morlock
Heinz
Blennemann's Letter
Working
with James was the best part of our experience
of building our house. As a home owner,
during the design and building phase,
I needed someone for design, coaching,
and advice who was passionate about his
work and who was affordable. In the end,
we now have a house with a design that
impresses visitors, sets it apart from
other homes, has added equity values,
and is fun to live in.
During
the design phase, James would sit down
with me to ask me about the overall style
and functional requirements we had. Based
on these inputs, he sketched multiple
floor plans and showed me homes from his
impressive portfolio. The floor plan we
finally chose was a very creative one,
in which James included a sweeping atrium
with planter beds that tied the three
floors together. I could not wait to see
the actual implementation.
During
the permitting phase, James was a terrific
negotiator and helped me navigate through
the permitting offices. Because of his
own builder experience, he was able to
anticipate and discuss the building implementation
issues with the officials directly.
During
the building phase, James helped me chose
a contractor and impressed me by visiting
me regularly and giving me invaluable
advice on what the contractor and his
subs could improve on. Since this was
the first house construction I had ever
been involved with, it was critical to
have someone to balance the (biased) opinions
of the main contractor, who was building
the house for a fixed price.
When
I look back, the most enjoyable times
during the house construction were the
ones designing and interacting with James.
And in the end, our mediterranean-style
house has a unique style that we get to
enjoy daily.
Bryan
Daniels' Letter
My quest
for an architect, willing to collaborate
with me and attempt to transform a traditional
lake property into something unique and
functional, ended when I was referred
to James Wright of James Phillip Wright
Architects. James' willingness to work
on a remote project combined with his
construction experience proved to be invaluable.
We spent considerable time reviewing ideas
and concepts I gathered from magazines,
house tours, and other influences from
my travels. James' passion to create artistic
results successfully transformed many
of my bold ideas into reality. During
the design phase he worked with me to
incorporate my vision and ultimately fulfill
my needs and desires. Together we created
unique solutions incorporating regional
influence that finished off the design
with a true mountain flavor. For example,
he suggested we incorporate salvaged materials
and components from a local lumber mill
that was being demolished to be used as
the design theme and aesthetic part of
the home. James was very patient with
the inevitable changes and challenges
that are very common in a significant
remodel project. He spent considerable
time working with the contractor to overcome
the "it's never been done before"
objection. James' creative thinking, hands
on construction experience and confidence
to invent new solutions enabled me to
build a spectacular vacation getaway.
Jeff
& Wendy Pressman's Letter
We
want to express our gratitude to you
for transforming our early 1970's fixer-upper
into a home that belongs among those
featured in Architectural Digest. There
is not a person [including my very discerning
mother] who has not been amazed by the
difference between our "before"
house and our "after" house.
My decorator who has been in the business
for nearly twenty years and who has
certainly witnessed her share of remodels
repeatedly tells me that she has never
seen results more dramatic than ours.
Of
course, Jeff and I are equally astonished
by the transformation. We met with three
architects before we met with you. Each
of those architects merely attempted
to put our vague ideas onto paper. None
of those architects exhibited a shred
of originality and, not surprisingly,
their "plans" reflected that.
Yet, after being in our home for only
fifteen minutes, you exhibited your
extraordinary creativity by sketching
a design that Jeff and I could never
have imagined even after living in the
home for three years. Your design not
only fulfills our goal of living in
a home with a unique personality, but
our goal of living in a home that is
functional as well.
Please
do not hesitate to use us as a referral.
We will gladly tell anyone who asks
that you are not only the most talented
architect in the city, but also the
one that is most enjoyable to work with.
Jeff
& Wendy Pressman
Bell Canyon, Los Angeles
Karen
and Steve Morlock's Letter
I just
had to write to tell you how much we've
enjoyed our summer in our new backyard.
The outdoor space you helped create
has become another "room"
in our home, and a favorite place for
everyone to hang out and play pool and
enjoy the outdoors.
As I'm
sure you'll remember, Steve and I had
very different ideas for what we needed
to create our patio/game room outdoors.
I was desperate for shade from the blazing
heat and Steve didn't want anything
that would cast a big shadow on the
pool or block the light into our living
room windows. It seemed like nothing
could accommodate both needs…..until
you came along!!
Your
creative thinking and experience with
cutting-edge technology designed a patio
cover that is beautiful, functional
and beyond our high expectations. Your
Kalwall solution provided the perfect
translucent covering that lets beautiful
light through….but cuts most of
the heat in summer (and completely protects
from the rain in the winter). The structure
blends beautifully with our home, pool
and garden - enhancing them all!
It was
a pleasure to work with you and we will
highly recommend your services to our
friends and neighbors!! Someday, we
hope you'll design our dream home…..wherever
that turns out to be!!
