Down East Preservation Construction and Design LLC

We Shape our buildings; thereafter our buildings shape us. Winston Churchill
Why Preservation:
Winston Churchill’s quote succinctly explains the reason that Historic Preservation is the wave of the future although founded in the past. Societal trends show that we are all harkening back to the way things used to be done from farm to table operations to craft products to the active preservation of things that are well designed and hold great beauty. These movements in our culture point to simpler times where quality and beauty were sought over quantity and price. Trends in today’s society are ultimately rejecting the “throw away” culture that we have created in the land of plenty.
Historic preservation is a powerful compliment to these trends. Historic preservation defines the willingness to appreciate and embrace the past and connect to the present in which we live. Nothing in this realm is more personal than the homes in which we live. This preservation movement dictates that we take wonderful structures of the past, appreciate and preserve the elements that make them unique, and ultimately bring that hand-made craft experience of the past into our functional day to day lives.
Down East and its approach:
My approach to design is to evaluate the home with no preconceived ideas about what needs to be done and see what the historical design presents to me. I believe that maintaining the history of the home…the patina…is what gives a property its soul and makes a house a Home. All of this being said we have to recognize that we live differently than people did two hundred years ago or for that matter 50 years ago. The trick with historic structures is to preserve the fabric that makes them unique while making them live-able in the 21st century. Achieving the balance between old and new and ultimately creating a warm functional environment defines our approach.
Like any project your end result is only as good as the materials and craftsmanship that are put into them. This requires the management of craftsmen who specialize in certain areas of the project. Bringing all of these skills together at the right time and for the proper scope greatly reduces the overall cost of the project cutting down on wasted time and materials. We also specialize in utilizing North Carolina’s Historic Tax Credits to further the value received in a Down East project.
Design :
At Down East our approach to design centers on creating spaces that are classic and not defined by whatever the latest trends may be. The goal is to create spectacular functional spaces that are guided by preserving the history of the original structure whether it be interior or exterior. As mentioned above, our current lifestyles dictate more open casual spaces and all old homes hold this potential given the correct guide. Esthetically homes evolve over time and usually not for the better. We strive to bring back that original design and allow the history of the home to shine.
Why Down East:
Down East will provide an end to end project that’s keeps a focus on maintaining the original fabric of the home that makes it unique coupled with superior design for usability. We will deploy considerable experience in design preservation and construction and clearly communicate the challenges faced before and during the project. Most of all I am passionate about old homes and their History and am a licensed contractor moving towards a degree in Historic Preservation to add to my team’s current experience. Ultimately this craft approach to making an existing structure into your own will deliver a superior end product that you are proud to call Home.