Pacific Palace

RemoDel
tAcKliNG chAllENGEs OF hOME rENOvAtiON
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Dolphin Architects &
Builders, Inc.
DrEAM, DEsiGN AND builD: AN iNtEGrAtED ExPEriENcE
FrOM stArt tO FiNish
by Melissa Fears
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication,” stated
Leonardo da Vinci once, a sentiment that still holds
true today. Sophistication is where simplicity and
contemporary aesthetics meet to convey a powerful
sense of luxury and repose.
Dolphin Architects & Builders focus on mastering a
complex home-building process through integrative
design. As a design/build company in the luxury
home business for the past 22 years, they are a team
of experienced licensed architects and builders
where each newly created home tells a story. They
stress the importance of keeping their company
diverse as each client has a different style, budget
and vision. After all, specialty is what design/build
is about says Bob Lisi, Executive Vice President at
Dolphin Architects & Builders.
From Seabrook and Kiawah Island to Ion and
Mount Pleasant, these island communities scattered
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the front of house from surfsong
road on Kiawah island
recedes into its environment
creating a private respite for
the homeowners.
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in the third floor master bathroom
the view of the ocean is
appreciated through the careful
orientation of the space.
along the Charleston, SC coast all have architectural
review boards. The trick is designing projects in
accordance with local restrictions, meeting clients’
desires and complementing the local charm.
For Dolphin, meeting these strict guidelines was
just one of the issues the company encountered
when starting the Surfsong project, which dealt
with a 30-year-old house that needed to be completely
torn down and rebuilt. Located on Kiawah
Island, which has been ranked as one of the 10 best
family vacation spots in the United States by Travel
+ Leisure Family, Surfsong is a part of a very prestigious
community. It was Dolphin’s job to bring the
Surfsong home back to that level. But, the project’s
rustic geography also proved difficult to work with
for other architects, one of whom left the homeowners
frustrated over the tight site and building
restrictions. Reflecting on the project’s evolution,
Lisi recalls hours spent discussing ideas with their
design-savvy client and working with the president
and lead principal architect, Kevin Whalley.
Although the homeowners were satisfied with the
preliminary architectural plans, they encountered
some initial hurdles. Along with the ARB height
restrictions for the roof, the designers faced the
challenge of maximizing the ceiling height on all
three levels.
However, the hard work paid off. After a five-month
design, permit process and 12-month building
schedule, the client was in awe. “Once we won their
trust, it was a great working relationship,” says Lisi.
“We met the husband’s desire to keep it within budget
and the wife’s desire for maximizing the design
and quality.” The Surfsong Residence was completed
in late 2009, integrating its pristine oceanfront
backdrop. Outside, exquisite white balconies hang
SPrING 2012 luxury home quarterly
59