Client Brief

I was recently approached by Thomas Edward Phelps, in regards to a design proposal for his new home in the West mount area. A skinny but tall man in his sixties, he looked rather lanky, but moved with a subtle grace that surprised me. I informed him that I would need to know more about himself and what he was looking for in order to begin my design process. This turned out to be a rather time consuming procedure, as he proceeded to tell me, in great detail, his entire life story. I listened intently noting the most important things that would pertain to my design.

Mr. Phelps is a well educated Englishman who fell into the field of archeology early in his life and fancy’s himself a bit of a treasure hunter. He spent a great deal of his life searching for lost ruins of great cities in the Mediterranean area. The is no work place he loves greater than an excavation site, with the exception of the research he does in his private study. Over the years he has collected many rare and unusual artifacts which are presently held at customs, until they can be properly registered. He will need an area where he may show off these objects to guests in his home.

Mr. Phelps has also been married five times to a great variety of women in several different countries, but now he lives alone and plans to remain alone except for the aid of his faithful friend and companion, William Hennings. These gentlemen will have separate quarters and William is to have a more immediate access to the services as he will be preparing the meals and performing all of the household duties. Mr. Phelps has also formed strong friendships with a great number of important people in his world travels. He often entertains them as guests and wishes his home to impress upon them a sense of grandeur and monumentality. He will need a guest bedroom closely located to two bedrooms for children. Many of his guests have children and on occasion his son’s family like’s to visit, and he has two grandchildren.

Mr. Phelps also mentioned that he has a flare for drama and is fascinated by the ancient theaters. He was often known to arrange private shows, for himself and his guests. He will need an area in his home where he may host these gatherings, as a stage or a small theater area. He would also like the procession through the entertainment portion of the house to give a sense of drama and discovery.

Mr. Phelps expressed great interest in a home to be constructed with a rough stone exterior and to have the appearance of great weight. At the same time he would like a warmer interior and personal dwelling space, where he will spend more time with his son’s family and his closest friends. The main living room , hall, dining room, and theater will be the entertainment area for a larger number of guests and should have a stronger presences in appearance.