Jamey Arthur, Vinyet Architecture

February 2, 2014

This interview is available in both written and video format.

LowcountryBizSC:
What is your education and professional background?

Jamey Arthur:
I graduated from Clemson University with a degree in architecture. I practiced in the Mount Pleasant area for seven and a half years doing mostly high rent, high-end custom residential architecture. Six years ago, I started my own construction company doing mostly renovations on the islands of South Carolina.  Now I am getting back into the architecture field with some friends of mine with Vinyet Architects here in Charleston.
  

LowcountryBizSC:
Why did Vinyet establish a presence here in the Charleston market?

Jamey Arthur:
Both of the founding partners of the firm had an interest in the Charleston market and decided to test the waters by working remotely from our two offices in Asheville, North Carolina and Rock Hill, South Carolina.  Six months later, they had so much business in the Charleston area that they decided to establish a physical presence here. That is where I come in.  Charleston will be an extension of our other two offices.

LowcountryBizSC:
What kinds of projects are you currently working on?

Jamey Arthur:
Right now our work is almost exclusively new, custom residential homes.  We have a lot projects on Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island, as well of Daniel Island.  We are definitely not opposed to taking on any projects in downtown Charleston.  I have personally done a lot of work in downtown in my career and Vinyet Architecture has a big commercial background in our Asheville office as well.

LowcountryBizSC:
What is unique about Vinyet and its approach to projects?

Jamey Arthur:
We are trying to bring back the art of hand sketching in our presentation boards.  The norm right now is for architectural firms to go directly into a CAD (computer-assisted drawing) program for the renderings; and it stays there throughout the design process.  We tend to use the hand-sketched format at the beginning of any kind of project.  It is much more legible for our clients, especially those that are not used to looking at blueprints.   Sketched drawings just seem to be much more understandable for people’s brains.

We really try to pay attention to presentation quality and to give a small vignette of the building.  Hand sketches  also help define how we present to the Board of Zoning Appeals as well as architectural review boards for neighborhoods.  Of course, we also combine hand sketching with the digital capabilities of the firm.

LowcountryBizSC:
Why would someone use an architect to build a custom home as opposed to picking a standard plan?

Jamey Arthur:
Some people are happy with just a new home and a standard plan.  That is a great choice for a lot of people.  Often, a standard plan may better fit their budget.

At Vinyet Architecture, we give clients something that is custom fit for their lifestyle.  People come to us after looking at standard plans and not finding exactly what they want.  When someone comes to an architect to help them build a home, they are often looking to build a home in which they plan to spend a lot of time.  It is their final home or, at least, a second home. They have owned homes before and there was always something that they did not like about it.

It is not always more expensive to go with an architect.  Sometimes, the change fees on standard plans can be significant if, for example, you want to move a bedroom etc.  When you weigh it out, we often end up being a better option. 

Another advantage is that architectural firms like ours act as your liaison between architectural review boards for construction and engineering documents.  We offer a one-stop shop for clients that want that kind of service. 

LowcountryBizSC:
What are some of the latest trends in home design?

Jamey Arthur:
Trends have changed a great deal over the past ten years, but one thing that has remained constant is the open floor plan.  It was popular ten years ago and it is still popular today. 

Ten years ago, many of the new homes that were built were based on downtown Charleston, and Savannah homes – large sturdy looking rectangular buildings, massive Georgian houses.  Today, people are building cottagey style, one and half story homes.  There is much more of a lowered look with more square footage. It’s almost a New England beach kind of a look. 

Light is always a huge issue – the more windows the better!  Of course, that brings some challenges in coastal areas like this are prone to hurricanes.

You will also see more wood trim inside homes, a shiplap siding style that you will see in Cape Cod.  It adds more expense to a project but it is a look that is in high demand and adds value to a property.

Rustic modern is what you might hear a lot of these days. People like old, antique, pine hardwood floors, white marble countertops, and white cabinets.