PRE-PLANNING
When it came time to design the home of their dreams, "We knew just who to call," says Donna Rountree. "My husband and I had toured another home designed by Rick Clanton and were very impressed, to say the least."

"The owners loved the layout and plan of one of my previous homes," recalls Group 3 principal/architect Rick Clanton. "They wanted open spaces and sunset views, and the plan provided them with both." Yet, although the Rountree residence was ultimately based upon one of the firm's previous plans, Clanton says significant customizations had to be made to accommodate the Rountrees' individual desires and preferences.

"We knew we wanted a library," Rountree explains, "so we thought we might replace one bed-and-bath suite to create a library in its place. We also liked the idea of having the guest quarters over the garage. This, we felt, would allow for the greatest degree of privacy for us as well as our guests."

With these requirements in mind, Clanton and his partner, Mike Ruegamer, set out to select the perfect homesite - a journey that would lead them to Colleton River, a majestic riverfront community one mile west of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

PLANNING & DESIGN
After reviewing several site options with Group 3, the Rountrees chose a spectacular double-lot overlooking the marsh. "We didn't want anyone right on top of us," says Rountree. "We also wanted garden paths and western exposure for the sunsets."

The lots were actually selected before the developer began constructing the roads in the community, Clanton says. "In fact, the initial corners of the property were only roughly located."

After the site was selected, the real work began - for both Clanton and Ruegamer. Far from merely duplicating the plan of the other home favored by the owners, Clanton says the Rountree residence presented many unique challenges: "We knew basically what the plan would be, but we had no idea in the beginning as to what the house would look like in the end. I sketched five different schemes for the owners to review. They chose the one I referred to as ‘English Country,' which possessed heavy leanings toward Lutyens, Vorsey and Lindberg. Functionally, it's a house for two, although comfortable for many more. The big area - the foyer, dining, living, family and kitchen - needed to be defined within a very tall space. The giant-scale columns and window design accomplished this."

"We worked closely with Rick in the beginning," Rountree says, "but we also spent a tremendous amount of time with Mike Ruegamer. Mike is extremely creative, very detail-oriented and can turn on a dime to accommodate you. He did not try to force his personal style onto us. He is, in fact, one of the best listeners I've ever met."

Ruegamer selected furnishings, fabrics and materials throughout the home, as well as many of the built-in interior architectural elements, including the detailed custom cabinetry. "We wanted to create a casual yet elegant tone throughout the residence," Ruegamer says. "High-contrast colors and open spaces give the home an informal, contemporary flair, while some of the more refined architectural details and furnishings connote subdued, traditional sophistication."

CONSTRUCTION & COMPLETION
"On this home we were working with new materials - masonry and structural steel," says Andy Stringer, whose company, Stringer Construction, was engaged to build the home. "This could have easily been one of the most complicated residential projects, had we not enjoyed excellent communication between architect, clients and builder. Group 3's ability to design details that actually work in the field is absolutely astounding."

According to Clanton, the Rountree residence was unique, both in its plan and execution. "It's not trendy or retro or 'neo' anything, yet it has a wonderful, comfortable feel, even though its scale is very grand."

On this point, Rountree couldn't agree more: "What I love most about this house is that it is livable. My husband and I did not want another formal home. We never used our dining room or kitchen as much as we have this one. I'm very eclectic, and Mike understood that. We clicked very well together, and we both loved the black and the cherry materials used to create much of the interior elements."

All in all, Rountree says, "Group 3 was a great team leader. Rick and Mike were out here a great deal, and their builder was absolutely perfect. When two architects work side-by-side the way Mike and Rick do, it's simply amazing. They play off one another's strengths so well. Together, they really are the perfect team."

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