Meet The Authors - Group Book Signing at Legends

A Vision of Place: The Work of Curtis and Windham Architects
William Curtis and Russell Windham of Curtis and Windham Architects
Houston, TX

Since the beginnings of their architectural practice in 1992, William Curtis and Russell Windham have dedicated their work to the principle that classical architecture, in its best sense, should embody the same rigor, the same attention to surroundings, and the same thoughtful approach to design theory that fuel the most forward-looking styles and movements. This notion may seem obvious to casual onlookers, but, in the words of architectural historian Stephen Fox, "In twenty-first century Houston, this conservationist attitude is revolutionary."

In this graciously appointed book, Curtis and Windham, with contributions from some of their associates, reflect on more than two decades of the practice of classical contemporary architecture, providing an expansive view of eighteen representative projects that range from a small backyard garage-studio in an unassuming neighborhood near Rice University to large dwellings situated in Houston’s River Oaks, and even including multi-building, country retreats.

William Curtis has a deep respect and knowledge of architectural history. His dedication to the study of the historical and physical context of his buildings produces work that is both beautiful and articulate. Drawing upon the wealth of traditional architectural precedent, he finds appropriate architectural expression while solving the architectural problems of modern life. To Mr. Curtis, a successful design is the sensitive and articulate response to a given context, exercised with control, restraint, and modesty.

Russell Windham has established a practice committed to the classical tradition. From his wide-ranging travels, work, and study of both European and American architecture he combines a sculptor’s sense of scale and proportion with a deep interest and understanding of architectural styles and ornamentation. For Mr. Windham, what takes a building beyond mere structure and elevates it to an architectural experience is applying with a skillful hand, lessons learned from the study and appreciation of traditional and classical architecture.

William Curtis and Russell Windham have received both regional and national recognition. Their home and garden designs have been featured in Architectural Digest, Southern Accents, Period Homes, and other publications.

Creating Home: Design for Living
Keith Summerour of Summerour Associates
Atlanta, Georgia

Raised in Alabama and trained at Auburn University, architect Keith Summerour founded his Atlanta-based architectural firm, Summerour and Associates, in 1991. Noted for both his ability to marry function and style and his affinity for classical architecture, Summerour has earned a roster of devoted clients throughout the country. In addition to his residential work, Summerour has been tapped to design a number of resort projects, including Old Edwards Inn in Highlands, North Carolina and Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee, where he is currently working on Blackberry’s much buzzed about five-star restaurant, Top of the Farm, which is slated to break ground this year.

A member of the Board of Trustees of the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy, Summerour and his work have been featured in such publications as Veranda, Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, and Garden & Gun. Additionally, he was recently bestowed with the prestigious Shutze Award, which is given by the Southeast Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art in recognition of excellence in architecture. March 2017 marked the publication of Summerour’s second book, Creating Home: Design for Living. The book profiles some of Summerour’s more recent residential work, including houses located in Atlanta, Greenwich, and Knoxville, as well as the architect’s own country retreat, a seventy-five-feet-high stone tower located in rural Georgia.

Designing a Vision: Janice Parker Landscape Architects
Janice Parker of Janice Parker Landscape Architects
Greenwich, Connecticut

In her well-rounded career as a landscape architect, horticultural specialist, garden consultant, teacher, floral designer and speaker, Janice Parker has distinguished herself by rethinking accepted landscape practices and developing inventive, personal solutions for difficult problems. Containing first-hand accounts of Janice’s experience and practice, Designing a Vision is replete with case studies, anecdotes, illustrations, insights, and visual aids. The finished projects are displayed in a creative and easily accessible format that guides the reader through the journey of the landscape architect’s entire process, from concept to completion. A beautiful, artistic and informative book, it contains lush, verdant photography, striking graphics and insightful and entertaining narratives, accompanying color renderings, watercolors, inspiring artworks and project plans.

Since creating Janice Parker Landscape Architects in 1984, Janice has cultivated the firm to one of national prominence. Janice Parker Landscape Architects has conceptualized and directed innovative landscape architecture for national private and public clients across the United States. The firm has established a reputation for conceiving, planning, and installing thoughtful landscapes, and is dedicated to excellent design, full documentation, and project coordination. Under her guidance, the firm has been honored with multiple awards, including the 2012 National Palladio Award for Landscape Architecture, the 2015 Professional Merit Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects and the 2016 Stanford White Award for Garden Design. Her firm’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Architectural Digest, Veranda, The Washington Post Online, HGTV.com, Equestrian Quarterly, Period Homes, Robb Report, New Old House, The New York Observer Online, Curbed NY, Stylebeat, Metropolitan Home, Interior Design, Vogue, and Luxe Interiors + Design.

Gracious Rooms
Barbara Westbrook of Westbrook Interiors
Atlanta, Georgia

Barbara Westbrook, a native of Virginia, launched Atlanta-based interior design firm Westbrook Interiors in 1992 after designing under the tutelage of venerable Southern talents Nancy Braithwaite and Gandy-Peace. For twenty-five years, she has made her mark on high-end residential and commercial spaces employing her signature style: tasteful, tactile, timeless and simply elegant. Unlimited in scope—her extensive design vocabulary ranges from casual American and formal English to French moderne—Westbrook’s inviting approach to design has yielded high-style results in traditional, transitional and contemporary interiors.

Her projects, which include vacation homes, show houses, large-scale renovations, spas and professional offices have appeared in Architectural Digest, Garden & Gun, Metropolitan Home, Southern Accents, Traditional Home, House Beautiful, and Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles. Her first design book, Gracious Rooms, was released in the Spring of 2015.

Movement and Meaning: The Landscapes of Hoerr Schaudt
Doug Hoerr of Hoerr Schaudt Landscape Architects
Chicago, Illinois

A pioneer in every sense of the word, Doug rarely says ‘no’ to a challenge. His instinct for trying new ways of doing things sparks innovation and inspires his team. Passionate about craftsmanship, Doug revels in the tangible elements of his work and what they can become when abstracted into pure texture, color, and form. As firm partner, Doug leads both design and business with an insistence on the superlative.

Doug’s childhood farm life in Indiana was the perfect setting for his fascination with the physical and built world. From bee-keeping to reading the topography to find arrowheads, Doug immersed himself in the land. Later, Doug left a decade of experience with a design/build firm for an unorthodox sabbatical in England. There, he worked in the gardens of Britain’s greatest plantsmen, becoming the heir to centuries of accumulated English horticultural traditions. He eventually settled in Chicago and established a landscape architecture practice, Hoerr Schaudt, with business partner Peter Schaudt (1949-2015). This rich body of knowledge shapes Doug’s intuitive, hands-on approach to landscape design.

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