Architect Ken Tate Reinvents Historical Style
Modern interpretations of historical forms show this architect's keen eye for detail and reinvigorate classical style
Bud Dietrich, AIA
August 2, 2012
Houzz Contributor. My name is Bud Dietrich and I am an architect located in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. I am licensed to practice architecture in Illinois, Florida, New Jersey & Wisconsin. Since 1996 I have worked from my home office and provide full architectural services exclusively to the single family residential market. My passion is to transform my clients' houses into their homes. I strive to have the "new" home accommodate my clients' lives without fighting them at every junction. I look to add curb appeal to encourage a beautiful streetscape. And I design any addition to look and feel like it has always been there.
Our projects have won numerous design awards as well as having been featured on television (CBS News Sunday Morning, HGTV, CLTV, etc.), in magazines (Better Homes...
Houzz Contributor. My name is Bud Dietrich and I am an architect located in the Tampa... More
Every once in a while an architect comes along whose work is inspiring and something I learn a lot from. Sometimes it's the use of materials. Sometimes it's the architect's ability to shape space in a meaningful way. Sometimes it's the ability to manipulate light. And lest you think that yours truly is above learning from his contemporaries, rest assured, I'm not. Others, including Oscar Wilde and Pablo Picasso, have said that good artists copy while great ones steal. As such, I'm definitely working on becoming great!
A recent discovery has been the work of architect Ken Tate. While Tate's work has many admirable qualities, it's his ability to craft beautiful homes in a range of historical styles that stands out.
What can we learn from these beautiful homes? Let's find out.
A recent discovery has been the work of architect Ken Tate. While Tate's work has many admirable qualities, it's his ability to craft beautiful homes in a range of historical styles that stands out.
What can we learn from these beautiful homes? Let's find out.
The range of Tate's style is incredible. Whether he's designing a home inspired by tropical architecture ...
... a home that would be comfortable in the South or ...
... a country manor house, it's inspiring to see the attention given to historically authentic forms, shapes and details.
Just because a room is a back entry, maybe out to the garden and yard, doesn't mean it shouldn't be beautiful.
Certainly, this room's durable materials — blue stone flooring and horizontal lap siding — can hold their own against an onslaught of muddy boots and backpacks. But while those materials are functional, the tall windows and the French doors give an abundance of light and elegance.
Certainly, this room's durable materials — blue stone flooring and horizontal lap siding — can hold their own against an onslaught of muddy boots and backpacks. But while those materials are functional, the tall windows and the French doors give an abundance of light and elegance.
Who doesn't like a sweeping, curving bridal staircase that winds itself from floor to floor? A beautiful staircase is a great stage set for those moments in life when we celebrate together, be it prom, homecoming or wedding.
An entry foyer doesn't have to be double height and with a sweeping, curving bridal staircase to be elegant and quite handsome. In fact, the staircase doesn't — and probably more often than not, shouldn't — start at the front door. After all, these stairs take us to the private quarters of the home, so being a bit removed from the main entry door can be a good thing.
What's especially nice about these historically inspired designs is their updated and fresh approach to the style's language. Just as other architects, from Palladio to Jefferson to today, have learned from and reinvigorated the classical language, so too has Tate.
In the same way as the exteriors, the interiors are fresh reinterpretations of historical styles. For example, windows aren't just punched openings in a wall but expanses of glass that reach from floor to ceiling and corner to corner. You can't get more modern than that.
And walls aren't always heavy, load-bearing elements. Treated as a simple plane that separates two rooms, this wall appears as a lightweight screen that can slide to and fro. Again, the interior couldn't be more modern in its sense of space and light.
Even when using what can be the most rigid of styles, classical, the manipulation of interior space is nothing if not modern. Layering, as here, creates the sense that the room in the foreground is set within a large room that is connected and open to every room around it: a room that's both open and distinct at the same time.
Check out A Classical Journey — The Houses of Ken Tate if you want to learn more about Ken Tate and his home designs. The book is filled with page after page of wonderful homes that are an inspiration to all.
Check out A Classical Journey — The Houses of Ken Tate if you want to learn more about Ken Tate and his home designs. The book is filled with page after page of wonderful homes that are an inspiration to all.
Scott Davidson founded Davidson Builders in 1998. Scott graduated from Michigan State with a BS in Construction... Read More
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The craftsmanship and skill of the men and woman who build his designs is truly sight to behold.
In an age when most homes are thrown together by people who could care less about craftsmanship, it was awesome to work with such artisans who put there heart and soul into what they create.
I am lucky enough to live in a Ken Tate designed home. After 20 years, the architecture remains so fresh, and timeless. The longer we live in our home the more we enjoy and appreciate it. He is the best!