Freese Architecture endeavors to create built environments that embody four fundamental attributes:
BEAUTY:
Beauty is subjective and personal. Every person’s perception of beauty is both intuitive and shaped by personal life experiences. Yet there are underlying guidelines in art and architecture — such as proportion, scale, rhythm, pattern, and solid/void manipulations — that are fundamental in achieving artistic beauty and visual harmony. All our work reflects a strong commitment to these timeless design principles.
Also, there is nothing more beautiful or spiritually nourishing than nature; our interaction with the elements of nature is a fundamental physical requirement of humankind. We weave nature into all our designs by such methods as integrating intimate courtyards and expansive landscape vistas, bathing interiors with abundant natural light, and blending interior and exterior spaces with continuous materials and open, inviting circulation. A Freese Architecture design provides an experience of beauty and inspiration to our clients.
UTILITY:
Utility in architecture is the capacity of a building or space to satisfy the essential needs of its users. It also refers to the overall stability, usability, and functionality of a building. Utility is achieved through the simple and efficient configuration of spaces, the integration of current technologies and systems that support the building without onerous maintenance or energy requirements, and the use of materials that are durable and long-lasting. The homes and buildings we create are designed to achieve maximum utility and to be both modern to this era and relevant in future eras.
SUSTAINABILITY:
Sustainability in buildings means employing passive and active environmentally responsible and energy-efficient solutions, and we do so commensurate with each client’s level of desire and interest. We have an ever-increasing body of knowledge from rigorous ongoing research, as well as experience in integrating environmentally sustainable design elements into a growing number of projects. One of our core philosophies is that buildings be designed to maximize efficiency and minimize both operational costs and unnecessary stress on this planet that is our home.
HONESTY:
Honesty in architecture means that a building is a technological, functional, and aesthetic representation of the era, culture, and locale in which it is designed; its materials are used in a direct and unfettered fashion; and that the building’s use is clearly expressed in its form.
The buildings and homes we design have generous open space unencumbered by unnecessary interior partitions; expansive glass openings to allow abundant natural light and a strong visual connection to the outdoors; advanced systems that give protection and comfort with minimal environmental impact; and simple, linear forms composed of elemental materials that reflect the rugged, rural nature of the American Midwest.