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Listening To Dreams Homes by Camens Architectural Group
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harleston-based firm Camens Architectural Group is leaving its mark on coastal architecture. You can easily identify a Camens Architectural Group home—just look for the firm’s distinctive styling and signature detailing. You will also notice that each house reflects the individuality and needs of each client. Known as “listening architects,” the Camens Group specializes in designing truly one-of-a-kind custom homes. This is bespoke architecture. Founded by architect Marc Camens in 1982, the group’s unique approach to residential architecture is actually quite simple, as evidenced by its motto: “Listen to Your Dreams… And We’ll Listen To You.” It’s no surprise, then, that the client-driven design methodology begins at the initial meeting with, of course, listening. The first key element of an initial design meeting is hearing the clients’ vision and desires for their dream home. This often includes sharing photos and concept ideas. The second, and most important, element is learning about how the clients are going to live in the house: how they cook, how they relax, how they work, and how they entertain. Then the artistry of architecture begins as the walls of the home are wrapped around how the clients live. This approach to design means each home is uniquely crafted around each family’s lifestyle. A Camens house is designed from the inside out.
Situated with breathtaking views of The Ocean Course, the Atlantic Ocean, and Bass Creek, this home is a beautiful example of how Camens Architectural Group unifies its signature details— such as the Camens-designed brackets seen on the porch columns and the Japanese mitred soffits— with well-thought architectural design. This skillful marriage of style and purpose captures the natural light, showcases the views, and is one of a kind. 184 / c h a r l e s t o n
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photograph by Rick Smoak
See more at camensarchitecturalgroup.com 3461 Maybank Hwy., John’s Island, SC (843) 768-3800 Marc Camens - Principal Architect Anna Camens Dinger - Director
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Camens Architectural Group takes great care with technical details. Cable rail is used on this screened porch to allow for unobstructed views of the river and its marshes. To illuminate the ceiling trim work, the firm designed the handcrafted copper sconces for this charming outdoor room. photograph by Holger M. Obenaus
Camens Architectural Group captures and maximizes views through siteresponsive design. Careful attention is paid to the beautiful surroundings and sensitive natural environments. photograph by Jeff Mann
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ABOVE: This kitchen is a showcase of rich materials. Notice how Camens designed the mahogany inset ceiling to reflect the shape of marble inlaid floor. Together, these elements define the kitchen space within an open floor plan. photograph by Attic Fire RIGHT: In this first-floor entertainment room, Camens used antique heart-pine trim work to lend unique character to this gathering space. The rustic elegance of wood warms the room, floor to ceiling. The copper wall sconces were also designed by Camens and handcrafted by a local coppersmith.
Symmetry and scale are the key elements of this extraordinary great room. Even in this grand space, the lines of the trim and the bold mahogany wood throughout bring the room to human scale. The comfort and livability of the home is always a priority in a Camens Architectural Group design. When a project is completed and the move-in is celebrated, Marc Camens asks his clients, “So, how does your house live?� photograph by Attic Fire
photograph by Rick Smoak
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SPECIAL ADVERTISING FEATURE: C amens Archite c tura l Group
BELOW & RIGHT: This Kiawah residence represents an unforgettable design moment for Camens Architectural Group. At the initial design meeting, the clients simply described their “Kiawah dream home” by saying, “We want our home to be unforgettable.” Among many exclusive designs for the house, the architects created the interior trim to uniquely suit the home’s architecture and scale. Camens chose a dark textured paint for the great room’s barrel-vaulted ceiling, bringing intimacy to this unforgettable two-story space. Listen to your dreams, and Camens Architectural Group will listen to you. photographs by Holger M. Obenaus
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