Architect Clay Chapman is currently constructing the “Daulton House” at 317 South McDonough Road in the MAK District. The house design was approved at the Historic Preservation Commission’s January meeting in a 3-2 vote.

You can monitor the Tudor brick home’s progress at the Chapman Architecture blog.

But perhaps even more interesting than watching this house rise brick-by-brick, is reading Chapman’s theory of the trade that he relates along the way.  Such as…

There may be an underlying suspicion in the collective psyche that we are presently unable to expound; unable to do anything of creative significance because the era of modern manufacturing, in all it’s efficiency, has made the artisan tradesman obsolete; and in so doing extinguished that brazen creativity we Americans pride ourselves as being descended. Of course this is in no way limited to creative building — what car being built today will be held with the same affection as a 66 Ford Mustang in the year 2060.

All this to say, a penchant for period architecture should in no way be based on an unbalanced appreciation for another time. Many modern architects view period design with a bricker-brack sort of kitchy, collectibles mentality and there is good fodder for this. But it’s not so much a particular period I’m in love with, as a few rudimentary materials that happen to be historically ubiquitous; materials I find difficult to improve upon without a price.

h/t: the DNO

Photo courtesy of Chapman Architecture blog

I actually saw this note this morning on the Oakhurst Message Board, but Dan was good enough give me a nudge by forwarding it along…very cool news….

Hi all, here is a shameless plug asking for your help in supporting my husband, Clay Chapman, who was recently named one of 8 finalists for Architectural Digest’s Open Auditions in NYC. Two of his residences were chosen. One a barn/home conversion in TN and another a timberframed/structural masonry home in Cedartown, GA (it shows an interior shot). Architectural Digest set up sample polls to gauge reader’s interest in the projects.

Clays is the first one on the page. Here is the link: http://www.architecturaldigest.com/architects/polls/week_1/openaudition you can also access his website from link (which is currently under construction, but you can see his portfolio) I would sincerely appreciate you voting for his project and helping an Oakhurst resident get noticed! You can vote as many times as you want.

Thanks again!

Katie Chapman