Step into the visionary world of S4S Design + Build, a high-end architecture and construction company enjoying its eighth year blending architects and contractors during the building process to the client's benefit. Fort Worth Architect Tom Carr began the company after remodeling his home in 2015. The result would reflect his passion, creativity, and dedication to the art of home building and a business model that could save you money and time on your next home project.
"It's not like a typical build situation where an architect generates plans, it goes to a builder for cost estimating, and the relationship between architect and builder ends," Carr explains. "We handle all that internally, so the project tends to be more streamlined and allows us to react quickly to things that change during the building or remodeling process, which can happen."
When building anything, challenges occur, and often, time is money. With the architect and the contractor connected, the two can figure out a situation on site, make the necessary drawings, and finish the job quickly.
"It's a fully integrated architectural design and construction process," he continues.
In 2015, Carr purchased a home for his family to live in. The space was a 1966 mid-century modern design, about 5000 sq. ft., and S4S added another 1800 square feet to it.
"We did an interior remodel in the home when we bought it," says Carr about the full gut, but admitted to leaving the space alone for some time afterward.
"The inside looked really nice, but the outside looked really rough," he laughs. "We needed to remodel the existing pool and some additional guest house space for senior parents moving in temporarily to stay with us."
Carr also reappropriated the home's old garage space into an entertainment room and then, consequently, a new, functioning garage.
"In the process of adding all that square footage, we chose to go ahead and enhance the exterior of the house and bring it up to speed as well," he says. "We redid the entire roof, windows, exterior rain screens, eaves, lighting, some concrete detail work, and decking."
Carr cut the back off the existing pool and added ten feet for a Baja ledge in an admittedly complex process.
Just as it would be with clients, issues surfaced during Carr's remodel, but he credits quick-thinking, on-site architects and the business's longstanding history working in the community, for the quick resolutions.
More than anything, Carr wants Fort Worth to know that S4S is a down-to-earth organization made up of hands-on, talented individuals.
"We're happy to be here in the Fort Worth area," he says. "We're happy to be part of the community and love a challenge. So, let us know what we can do for you."