Hart Howerton, founded in 1967 that works with the broad approach of “creating the complete environment”, designs that are thoughtfully developed and environmentally conscious to create a long-lasting positive impact on the environment without comprising the market values.
Hart Howerton is an interdisciplinary practice of planners, architects, landscape architects, and interior designers based out of San Francisco and New York, their work range from the redevelopment of real estate assets, neighborhoods to hospitality setting, conservation, and preservation to individual residence.
ENR (Engineering News-Record) ranked them 313/500 of the top 500 design firms with works across 6 continents and 51 countries.
Here are the 15 projects of Hart Howerton.
1. Half Moon Resort, Montego Bay, Jamaica | Hart Howerton
The redevelopment of 20 acres of the 400-acre property was designed to address the question of “What would hospitality look like in the next 60 years”.
Being at the center of the Caribbean Sea and tropical, lush Montego Bay is the Half Moon resort with three zones; the great house with the entrance, lobby, and 57 accommodations with large balconies for the view of the ocean.
The prime zone of all is The Great House Ocean Suite designed to overlook the lawn and sea with open planning of space comprising two bedrooms, living, and dining. The third zone houses low-profile cottages with 32 ocean rooms oriented to enjoy the views of sunrise, the Caribbean Sea with seamless verandahs and terraces. The entire theme was set on the Anglo Jamaican style inspired by local culture, wall hung arts, and vibrant colors to make one feel at home.
2. The Island House, The Bahamas.
The boutique hotel sits on an 8-acre plot with striking views down the hill. The design intention is to create “no barrier” between the interior and exterior and make the transition from inside to out or vice versa completely seamless with large doors, gracious porches, and event lawns.
The architectural services extended beyond planning and design to create a business plan and build a financial system for the client. The key design features are ocean-facing terrace with the breezy dining experience, 48 seat movie theatre for a film screening that could also function as a conference hall with natural light, fitness facility, and a top-floor restaurant with outdoor dining and a spectacular view of the ocean.The Island House is a one of a kind gathering spot that is authentically The Bahamas, sophisticated and luxurious, says the design team.
3. The Santa Luca preserve, Carmel, California
The Santa Luca preserve is a private residential community of a 20,000-acre natural landscape located at the Carmel hills of California. The master planning for the community was carried by the Hart Howerton architects with the clear objective of protection of the natural landscape and co-existence of the community that respects and appreciates the natural beauty. Only 10% of the entire land can be used for the development of the community such as individual houses, roads, golf, and other facilities. 90% of the land is left undeveloped for nature to thrive and maintain biodiversity.
4. The Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina
In a vast natural setting surrounded by rivers and preserve wildlife, lies the resort community with a history of earlier French and English settlements, located in the South Carolina coastal low country.
The 18,000-acre plot is developed with strategic positioning of facilities that allow the community to explore the landscape and a place for celebrating the beauty of nature. The built environment includes The Inn – a place for gathering, the cottages positioned along the river, and Golf Club.
5. Spanish speaks lodge, Big Sky, Montano | Hart Howerton
Hart Howerton is redefining the experience of skiing and golf by its work at the mountain range of Big sky, designing the Spanish speaks lodge and its 39 luxury residences. Spanish speaks is a premier private residential club placed at the finishing line of the skiing and at the base of a Gold course that acts as the epicenter for gathering.
The design and construction of the structures are in line with the integration of the community into the natural landscape. The large overhang pitched roof along the perimeter of the building is a conscious result of climate-responsive architecture. The porches, decks, and balconies appear to be the natural outgrowth of the building.
6. Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
One of the early projects in the 1970s, Hart Howerton was responsible for the town planning and environmental analysis for the 27,000-acre property. The planning revolved around keeping the Lake Buena Bista as the primary foci and the design concepts were developed. The first Disney’s residential resort community set in 4,500 acres of the land was commissioned to the Hart Howerton. Now, Walt Disney is one of the early and long-lasting resort community and the HH team collaborate for new projects with Disney.
7. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania.
A business plan and tourism model was developed for the national park with a vision for continuous protection of wildlife and its habitats. The planning process established development zones, strategies to attract more visitors, generate revenues, and opening it to the public.
8. The Grand Expansion of Hotel Hershey, Hershey
The US green building council certified the hotel’s expansion as Silver LEED.In 2007 renovation and expansion of the hotel began with a clear agenda of adding ten new luxury cottages, 48 new guest rooms, and recreational amenities such as an infinity-edge pool, ice skating, 130 seat restaurant.
“Our goal was to remain loyal to the integrity of the original structure while ensuring that the development is environmentally conscious and sustainable, including the use of recycled materials and energy conservation methods wherever possible,” says the CEO of Hart Howerton.
9. The Greenbrier Residence, West Virginia
Hart Howerton partnered with the “Pioneer log and timber” to build a structural timber residence using Engelmann spruce logs. The house is a mix of natural materials and finishes set in a backdrop of the natural landscape. The notable features include a tongue and groove ceiling of interior spaces, stone patios, swimming pool, and a freestanding structure as a fireplace. Natural lighting is enhanced by the use of clerestory windows in the kitchen and dining.
10. The Greenbrier Sporting Club, West Virginia | Hart Howerton
According to Hart Howerton “The development of the club will reflect the same ethics that have shaped The Greenbrier Resort: an appreciation for nature, the love of sportsmanship, and the importance of maintaining tradition. And it is for these reasons that Sir Nick Faldo approached Hart Howerton to design and build the residential retreat at The Greenbrier.”
The club is a 6500-acre property set in the backdrop of Allegheny Mountains that includes members’ lodge, sports complex made up of golf clubhouse, squash and fitness center, spa and the 20 lodge cottages are a revisit to historic times and to reinterpret the vernacular style of design and construction.
11.Esther’s island cottages, Nantucket, Massachusetts.
A private residence located in the coastal region of Nantucket of Esther’s island is designed to LEED standards that harness its energy from nature using solar panels and wind turbines.
The off-grid house is family-friendly with bedrooms planned around central space for gathering. The landscape design employed the planting of native species that require minimum maintenance and water.
12. Cattle Creek Crossing, Garfield County, Colorado | Hart Howerton
Involved in master town planning and development, the strategy of the 120-hectare site with the core principle of Transit-oriented development, enabling a cluster of walkable neighborhoods, reinvention of parks, open spaces, and public spaces. The design was recognized as an “ Honor Award for planning and urban design” by the American Society of Landscape Architects, Colorado Chapter.
13. Kuki’o, Kona Coast, Hawaii.
The private beach club demonstrates the beautiful blend of traditional Hawaiian architecture and ambiance with the modern celebrity lifestyle need. Predominantly built with wooden structures from the floors to ceilings, porches, and outdoor dining experience exhibit tranquility with the environment. Located on the pristine north Kona Coast of Hawaii’s Big island of 600 acres with oceanfront welcomed into the property by the planning of landscaped open spaces.
14. B Cellars vinery, Oakville, California
The destination for wine tasting experience included a demonstration kitchen that allowed guests or visitors an opportunity to watch the process of winemaking and interact with the chef. The windows stretch to the ceiling from floor filled with glass to overlook at the vineyard and allowing natural light to enrich the space. The project is primarily built by using steel beam construction; the material palette includes recycled corrugated sheets, board form concrete, polished concrete, and hardwood floors to merge with the surroundings. For the storage of wine barrels, the additional tasting room, and the grand salon a 15000 square feet cave is dug to create a unique experience for visitors.
15. Islas Secas, Panama | Hart Howerton
Located on Panama’s pacific coast is the ultra-luxurious resort owned and envisioned by the billionaire conservationist Louis Bacon. Hart Howerton was roped in to design and overlook the island’s exterior and landscape. Preserving of the archipelago’s ecosystem and maintaining natural beauty is the ultimate vision.
