Watercolor-style illustration of the Durham Farms master plan, highlighting tree-lined streets, neighborhood homes, green spaces, and the central amenities. Aerial view of elegant two-story homes facing a landscaped green space with young trees and winding sidewalks in the Durham Farms neighborhood. Expansive circular park lawn with a central monument and surrounding sidewalks, backed by a clubhouse and rows of single-family homes under a blue sky. Aerial photo of the Durham Farms clubhouse and outdoor pool complex, with lounge chairs, yellow umbrellas, and surrounding landscaping during sunset. Evening view of the community pool lit up against a pink and purple sky, surrounded by cushioned loungers, umbrellas, and the clubhouse in the background. Covered front porch of the Durham Farms clubhouse at golden hour, with wooden benches, cushioned seating, and a view of the walking trails and fields beyond. Modern gym featuring cardio machines, weight equipment, medicine balls, and a punching bag, with large windows providing natural light. Interior view of the clubhouse lounge with cozy seating, modern chandeliers, a fireplace with a mounted TV, and glass doors leading to a meeting space.

Durham Farms

Smith Gee Studio (SGS) provided master planning review and recommendations to the development team and created a Design Guideline document to satisfy the city’s requirements as well as a more comprehensive Vision Book for our private developer-client, and their HOA, to assure an ongoing high level of traditional design quality and appropriateness for the master planned community. SGS also serves as the Town Architect for Durham Farms.

In addition, SGS designed the neighborhood’s amenity center known as the “Farmhouse”, which includes community management offices, community gathering rooms, an internet café, and a fully equipped fitness center a complete offering of outdoor programs including a swimming pool, splash pad, fire pits, outdoor kitchen, pool cabana, and a terra-formed playground.

Smith Gee Studio was selected by Freehold Communities to assist them in repositioning a previously master planned community they acquired in Hendersonville, TN after the housing crash of 2008. Smith Gee Studio provided master planning review and recommendations to the development team and assisted in the zoning entitlements for permitting site development. As part of the zoning entitlements, SGS created a Design Guideline document to satisfy the city’s requirements as well as a more comprehensive Vision Book for our private developer-client, and their HOA, to assure an ongoing high level of traditional design quality and appropriateness for the master planned community. Upon adoption of the Vision Book, Freehold Communities engaged SGS to serve as Town Architect for Durham Farms in the capacity for reviewing builders’ applications for single-family homes, townhomes, villas, and commercial development proposals. SGS continues to serve as Town Architect as development phases are completed and lots are delivered to builders in the community.

Year:

2015

Location:

F

Architect:

Smith Gee Studio

Client:

Freehold Communities

Services:

Architecture, Interior Architecture, Town Architect, Master Planning, & Design Guidelines

Awards:

Aurora Awards, Grand Honor, Special Promotion, 2021 Aurora Awards, Silver Honor, Best Recreation Facility or Amenity, 2021