John Toates Architecture and Design (JTAD) is focused on unique residential projects throughout the United States and abroad; offering a guided, collaborative, comprehensive and creative design experience to homeowners who want to infuse their lives with timeless elegance, customized to embrace and enhance the way they live, work and play.
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In the course of designing our projects we have had the opportunity to salvage, restore and replicate many different types of hardware and building components. Starting many years ago, John began purchasing and restoring limited numbers of specific architectural elements to be used in his projects. This process has grown incrementally over the past 25 years to now warrant separate and independent attention as a resource for all of our clients and projects. Our collection is constantly growing and changing as we find new opportunities and resources. We encourage you to browse this site for ideas and look to our finished projects to find where similar items have been carefully and appropriately introduced.
JTAD is a full service architecture and design firm that offers a uniquely individualized approach to a comprehensive range of master planning, landscape, architectural and interior design services. John Toates and business partner Mark L. Hoffman have more than 50 years of combined experience, making them ideal experts to guide you through the experience of designing and building a new home, renovation, addition or outbuilding. They have chosen to specialize in private residential projects and commissions that range stylistically from an Art-Deco penthouse in South Beach, to 18th c. Stone Farmhouses, Stone and Brick English Tudors, Greek Revival, American Colonials, Queen Anne’s, Vernacular Farmhouses and Outbuildings. Many of these projects are historic properties or are located in Historic Districts, and we have extensive experience in dealing with Historic Architectural Review Boards and protected properties.
We will listen first; then guide you through the bespoke process of tailoring the design to your needs and wishes and executing your project within budget. Challenges are viewed as opportunities, and the homeowner’s lifestyle and site serve as inspiration for designing a structure that enriches and harmonizes with its setting to enhance every aspect of our clients’ life. Our design philosophy is based on the belief that appropriately scaled, proportioned and detailed buildings can be integrated seamlessly with the unique and varied requirements of the project location, stylistic preferences, program, family needs, and a contemporary lifestyle. As a firm, we approach architecture and design as a holistic process, providing our clients with comprehensive services for all aspects of the project, from the initial acquisition to conceptual designs thru the construction and beyond.
We follow a comprehensive approach to the design of a project, addressing the site and landscape design, interiors and decorative fixture selections in combination with the architecture of the house, focusing on down to the smallest detail of hardware and finishes. We subscribe to the belief that there are no good or bad architectural styles; rather there is an appropriateness of style that is deeply rooted in the cultural and historic landscape of each project. Whether a project is urban, suburban or rural, traditional or modern, the fundamentals of design remain the same. In renovations, the importance of matching the existing materials, millwork, finishes, scale and proportion are critically important to the success of the project and all of the new work should be indistinguishable from the original house with the original and new spaces flowing seamlessly together.
Prior to forming John Toates Architecture and Design in 2012, John worked at Peter Zimmerman Architects from 1996 until 2012, becoming a Partner in the firm in 2001. John received his Architectural degree Cum Laude from Syracuse University. Mark Hoffman holds dual degrees in Interior Design and Architecture from Philadelphia University and joined JTAD in the spring of 2015 as a Partner after also having worked with John at PZA Inc. from 1996-2012.
Special thanks are extended to all of our past and present clients who have shared in the passionate and collaborative approach to our design process. Without their participation, these projects and the formation of John Toates Architecture and Design would not have been possible. In addition to our clients, special thanks are due to the other designers that shared the responsibility of executing the design intent of the project and especially to the multitudes of craftsmen and construction professionals who built these projects.
Enjoy!