Lew Oliver is fired up. He carries on this conversation while sharpening a fistful of colored pencils. The grinding works like hype music for him. The designer for Reynolds' new Richland Pointe community uses pencils and his imagination to push his own envelope, which by the way is already across the drawing table.
"We don't do cookie cutter designs," Lew says, his friendly voice rising with enthusiasm. It's a big reason why he joined the Richland Pointe conceptual team: as an outlet for his vision of a healthy, neighborly way of life.
"We're creating a small world on this beautiful peninsula," he says, putting down his pencils.
It's time to find out what's in this imaginative world.
Those courtyards... why do they look familiar?
I implement ideas from traveling. The side courtyards at Richland Pointe are similar to what you see in Savannah. They're L-shaped, which makes them elegant and inviting, but also immensely private. They're also low maintenance, so people can enjoy their time outside.
What else did you borrow from your travels?
I've always liked the ornamental walls in Charleston, so you'll see those in Richland Pointe. There are also Greek influences, like columns and fountains. The front porches are reminders of Nantucket, where people sit and enjoy the open neighborhood.
You've designed communities all over the country. Why did you want to be involved with Richland Pointe?
I heard the words "walkable community." That made me sit up. Then I saw the property on this peninsula, along this impeccable lake. I'm familiar enough with Reynolds to know that everything here is done right, with purpose, and that they don't compromise nature. That's important to me.
