Ballard + Mensua Architecture was featured in New American Luxury magazine’s December 2011 issue, where principal architect Seth Ballard shared his philosophy on the essential role of craftsmanship in residential design.

“My most important role as an architect is to help my clients articulate what they want their space to achieve and to help them envision what might be,” Ballard explained. “The goal is a unique space that will sustain my clients’ happiness and pride for decades because it is an expression of their self.”

The article profiled the Carr Residence, a custom coastal home that merges traditional New England architecture with contemporary elements. Ballard’s design includes Shaker-inspired exterior lines, dramatic modern windows, and carefully layered details reflecting the property’s maritime heritage.

Key features of the Carr Residence include built-in furniture by Cabico of Quebec, hand-hewn timber frames from South County Post & Beam in Rhode Island, and handmade glass tiles by California artisan Anna Cabo. The project exemplifies Ballard’s commitment to using talented craftsmen and unique materials to achieve homes that feel deeply personal and enduring.

Ballard also described his approach to scouting craftsmanship, from trade shows to gallery visits, and underscored the idea that good craft is an attainable luxury. “It’s regrettable that people often perceive a so-called custom home with builder-grade windows and crown molding packages as ‘luxury,’” he noted. “They don’t realize how much more personal expression they can achieve in the same budget range.”