Q+A with Two of Charlotte's Premier Modern Home Experts, Buddy Edwards and Toby Witte

Charlotte will soon be home to one of the most remarkable modern homes in the region: the Gerendák Villa on Lake Wylie. For this interview, we spoke with architect Toby Witte of Wittehaus and Buddy Edwards, builder and owner of Lynn Luxury Homes.

These experts are responsible for bringing this innovative, expressive, cantilevered home to life.

In this interview, you’ll learn more about the project, modern architecture in Charlotte, and how energy efficiency and good design go hand-in-hand.

Born in Peru to German parents, architect Toby Witte’s adventurous, creative spirit shines through all of his designs. His work showcases an international sensibility, a commitment to energy efficient luxury homes, and a client-focused approach.

You may have seen his home designs and builds in The New York Times, Dwell Magazine, Architectural Record, ArchDaily, The Charlotte Observer, Home Design & Décor, and more.

This award-winning architect serves clients throughout the Charlotte area.

Learn more about his firm, Wittehaus, here.

What do you love about your work?

Toby: I’m just a kid in a candy store, really. I love designing inspiring spaces for people that transform their lives and turns it into something better.

For me, it’s exciting  to make these spaces fit both the environment, and the clients’ needs and desires. Each time, I find a new solution for whatever the situation brings.

Buddy: I love building unique and personalized homes for my clients, something that resembles their personality and is molded to their lifestyle.

Building has always been a passion of mine; whether it’s a little free library house for my kid’s school or a 20,000SF home, I find joy in building anything. I also have a strong interest in architecture and design; a lot of builders don’t care about that piece as much as I do. I am passionate about it, so I’m even more excited when it’s beautiful architecture that I’m working on.

How does your mutual interest in design and architecture strengthen this project?

Buddy: Projects like Gerendák are perfect for me, because I enjoy the camaraderie that develops between the builder, the designer, and the client. It’s really rewarding.

Buddy Edwards is the founder and owner of Lynn Luxury Homes. He has been building for over two decades, and works with select Charlotte-area clients to bring their dreams to life. One look at the glowing words of his clients, and you know Buddy is singularly focused on delivering quality and excellence.

His background in sophisticated design and construction lends to the complexities of building modern architecture, while his unique skillset and expertise set him apart in luxury home construction.

Learn more about Lynn Luxury Homes here.

I'm inspired by good architecture, so I have a passion for working with the design team to execute that final work of art.

Toby: It’s a really fruitful partnership for both of us. Most builders seem to like to do what’s familiar. Buddy is just wide-open to new ideas, always seeming to say “Yes, we can do that. Let’s do this right.”

Working with Buddy is an absolute joy for me.

It seems like this project is pushing the boundaries of modern architecture in Charlotte. From your professional perspectives, is that accurate?

Buddy: I think so, for sure. There are a lot of challenges with this project, not only with the house and the topography, but also with the architectural committee that is involved in overseeing and approving the project.

This is the first modern home to be built in this neighborhood. We spent a lot of time collaborating to meet all of their guidelines, while still pushing the boundaries of abstract modern architecture. In every way, it's one of a kind.

Toby: Well, in many ways, I think this project was not meant to happen.

The architectural committee wasn’t sure about this project, but Buddy was really instrumental in making it work. He spoke with them to understand their requirements and what they needed in order to make this happen.

Was the client involved in the design process?

Drawings of the Gerendák residence

Toby: It was certainly collaborative. We sat together and went through what architecture they like, what it does to their lives and their daily routines, and how designs might react to sunset, views, approach.

They were open to learn about architecture, to understand considerations, and to play with ideas. It takes a lot of questioning, probing, and being honest to find out what the client really wants.

By all means, this was a picture-perfect project.

[Take a deep dive of Toby’s design process with the clients here.]

What do you think has been the most important contributor to your success so far?

Toby: Open communication and mindset. Buddy and I were on the same wavelength. We focused on collaborating and providing everybody, including the architectural committee and the client, with the information needed.

We also had to think about feasibility here, in the materials available and the abilities of the crews. Really, we had to listen to each other to make it work.

Buddy: We have great clients that are willing to explore lots of different ideas in building this masterpiece. They encourage Toby’s really abstract design skills, and my building skills, and provide us a lot of autonomy in the design and construction process. We’re able to explore opportunities to make them a better home every step of the way. It’s a true design/build process, and they put a lot of faith and confidence in us as a team.

Another reason this project works so well is the relationship Toby and I have developed. Right off the bat, we found that we’re a good fit for each other and we have a similar way of thinking about things.

We share a common interest in good design, and we both have high standards in construction, materials, and the way those materials are assembled. Plus, we both enjoy an occasional whiskey drink at the end of the day.

Pictures of the Gerendák construction

Is the client’s trust of you both, as the builder and the architect, important to your success?

Sketches of the Gerendák

Buddy: That’s really important. As a client, it’s not helpful to try to micromanage the process. Clients hire a team like us to guide them through the process, and make the right decisions, so that the end product is beautiful and meets their every need.

I find that clients who try to direct the design and construction aspects get in their own way. They inadvertently sacrifice some great opportunities on a home by trying to control the outcome too much.

It’s fun to have clients like this one, that have total confidence in you as a team to design, build, and execute their project.

It is still a very collaborative effort. Toby and I talk constantly, and are always looking for new ways to enhance or improve things, even if that means trying something new and pioneering.

Do you consider the environmental impact in your designs and builds, and if so, how? 

Toby: From my perspective, it starts with a good design. A lot of energy efficiency can be had just by designing well.

It’s a question of addressing the sun in the right way, to consider the construction of the house and its materials.

On top of that, a lot of new models of energy efficiency are absolutely available here in North Carolina. It’s actually a no-brainer to install solar panels in a new build. It’s easy, and it’s not even a problem from a financial perspective.

Energy efficiency doesn’t have to cost any extra. It’s just a question of designing well. That translates, of course, to the build.

Buddy: I think the most important thing when you’re trying to incorporate a project into the environment is the design. If you don’t have a good design to start with, you can’t have good construction. 

It’s important to me to have a good design partner on every one of our homes, because otherwise I’m just banging my head against the wall.

The most environmentally conscious homes integrate with the landscape and the topography. The views from the inside out, and the outside in, are important. When you’re moving between spaces, whether just inside the house or to the outside, it needs to feel seamless. You should feel at home on your whole piece of property, not just inside your home. 

I can use the best building materials in the world, the best technology, the best construction techniques, but if you don’t have good design, then you don’t have anything valuable.

How should clients think about the material options and energy efficiency of their builds?

Buddy: It’s extremely important to me to use all high-quality, authentic, durable materials, and use absolutely the best installation practices for everything we do.

Gerendák Residence foundation work

We spend a lot of time analyzing the science of building each home. There are many factors that go into building an efficient home and not overpaying. If sacrifices are made for inferior products, it costs the homeowner more in the long run. I educate all of my clients about the costs and benefits of different systems to help them make the right decision. There are ways to build an efficient home without excessive spending.

The same goes for building an expensive home that is very inefficient. If you use high-quality materials but don’t install them correctly, they’re only for show - and that’s not fair to the client.

For instance, if you use a high-quality window that is improperly installed, it defeats the purpose of buying the higher-quality component to begin with.

Toby: Here in North Carolina, the number one concern is the bombardment of the sunlight and the heat it brings with it.

This is especially true when you’re talking about a house like this one, which is all about the view from the inside, and the flow from the inside to the outside. 

It’s all about the sunlight.

When you have windows, they have to be absolutely top-notch in their quality to be energy efficient. But they also have to be integrated into the design. 

[Editor’s Note: While Bauwerk is providing the windows and doors for the Gerendák Villa, neither Toby nor Buddy were compensated for this interview or their comments about the windows.]

We have to think about shades in certain directions to minimize solar gain when you can, and at the same time, not obstruct the views. It’s an integrated process between the materials and the other parameters.

Again, all of that is a question of design and not so much of cost and spending lots of money.

Buddy: That’s right. Good design doesn’t have to be big or expensive, and bad design can be extremely expensive and inefficient.

What, if anything, makes Charlotte a unique market for both of your work?

Toby: For me, Charlotte is a great place to be. This city is growing by leaps and bounds. Last year, more than 120 people moved to Charlotte every day. There's a great number of people from all over.

They all bring a different take and openness to modern architecture to Charlotte. Frankly, there’s just not enough modern architecture around.

That makes Charlotte a great, fertile ground for modern architecture to grow and develop and be appreciated and wanted. 

Is the appetite for modern architecture increasing in Charlotte?

Buddy: I think absolutely increasing. Charlotte is a unique market. As a builder, when I think of Charlotte and the surrounding area, that really includes 20 surrounding towns and suburbs. It’s just so vast, and has opportunity for growth in different areas of construction.

This is particularly true in modern architecture. I would say that half of my new clients in the past six months are interested in modern architecture.

Who are the clients that are interested in modern architecture?

Lynn Luxury Homes

Buddy: Clients that like modern architecture tend to have very unique personalities and lead an adventurous lifestyle. They prioritize efficiency and quality, and tend to think in abstract ways. They’re often drawn to modern architecture’s combination of simplicity and boldness.

There are many native Charlotteans here, but even more transplants. As Toby said, a huge amount of people move here every day. While modern architecture is a well-known trend nationally, it’s gaining significant popularity in the Charlotte area.

There are a lot of great companies here, and a lot of entrepreneurs. The market is really strong, from starter homes all the way through multi-million dollar homes. Many of those high net-worth clients are ones that are interested in modern architecture.

A lot of sports professionals in Charlotte also have a keen interest in modern architecture. So, I feel that there is definitely a lot of growth opportunity for modern design.

What kind of project do you want to work on next?

Buddy: We’re grateful to have a few other amazing projects in the pipeline now. If we could work on another dramatic, modern waterfront home like this one with Toby, I would be thrilled.

I gravitate towards more complex projects, and enjoy that integration of the home and the natural landscape - particularly when it involves water.

But as we said earlier, it all starts with a great client like we have on this project.

Toby: I have my own personal interests in architecture that I’m eager to explore, and so I certainly hope that some of my clients desires and wishes will align with some of the ideas I want to play with.

Charlotte needs more great architecture, and if Buddy and I have the chance to increase the canon of this city in some way, that would be wonderful.

About Bauwerk Building Solutions

Bauwerk is a multinational business that connects US clients to an extensive network of European manufacturers of windows, doors, curtain wall systems, and more. We specialize in innovative and refined building products of the highest quality. Our offices are located in Charlotte, NC and Berlin, Germany.