Well-Planned And Pretty

Stroll the sidewalks of this neighborhood-one of our favorite places in the South.

The Town of Mt. Laurel, Alabama, with its motto, "A community for the present, designed with a sense of the past," makes no apologies for reworking principles found in older neighborhoods. And why should it? The results are attractive, well-designed homes lining brick-paved sidewalks and a town center conveniently located within walking distance-all surrounded by the forested foothills of the Appalachian Mountains.

Worthy of Handing Down

Built in the English Arts and Crafts style that typifies many of nearby Birmingham's 1920s and 1930s neighborhoods, the homes in Mt. Laurel emulate a time when long-lasting construction was expected. "The first part of the 20th century was the age of the cottage," says architect John Sease, one of the selected designers for the community. "And Mt. Laurel is set to revive this modest and efficient housing type."

John also points out that people once built homes with the intent of passing them on to future generations. "When the baby boom and the incredible demand for housing took place in this country, we put building for character and quality aside for the expediency and breakneck development of suburbia," he says. "This community is special because it completely opposes the assembly-line mind-set."

Founded in 1998 by Elton B. Stephens, Jr., and master planned by Duany Plater-Zyberk & Company (DPZ), Mt. Laurel celebrates a slower pace of life. Wide sidewalks encourage residents to walk to the corner drugstore or a friend's house. "Our goal for this development was to harmoniously work with the land rather than impose on it," explains J. Scott Finn. Scott, a professor at Auburn University's College of Architecture, Design, & Construction, also serves as the director of design for Mt. Laurel. "We wanted to fit the architecture to the land instead of vastly changing the landscape to fit the architecture," he continues.

The town's founders enacted careful architectural regulations to ensure continuity of craftsmanship and aesthetics. To preserve the natural lay of the land and to maintain plants and trees, grading is kept to a minimum. Streams and other natural drainage aren't disturbed. If vegetation and stone must be removed during construction, the vegetation is replanted and the stone is reused in retaining walls and other landscape features.

Built to Last

Mt. Laurel offers a variety of homes to meet owners' needs, from small cottages to larger houses to lofts in the town center. Many plans include deep porches and sheltering roofs. "Our roster of building materials is appropriate to the English Arts and Crafts style. Materials are durable and include stone, brick, traditional stucco, shingles, and clapboard," explains Scott. "Exterior colors are also chosen to harmonize with the woodland setting. Here, people can socialize and interact-factors that are vital to the health of any community."

Because many older neighborhoods around the South are still alive and well, it's good to see those tried-and-true principles taking root in new communities such as Mt. Laurel. -ROBERT MARTIN

What Is English Arts and Crafts Style?

During the mid-19th century, a grassroots backlash against industrialization took place in England. Men such as John Ruskin, William Morris, and A.W.N. Pugin feared that machines would eventually replace the Grafting and beauty of handmade items, particularly in architecture and associated fields. Integral to this crusade is what we commonly call "the cottage," which implies a modest, well-built dwelling comprised of simple materials. Once imported to this country, the English Arts and Crafts style permeated residential design. In time, the romantic notions of hearth and home, along with the white-picket visions of the American dream, became part of this aesthetic movement.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Apr 2006
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