Awards & News
Herpel is featured in a book signing and lecture with Anne Fairfax of Fairfax and Sammons
BOOK SIGNING FEATURED ANNE FAIRFAX OF FAIRFAX & SAMMONS
March, 2007: Foundation News - It was standing room only when Anne Fairfax, of the New York
architectural firm of Fairfax & Sammons, delivered a presentation at the foundation on January 18. The impetus for Ms. Fairfax's talk was the recent publication of a book regarding the works of her and
husband's company entitled, American Houses: the Architecture of Fairfax & Sammons.
The lecture was an engaging exploration of the work of one of America's preeminent architectural partnerships that specializes in the classical vernacular. In fact, Ms. Fairfax is currently the president of the Institute of Classical Architecture. In 2005 the firm opened an office in Palm Beach.
One of the most endearing client vignettes presented by Ms. Fairfax concerned the renovation of a Manhattan brownstone townhouse owned by Sarah Jessica Parker. The direction provided by Ms. Parker for the restoration was the desire to install front porch steps because “she wanted to sit on the stoop and eat ice cream with her future children.”
Another example mentioned of the firm's classical genre was the design for Litchfield, a Georgian style
villa in Connecticut. The residence was constructed of brick and cast stone columns, pediments and
quoins obtained from the West Palm Beach firm of Herpel, Inc. Anne related that the owner of Litchfield
was so impressed by the elegance and architectural integrity of the interior that he has yet to furnish the house in the ten years since its completion.
Following the lecture, Ms. Fairfax signed copies of the book which was written by architectural historian
Mary Miers. The book is a celebration of Fairfax & Sammons' adaptation and use of classical
architecture's precepts and principles to meet contemporary requirements.