Lise Claiborne Matthews AIA ASID / LCM Studio

The focus of Lise’s work is the creation of comfortable, livable, appropriately-sized houses designed for the everyday enjoyment of real people. Firmly believing that architecture is a "service" profession, Lise carefully attends to the particular needs, desires, dreams, and budget limitations of each client in the development of a design that is individually conceived for that client alone. Each project looks different because each client is different. Common to all of the projects, however, are certain features: a love of natural light and its changing play within the house, a clearly conceived plan, a warm and inviting entrance, an open flow from inside to outside, and very careful detailing of all finish materials. With understated elegance, each house serves both quietly and beautifully as background for the family life lived within. For thirty-three years, her work has been devoted not only to designing new houses, but also to crafting seamless remodels, renovations, and additions for her many clients who "love where they live", but whose existing house “just doesn't work” for their family's needs. Long in advance of today's interest in environmentally conscious or "green architecture", Lise has focused her attention on climate-based design, using porches, overhangs and natural ventilation as integral elements in her houses. In order to give each project the time they believe it deserves, Lise and her associate, John M Smith, have chosen to remain a small "boutique firm", limiting the number of projects they undertake to the select few they believe will best benefit from their, and their staff's, care and attention.