Vol. 18, Issue I
1991, p. 19

     Home Sweet Home: The cliche rings true when applied to the magnificent houses designed by George D. Hopkins. Hopkins' work utilizes Kawneer's architectural aluminum products for commercial construction in a residential setting. The Hopkins Company, of New Orleans, La., has specialized in upscale private residential architecture for 20 years. In the past four years, the firm has designed four houses in New Orleans using Kawneer products. The first won an AlA award, the second was photographed by a national magazine, and the third was featured in a New Orleans magazine. The fourth is the recently completed Barrett Residence.

     The house's fenestration is largely TriFab II® 451, with some 990 Sliding Doors and Sealair® 7200 Projected Windows for ventilation.

     Hopkins defines "upscale" in terms of size and value. The houses he de- signs for his wealthy clients range from 3,700 to 8,000 sq. ft., and their appointments are typically the finest available, granites, marbles, hardwoods and Kawneer framing products.

     The site of the Barrett house is on the water overlooking 25-mile-wide Lake Pontchartrain. "My clients purchased the location for the view, so my objective was first to maximize the view, which we did by elevating the kitchen and main living areas to the second floor level;' Hopkins explains. "That provided the perspective, and Kawneer provided the view. My second objective was security, since we're in the path of hurricanes here and on the open water. Again; with Kawneer, we've never had any leakage problems, and we have a product we feel very secure with. "Basically, in our semi-tropical environment, weather-proofing is the greatest consideration. When you consider the weatherproofing reliability along with the aesthetic potential of Kawneer systems, you have an unbeatable combination;' he continues. Two more of Hopkins' grand houses are on the drawing board with Kawneer specifications.