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Design Ideas
Jessica Williams On Design
Meet Sail Architects founder, Jessica Williams, as she shares her design philosophy, architecture origin story, the design inspiration she has pinned up in her office, and more.
Neuroscience and sailing may seem like strange starting points for a conversation about architecture, but to hear Jessica Williams explain it, it makes perfect sense:
“I am actively studying how our brains can be influenced by spaces. I’ve studied the multiple intelligence theory and feel it can provide insight on why spaces feel right to different ‘brains,’” Williams explained. “My brain feels ‘right’ when I’m on a sailboat, and the perspective of being on the water has influenced my designs.”
Williams, who founded SAIL Architects in Duxbury, MA, in 2021, expands on this confluence of ocean going and brain science, the art of design-for-well-being, how spaces can become “coffee” and “cocktails,” and so much more, in this edition of the Marvin “On Design” series.
What's the Most Challenging Project You've Ever Taken On?
Jessica: This is a difficult question to answer because I love challenges—there is a satisfaction in finding architectural solutions where none are seemingly available at first glance. Probably the most challenging was not because of the architecture but because of the number of participants in the process. I worked for a family of five adult children to rebuild the family’s waterfront property. Every family member had a different expectation and there were many conflicting ideas. My role was part designer, part sociologist. But projects are always about relationships, and I have gotten pretty good at playing a counselor role.
Where Do You Get Inspiration From?
Jessica: Sailboats and neuroscience. I’m exposing myself as a nerd, but I am actively studying how our brains can be influenced by spaces. I’ve studied the multiple intelligence theory and feel it can provide insight on why spaces feel right to different “brains.” My brain feels “right” when I’m on a sailboat, and the perspective of being on the water has influenced my designs.
Projects that need to pack a lot into a small space are like a boat—there needs to be specific and efficient spaces for everything and many overlap and/or convert to be used in new ways, while the details are refined and beautiful. All good design needs to connect to nature.
Conceptually, when a boat is finely tuned, it sails right, and when a house is finely tuned, it feels right. I think the light, reflection, and every changing condition experienced in a sailboat influences the way I think about architecture and the journey through spaces.
Favorite Architectural Style and Why?
Jessica: I love coastal contemporary architecture. As a sailor, I’m drawn to salt water. Modern design is my favorite, however, I tend to be a transitional designer—traditional in shape and material but using both in new ways. I spend a lot of time in the coastal areas from Maine to South Carolina and love the way architecture needs to fit in coastal environments whether rocky, sandy, or the Lowcountry.
How Do You Know a Project is Complete?
Jessica: Projects are never complete until they are occupied. I know when I have found the right design when after several ideas, I start to draw the same schematic design a couple of times. However, once a design moves into the details, I love to collaborate with builders—sometimes in the office and often on the jobsite where we mock up a couple of ideas. I often have a vision of what I want, but need help with the execution—and “my” builders find a way.
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What Building/Home/Installation/Piece Do You Wish You'd Designed?
Jessica: Anything by Tadao Ando inspires me. In vernacular residential design, I admire numerous architects. Recently, Residential Design magazine highlighted Bates Masi’s project in Montauk, New York, which I found inspiring on many levels.
The architecture nestles in and plays in the landscape, while merging interior and exterior spaces. Grounded with a stone base and warmed with wood ceilings, I imagine that the homeowner feels a beautiful energy in the spaces. I have the pages of the magazine pinned up in my office for inspiration.
What Does Good Design Mean to You?
Jessica: Design means playing a role in the well-being of my clients by making spaces feel right for their personality. There’s a science behind why spaces feel right and how spaces can contribute to energy or calm, health, happiness, and intelligence. I spend a lot of time getting to know my clients so I can understand what makes them tick and how I might contribute to their lives in a positive way with thoughtful architecture.
When Did You Know You Wanted to be a Designer/Architect?
Jessica: I was 8. I used to pretend I had clients that I interviewed and then drew plans on construction paper with pencil—copying what I saw in my mother’s McCall’s magazine. I still have a set of drawings I created when I was a kid—they’re fun. I took a few detours on my path to architecture, however.
After studying political science (architecture minor) in college, I spent a gap-year in Charleston, S.C., and there, I realized that architecture was where I was happiest. I returned to New England to go back to architecture school and jumped headfirst into my career.
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How Do You Incorporate Light, Air, and Views into Your Designs?
Jessica: These are some of the most important elements of my designs. I think of the journey of the sun as contributing to the daily activities of the space. I just had a meeting with a client where I described the spaces on the east as “coffee” and the space on the west as “cocktails.” I always provide a vision and feasibility study as a first step in my process which includes analysis of showing sun path, wind patterns, and views.
Winter light, to me, is the most important. Our circadian rhythm is so important to our health and bringing in as much light as possible in winter is always a goal.
Passive solar design, with lots of south facing windows and big overhangs are common in my designs. Low winter light can fill the space and high summer light is shielded to avoid heat. With views, if I am lucky to have a specific-obvious view, this will drive the orientation of the floor plan. Sometimes views are not as obvious and I look for opportunity in nature.
I described one home’s floors as “under the branches, in the canopy, and above the canopy.” It was a 3-story home in the woods where each level experienced the trees outside the window with a different perspective. Connecting to nature is really important for well-being and our brains, so I focused on views of trees. Similarly, air is key to well-being.
Natural breezes, through cross ventilation or mechanical ventilation that cleans and keeps a proper humidity level, is one of the WELL concepts that I bring into my designs.
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What's Something that People Would Find Surprising About You?
Jessica: I’m a pretty open book—I am enthusiastic about architecture, sailing, and neuroscience, and my family (of course). Most people who know me now would probably be surprised to learn I was really shy as a kid. I was more of an observer than a participant for most of my childhood—but maybe that has helped me in this career. These days, I find I can’t be shy in my busy life, although I still get a pit in my stomach up to the point that I speak at a podium.
What's Next for You?
Jessica: I am diving into more building science, sustainable-design, and well-being/neuroscience focused training. There is always something new to learn. I am also expanding my practice to Newport, Rhode Island, where I seem to spend more and more time in summer, and I’m exploring some work in Charleston, S.C., where I seem to spend more time in winter. I was lucky enough to have a New England client ask for my help on a project in South Carolina and I caught the bug. My kids have given me a great reason to be back in Charleston, too—both chose college there. I have some travel planned to Barcelona next fall as well—and, who knows, maybe I’ll catch another bug there. I’m keeping all options open.
Note: This is part of an ongoing Marvin “On Design” series. These stories ask 10 questions to some of America's design leaders, from architects to photographers, covering their history, inspirations, goals for the future, and more. Check out "Lake + Land Studio On Design."
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