In SouthWater we plan to revive interpretations of  historical styles and create a new community with the beauty of the houses set in an enchanted sanctuary of mountains, lake and trees. 

The SouthWater at Lake Guntersville Design Guide is the guide to building in the community. It will ensure that the houses and buildings have the romantic look and feel of an old harbor town. In SouthWater we plan to revive interpretations of historical styles and create a new community with the beauty of the houses set in an enchanted sanctuary of mountains, lake and trees. In the SouthWater Design Guide, the design elements of the various styles – Cottage, Arts and Crafts, Craftsman and Regional Craftsman – have been carefully evaluated to capture and create an architectural  vocabulary that is specific to SouthWater. All the styles represented can have much broader interpretations than can be found in books and publications. 

The specific interpretations provided in the SouthWater Neighborhood Code and Design Guide represent the range of possible stylistic forms desired in SouthWater; in effect, you will see that each style is actually “SouthWater Arts & Crafts” or “SouthWater Cottage” and so forth. The interpretations of the styles will be governed by “Appropriate” and “Inappropriate” forms, materials, colors and details.  

The SouthWater Design Guide contains photographs and illustrations to illustrate many of the guiding principles of the design of each style, yet SouthWater houses will not be copied from historic houses, but rather designed in the style as appropriate to the SouthWater community.

The purpose of this Design Guide is to provide architectural guidelines to architects, designers, builders and homeowners to ensure the architectural integrity and site appropriateness of every house built in SouthWater. The objective is to make sure that all houses have the proper architectural design elements, level of detail, 
proportion and composition that complement and enhance both neighboring houses and the community
as a whole, creating an architectural harmony, and a distinctive community that is not only visually pleasing but also one in which value is maintained.

Design Intent

It is the goal of SouthWater that the Lot Specific Code and the Design Guide will give design direction to
each owner. That would include adherence to all the documents unless actual site conditions warrant
modifications, and a request for variance is made by the owner to the Architectural and Development team.