Fish Camp Renewal
A Bright and Modern Renovation.
When our clients came to us with their 1947 fish camp, it was clear they didn’t just see an old house; they saw potential. Perched on the edge of the Port Royal Sound, the property offered incredible views, towering oaks, and a deep sense of place. The house itself? Quirky, dark, and disconnected. Over the years, it had been expanded without much thought to flow or function, creating a warren of low ceilings and narrow halls that shut out the scenery. But rather than demolish and start over, our clients wanted to preserve what they could, reduce waste, and breathe new life into the structure, blending history with modern living.
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Contractor
Phifer Contracting
Location
St Helena Island, SC
Photography
Atlantic Archives
Design Transformation
We began by rethinking the layout entirely. The front entry was relocated for better orientation and flow. Ceilings were vaulted, levels unified, and walls opened up to let the light in. We added skylights, expansive windows, and new porches to draw the outside in, especially a raised screened porch on the south side, designed to maximize cross ventilation and allow warm air to escape naturally.
Every change served a purpose: the house now celebrates its incredible site, connects seamlessly to the outdoors, and feels bright, calm, and spacious. The new front porch offers a gracious welcome; the western terrace captures the setting sun. And yet, through it all, the spirit of the original fish camp remains, updated, not erased.
Today, this once-disjointed house lives in harmony with its environment. It’s a retreat filled with light and air, where the sound of the breeze moves through the trees and across the porches. It honors the past while embracing the present, a home that’s sustainable, soulful, and finally, fully alive.
