Oceanfront Renewal

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More Than An Addition

This oceanfront home on Hilton Head Island began with a simple goal: replace windows, update siding, and add a bit more space. But what started as a minor renovation quickly revealed a deeper opportunity. The original house, built as a speculative project in the early 1990s, was riddled with issues: subpar materials, poor detailing, and serious moisture and structural problems. The more we uncovered, the clearer it became, this home needed more than updates. It needed to be reimagined from the ground up.

Featured in our upcoming book Contemporary Southern Vernacular: Creating Sustainable Houses for Hot, Humid Climates

• Details

  Contractor
  Bay 10 Ventures

  Location
  Hilton Head Island, SC

  Style
  Transitional

  Photographer
  Dickson Dunlap

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This project marked a pivotal moment in our practice and is featured as a case study in our book Contemporary Southern Vernacular. It’s where our commitment to building science and sustainability in coastal climates began to truly take root.

We stripped the house to its bones and rebuilt it using high-performance materials and best practices in moisture management, energy efficiency, and structural resilience. Gone are the awkward window placements and inefficient systems. In their place: new, light-filled spaces that frame ocean views, rethought cabinetry and lighting, and a durable building envelope built to thrive in salt air and coastal winds.

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A modest addition introduced an inviting outdoor living space complete with fireplace and grill, extending the home’s living area to the landscape beyond. We kept the existing pool, but nearly everything else was transformed.

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Built to Last, Designed to Feel Right

What emerged from this process is not just a renovated home, it’s a full reinvention. The house now performs the way it should have from the start: dry, quiet, energy-efficient, and ready for generations of beachside living.

Most importantly, it reflects the homeowner’s original intent, a beautiful, enduring retreat with a deeper connection to the site. This project represents more than an architectural solution; it’s a testament to the power of good design to correct past mistakes and build a better future.