Riverfront Dogtrot

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Comfortable Outdoor Living, Sustainably..

Our clients came to us seeking a tranquil, sustainable retreat that would immerse them in the beauty of their barrier island site. They wanted a home that was deeply connected to nature, open to the views, responsive to the climate, and respectful of the land’s existing features, including a magnificent live oak. Inspired by vernacular Southern forms, we looked to the dogtrot, a time-honored typology known for its passive cooling and thoughtful separation of space, to guide the design.

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

AIA South Carolina Merit Award, 2012

Published in Houses for All Regions by the AIA Custom Residential Architect Network

• Details

  Awards
  Houses for All Regions: CRAN Residential Collection, Images Publishing September 2014
  2012 AIA SC Robert Mills Merit Award

  Contractor
  Brunson Construction

  Location
  Beaufort, SC

  Style
  Contemporary Vernacular

  Photographer
  John McManus

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Rooted in Vernacular Form

Reimagining the “two pens and a passage” concept, we created a modern dogtrot layout with the open-air passage as both a foyer and sitting room. This breezeway connects the great room on one side and the master suite on the other. The central space is flanked by a secure perforated steel wall and door in front, and a folding perforated wall at the rear, allowing breezes to pass through when open, and peace of mind when closed.

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Shaped by the Land

A curved terrace wraps around the central live oak and leads to a lap pool and spa, drawing visitors immediately into the landscape. Retractable screened porches are angled to frame long views down the river. A boardwalk surrounds the terrace, stepping the grade transition and eliminating the need for guardrails, further blurring the line between indoors and out.

Inside, the light-filled great room features operable windows, transoms, and high ceilings for passive ventilation. The deep bracketed overhang on the south elevation is carefully calculated to block harsh summer sun while admitting winter light.

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Sustainable by Design

With operable windows, transoms for cross-ventilation, and deep overhangs tuned to the summer sun, the home minimizes its environmental footprint while maximizing comfort. Folding walls allow the house to fully open up to the outdoors, blurring the line between inside and out.

The result is a resilient, low-impact home that honors the regional vernacular while meeting the needs of a modern family. Seamlessly open to the outdoors yet protected from the elements, this retreat connects its residents to the rhythms of the tides, breezes, and life along the water’s edge.