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Creating a Lowcountry “Green” home
Everything that’s old is new again, especially when it comes to designing and building the ultimate Lowcountry home.
 According to architect Christopher Rose, there’s no such thing as a typical client—or a typical home, for that matter—but the region’s distinct package of environmental influences has, through the centuries, helped create residential architecture that’s uniquely Lowcountry. And it’s the job of architects like Rose to weave in the dreams.
“Prior to mechanized heating and air conditioning, the homes in the region had porches wrapping around their southwest sides to capture the prevailing breezes and to shield the home from the severe sun,” explains Rose, who received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture from Clemson University. “And the structures were usually raised, again, to catch the breezes that helped cool the house.”
Rose describes the ultimate Southern house as usually a raised pier structure with some sort of masonry base. “For example, you’ll see a lot of tabby stucco south toward the Beaufort area and more handmade brick in other areas,” Rose explains. “The first story is generally below the flood plane, so it is always masonry.”
 Typically, Lowcountry homes are one-and-a-half- or two-story wood structures. “Originally, these homes had wood shingle roofs, but more often these days you see metal roofs with white clapboard siding and dark green shutters. That’s the ‘classic’ Lowcountry home.”
Rose says the trend is to rediscover what we forgot. He points to the nationwide movement toward traditional land planning techniques that many builders and developers are using today. “It’s the same with design,” continues Rose. “Now green architecture is leading us back to the reasons why certain features were incorporated into a home… because they have function and purpose rather than just for pure -aesthetics.”
Then, as now, the orientation of homes to catch breezes also helps protect them from cold winter winds and storms that usually come through the area from the northeast in wintertime. “We take all those things into consideration,” adds Rose. “But we’re also looking at the landscape design. We look at how we can incorporate the tree canopy in certain areas. Trees can provide shade for a house in the summertime, but may drop their leaves in winter when people want the warmth from the sun. Also, we often design a home to take advantage of the views. We have such magnificent views here.”
 Rose says that home interiors are also designed to protect them from the area’s high humidity. “People don’t want to live in hermetically sealed boxes,” he says. “They want to open their homes up. As in the past, homes often have high ceilings. And we use high windows that can be opened up so hot air can exhaust. You get a wonderful effect… it’s almost like an attic fan, but it’s natural ventilation.”
While the “typical” Lowcountry home tends to have more “traditional” curb appeal, inside is where the dreams go wild. “On the view side of the house, homeowners want more glass,” notes Rose. “And with more modern lifestyles, they like open floor plans, ones that flow when they are entertaining. We are also seeing many of our clients choose what is considered a Japanese concept where rooms have multi-uses. For example, you might have a media room that has a full bathroom and pull-out sofa bed so it can double as an overflow guest bedroom.”
In today’s designs, formal living and dining rooms are out, along with other “wasted” space. The kitchen has replaced the fireplace as the heart of the home. Modern kitchens not only flow into the main living spaces, but also onto decks or covered porches equipped with outdoor kitchens. And elaborate showers are replacing bathtubs.
 “The homes we’re building today incorporate all the traditional principles of a Lowcountry home—raised stucco base, wraparound porches, columns, wood siding—but we do it with more contemporary materials,” concludes Rose. “I think these homes speak more to the 21st century than to the 1800s.”
Christopher Rose Architects, located on Johns Island, is composed of several native South Carolinians who bring personal knowledge and experience of the state’s architectural history and climate landscape to each design. Mostly raised and educated in the state, the team combines the influences of their youths with the studies and travels of their adulthoods. With these things in mind, the company’s architects approach their craft with a rich awareness of regional tradition and ever-changing lifestyles to produce lasting places for their clients.
Visit our guide to real estate resources including the Lowcountry's best architects, developers and interior design.
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The Corrigan Gallery on Meeting & Queen streets offers art for the soul, art that also makes for strong investments for serious collectors. Exhibits include both representational and abstract art in photography, paintings and fine art prints. Find art that showcase the beauty of the lowcountry with a contemporary edge. New works on display on a regular basis. Contact the gallery about special events. Don't miss this collection of charmingly contemporary art for all budgets. |
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