SUMMERVILLE HOUSE
LOCATION: Summerville, SC
CLIENT: Private
AREA: 3,600 SF
STATUS: Complete
YEAR: 2023
LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT: Remark Studio
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER: K.M. Powell Engineering
GENERAL CONTRACTOR: C.B. Elrod Co
PHOTOGRAPHY: Reagen Taylor Photography
DESCRIPTION: Summerville House is a single-family residence located on the outskirts of the Town’s historic district and designed for a family of five. From a functional perspective, the house is mostly focused inward, towards an implied courtyard. In contrast, the massing presents some architectural drama to an otherwise sleepy street. The site plan consists of three single-story buildings that have been articulated as four volumes. The two accessory structures are capped with asymmetrical hipped roofs, whereas the main house is L-shaped in plan and detailed with two opposing rooflines. These four volumes are arranged around an open-ended courtyard onto which the majority of interior spaces overlook. The larger glazed openings have been reserved for the courtyard-facing façades, while the street-facing elevations remain relatively opaque. This dynamic establishes the dual personalities of the residence: the interior character is one of transparency and daylight, while the exterior persona is defined by the sculptural silhouettes of the volumes.
The buildings have been designed as monoliths clad entirely in standing seam metal. They are punctured by contrasting wood-clad voids serving as large covered porches and points of entry. The species of wood was intentionally selected as a nod to the natural character of Summerville that is reiterated in their motto of “Flower Town in the Pines.” The warmth of these elements is meant to offset the coolness of the metal roof and wall cladding, while also highlighting the exterior points at which one interacts with the building.
The program consists of a ~2,400 SF 4-bedroom and 2.5-bathroom main house, a ~350 SF pool house, and a ~900 SF garage/lounge. The residence features generous vaulted ceilings and a glazed corridor that connects the primary open gathering space with the private functions of the house. The living area expands onto the back porch via a zero-threshold 3-panel sliding glass door and double-sided fireplace that effectively eliminate the boundary between interior and exterior space.
SITE PLAN