Robert Mills Residential Award > Residential New Construction over $1,000,000
Lowcountry river House
Beaufort, SC 29907
The concept was to design a sustainable, resilient building that is a contemporary interpretation of the local vernacular. It serves as an example of how an environmentally focused design connects people to place in a hot, humid climate.

This is a gathering place, a place to to relax. A home-base from which to enjoy the pleasures of the lowcountry: sailing, boating, fishing, golf. It's luxurious and stylish; and it's resilient and energy efficient. It's a home built for hosting the whole family and for enjoying a quiet, intimate moment as the sun sets over the marsh and river.
Prior to the advent of air conditioning, an understanding of local environments enabled southerners to build in ways that buffered the harsh climatic realities. As we design for a more sustainable and resilient future we can learn from the past. Southern vernacular houses have commonalities in the siting, form, and materials. This project builds on those lessons while creating a contemporary net zero house within a recognizable lowcountry house form and vocabulary.

On a wooded lot, overlooking the Beaufort River, the owners wanted to maximize their view, their connection to the beauty of the site, and the natural light within the home. The great room is flanked by four twelve foot wide, ten foot tall glass doors, and there is another connecting the kitchen and screen porch, resulting in ample daylight. Skylights and windows in the stair hall also contribute to this effect. With the sliding doors open, the transition from inside to outside is seamless. There are motorized, retractable screens that lower to defend against mosquitos and gnats when needed.

A calming, neutral environment was the objective for the interiors. This was realized through the use of a muted color palette. On top of this neutral palette, we brought in natural materials to layer texture and create interest. The fireplace wall is rendered in Venetian plaster, the plaster is applied in thin layers which creates a soft, earthy look. The white oak flooring and 16′ white oak countertop with waterfall edges add warmth to the spaces. The aesthetic throughout is clean, modern and sleek, without being sterile.

Our approach to sustainability is holistic, starting with the placement of the house on the site to capture the breezes and utilize shade and sun in a thoughtful manner. The systems incorporated include a super-efficient geothermal heat pump, 11.9kW solar panel array, Tesla Powerwall battery, along with a tight envelope, low solar heat gain coefficient windows, and occupancy sensors that activate ERVs and hot water recirculation. In hurricane prone Beaufort, resilience is of the utmost importance. This house is raised up a story with the living spaces eleven feet above the base flood elevation. It’s built to withstand 140 mph winds, with engineered lateral support system and impact resistant doors and windows. In the event of a multi-day power outage, the backup battery allows the house to remain operational.

Design for Integration -
The concept for this project was to design a sustainable, resilient building that is a contemporary interpretation of the local vernacular houses. It serves as an example of how an environmentally focused design connects people to place in a hot, humid climate.

In hurricane prone Beaufort, resilience is of the utmost importance. This house is raised up a story with the living spaces eleven feet above the base flood elevation. It’s built to withstand 140 mph winds, with engineered lateral support system and impact resistant windows. The materials were selected with resilience in mind. The exterior is clad with cementitious siding over a rain plain which resist rot. The building systems include a super-efficient geothermal heat pump, 11.9kW solar panel array, Tesla Powerwall battery, along with a tight envelope, low solar heat gain coefficient windows, and occupancy sensors that activate ERVs and hot water recirculation.

Design for Eco-Systems

This project responds to the site by respecting the riparian buffer along the inter-coastal waterway. The natural 50 foot buffer helps to prevent erosion, abates flood and storm damage, provides wildlife habitat and improves aesthetics of the water corridor. Most importantly is maintains and improves the water quality and overall health of the eco-system by filtering pollutants from runoff. According to the EPA, riparian buffers “act as natural filters of nonpoint source pollutants, including sediment, nutrients, pathogens and metals to waterbodies.”

Design for Energy
Passive Design Strategies – The house is sited and designed to maximize daylight and natural ventilation. In a hot humid climate thin, light weight walls are essential to minimize thermal mass and allow for cooling. The large overhang and porches reduce solar gain. I

Ground Source Heat Pump – There are eight closed loop wells for the water source heat pump that also provides recirculating hot water for the house which is activated by occupancy sensors. The zoned system provides excellent, flexible thermal comfort throughout the house which includes occupancy sensors that activate ERVS.

Solar Power – There is an 11.9kW solar panel array with a Tesla Powerwall battery backup system. South Carolina has net metering so when the house is producing more energy than required, the energy company will buy it, further reducing the owner’s power bill.

The energy reduction for the 2030 Commitment is 104%.

Design for Resources
Durability –The materials were selected with resilience in mind. The exterior is clad with cementitious siding over a rain plane which resist rot. Likewise the decking is a composite material which resist rot and mildew.

Local Resources - The resilience of the local economy was another major drive in the selection of materials. Natives woods were used in the house, southern yellow pine for the framing and cypress for the eaves. All the cabinets were made by a local cabinetmaker.

Design for Change

Resilience - In hurricane prone Beaufort, resilience is of the utmost importance. This house is raised up a story with the living spaces eleven feet above the base flood elevation to accommodate any future changes in the sea level. It’s built to withstand 140 mph winds, with an engineered lateral support system and impact resistant windows. The porches have retractable hurricane screens for protection.

Survivability – The photovoltaic panels and backup battery can power the essential in the house including appliances, lighting, internet, and selected electrical power outlets. The operable windows and doors are screened so the house can be opened up for natural ventilation.

Aging-in-Place The house is designed for gracefully aging-in-place. There is an elevator that serves all floors. The showers are zero edge with large openings to accommodate a wheelchair. The doors are all three feet wide. The light switches are thoughtfully placed to provide easy use.