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Applegate Residence

Charleston, SC | Architect: Camens Architectural Group, LLC

The Applegate Residence is located on James Island and overlooks Charleston Harbor. This property possesses a complete panoramic view of The City of Charleston. Almost every significant landmark on Charleston Harbor is visible from the site, including Fort Sumter, the Old Village in Mt. Pleasant, the Ravenel Bridge, the skyline of Charleston and the historic Charleston Battery. Therefore, maintaining views and capitalizing upon the openness of the marsh edge were fundamental in creating the residential program.

The site has an existing home. It is the Client’s strategy to build an additional home on the site and unite the two through the construction of a courtyard.

This courtyard will serve as a “refuge” from the outside world, and will utilize a series of water features, human scale and lush planting material to create a cloistered effect or in a sense, an outdoor room. Large, shade trees will provide a “roof” for the courtyard and increase the sense seclusion. Tall water walls will border the courtyard and flow into the garden pools. The garden pools themselves are constructed of seat walls to provide locations for people to experience the water.

On the harbor side of the proposed home, a swimming pool and deck system is planned for the client’s use and enjoyment. This area is will be in contrast to the courtyard by taking advantage of the openness that exists in this portion of the property. A wide 180% view field will be maintained and planted minimally so that the area can relate to the panorama of the harbor. Native plants will be used to unite the property with the marsh and reduce the need for irrigation.