Title: 11.5 St. Philip St.
Location of Proejct: Charleston SC
Project Completion Date: NA
Firm Name: Bello Garris Architects

Short Description: Unbuilt new office design that incorporates the remnants of a previous structure on a challenging site in historic downtown Charleston, SC.

Architect's Statement: The architectural team was tasked with providing a design for an office use on an extremely challenging site in the center of Charleston's downtown historic district. The property is only 20' wide, and includes a remnant of a 1902 building that once occupied the entire site.

Rather than removing the existing structure, the proposed design celebrates the historic "ruin" and incorporates it as part of the new design. At the street side, the new building's footprint is pulled back from the historic portion, creating a new Entry Court that shields the full-height curtainwall front façade from the busy street frontage.

The form of the proposed building is inspired from that of the original building's gabled roof and irregular fenestration pattern. Along the side facades, a new stucco "shell" aligns with the masonry of the historic portion, while a sleek inner element of stained wood siding emerges from behind the heavier masonry plane. A standing seam metal roof, with extended but thin overhangs, is meant to be read as a light "cap" and completes the design.

Due to the proximity of the property line, windows cannot be placed on the north façade. An easement along the southern property line (where the adjacent site will remain open) allows for large-scale windows and dormers, providing natural light throughout the building. This also allows the southern façade to provide a highly-visible secondary façade for the tenants. The full-height curtainwall façade on the east provides additional natural light to the interior, and is shaded by the large roof overhang, entry canopy, and the existing historic structure.

The project received unanimous Board of Architectural Approval in 2021 and moved into the design development phase. In 2022 the client decided to market the property for another use and as such the design created will not be used.