Historic Renovation
Renovation of a 1790s House
The Thomas Rhodes house (circa 1790) is one of Beaufort, South Carolina's oldest houses
2019 AIA South Carolina Preservation Award
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Award
2019 AIA SC Historic Preservation AwardContractor
The Renovator, Inc.Location
Historic District, Beaufort, South CarolinaStyle
Historic PreservationPhotographer
Atlantic Archives
Historic I-House
The house is located within the Historic District of Beaufort, and is listed as a contributing resource to Beaufort’s registration as a historic district. The house was originally built around 1790 was owned by the Rhodes family prior to the civil war. Oral history recounts that Clara Barton stayed in the house when she came to Beaufort to provide relief after the 1893 Hurricane.
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After
Contemporary lifestyle
The clients desired a home in the downtown district of Beaufort where they could walk and bike downtown and feel connected to the community. They looked for houses for several years before falling in love with the character and history of the Thomas Rhodes house. Although the house needed significant modernization, they knew there was potential for a very unique and beautiful house.
Before
After
Sustainable Intent
Sustainability was achieved in this project by promoting the reuse of an existing home, rather than building a new one. This house has been occupied for nearly 230 years, and a modern upgrade means that it can continue to be occupied for generations to come. The original house was built prior to the advent of air conditioning, which means that it is sited and designed to employ passive cooling techniques. The design is a form that is common to Beaufort, called the “I-house.”
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The design is a form that is common to Beaufort, called the “I-house.” The original floor plan was a one room wide house with south facing porches to maximize cross-ventilation and protect the interior from harsh summer sun.
