Richard Leo Johnson
Custom metal louvers form a protective layer against the sun's r…
Summertime in Charleston, S.C., brings merciless temperatures. “It’s hot and humid—you could cut the air with a pair of scissors,” says architect Frank Harmon. So as he began working on a waterside house for his brother on the nearby island of Mount Pleasant, one of his primary goals was to limit solar gain during the warmest months of the year.
Normally he’d place the windows away from the home’s south-facing rear, but in this case that elevation boasts sunset views. So he gave it a wall of glass sheltered by a series of metal screens that slide down over the back porch. Not only do the screens provide shade while letting in light and views, they also shield the glass from hurricane damage. When they aren’t needed, Harmon’s brother manually pivots the screens into a horizontal position, thanks to a counterweight that makes them easy to maneuver and prevents them from rattling on windy days.
“This house really picks up on Charleston living,” said a judge. “The louvers are a great sunscreen.”
Project Credits
Entrant/Architect: Frank Harmon Architect, Raleigh, N.C.
Builder: Design Build Corp., Ladson, S.C
Living space: 2,726 square feet
Site: 1.6 acres
Construction cost: $250 per square foot
Photographer: Richard Leo Johnson.
Product Specs
Bathroom fittings: Grohe America; Bathroom fixtures: Geberit North America, Moen; Dishwasher, oven/range: Jenn-Air; Exterior siding: James Hardie Building Products; Kitchen cabinets: Raleighwood Cabinets; Paints/stains/wall finishes: Samuel Cabot; Refrigerator: GE Consumer & Industrial
