STUDIO OVERVIEW
Students worked in the studio to prepare proposals for a multi-unit housing scheme in Charleston SC.
The site was located on a 1.13 acre rectangular plot near the center of Charleston, its southern edge abutting a major tourist thoroughfare, and its northern edge facing a residential district that is also a home to several bed-and-breakfast and boutique hotels. The students were challenged to develop schemes for low-rise middle-density housing keeping in mind the proximity of tourists, visitors, and lively retail activity, as well as the historic character of the city. They were expected to respect constraints of economy, of constructability, and of local codes and zoning regulations. They were also expected to develop a feel for how buildings can help develop the character of the street they are on, and the city beyond.
From a broader perspective about the aims of architectural education, the studio aimed to push students to actively question their understanding of the functional consequences of design decisions. Social, behavioral and experiential outcomes were a focus of the studio. Students learned about this not just through reflection on their projects but through lectures, discussion, and travel.
The studio was supported through a generous fund provided by Niles Bolton Architects. Apart from the prize money, this support enabled students to spend a weekend immersed in the flow of everyday life in Charleston SC.