THE RYBA RESIDENCE

, SC

1994 - (RESIDENCE NOT BUILT AS OF THIS POSTING)

 

PROJECT OVERVIEW

 

2018 -  The design of the Ryba residence pays homage to the historical masonry vernacular architecture of the lowcountry of South Carolina but seeks to reinterprite the have mass of masonry into the twentieth century though the lens of a twntieth century expressisionism.  

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It is in the nature of brick structures to provide grounding and a sense of permanence and timelessness. Brick construction provides a sense of protection both real and perceived.  The brick of this house is both tactile and white, which strives to provide a more subtle connection to its historical forebears but also because it better reduces the potential heat gain from the intense summer sun that a darker brick will absorb in the hot and humid summers on Folly Beach.  

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Contrasting the nature of this brick is the liberal use of glazing in the dwelling. The spacious glazing of the house not only allows a diffused natural light to permeate the house, it nurtures a visceral connection with the native flora and fauna that surround the house. The house is one room wide and extends the allowable length of the slender property with the glazing principally directed towards the live oaks, native grasses and shrubs to the East of the house and an expansive and wistful marsh located to the rear of the property.

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The location of the property is located on Folly Beach, which is one of the many barrier islands along the eastern seaboard of the South Carolina Coast.  The ecology of folly Beach is considered as a maritime forest, which is defined as shoreline estuary that exists in coastal barrier islands known for their great diversity of native plants and animals.  The plant material chosen for the project are indigenous to the island and Southeastern coastline and by their nature are conditioned to survive and flourish in the harsh salty conditions of the property.

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The rigid and simple geometry of the house is intended to provide a counter-point to the rolling and irregular character of the site and the plant material that blankets it.  This juxtaposition of the simple geometries of the man-made structure and the organic and natural conditions of the site allow for a reflective dialogue of our roll in this place and by extension in the cosmos.

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The house also provides for collection of the sun’s energy with the use of solar panels placed discreetly on the roof.