Stephen Herlong & Associates awarded highest honors for its designs on Sullivan’s Island
Charleston, SC –June 8, 2005—Stephen Herlong & Associates Inc., an architecture firm located on Isle of Palms, was awarded honors for its outstanding residential designs on Sullivan’s Island by the American Institute of Architects, South Carolina Chapter. These award-winning home designs were also featured in the Award Winning Home Designs issue of South Carolina Homes & Gardens.
Awarded by the South Carolina AIA, the firm won two Honor Awards in the Robert Mills Residential Design Award program in the categories of Vernacular Homes and Restorations, Renovations & Additions for its designs of private residences on Sullivan’ Island. Another Merit Award was awarded in the category of Restorations, Renovations & Additions for a renovation of Herlong’s private residence on Sullivan’s Island.
“We are honored to be recognized for the contributions we have made. We feel strongly that it is our responsibility as architects to guide our clients and introduce them to the character and quality of true island homes.” Stephen Herlong said.
The award in the category of Vernacular Homes recognized the firm for its ability to harmonize its designs with this region’s traditional look and create a serene ambiance that makes the designs become part of the surroundings. This residence is a quintessential beach house with almost 4000 s. f. of livable space and 2270 s. f. of typical Lowcountry porches making comfortable outdoor living and ocean views an important aspect of this house.
Since the privacy was an issue, the house was designed to be shaped like an L, which gave the homeowners privacy in their yard and on the porch facing away from the street, and still provided them with ocean views from the second floor. Horizontal siding was used for the exterior on the two living levels, and vertical wood lattice at the ground floor level, with a 5V crimp galvanized aluminum roof. The design was kept simple, using very traditional beach cottage materials, including heart pine floors throughout the interior.
The renovation of the home that was awarded the Honor Award in the category of Renovations, Restorations & Additions meant freshening and expanding this classic beachfront cottage from the 1920s without loosing its unique character and charm. To achieve this, original materials were reused and existing elements were kept in place, a second floor was added making this 3,567 s. f. house a comfortable full-time residence for it owners.
Renovation of Herlong’s private residence that received the Merit Honor was especially intriguing as local island history claims that this home was barged across Charleston Harbor to Sullivan’s Island in the early 1900s. When the Herlongs purchased their house, it was a dreary cottage with an enormous rear yard. After three years of living in this small, dungeon-like home, Herlong accepted the challenge and turned this beach shack into a charming island house without changing the character of the house. The Herlongs added 1,000 s. f. to the house and the new pool, which mirrors the shape of their rectangular kitchen island; it also offers their own water views. Interiors feature dramatic columns, heart pine floors, vaulted ceilings and large windows bringing in more light and cool breeze.
Stephen Herlong serves on the Sullivan’s Island Design Review Board. The purpose of the board is to ensure that the quality of life and character of the island remain as development on the island increases. Herlong is the first architect to take an old shack on the island and turn it into a beautiful home.
Stephen Herlong & Associates believe in retaining the culture of Sullivan’s Island and preserving the character of the island’s cottage look. Herlong’s award-winning restorations and renovations reflect this philosophy as he turns beach cottages into unique homes with traditional aspects and flair of timelessness. Attention to detail, relationship with the environment, especially with water, and giving homes a sense of place is what distinguishes their designs from others. Outside living spaces become extensions of the inside and create one united space designed for a well-lived life in harmony with the environment.
Stephen Herlong & Associates is a full service architecture firm specializing in the design of site responsive, sustainable and comfortably dramatic coastal homes. It is located at 103 Palm Blvd. Suite 3-A, Isle of Palms, SC 29451. For more information call 843.886.9199 or visit www.herlongarchitects.com.
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