Barkitecture

November 15, 2024

In case you are wondering how to get our attention, find a way to mix four of our favorite things - architecture, product design, branding, and dogs - into a design competition. That is exactly what the Charleston Animal Society did with their “Barkitecture Competition.” In partnership with AIA Charleston (American Institute of Architects), this contest aims to blend innovation and design with the comfort and well-being of our furry friends, creating spaces that are both functional and stylish. The entries are currently up for auction and will be displayed at the “Paws in the Park” event scheduled for Saturday 11/23 at Brittlebank Park. Our design process (moderately supervised by our whippet, Mr. Tibbits) covered many iterations for both interior and exterior shelters, color studies, nods to mid-century modern architecture, etc. and was ultimately memorialized into a catalogue “Mod Pods - Luxury Indoor Digs + Accessories for Pets.” “The Dottie” was chosen to be fabricated for auction with the expertise of our friends at Low Country Case + Millwork. (Special shout out to David Stasiukaitis and Ken Hibner!)

Scroll to the end for a video of the finished product and click HERE for a sneak peak and to start your bidding.

“Rush Dixon and Judy Dixon met at Virginia Tech in the 1990s—but it was the work of Clark + Menefee, a celebrated and beloved Virginia firm, that brought them together. Since hanging their own shingle in 2005, Rush and Judy have focused on residential and commercial projects in and around Charleston—handsome, contextual and crisp buildings that demonstrate the same clarity of concept and attention to craft that defined Clark + Menefee. Uniquely among most of the firms on this list, they also explicitly define Modern design to be “functional, empathetic, sustainable and edited,” freeing it from the idiom's well-entrenched baggage.” Richard Olsen, Forbes Senior Architecture Editor [Photo: Jimi Smith]

Forbes List: America's Top 200 Residential Architects

October 31, 2024

Forbes Magazine just released their inaugural list of “America’s Top 200 Residential Architects” and we are beyond excited to share that Rush Dixon Architects is included this esteemed group of designers. As Forbes’ Senior Architecture Editor, Richard Olsen, describes “Our intention was to cultivate a list that extended far beyond just those who reside in the nation’s top markets. And to help ensure that geographic inclusiveness, as well as the most equitable process of evaluation possible, we assembled a regionally diverse advisory board of leading experts on the American house.”

SELECTION METHODOLOGY

We were first contacted in February 2024 to submit photos and design intent for our Stono River Residence located in Charleston, SC. “Out of the more than 18,000 firms evaluated for the list, more than 750 were invited to submit up to three houses, each completed in 2019 or later, for formal consideration. The submitted projects were then evaluated conditionally, and according to Tiers 2 and 3, respectively, with each house receiving a numerical score according to merit. The highest scoring projects were advanced to the semifinalist stage, before being evaluated again, by both the Forbes Architecture editorial team and the Forbes Architecture Advisory Board, using the same system. The final 200 projects were collectively deemed to most closely meet the evaluating criteria.”

Tier 1: General Professional Evaluation:

Integrity of online presence (quality of photography; professionalism of display; informational value; awards; publication history; etc.)
Educational background of the firm’s principals
Work histories and mentorships

Tier 2: Evaluation of a single “Exemplary House” [Stability, Utility, and Beauty]

Tier 3: Evaluation Relative to Forbes Architecture’s Residential Guiding Principles & Best Practices

Siting and Local Context
Architectural Form and Detailing
Building Materials and Craft
Spatial Configuration
HVAC and Tech
Physical and Psychological Effects
Environmental | Appropriateness to Region and Local Climate Zone

ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS

Georgia Bizios
Ken Breisch
Danelle Briscoe
Virginia Cartwright
Timothy Gray
Carlos Jimenez
Joanna Lombard
William Morgan
Kevin D. Murphy
Lisa D. Schrenk
David Sellers
Ekaterini (Kat) Vlahos

A sincere thank you to our wonderful client, Forbes Magazine, Richard Olsen and the editing team and the Advisory Members for considering and including our firm on this special list. Click here for the full article published on October 30, 2024 including expanded methodology and Advisory Board members’ backgrounds.

Not Built for This

September 15, 2024

We just passed our 30 year anniversary of living and working in Charleston, SC and have seen quite a change to the built environment in retrospect. While there is much to notate on the changes since 1994 (population growth, multi-industry economic solidification, our ability to not freak out as much at the sight of a Palmetto Bug), one thing that has not changed is watching the tide chart when there is rain in the forecast lest we find ourselves navigating through flooded streets. Flash back to our first landlord ferrying us in his canoe from our attic apartment on Halsey Street to our car parked on higher ground a couple blocks away. Then there was the time we were returning home from a late night in the office and drove through what we thought was a puddle in Hampton Park Terrace to the detriment of our 2000 Volkswagon Beetle’s transmission. We were still learning that water in the streets is a big deal. Throw in multiple mandatory hurricane evacuations due to storm surge threats, heat waves, coastal erosion and the sub-effects of each, and it’s hard not to be thinking about lessons learned and how best to design in the future. Enter a new discovery from Roman Mars and his team at 99% Invisible, one of our go-to podcasts.

The "Not Built for This" series from “99% Invisible” explores the intricate relationship between design, infrastructure, and the unexpected challenges that arise from our built environment. It delves into how many structures and systems, while ostensibly functional, often fall short in addressing the realities of everyday use and unforeseen circumstances. Through engaging storytelling, the series highlights various examples, from inadequate public transport accommodations to the shortcomings of urban planning, ultimately prompting listeners to reflect on the importance of thoughtful design that anticipates human needs and activities. By shedding light on these issues, "Not Built for This" encourages a reconsideration of how those involved in development, design and construction approach architecture and urban development to create more resilient and adaptable spaces. Below is an itemized glimpse at each episode.

Episode 1: ‘The Bottom of the Bowl’ Emmett FitsGerald talks about the devastating flooding that happened in his hometown of Montpelier, VT.
Episode 2: ‘The Ripple Effect’ (Paradise, CA) “This is the story of what happened after the famous fire in Paradise, California, and where many of the survivors ended up. It’s a cautionary tale about a town caught in the cross hairs of both the climate crisis and the housing crisis, and what happened when thousands of displaced people showed up on its doorstep.” NBFT
Episode 3: ‘The Price is Wrong’ illuminates how the literal cost of climate change trickles down to the homeowners in Florida as insurance companies are realizing the risk is no longer paying off.
Episode 4: ‘Unbuilding the Terrace’ shows us the effect an alternative approach to handling flood-prone areas has; instead of homeowners rebuilding and hoping for the best, government programs are helping residents move to higher ground.
Episode 5: ‘The Little Levee That Could’ spotlights a hard won infrastructure project - Hamilton City, California’s levee.
Episode 6: ‘Maximum Temperature’ “The impacts of climate disasters are often measured in terms of property damage. But in places like Phoenix, Arizona, and in hot places all over the world, climate change is wreaking a very different kind of havoc – on living things. In the final episode of Not Built for This, we reckon with the biological limits of climate adaptation.” NBFT

Click here for the series landing page.

Charleston Then + Now | Preserving a Picturesque America

August 18, 2024

We love when worlds intersect. During a recent downtown art walk in Saluda, NC we ventured into the studio of the non-profit “Preserving a Picturesque America” (PAPA) where we had the pleasure of meeting Scott Varn, the founder, and learning about this unique and inspiring organization. Their mantra of “Preservation through Art” touches on the mission of recreating the original artwork published in the Picturesque America publications from the very same vantage point with local artists to further conservation and preservation discussions.

“PAPA collaborates with artists, writers, historians, other like-minded individuals, and environmental organizations to use the power of the arts to protect and preserve natural and historic landmarks across the country. To be good stewards of this land, one must have a better perspective of what can be gained by preserving these beautiful places. PAPA strives to shift public perspective towards the importance of the natural landscape through art experiences and opportunities to reconnect with nature, and use those opportunities to raise funding that will facilitate the protection and preservation of Picturesque America sites across the country.”

— Scott Varn

"Picturesque America" was a periodical that celebrated the natural beauty and cultural richness of the United States during the late 19th century. Launched in 1872, it featured a combination of text and stunning illustrations, capturing the diverse landscapes, architectural marvels, and local customs that defined American life at the time. The publication aimed to instill a sense of national pride and appreciation for the country’s scenic treasures, emphasizing regions ranging from the majestic Rockies to the tranquil shores of the East Coast. It played a significant role in encouraging tourism and fostering an appreciation of America’s unique heritage, helping to shape an enduring image of the nation’s picturesque qualities. The publication covered many areas of the United States including the French Broad River (general area of Western North Carolina) as well as our own Charleston, SC. Lucky for us (and you), PAPA’s current exhibit is at the City of Charleston’s City Gallery complete with Charleston artists’ current day depictions of the originally published views. The exhibit runs through September 8th and the museum is free of charge.

"Modern Oasis"

June 13, 2024

Our custom design for a modern coastal home crafted for entertaining and enjoying life on the Stono River in Charleston was featured in the June 2024 issue of Charleston Magazine. Creating a strong connection to the coastal views was paramount in all of the design team’s decision making.

“Organic elements are found throughout the home, interspersed by white plaster walls, providing a modern aesthetic that blurs the lines between inside and out. Fluted wooden walls in the foyer, repeated as the headboard in the primary bedroom, provide architectural interest. The headboard, paired with deep windows that frame the bed and showcase the lush green foliage outside, conjures the feeling of sleeping in a forest.” Jennifer Pattison Touhy, Charleston Magazine

Click here for full article.

Rendering of the new entry at the expanded ECCO building in Mount Pleasant, SC. The architecture continues the Lowcountry vernacular aesthetic of the existing building.

East Cooper Community Outreach Expansion + Renovation

April 24, 2024

“Neighbors helping neighbors” is a core mission of one of Mount Pleasant’s oldest non-profit organizations. During the start of the pandemic, we had the privilege of assisting East Cooper Community Outreach reorganize their Wellness Pantry to create a safer environment and more efficient layout to better serve the growing client base. This was our first behind-the-scenes glimpse of the work ECCO provides for our East Cooper neighbors. Since then we have been able to learn how each of ECCO’s departments support the core mission and were selected to design the expansion and renovation of their existing facility in Mount Pleasant. Founded as an emergency relief effort in 1989 after Hurricane Hugo’s devastation, East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) now functions as a permanent resource for the community through their food pantry, dental, medical, housing and financial assistance services. An over-arching goal of the building improvements was to locate all of the organization’s services under one roof; thus a space needs programming effort was critical to exploring how best to redesign the existing building and add on. The final design provides a total of 16,200sf and a new porte cochere. The existing ‘Lowcountry vernacular’ architectural aesthetic of the existing building was continued in the renovations but with a fresh color scheme to mark this new chapter for ECCO. Click here for an interview with ECCO’s Executive Director, Stephanie Kelley.

A new porte cochere or covered drive will allow clients, volunteers and donors to be protected during daily interactions.

Discussions with staff members resulted in the consolidation of the medical and dental departments to create a single “Health Services” wing (in purple) as well as the importance of consolidating the multiple entrances into a single main entry door where every client is received and personally assisted with their needs.

The existing facility, shown above, was built in 2002 and expanded in 2008.

A Groundbreaking Ceremony was held on April 10, 2024.

General Contractor: Harbor Contracting

Civil Engineering: Seabrook Engineering

Landscape Architecture: The Tomblin Company

Architecture: Rush Dixon Architects

Structural Engineering: ADC Engineering

MPE Engineering: Charleston Engineering

Interior Design: Form + Function

Figure Ground Diagram - Charleston, SC [Judy Dixon]

Figure Ground Mapping - A Graphic Study of the Built Environment

April 17, 2024

We came by a love of maps and aerial photography honestly - fascinated by the built environment, scale and the patterns of urban design. Whether gazing out of the window seat on a plane or studying an historic Nolli map, seeing the relationship of buildings and adjacent open spaces in cities and towns provides insight and lessons for our design work. Of particular interest is the ‘Figure Ground Diagram’ which is typically a high-contrast graphic showing built and unbuilt spaces. As Morphocode describes, “A figure-ground diagram is a mapping technique used to illustrate the relationship between built and unbuilt space in cities. Land coverage of buildings is visualized as solid mass (figure), while public spaces formed by streets, parks and plazas are represented as voids (ground). In urban planning, this simple yet powerful graphic tool is used to explore built form patterns and the continuity of open space.” [Read more about the Figure Ground Diagram and its origins at Morphocode’s website here.]

As a way to further study such urban patterns and pay homage to locales where we have lived or are living, RDA architect Judy Dixon created diagrams for Charleston, SC; Blacksburg, VA; and Saluda, NC. Each scale varies and was chosen specifically for that city or town to memorialize the differing urban patterns i.e. a walled city, a college campus and a more rural historic town.

Figure Ground Diagram - Blacksburg, VA [Judy Dixon]

Figure Ground Diagram - Saluda, NC [Judy Dixon]

ServisFirst Bank - Summerville

March 10, 2024

One of the projects we have the good fortune to be a part of is the adaptive reuse of a mid-century retail building into Servis 1st Bank’s latest branch location. Servis 1st happens to be our own bank which brings a rare and welcomed full circle moment to providing architectural services. Some of our other favorite aspects of this downtown Summerville project include:

Servis 1st’s reinvestment in the Town of Summerville’s historic downtown fabric by giving a vacant corner building a new activated chapter.
Leveraging the existing road and utility infrastructure.
Reuse of an existing building thus preventing demolition and sending building materials to landfills.
Receiving support from the Town of Summerville’s Design Review Board on the proposed design improvements.

The existing building at the corner of North Cedar and W. 3rd North Street in downtown Summerville was previously used as a multi-tenant retail building primarily addressing North Cedar street. To increase the visibility and welcome customers, a corner porch element was added along with additional windows to provide natural light and align with the programmatic use. Aesthetically, the exterior improvements take cues from the building’s mid-century vintage. Vertical slat installations for sun screening and a fresh coat of paint round out the exterior changes.