East Cooper Community Outreach Expansion + Renovation

“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

Seabrook Island Beach Club Renovation

In collaboration with Seamon Whiteside, an award-winning landscape architecture and civil engineering firm, the design goals of this project included updated pools, deck, restrooms and a new cabana bar. Balancing zoning ordinances, design reviews, flood regulations and building code parameters, the result provides a modern amenity for this island community overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Initial concept rendering of the Cabana Bar shows a dynamic mono-slope roof and trellis system.

Construction progress photo showing the side view of the Cabana Bar.

A front view of the finished Cabana Bar with the gathering space in the foreground. [Photo: Seamon Whiteside]

Ipe scrim treatment wraps the Cabana Bar service area.

Aerial image of the renovated Seabrook Beach Club. [Photo: Seamon Whiteside]

Rainbow Row | 107 East Bay St. Renovation [Part 2]

The first part of this historic renovation story was published nearly three years ago during the early days of the design process. We had recently been hired to design some functional updates for the new owner and breathe life back into this former wharfside mercantile at the corner of East Bay and Elliot streets in downtown Charleston, SC. Design goals included undoing some less sensitive renovation remnants and creating a light-filled kitchen by enclosing an interior courtyard. This had to be carefully studied and planned as the historic district rules prohibit seeing any new fabric from the public right of way; see building section below confirming this. Read the previous blog here: Rainbow Row | 107 East Bay St. Renovation [Part 1]

Elliot Street elevation

Building section cutting through new kitchen confirming historic district site lines are preserved.

Since then, the Board of Architectural Review approvals were obtained, City of Charleston building permits were acquired, contractors carefully undid the non-historic fabric, restored and created a family home and the next chapter for this resilient structure. The homeowners’ passion for antiques, relics and collectibles, along with their sensitive design eye resulted in self-curated spaces that are both historic and current while capturing their personalities perfectly. Perhaps the most poetic aspect of this project for us is the continuation of this centuries-old structure evolving for yet another generation.

[Photography: Callie Cranford, Charleston Home + Design magazine]

[Photography: Callie Cranford, Charleston Home + Design magazine]

[Photography: Callie Cranford, Charleston Home + Design magazine]

General Contractor: C. B. Elrod Co.

Wood Flooring: Vintage Elements of Greenwood, SC

Lighting: Urban Electric, Circa Lighting and Restoration Hardware

Cabinets: Kris Katlawski, Eurocraft Inc.

Countertops: AGM Imports

Appliances: Plugs Appliance Center

Tile: Lowcountry Tile Contractors

Click here for Charleston Home + Design magazine article.

Tradesman Brewing Company

We like beer. We also like kick-ass entrepreneurs who have a vision, pool their talents and work hard to make things happen. The folks behind Tradesman Brewing Company - Sara Gayle McConnell, Scott McConnell and Chris Winn - are not only clients but friends, which makes it even more fun to cheer them on. Easy to do with their brand new “Charleston Area Entrepreneur of the Year Award” and let’s face it, their Circuit Breaker IPA. The project was an adaptive reuse of an industrial building in what is now called Charleston’s Brewery District (Click here for some NY Times love on the subject). Riffing off of the “Tradesman” brand and their tag line “Well Built Beer”, the design elements are raw, functional and industrial: shipping containers (for signage, storage, and an outdoor bar) framed by exposed steel and concrete for the outdoor patio.

Other reasons we love these guys:

“BREWSTER”: Building Relationships Empowering Women Striving To Exist Responsibly. They donate proceeds every quarter to a local women’s charity.

UNION CLUB: Of course they have a “union” complete with dues and secret meetings.

GROWLER CLUB: Yes, growl as in dogs; a favorite of Mr. Tibbits.

Next time you are in Charleston or on the peninsula, stop in and give these guys a high five and enjoy a pint. Cheers to you Sara, Scott + Chris!

One80 Place Family Center Expands

We were humbled to be a small part of the next chapter for Charleston's homeless shelter, One80 Place, as they increased the number of beds available to veterans, women and children and in their downtown Charleston Family Center.  There was more permitting assistance than architecture in this effort for us, which began in the fall.  Donations from SCE&G, Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church, First Citizens and private citizens combined to create 22 additional beds, expanded restrooms and gathering space for adults and children. 

Instead of being evaluated by the buildings we build, City of Charleston's Mayor John Tecklenburg suggested “I believe we are judged … by how we treat those in our community most in need,” he said. “The mission here … is to empower people to get back in the mainstream of being able to provide for themselves.”  

Click here for the full Post & Courier article on the dedication of the new Family Center.  To support One80 Place, please check on their website or Facebook page (One-Eighty Place) for opportunities ranging from monetary donations, volunteering, providing "Need of the Week" items and advocacy. 

Rainbow Row | 107 E. Bay St. Renovation [Part 1]

As young architecture students exploring the streets of Charleston, sketch books and (SLR) cameras in hand, Rush and I knew we were walking on hallowed architectural ground. Charleston's best of times and worst of times were visible in her historic structures - some preserved as museums, some renovated for current day functions, and the less lucky, waiting for their day of restoration.  It was, therefore, a humbling moment when one of our wonderful clients asked for our assistance with a renovation to 107 E. Bay Street, one of the 13 historic and connected structures, currently known as Rainbow Row. 

"Excellent examples of early-eighteen-century wharfside construction, the dwellings along East Bay Street provide insight into the mercantile life of Charleston." [Jonathan Poston, The Buildings of Charleston] 

Originally designed and built as stores on the ground level and merchant's living quarters above, these buildings served Charleston's port and directly fronted the Cooper River. (The water's edge at this part of town has since shifted away.) As row houses, they mostly share a party wall in between houses with private access to the residences from the rear alley. Subsequent fires, the effects of the Civil War and the earthquake in 1886, all gave these buildings scars, dark chapters and in some instances a complete rebuild. 

107 East Bay is located at the corner of East Bay and Elliot St. and is the start of the 13 attached structures that is now called, "Rainbow Row"

"In the pre-Revolutionary period this was the site of George Flagg's paint shop, which stocked pigment and oils for the painting of Charleston's houses. After the structure was destroyed in the fire of 1778, Flagg sold the empty lot in 1791 to John Blake." [Jonathan Poston, The Buildings of Charleston] As evidenced in the photo comparison, the building was once had a hipped roof which was altered to have a gable parapet wall. Alterations through the decades are common place as buildings undergo repairs, adapt to new families and functions.  

The entire Rush Dixon Architects studio is humbled to be a part of the team for this next generation of 107 E. Bay which includes the very talented design and construction stewards at C. B. Elrod Construction. We look forward to updating you on construction and design progress. 

1 Elliot St is a brick out-building associated with the property.

533 Rutledge Ave. Interior Renovation

Rush Dixon Architects is a solutions-based, contemporary architecture and design firm. Results driven, we create value for our clients through designs that are both strategic and artful, always keeping client goals at the forefront. We believe that modern design is not found solely in the materials, but rather through the pursuit of better spaces for living and doing business.  It is truly a privilege to be a small part of someone's incredible journey. In this case it was the accounting rockstars (yes, that's a thing) at Accountfully, a fully outsourced, modern accounting firm in Charleston, SC that focuses on entrepreneurs, small businesses and start-ups.

Creating a fresh and welcoming place for clients and staff was a high priority for our clients; special attention was given to the beverage bar and meeting space. [Photo: Leslie Ryan]

They out-grew their current office space and were in the process of purchasing 533 Rutledge Ave. for their new headquarters when we first met owners, Meredith and Brad Ebenhoeh.  Our scope included reimagining the existing first floor layout for optimum operational flow, function and brand alignment as well as assembling a Permit Set of documents for the City of Charleston to review and approve prior to construction. The exercise of taking this historic gem and ensuring a relevant, future chapter  is one of the best things about being an architect in Charleston - designing how modern and current functions can exist and thrive within historic walls. 

The collaboration that followed yielded a work environment tailored to how Accountfully functions: a beverage bar for both staff and clients as a welcoming feature, the generous meeting space, a mix of private offices and open work spaces.  The impeccable taste and instincts of our clients perfectly captured the Accountfully brand. 

“Rush Dixon Architects was a dream to work with on our downtown commercial renovation. As timing was of the essence, we needed to move quickly and they delivered! Their communication was impeccable and deliverables were high quality. Their knowledge and experience of working with the city was very helpful in keeping our project on track. More than that, Rush and Judy are incredibly sweet and down to earth. We are now happy to call them friends."  Meredith Ebenhoeh, Accountfully

The interiors were curated by Accountfully's impeccable taste and brand alignment. Current, modern, approachable. [Photo Leslie Ryan]

Private offices with internal glazing were incorporated to allow for the necessary function of privacy and security while providing a visual connection to staff. [Photo Leslie Ryan]

Light-filled and dynamic, the open work space also known as the "bull pen" is a critical function to the daily office operations for Accountfully. [Photo: Leslie Ryan]

[Photo: Leslie Ryan]

The first floor of this century old structure at the corner of Rutledge and Fishburne avenues in downtown Charleston is the quintessential corner "store" and current home to Accountfully, a modern accounting firm focusing on entrepreneurs, small businesses and start-ups. Contact them at hello@accountfully.com

Adaptive Reuse - North Charleston

It's a privilege to participate in the built environment of Metro Charleston and the ever changing needs of the community. On the boards: Our proposal for a concept design for the next chapter of an auto repair shop in North Charleston, SC.

Existing building as it currently stands.