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Rethinking Architecture: From the Inside Out
Outdoor Resort-Style Living
T
his powerhouse of a home on the oceanfront is one of the crown jewels of Marc's work. When
meeting with the owners, Marc asked them how they wanted the home the feel. The wife
extended her arms as if opening them for an embrace, and said, "I want it to open to the ocean like a hug."
Built essentially in a V shape, the home's most important spaces are the interior spaces that open to
the exterior through 24-foot sliding glass walls on the first floor. A waterfall element cascades from the
upper level. Massive columns give the house a sense of scale as one views the elevated pool and ocean
from inside. The pool is unique to the area in that it is raised above the dunes so that the ocean is still
visible while swimming. To achieve this elevation, Marc and the owner climbed a ladder several times
during the conceptual phase to ascertain the best height and vantage point for the pool.
Three large barreled ceilings make up the exterior of the home and afforded the team as much room as
possible to capture grand views from inside, while still adhering to the community's height restrictions.
In the center is the master suite. This resort-like oasis begins in the stairway as one climbs to the
third floor. Once inside, one can look from the front of the home to the back through the virtually
unobstructed space. A custom glass wall is all that separates the bedroom from the bathroom. From
the bed, pristine views of the beach are unlike any other.
KIAWAH ISLAND, SC
