ARCHITECTURAL GUIDELINES FOR THE SOUTHEAST COASTAL PROVINCES
Site buildings on high ground to preserve
wetlands, capture breezes, avoid insects,
and provide potable well water.
Figure of Raised boardwalks connecting buildings
And figure of Access to raised level utilizing grade and boardwalk
Locate buildings at the edges of clearings
to capture breezes and shade.
Figure of Lower structure in cooler
climate, retaining ventilation
Figure of Higher, raised structures
in warmer climate capturing breezes
Separate functions into connected or related
Clear vegetation around buildings for ventilation
and to protect from insects and fire.
Place hard surfaces (aprons) around the
bases of buildings to minimize mud splash.
Figure of site Characteristics including:
Structure located at
edge of vegetation
Figure of more site Characteristics including:
Figure of Ground cover cleared and
structure raised for ventilation
Figure of Structure placed well above
and away from stream
to avoid flooding and insects
Figure of Outdoor courtyard spaces
and upper level porches SO
MASSING AND SCALE
Use simple geometry and forms.
Make buildings more vertical, with smaller
footprints, to catch breezes and to promote
Add simple forms when expanding.
Connect buildings through covered breezeways.
Subtract volumes from the perimeter to
create breezeways (as in a dogtrot house).
Use slender framing and exposed structure
to promote a light appearance.
Figure of Structures that are
predominately 1-1/4 to 2 levels
Figure of Additive, simple forms
And Subtractive forms (voids)
Figure of a Side porch
Figure of Subtractive openings:
Figure of Porches that are continuous,
Figure of a Subtractive opening in a building: a traditional dogtrot, Open to Breezes.
Roof elements include the roof itself,
overhangs (eaves), dormers, skylights, and
other features that penetrate the roof.
Use simple roof forms such as shed, gable,
Minimize intersections of these forms that
create valleys that can cause leaks.
Design roof pitches to range from 7:12 to
Use broad overhangs to provide protection
from sun and rain.
Avoid gutters, but include a dripline trench
of gravel or cobbles.
Make gable-style dormers from simple
forms to provide ventilation and light
without complicating the roofline.
Figure of Broad overhangs:
Wall is protected from
sun and driving rain
Figure of Simple dormers providing
Ventilation and light
Figure of Hipped and gable roofs that predominate.
Valleys and complex roof forms are minimized.
Figure of Simple, hipped roof, with broad overhangs.
Coastal buildings should sit very lightly on
Walls can meet the ground without a base.
Basements are often not suitable.
Lower Piedmont buildings may include bases
made from a different material from the siding.
Figure of Building that is light on the land
Expose or plaster brick walls with stucco
or tabby (a mixture of lime, sand, and
Use horizontal wood siding, as with lap siding.
Figure of Wall materials that yield
a horizontal expression
Figure of a building with Wood on the upper story and
Tabby, brick, or stucco on the base
WINDOWS AND OPENINGS
Create a welcoming entrance that conveys a
sense of arrival (for example, with a porch).
Create porches either by extending the roof
or by subtracting wall space.
Provide good ventilation with traditional side
Use larger window openings for public buildings.
Use sidelights to provide visual access and
to daylight the entry.
Install operable windows when possible.
Screen windows and doors.
Avoid heat-trapping fixed panes in dormers
Remove obstructions (such as vegetation)
in front of windows.
Create lintels that can be expressed rather
than flush to the wall.
Make shutters functional, such as louvered
shutters that block the sun while providing
Encourage cross-ventilation by placing louvered
vents or windows directly across from each other.
Figure of a way to minimize Solid walls
Figure of window detail with
Window recessed in wall
Decorative lintels and
Figure of Expression of the open structure showing
Extended overhangs and
Figure of Open doors and walls Opposing windows
Allowing for cross ventilation
Figure of Porches as important transition spaces with:
Extended roof and
Expose post and beam and other structure
when suitable. Exposing structure reduces
the volume of building materials needed.
Use small-dimension posts and beams to
create structures that appear to be light
Use lighter, relatively narrow structures
and materials to complement the tall,
slender trees found in coastal forests.
Minimize cladding that creates cavities
that can trap moisture and insects.
Figure of an Exposed structure
Use natural, indigenous, or locally produced
materials when possible.
Select durable, low-maintenance materials.
Express local craft and artistry in public
Use synthetic materials that resemble natural
materials, are durable, and match the ROS
Use metal roofs in areas where they were used
Use materials that yield horizontal expression,
such as clapboard siding.
Figure of Tall, thin vegetation Yielding a Light structure and materials
Derive color schemes from native vegetation,
landforms, and local culture.
Create a color scheme to be used throughout
a forest. Use darker colors within the forest
canopy and lighter colors in open, sunny areas.
Construct light-colored buildings that reflect
heat and stay cooler.
Use bright accent colors that can be derived
from flowers, lichens, or cultural influences.
Make roof colors light but nonreflective.
Use light colors for exposed structural
elements (posts, beams, and trusses) so they
do not appear heavy.
Figure of Colors such as:
Light grays and tans of tree bark
Greens of palm and pine
Accents in the pastels, corals and
Red clay of the Lower Piedmont