Situated at the edge of the marsh, one Isle of Palms home offers 180-degree views of the surrounding nature from each level of the house. The architect behind the home received national recognition for her work. 

The unique Wild Dunes site provided the opportunity to capitalize on the views but also proved to be a challenge with the oddly-shaped lot and trees in unideal places. Rachel Burton, founder and principal architect at Swallowtail Architecture, was tasked with piecing the puzzle together.  “That was a real challenge — being able to, you know, have car access, have the rooms where we wanted and then still be able to exploit this view,” said Burton. 

Burton started with a blank slate. There was a home on the property previously, but it would have needed extensive renovations. There was a huge silo-like pillar in the center of the home placed for structural purposes, but it was not aesthetically pleasing, said Valerie Kraus, the former homeowner who purchased the property with the plan to either renovate or rebuild.

“It had some very awkward features that became prohibitive to try to get rid of,” said Kraus. 

Additionally, the former home needed some repair work, such as flood damage in the garage, said Burton.

Starting from scratch, Burton seized the opportunity to truly create a nature escape. The property juts out into the marsh, allowing wide-ranging views of the marsh to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the northeast and Dewees Island to the north.  “It was this extraordinary opportunity to literally feel like you’re in nature,” said Burton. “You could see the sun come up, you could see storms arrive, you could see the change of seasons and tides. So, it was just this truly magnificent site.”

When pulling into the driveway off Seagrass Lane, glimpses of the marsh appear through the trees. Entering the home through the exterior staircase, guests make their way to the foyer and can immediately look through the living room and see the nearness of the nature through large windows and French doors. 

The open floor plan allows the living room, kitchen and dining room to interact with one another while still occupying their own designated spaces.  Continuing to the third floor, the abounding nature continues to be a highlight of the design. For example, natural light fills the spa-like primary bathroom that includes a luxury tub and large shower.  All of the upstairs bedrooms, including the primary, feature boundless views. The house includes a screened-in porch, and an outdoor patio with a pool and fire pit to experience the nature up-close. 

This design went through four iterations before the final product, said Burton. During the process, Kraus sold the vacant property to the current homeowner. 

Seeing the finished project that started with drawings and 3D models was satisfying to Burton, knowing that she worked with the homeowners to create a dwelling that matches their lifestyle.  “It is just so exhilarating and satisfying and rewarding and fun and a joy to go, ‘yes, it worked,’” said Burton.

Another rewarding aspect for Burton was receiving national recognition for the design. Burton completed the tedious nomination process for the International Property Awards. The judges review use of site, client goals and sustainability aspects to determine the winners, said Burton. 

Burton received an award for Best Architecture for a single-family residence in South Carolina, then went on to receive Best Architecture for a single-family residence across the United States. She is now being considered for an award across the Americas. If she wins that one, she will move on to the international category.  “I was just blown away, just beyond delighted,” said Burton. “It was honestly a career highlight to just have that level of recognition.”