Lady’s Island Residence
2024
Lady’s Island Residence
The Project
This project involves the creation of a bespoke waterfront residence on Lady’s Island in Beaufort, South Carolina. The home is designed to be a sanctuary that balances the aesthetic beauty of coastal living with the rigorous durability required in a hurricane-prone region. The structure features high ceilings, expansive glass views, and large open spans, creating a modern “dream home” that fully capitalizes on its stunning location.
The Client
The project began with a specific and ambitious vision from the homeowner to build their ideal home on the water. The design was driven by their desire for openness and connection to the landscape, requiring the engineering team to find structural solutions that could deliver these aesthetic goals without compromising safety in a high-wind environment.
The Challenge
The primary challenge was engineering a structure that could withstand the severe environmental forces of the South Carolina coast—specifically wind loads, seismic activity, and flood requirements—while accommodating the architectural demand for large glass openings. These expansive views, while visually stunning, reduce the amount of solid wall available to resist lateral forces, requiring a complex and innovative structural approach to keep the building safe.
The Solution
To achieve the large spans and open views, a robust hybrid structural system was employed. The home is wood-framed over a CMU crawl space foundation, utilizing open web trusses and steel beams to support the floors. To manage the lateral wind and seismic loads, particularly around the large glass areas, the team integrated steel moment frames and shear walls. Additionally, Simpson Strong-Tie strong walls (Hardy frames) were strategically installed in the garage to provide extra resistance against wind loads.
The Improvements
The complexity of this project pushed the engineering team to “think outside the box,” turning the structural design into an educational opportunity. The intricate mix of shear walls, tie-downs, and steel frames served as the basis for a training video comparing materials like LVL and LSL, demonstrating how modern engineering pushes the boundaries of residential construction. This complexity ensures that every beam and wall serves a distinct purpose, creating a home that is as intelligent as it is strong.
The Results
Construction is currently on track, with the framing taking shape exactly as designed. The execution has been seamless, thanks to Eddie Powell, Joseph Dean, and the team at Anchor Construction, who run a “tight ship” and bring in top-tier subcontractors. The collaboration between the 29E6 team, led by Taylor Durtchi and Daniela Digori, and the builders is resulting in a residence that successfully merges the art of waterfront building with the science of structural resilience.
