Archadeck of Central SC recently completed a second story screened porch addition to a historic home in University Hill. The home was built in the 1880s and we are honored and proud to have been chosen to design and construct the addition.
According to Historic Columbia, University Hill was established between 1885 and 1950, and the neighborhood features homes with a mix of architectural styles and designs from prominent regional and local architects. As one of the oldest residential communities in Columbia, this neighborhood has continued to be shaped and defined by urban renewal and the University of South Carolina’s eastward expansion. Bounded by Sumter Street, Gervais Street, Laurens Street, and Blossom Street, this portion of South Carolina’s capital city was listed as a Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places in 2004 and is protected as an architectural conservation district by the City of Columbia.
Before: the outdoor living space only consisted of a second-story deck.
When working with historic homes, it is always crucial to honor the home’s roots and architecture. With this particular project, we carefully abided by the historical restrictions required by our local historical committee when choosing materials for the project and when submitting specifications for their approval.
In addition to the traditional permitting and approval processes required for each project we build, this addition required additional approvals to ensure all historical restrictions were met. Criteria include but are not limited to:
- The outdoor living space design must be compatible with the architectural character of your building.
- The addition must be planned so it does not significantly alter the original distinguishing qualities of the house, such as the basic form, materials, fenestration, and stylistic elements.
- The outdoor living space must be designed so that if it is removed in the future, the essential form and integrity of the original home could be restored.
Archadeck of Central SC created a design that would fulfill these criteria. The home’s original design was carefully preserved in every facet of the project, from ensuring the posts on the addition were wrapped in Hardie Board, which was on the existing home as opposed to vinyl, to installing the soffit and fascia to mimic that present on the home. We even went as far as to use a special screen material instead of traditional screening on the porch in order to maintain the home’s original style and not detract from the beauty and integrity of the home.
The homeowners also requested that the addition provide covered parking. Since the property does not contain a garage or carport, parking underneath the addition would be a welcome benefit allowing the homeowners to stay dry when arriving home on rainy days. Archadeck of Central SC carefully designed and engineered the porch to function as an impromptu carport by using LVL beams specifically made for large spans. We are happy to accommodate the customer in any way we can.
The Archadeck of Central SC team – Mike Reu, Marshall Reu and Tucker Reu.
If you own a historic home and are concerned that the outdoor living space you have in mind keeps the home’s architectural integrity intact, contact Archadeck of Central SC to discuss your project. We are experienced in working with all local and state (including historical) requirements and we can design and build an outdoor space that will add years of value and enjoyment. Call us today for a free consultation at (803) 784-1566 or email us at centralsc@archadeck.net.
