Photography © Steve Rosenthal

The commission to design a new home for the oldest museum in the country was awarded in a national design competition. Commended for its sensitive treatment of the visual relationship between the new building and the adjacent landmark 1803 Joseph Manigault House, the 71,400 SF new museum building complements the residential scale and historic significance of the neighborhood. Taking its cue from the quiet gardens hidden behind brick walls and wrought iron gates that distinguish Charleston's residential areas, the design arranges a series of four two-story rectangles linked by glass corridors to form an open interior courtyard. The main floor features a generous courtyard-focused lobby. Exhibition areas are located on the upper level.

First Prize, National Competition for the Design of a New Charleston Museum