Rachel Burton, AIA, Principal and Founder of Charleston’s Swallowtail Architecture, was just honored with the prestigious Best Architecture Single Residence USA award at the International Property Awards (IPA), along with an earlier win for Best Architecture in South Carolina in the regional Americas category.
Burton’s award-winning design is a residence located at the marsh’s edge on Isle of Palms, known for its breathtaking 180-degree views of nature.
The property’s unique shape and challenges, including the need for extensive renovations and flood damage repair of the original house, led to Burton’s innovative redesign.
The new design optimizes views of the marsh, the Atlantic Ocean, and Dewees Island. It features an entrance via an exterior staircase into a foyer, leading to a living room with large windows and French doors that frame the natural scenery. The home’s open floor plan seamlessly integrates the living, dining, and kitchen areas, each with its own defined space.
On the third floor, a spa-like primary bathroom is bathed in natural light, and all bedrooms boast expansive views. The house also includes a screened-in porch and a patio with a pool and fire pit, enhancing the outdoor living experience.
Following four design revisions and a change in property ownership, Burton’s architectural excellence in this project has not only earned her accolades in South Carolina and the USA but has also put her in contention for further awards in the Americas and possibly on an international level.
