https://www.architecturalrecord.com/rss/1475-ayers-saint-gross en-us An ecologically diverse former plantation becomes an outdoor classroom. In 1962, John Henry Dick underwent what some call a hunter's conversion. That year, Dick'a product of New York high society, with a proclivity for ornithology, big game, and porkpie hats'found himself on a safari face-to-face with a Bengal tiger.

]]> 1411-college-of-charleston-dixie-plantation-ayers-saint-gross.asp Sat, 15 Nov 2014 23:30:00 -0500 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/7591-college-of-charleston-dixie-plantation College of Charleston Dixie Plantation Shrouded by the branches of live oaks and Spanish moss, former owner John Henry Dick's painting studio overlooks tidal marshes and the Stono River. Ayers Saint Gross renovated the modest one-story masonry building as a multipurpose space and gallery for Dick's lush wildlife illustrations.   Photo © Paul Burk College of Charleston Dixie Plantation For added atmosphere, the architects maintained an old corncrib, visible from the double-height porch.   Photo © Paul Burk College of Charleston Dixie Plantation A double Southern-style back porch is accessible from the ground level or a mezzanine.   Photo © Paul Burk College of Charleston Dixie Plantation The firm took cues from a demolished barn to build a meeting and events space, which features an open central gathering area. Throughout, the designers used warm-colored wood, including cypress, southern pine, and mahogany.   Photo © Paul Burk College of Charleston Dixie Plantation An open central gathering area.   Photo © Paul Burk College of Charleston Dixie Plantation A bird's-eye view from the northeast shows the pond and the Stono River with its sinuous network of marshes.   Photo © Paul Burk College of Charleston Dixie Plantation The first portion of the Dixie Plantation master plan to be executed was a trail system, which features a pine boardwalk that winds through an array of ecosystems including a saltwater pond.   Photo © Paul Burk College of Charleston Dixie Plantation When completed, the plan will include multiple research centers and housing facilities. Two field stations will be completed in January.   Photo © Paul Burk College of Charleston Dixie Plantation Image courtesy Ayers Saint Gross College of Charleston Dixie Plantation Image courtesy Ayers Saint Gross Ayers Saint Gross Architects + Planners were challenged with the task to comfortably accommodate 450,000 annual visitors on a site that houses the only home in the United States dedicated as a World Heritage Site.

]]> http://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/12136 Tue, 01 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -0400 https://www.architecturalrecord.com/articles/12136-the-thomas-jefferson-visitor-center-smith-education-center Photo © Alan Karchmer Photo © Alan Karchmer Photo © Alan Karchmer Image courtesy Ayers Saint Gross Architects + Planners Image courtesy Ayers Saint Gross Architects + Planners Image courtesy Ayers Saint Gross Architects + Planners