College of Charleston
Hollywood, SC

Completion: 2007
Size 800 acres
Cost: N/A

The Dixie Plantation, an academic and public use facility for the College of Charleston, is located on 800 acres between the Stono River and Route 162. The total project, as identified in the Master Plan, consists of four phases.

Phase I includes the design of 2-3 field stations located within the Plantation Tract (3,000 GSF each, approximately 40-foot x 75-foot building footprints), the demolition of the existing house, a new 3,000 – 5,000 sq. ft. building to be used as meeting space and a path connecting these buildings through the property. The design of the landscape prioritizes the reestablishment of habitat on the site which minimizes the impact of construction and enhances the natural setting. The intention was to design this project to attain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum Certification.

The field labs will use wells for water and a septic field for sanitary disposal for labs and restrooms and general electrical power. The purpose of these buildings is to offer a place from which to conduct field lab work as a basis for environmental education.

The floors of the newly constructed buildings are raised several feet above the ground plane. Building in this way is responsive to potential flooding in the area, and minimizes the impact on the natural terrain and environment. The lowest allowable floor elevation was determined by consulting local flood maps and authorities having jurisdiction.

Key Issues:

• Education
  How can Dixie Plantation embody both the academic mission of the College of Charleston and the vision of John Henry Dick?
  
• Conservation
  The ecological conditions of Dixie Plantation are the focus of study and a precious environment to be conserved and restored.
  
• Striking a Balance
  How can all that is rich and beautiful about Dixie Plantation be maintained while adapting and creating a place for education?