The 1920 creation of the Preservation Society of Charleston launched the Lowcountry as the birthplace of American historic preservation. A century later, historic precedence and the classical tradition are fundamental to the design philosophy of Historical Concepts, a firm founded on the idea that, in addition to creating beauty and improving people’s lives, architecture should represent and extend the fabric and culture of a community. With offices in Atlanta and New York City, Historical Concepts strives to integrate the past and present. “Making the architecture and craft of the past relevant to today is important to us,” maintains the firm’s president, Andrew Cogar, AIA.
Why is a perspective on the past important?
To be truly valued, architecture needs to have a connection to what came before it. By studying architectural precedent and using it as a starting point, our designs become part of a continuum, carrying architectural traditions forward and adapting them for the next generation.
How do your clients reflect this?
Our clients are legacy-minded. Many have strong attachments to where they are building their home— whether it’s a property handed down through family, a locale that evokes a sentimental connection, or simply a respect for nature and the land. They feel a sense of stewardship, one that they see echoed in our design approach.
What is distinctive about the Lowcountry locale?
The Lowcountry is a study in contrasts. The dead flat horizon line against the deep blue sky with soaring clouds. The dynamic twisting and turning canopies of the live oaks accented quietly with whisps of Spanish moss. The swaying river grasses bending with the wind, punctuated by palmettos that stand stiff and sharp. It is alive and vital, but also sleepy and quiet.
How does the locale influence Lowcountry architecture?
The sheer drama and rich juxtapositions of the Lowcountry landscape carry over into its architecture, which often sees the classical and the vernacular in harmony. You have impressively high ceilings, a practical solution to allow heat to rise. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame majestic views, but their primary purpose is to capture breezes. And you see the earnest expression of local materials and craft, honoring architectural styles of the old world while introducing new materials (tabby) and building types (the Charleston Single House) that are unique expressions of the Lowcountry.
As a leader within the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art, how do you account for the resurgent interest in regional architecture?
More people are taking an active interest in the architecture that has shaped their communities, and I’m proud of the role that the ICAA has played in that. Its 15 chapters are devoted to perpetuating the distinct materials, forms, and styles of architecture in their respective regions through education and advocacy. There are also chapter awards programs named after notable regional architects of the past that recognize excellence in contemporary classical and traditional design.
What is an example of distinct regional differences in architecture?
Let’s look at the Greek Revival style. It varies a good deal between the Northeast and the Southeast, but there are also hyper-local nuances as seen on Long Island. In Bridgehampton, the proportions are more horizontal with low, ground floor ceiling heights and modest detailing that reflects the frugality of the town’s agrarian roots. Just a short distance away in Sag Harbor, the style takes on a more vertical proportion, with loftier ground floor ceiling heights and a celebration of detailing one might expect given the boom or bust nature of the village’s whaling legacy.
How do you go about discovering historical context?
We strive to understand the DNA of a place and what makes its homes feel authentic and appropriate. When working with a new client, we walk the site and conduct a photographic survey of the surrounding community. We immerse ourselves in architecture books and historic resources found online, and, when a project allows, we work with local preservationists and historians to dive deeper into the regional narrative and uncover local architectural idiosyncrasies that define a place.