The Waltz House

Abstract

**Please note that the full text is embargoed** ABSTRACT: The Waltz House echoes the rising and falling of the profile of the pine forest along the inland waterway. A continuously flowing stair rises above the ground to the main living level that contains a greenhouse, outdoor deck, and covered porch; continues up to the sleeping level that contains a shower overlooking the greenhouse below, and continues to an upper study in the tower that overlooks the pine forest and waterway. The undulating roof is tin metal with standing seams, which is traditional to South Carolina metal roofed tobacco barns. The metal-roof continues as a facia, is joined to a rhythm of wood mullions, and meets a rhythm of horizontally-spaced marine plywood boards that rises out of the ground. Due to the proximity of the inland waterway which can flood above its banks, the house is perched about six feet above ground on wood pilings. The use of horizontally-spaced plywood continues over these pilings as a skirt, with spaces between the plywood to permit the rising water to enter and exit, and be easily replaced when necessary.