Background and Resources
Learn more about the project and research process for the Modern Charleston architectural survey, plus find useful resources below.
The long version: The Board of Architectural Review (BAR) of Charleston, South Carolina was established in 1931 in conjunction with the creation of the first historic preservation ordinance in the United States. To help maintain and protect the historic district of Charleston over time, the purpose of the board, as stated in the City of Charleston Zoning Ordinance, is “the preservation and protection of the old historic or architecturally worthy structures and quaint neighborhoods which impart a distinct aspect to the city and which serve as visible reminders of the historical and cultural heritage of the city, the state, and the nation.” Today this means the BAR reviews alterations to historic properties and proposed new structures in the historic districts, while following the principles established by the Charleston Standards.
The short version: If you want to build a new building in the Charleston historic district, it likely means you will face the BAR, a group that reviews building proposals and upholds specific standards and guidelines for new construction.
During the project, our team noted other new buildings currently under construction, but due to time constraints, didn’t include full survey records of these buildings in the Modern Charleston project. These buildings include:
We thought it might be interesting to take things one step further - in order to help facilitate our understanding and analysis of Charleston's modern architecture. So, we created the following diagrams and resources: