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The Tree Fortress - Paris Mountain

The Tree Fortress is the home and office of Julie and Scott of Fortress Architecture Studio in Greenville, SC. Nestled amongst the trees of Paris Mountain, the design draws inspiration from fire watch towers, tree forts, and an architectural style that blends ideas of Mid-Century Modern and Futurism. Designed and built to be resilient and sustainable, The Tree Fortress endures and complements the elements of nature while perched on the mountainside, oriented with views of the forest canopy and State Park below.

The Tree Fortress utilizes many resilient and sustainable design practices and is built for longevity:

Siting and Orientation with regard to Solar Gain and Wind Direction; Cross-Ventilation; Efficient Insulation, Durable and Recyclable Metal Roof, Deep Overhangs, HVAC Energy Recovery Ventilator; Long-lasting, Renewable, and Recyclable materials. 

[Phase 2]: Geothermal HVAC, Solar Panels

The Tree Fortress
The Tree Fortress

Please view video below in full screen 4K resolution for the best quality

Cassina Modern Farmhouse - Mt. Pleasant

A beautiful property in the heart of Mt. Pleasant, SC found the right clients to give it the update it needed. This full-gut renovation transformed the interior layout to be open and modern. A kitchen addition, new pool, and poolhouse make this property one-of-a-kind.

Photograph of a modern renovation of a dated 1980's red brick house
Cassina Farmhouse
Cassina Farmhouse
Cassina Farmhouse
Cassina Farmhouse
Cassina Farmhouse
Cassina Farmhouse

"Working with Julie was highly a beneficial experience for us, not just through the overall architectural process but throughout our extensive renovation. She played a key role in almost every aspect of our project and proved herself to have deep expertise across the board from design, construction, budgeting, interior appointments and much more. I relied on her input throughout and am very satisfied with the final product. If we ever do this scale of project again we will certainly want to work with her." - Brandon and Jessica S.

The Cube House - Packforest Mountain

Contrasting the curves of the mountainous topography, the Cube House blends the organic site with the mechanical cube, exemplifying a harmonious symbiosis between nature and humanity.  

A rendering of a modern mountain house with a cubic design
A rendering of a modern mountain house with a cubic design
A rendering of a modern mountain house with a cubic design
A rendering of a modern mountain house with a cubic design
A rendering of a modern mountain house with a cubic design
A rendering of a modern mountain house with a cubic design
A rendering of a modern mountain house with a cubic design
A rendering of a modern mountain house with a cubic design
A rendering of a modern mountain house with a cubic design
A rendering of a modern mountain house with a cubic design
A rendering of a modern mountain house with a cubic design
A rendering of a modern mountain house with a cubic design

Marshgate House - Seabrook Island

This quirky marsh front house needed a modern uplift and some redefined spaces to realize the clients' dream house.  Nestled on Captain Sam's Spit right between Seabrook and Kiawah, the house and site have breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean.

Seabrook - Marshgate
Seabrook - Marshgate
Seabrook - Marshgate
Seabrook - Marshgate
Seabrook - Marshgate
Seabrook - Marshgate
Seabrook - Marshgate
Seabrook - Marshgate
Seabrook - Marshgate
Seabrook - Marshgate

"We can't thank you enough for your hard creative work to make our dream house come true." - Karen G.

Historic+Modern Broad St. - Charleston SC

In collaboration with Glenn Keyes Architects, we transformed an awkward addition at the back of a historic Charleston Broad St. home into an open modern kitchen and living space with views of St. John the Baptist and its iconic steeple.

Historic / Modern Broad St Charleston
Historic / Modern Broad St Charleston
Historic / Modern Broad St Charleston
Historic / Modern Broad St Charleston
Historic / Modern Broad St Charleston
Historic / Modern Broad St Charleston
Historic / Modern Broad St Charleston
Historic / Modern Broad St Charleston

Modern Dockside - Isle of Palms

This Isle of Palms addition and renovation transformed an outdated beach house into a modern and unique home for these clients to enjoy with their growing family.

Modern Dockside
Modern Dockside
Modern Dockside
Modern Dockside
Modern Dockside
Modern Dockside
Modern Dockside
Modern Dockside
Modern Dockside

"Out of all of the professionals I've worked with over several renovations and builds, Julie has far exceeded my expectations. She is creative, bright, reliable and a true pleasure to work with! I've recommended her to many friends and will continue using her in the future!" - Katrina L.

The River House - Ashepoo

Fortress Architecture collaborated with Glenn Keyes Architects to design this river house for a family in Ashepoo, SC.  The long and linear form weaves through the trees and follows along the winding river, with many of the details derived from other usonian style buildings on the property.

Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House
Ashepoo River House

Island House - Seabrook

Julie Keyes was the project manager from start to finish on this house while working for Christopher Rose Architects.  Photo credits: ColinGreyVoigt

Seabrook Island House
Seabrook Island House
Seabrook Island House
Seabrook Island House
Seabrook Island House
Seabrook Island House
Seabrook Island House
Seabrook Island House
Seabrook Island House
Seabrook Island House
Seabrook Island House
OTHER NOTABLE CLIENTS AND PROJECTS 

First Baptist High School + Athletic Center - Charleston - Design by LS3P Architects; Renderings and Flythru Video by Fortress

Glenn Keyes Architects - Charleston City Market Renovations (archviz), Charleston Visitor Center (archviz), Historic Fireproof Building (archviz and 3D print), St. John the Baptist Parish Hall (archviz), Drayton Hall Visitor Center (archviz), Lowndes Grove (construction docs.), St. George Rosenwald School Community Center (design, archviz, and construction docs), and 15+ private residences (archviz), 134 Broad St Charleston (architectural services), 105 S. Battery (architectural services), 173 Broad St (architectural services)

Single Family Homes - 473 Huger St Downtown Charleston, Huger SC Lake Cottage, Travelers Rest Mountain House, Paris Mountain Modern House, 9 George St - Historic District, Mt. Pleasant Cassina Farmhouse Reno and Addition

Caveney Architectural Collaborative (CAC) - Archviz rendering services for Affordable Housing, Home Renovation; Flythru videos, design, and renderings for 50+ Retail Stores, Design and Flythru for Adult Autism School in New England

Joy Of Tokyo Restaurant - Greenville SC- architectural design services, construction documents, and renderings

St. Benedict Catholic Center, Still River, MA (CAC) - Elementary School Addition Video Flythru and Renderings

Boston Red Sox - Lowell Spinners - In collaboration with CAC, Fortress Architecture designed a proposed player development facility in Lowell, MA, for use by the Red Sox and their farm team, The Spinners.  Fortress also created a 3D digital model, renderings, and a flythru video.

Fortress Architecture Project Map

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