Historic District Residence
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John Young
Dufford Young Architects
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Regional Award Winner KDC 2013-14


It’s hard to imagine a more challenging design project than this one: building a new private residence within the nationally designated historic district of Charleston, South Carolina. The city has been a staunch guardian of its cultural and physical structures since 1783, and was the first in the nation to protect its historic areas with a preservation ordinance. Residents regularly debate the pros and cons of new construction on “infill sites” as the city strives to retain its characteristic charm despite the current building boom.
But the expertise of architects John Young and Phillip Dufford in both historic preservation and new construction made them ideal for this project. Their client requested a home with a quiet presence on the exterior and an accessible formality on the interior, with great flow and plenty of natural light. The kitchen and adjoining butler’s pantry were key components of the design.
Everything about the kitchen is clean, classic, easy flowing. It is a study in black and white, with the only color coming in the familiar form of the signature red control knobs on the Wolf 48” dual fuel range – the focal point of the kitchen, chosen for both its bold simplicity and unrivaled cooking performance. Sub-Zero refrigeration integrates subtly, seamlessly into the white cabinetry.
The butler’s pantry, which leads into the dining room, is a quietly beautiful contrast to the kitchen, with gray cabinets and white countertops. Like the rest of the house, the kitchen and butler’s pantry have the function and flow to please any modern homeowner, but also a quiet elegance and charm.
Architects Young and Dufford had to deal with severe constraints in creating this residence – everything from flood zone requirements to hurricane resistance to city requirements for conforming to the height, scale and massing of neighboring buildings – but the result is a tasteful, timeless residence beautifully woven into the fabric of the Charleston historic district.
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Kitchen Design Contest 2010-2012
We congratulate all entrants for their excellent work. Winners shared their insights and challenges as they designed kitchens using Sub-Zero built-in or integrated refrigeration and Wolf equipment as the primary design instructions.

- Global Award Winners
- U.S. & Canada Regional Winners
- International Regional Winners
1st Place Traditional
$40,000 prize
1st Place Contemporary
$40,000 prize
2nd Place Any Style
$20,000 prize
3rd Place Any Style
$10,000 prize
Designer's Choice Award
$15,000 prize
People's Choice Award
$15,000 prize
U.S. & Canada Regional Winners are recognized for the best use of Sub-Zero and Wolf in the kitchen.
Prizes include:
- A trip for two, for each regional winner, to the KDC conference and awards gala in Madison, WI.
- National PR and online program for regional winners.
- Customized publicity and marketing kit for each regional winner.
View U.S. & Canada Regional Winners
International Regional Winners are recognized for the best use of Sub-Zero and Wolf in the kitchen.
Prizes include:
- A trip for two, for each regional winner, to the KDC conference and awards gala in Madison, WI.
- National PR and online program for regional winners.
- Customized publicity and marketing kit for each regional winner.
View International Regional Winners