Brays Island Plantation, near Beaufort, S.C. is nestled in the pristine rice fields and marshes of the Carolina Low Country with hardwood forest, swamps, magnificent views and abundant waterfowl and wildlife. As with many of the great plantations, maintaining 5,200 acres of real estate as a productive farm can be cost prohibitive.

The dream of Sumner Pingree, owner, was to keep the environment and heritage as it had been for generations and still find an economically feasible way to develop the property. He resolved to have 325 owners jointly protect and enjoy the entire plantation's hunting, fishing, horseback riding, golf and tennis.

Landscape Architects and land planners, Robert E. Marvin, FASLA and Howell F. Beach, ASLA of Robert E. Marvin and Associates in Walterboro, South Carolina were given the task of developing the master plan, writing the guidelines for the entire island and preserving the character of this historical plantation.

Extreme measures were taken to protect the woodlands, such as moving a paved road to build the golf course. The 32,000 acres of hunting and wildlife preserve is separated from the development areas and designed to prevent intrusion on the native habitats.

Marvin led professionals in the design team into exploring unique and unconventional design solutions throughout the plantation. Members of the team included architects, engineers, wildlife biologists, environmental consultants, golf course architects and an archaeologist. For its environmentally sensitive design, the project has been endorsed by the Sierra Club. LASN