Sherratt Company: South Carolina's Modernist Architecture Firm

Who Sherratt Company is and what they designed

Sherratt Company was a South Carolina architecture firm known for modernist residential and commercial buildings, particularly active in the mid-to-late twentieth century. The firm designed homes and structures that reflected the clean lines, open floor plans, and integration with landscape that defined modernist architecture during that era. Their work appears across South Carolina, with notable examples in residential neighborhoods and institutional settings.

The firm's approach emphasized functional design and honest use of materials—hallmarks of the modernist movement that shaped American architecture from the 1940s onward. Rather than ornamental detail, Sherratt Company prioritized how spaces worked and how buildings related to their surroundings. This philosophy influenced residential design in particular, where the firm created homes that broke from traditional Southern architectural conventions.

Key Takeaways

• Sherratt Company designed modernist residential and commercial buildings across South Carolina during the mid-to-late twentieth century.
• The firm's work reflects core modernist principles: clean lines, open floor plans, functional design, and integration with the landscape.
• Their residential projects are scattered throughout South Carolina neighborhoods and remain visible examples of mid-century modernism in the state.
• Understanding Sherratt Company's buildings helps contextualize South Carolina's architectural history beyond traditional colonial and antebellum styles.

Modernist design principles in Sherratt Company's work

Modernist architecture rejected historical ornamentation in favor of form following function. Sherratt Company applied this principle by designing open interior spaces, large windows that connected indoors to outdoors, and structural systems that were visible rather than hidden. Walls often became flexible dividers rather than load-bearing necessities, allowing homeowners to reconfigure rooms as needs changed.

Materials in Sherratt Company projects typically included concrete, steel, glass, and natural wood—chosen for durability and honest expression rather than decorative effect. Rooflines were often flat or gently sloped, and exteriors favored horizontal emphasis. These choices created a visual lightness and clarity that contrasted sharply with the heavier, more ornate residential styles that dominated earlier South Carolina architecture.

Where to find Sherratt Company buildings in South Carolina

Sherratt Company's residential designs appear in neighborhoods across South Carolina, though they are not always marked or widely publicized. Some examples exist in suburban areas developed during the 1950s and 1960s, when modernist residential design gained traction among middle and upper-class homeowners. Institutional and commercial projects may be found in downtown areas or on institutional campuses, though some have been altered or demolished over the decades.

If you are interested in locating specific Sherratt Company buildings, local historical societies, university archives, and county records sometimes hold architectural drawings, photographs, or documentation. The South Carolina Architectural Records Survey and similar preservation initiatives may have catalogued some of the firm's work. Contacting local preservation organizations in the area where you believe a building stands can help confirm attribution and learn about its history.

How modernism changed South Carolina's architectural landscape

Before mid-century modernism, South Carolina's architectural identity centered on colonial, Greek Revival, and antebellum styles—forms tied to the state's plantation economy and early American history. Modernist firms like Sherratt Company introduced a different visual language that reflected post-World War II optimism, technological progress, and changing ideas about how families should live. Open floor plans, for instance, reflected a shift toward informal family life and away from the formal parlors and separated rooms of earlier homes.

Modernism also democratized design in some ways. While high-style modernist homes were still expensive, the principles behind them—efficiency, clarity, honest materials—could be applied to middle-class housing developments. Sherratt Company's work contributed to this shift, making modernist aesthetics visible to South Carolinians who might not have encountered such design otherwise. Today, these buildings represent a distinct chapter in the state's architectural history, one often overlooked in favor of colonial and antebellum landmarks.

Preservation and recognition of mid-century modernist architecture

Mid-century modernist buildings face particular preservation challenges. Because they are younger than colonial or Victorian structures, they are sometimes seen as less historically significant and more expendable. Modernist homes, in particular, are often altered by owners who add traditional details, replace original windows, or modify open floor plans into separate rooms. Commercial and institutional modernist buildings may be demolished for new development or substantially remodeled.

Preservation advocates and architectural historians increasingly recognize mid-century modernism as worthy of protection. The National Register of Historic Places includes modernist buildings, and some South Carolina communities have begun documenting and protecting examples from this era. If you own or know of a Sherratt Company building, documenting its original design—through photographs, original plans, or historical research—helps preserve the record even if the physical structure changes.

Learning more about Sherratt Company and South Carolina architects

Research into Sherratt Company's full body of work may require consulting architectural archives, university special collections, or historical societies focused on twentieth-century design. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) South Carolina chapter and local AIA groups sometimes maintain records of member firms and their projects. Libraries with architecture collections, particularly those at universities with architecture programs, may hold publications or documentation about the firm.

Broader resources on mid-century modernism in the South can provide context for understanding Sherratt Company's role in regional architectural development. Books and articles on twentieth-century American residential design often include examples from South Carolina and the Southeast. Online databases of historic buildings, maintained by preservation organizations and state historic preservation offices, may list Sherratt Company projects with photographs and descriptions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a building was designed by Sherratt Company?

Original architectural drawings, building permits, or historical documentation typically identify the architect. County records, property deeds, or local historical society files may contain this information. If a building shows modernist characteristics—flat roofs, open floor plans, large windows, honest materials—it may be from that era, but attribution requires documentation rather than visual inspection alone.

Are Sherratt Company buildings protected as historic landmarks?

Some may be listed on the National Register of Historic Places or protected by local historic district designations, but not all are. Protection status varies by location and depends on local preservation efforts. Contact your city or county historic preservation office to learn whether a specific building has formal protection.

Can I modify a Sherratt Company building I own?

If the building is not historically protected, you generally have the right to modify it. However, if it is listed on the National Register or located in a historic district, certain changes may require review and approval. Check with your local historic preservation office before undertaking major alterations.

Why is mid-century modernism less well-known than older architectural styles in South Carolina?

South Carolina's architectural identity has long centered on colonial and antebellum buildings tied to the state's early history. Modernist architecture, being newer and stylistically different, received less attention from historians and preservationists. Growing recognition of twentieth-century design is changing this, but older styles remain more prominent in popular awareness and tourism.

Where can I see examples of modernist architecture in South Carolina?

Residential examples appear in mid-century suburban neighborhoods throughout the state. Some institutional and commercial modernist buildings remain in use on college campuses, in downtown areas, or as office buildings. Local historical societies and preservation organizations can direct you to documented examples in your area.