Looking at this I really had to wonder why doors were 1/2 story up from the street.

Above is street level, with a Palm Tree for perspective.

Then I remembered, but while inside double checked to be sure. It seems these are tall shutters. The windows in the old homes, the main salon, were very tall.

Above is from the back court yard, same floor, another set of large windows and shutters.

Charleston is hot, and on the ocean.

The large windows, and shutters, allow for a cross ventilation when they are open. You can see there are bigger than the doors  opening to the back.

Love these old buildings.