Building More Than Places: The Role of Community Impact at SW+
At its core, the AEC industry isn’t actually about blueprints or permits; it’s about people. Whether we’re collaborating with clients or engaging with neighbors, true success often comes down to human connection. That’s why community engagement has always been a natural extension of SeamonWhiteside’s (SW+) work across the Carolinas.
As a site design firm, we spend our days helping create places where people live, work, learn, and gather. But some of our most meaningful impact happens beyond project boundaries, when employees have the opportunity to invest their time, talents, and resources into causes that matter to them.
Our charitable commitment was formalized in 2024 through Green Square, the firm’s philanthropic initiative focused on education, wellness, and vibrancy. While community involvement has long been part of the company’s culture, Green Square created a framework that aligned charitable giving, volunteerism, sponsorships, and pro bono services with the firm’s values and long-term vision.
The name itself reflects the company’s purpose. In the SW+ logo, the green square represents a central gathering place within a community, while the surrounding blocks symbolize the built environment. Together, they represent the firm’s belief that strong communities are created through thoughtful design, meaningful connections, and a commitment to serving others.
A Partnership Rooted in Purpose
One partnership that embodies that philosophy is Camp Happy Days, a South Carolina nonprofit that supports children with cancer and their families through year-round programs, events, and crisis resources.
SW+’s relationship with the organization began several years ago when the late Richard Gowe, a respected architect and longtime industry partner, approached Russ Seamon with a request. Camp Happy Days had recently moved into a new facility outside Charleston, SC, and wanted to create a welcoming front entry that was colorful, uplifting, and accessible for the children and families it serves. The vision resonated immediately. The project presented an opportunity to use the firm’s design expertise in a meaningful way. Landscape architects developed a plan for the space, and employees participated in planting efforts to help bring the vision to life.
The space was small, so the design wasn’t complex, but it provided an opportunity for employees to apply their professional skills in ways that directly benefited the community. AEC professionals often spend months or years working on projects before seeing their full impact. Community initiatives can offer a more immediate reminder of why the work matters.
A Full-Circle Moment
After the initial installation, SW+’s involvement with Camp Happy Days naturally slowed. Then, while developing Green Square’s strategic plan in 2024, the organization unexpectedly reentered the conversation.
During discussions with philanthropic advisors, SW+ learned Camp Happy Days was working to complete a sensory garden designed to provide children and families with a year-round outdoor retreat. Despite securing grants and local fundraising support, the nonprofit was $10,000 short of its goal. At the same time, SW+ was preparing to host the annual AEC Industry Cornhole Tournament, a fundraising event that supports a selected nonprofit partner.
The timing felt meant to be. The event ultimately raised $15,000 for Camp Happy Days, and a full landscape design plan was created for the backyard sensory garden, while several industry partners contributed additional support. Carolina Landscape provided discounted plant material and installation assistance. Maglin donated furnishings. SW+ employees volunteered their time to help complete the space.
For many team members, seeing the finished garden during Camp Happy Days’ celebration was a powerful reminder of what can happen when expertise, relationships, and community needs align around a shared goal.
Strengthening Culture Through Service
As SW+ has grown throughout the Carolinas, community engagement remains an important part of the employee experience. The firm now has eight offices and more than 250 employees, each bringing unique interests and passions to the organization. Through Green Square, local Community Engagement Committees help identify volunteer opportunities and nonprofit partnerships that are meaningful within their respective communities.
Across the company, leaders serve on nonprofit boards, participate in fundraising efforts, volunteer their time, and encourage employees to support causes that are important to them. That support has helped create a culture where community involvement feels authentic rather than obligatory.
Employees mentor students through ACE Mentorship programs, volunteer with youth organizations, participate in fundraising events, and contribute professional expertise to nonprofit projects. Those experiences create opportunities for collaboration beyond project teams while reinforcing the firm’s core values of passion, collaboration, quality, and care.
Perhaps most importantly, this work reminds employees that the work they do every day is ultimately about people.
Looking Ahead
As SW+ continues to grow across the Carolinas, the firm’s commitment to community impact continues to grow alongside it. This summer, team members will once again support Camp Happy Days by sponsoring a child to attend and participate in camp activities. For these children, attending camp is often more than a summer tradition; “making it to camp” can become one of the year’s most important goals.
Moments like those provide valuable perspective. Because at the end of the day, we’re helping build the community we call home.
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