From a Recession’s Spark to a Carolina Legacy: The SeamonWhiteside Story
In 1985, starting a business that blended two site design services when no one else was could have resulted in swift failure. Despite the challenging economic climate, two young entrepreneurs, Stuart Whiteside and my dad, Kenny Seamon, shared a vision that would soon transform the Carolinas’ landscape. From that, SeamonWhiteside (SW+) was born, which became a firm known for its innovative blend of landscape architecture and civil engineering, and its commitment to community and culture.
Against the Grain: Uniting Landscape Architecture with Civil Engineering
The initial spark for SW+ was based on the need for a more integrated and efficient approach to site design, an issue that my dad and Stuart had consistently encountered throughout their careers. They dreamed of improving site design and addressing the inefficiencies in the sector, so they set out to combine landscape architecture and civil engineering under one roof, a rarity at the time. Now, 40 years later, the fusion continues to support in-house collaboration and a devotion to clients’ needs. With this approach, we can ensure that design aesthetics from the landscape architects work closely and efficiently with engineering to create plans that can be implemented quickly and with minimal back-and-forth.
This innovative strategy worked, and the client base continued to grow, while the team maintained a relentless hustle. This dedication created a strong bond, built on innovative plans and late-night work sessions to meet deadlines. The commitment to team members, clients, and the community soon became the natural foundation for the company’s culture of support and camaraderie.
Mapping the Lowcountry’s Growth
SW+ quickly became instrumental in the development of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. Stuart likes to say that SW+ ‘grew up’ the town since we did all the major rezoning for the new developments. He and my dad submitted strong, innovative plans and developed relationships with all the mayors and councils for several years. Projects like I’On, which took an innovative approach to urban design, and Towne Centre, which continually grows and evolves to accommodate local needs, put SW+ on the map early on and demonstrated the firm’s ability to navigate complex and evolving challenges, ultimately earning the trust of the community and government. SW+’s reach soon grew to other areas in the Lowcountry and beyond. Now, 40 years later, SW+ continues to strike a balance between innovation and environmental stewardship, focusing on low-impact, sustainable designs throughout the Southeast.
A Culture of Care and Community Connections
While projects ramped up, the firm’s “culture of care” remained strong, both internally to employees and externally to clients and communities. Stuart often says, “Caring for employees, putting them first, and keeping their well-being in mind has always been our priority. When our employees are engaged, we can then meet our clients’ expectations and create better project outcomes.” We can see this ethos play out in real-time with SW+’s long-standing client relationships and the robust membership of the Decade Club, the group of over 30 SW+ employees who have been with the company for over 10 years, and the nine people who have been with us for over 25 years. The retention of these experienced employees ensures a strong mentorship practice, allowing clients to benefit from consistent expertise and long-term relationships, which in turn lead to smoother project deliverables.
Giving back and having an active involvement in community initiatives has always been a focus area for the firm. From coaching youth sports on fields SW+ designed to providing pro-bono services to Windwood Farm, Camp Happy Days, The Green Heart Project, and Miracle League, SW+ maintains an active presence in the communities where we live and work. We encourage everyone to volunteer with organizations that are meaningful to them, and offices often spend their lunch hours packing lunches or picking up litter. In 2025, SW+ formalized its commitment to giving back and launched Green Square, our philanthropic arm, which focuses on education, wellness, and community vibrancy, things that are important to us personally and professionally. Through volunteerism, pro bono services, and nonprofit partnerships, Green Square brings SW+ values to life, beyond our projects.
Adapting, Evolving, and Expanding
Over the past 40 years, SW+ has strategically expanded its services and geographic footprint to better serve our clients, with seven offices across the Carolinas, including the new location in Columbia, which opened in early October 2025. Since we are driven by our commitment to providing our people and our clients with the best possible experience and adapting to the evolving needs of the industry and the community, SW+ is constantly growing and evolving. The firm’s extensive history enables us to provide recommendations and solutions tailored to the specific needs of each project location.
What started with a small two-person team has grown to offer a comprehensive range of services, including master planning, civil engineering, landscape architecture, urban design, land surveying, water resources engineering, permit coordination, and construction administration, to both public and private clients. The team doesn’t stop there. To keep up with the constant changes, the innovation department focuses on enhancing internal processes and customizing software to support efficiencies and deliverables. The innovation team’s goal is to make employees’ jobs easier, freeing up their time to focus on client projects and, by extension, their personal wellness.
I spent my childhood in the SW+ office while my dad and Stuart demonstrated their commitment to their employees, the town, and their work. Seeing this firsthand has inspired my professional trajectory, and I want to continue leading SW+ to elevate the site design experience and remain known for our level of care, both internally and externally.
As we’ve grown to over 200 people in multiple offices, we’ve had to be intentional about supporting our employees by giving them the tools and training they need to advance their careers. With that, we’ve created opportunities for connectivity across offices. With leadership and management trainings, employee resource groups, mentorship opportunities, and more, SW+ is committed to connecting, supporting, and advancing employees throughout every stage of their careers.
Honoring the Vision while Forging Ahead
As SW+ enters its 41st year, we continue to build on my dad and Stuart’s original vision and carry it forward. Our mission remains clear: to continue elevating the site design experience while building communities that honor both people and place. SW+’s decades of experience and intimate knowledge of the landscape are fundamental to our mission, ultimately resulting in a more efficient and successful process for our clients. From humble beginnings in a recession to a thriving multi-office firm, SW+’s journey is a testament to our vision, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to people and place. The firm’s legacy is not just in the structures and landscapes we shaped, but in the communities we helped build and the culture of care our employees continue to champion.
For more information about SeamonWhiteside or to get in touch, visit SeamonWhiteside.com, sign up for the newsletter, or keep up with their latest projects and news on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
Main Photo (top of page)- Kenny Seamon and Stuart Whiteside at 20th Anniversary celebration (2015).
About the Author – Russ Seamon worked for SW+ for four summers as an intern before graduating with a bachelor’s degree in landscape architecture from the University of Georgia in 2003. Returning to SW+ after graduation, he focused his career on sustainable design and smart, growth-oriented master planning, and later turned his attention to leading the company. When out of the office, Russ is usually cooking something on the smoker, working out, or spending time outdoors.
