The American Institute of Architects South Carolina Chapter Announces the Winner of the SC Center for Architecture Design Competition

The American Institute of Architects South Carolina Chapter (AIASC) is pleased to announce plans to establish the South Carolina Center for Architecture and the AIASC Foundation at the chapter’s recently purchased storefront location at 1530 Main Street in Columbia. The announcement is the culmination of a blind-juried competition for the design of the Center, open to all AIASC architects. The winning entry, designed by Columbia-based Watson Tate Savory, celebrates the open volume of the existing space while providing ultimate flexibility for a variety of functions anticipated within the Center. Functions will include exhibits, receptions, community outreach programs, training and rental opportunities, as well as offices and conference space for AIA staff and chapter members.

Jury chair, Kate Schwennsen, FAIA, Director/Professor at Clemson’s School of Architecture, described the design as “a bold idea that makes a small space appear large and dramatic,” adding that ”the reductive nature of materials and color palette is its great strength.”

Luke McCary, AIA, chair of the SC Architectural Foundation Board of Trustees and a past AIASC chapter president adds, “We are excited to move forward with funding and construction of this project. The design exemplifies how a simple, disciplined, economical solution is often both the most striking and the most accommodating.” AIASC executive director, Adrienne Montare, AIA, agrees: “this design will showcase the value that AIA architects bring to a project while functioning beautifully on an every-day basis.”

Schwennsen was joined by Joe Tattoni, FAIA, lead designer with Princeton-based ikon.5 architects, Todd Walker, FAIA, founding partner of Memphis-based archimania, and Chad Floyd, FAIA, partner with Centerbrook Architects in Centerbrook, CT. Jury results were announced at the AIA SC annual conference in Columbia on April 15.