(Columbia, SC) —The American Institute of Architects, South Carolina Chapter (AIA SC) is pleased to announce the 2026 recipients of the AIA SC Design and Chapter Awards. This annual juried competition encourages and recognizes design excellence throughout South Carolina and promotes public awareness of the role architects play in shaping the quality of life in their communities.
This year’s awards ceremony, held on Thursday April 30, 2026, at Cannon Green in Charleston, was attended by the AIA SC board of directors, chapter membership, colleagues, and honored guests.
2026 Jury Chair Heather McKinney, FAIA announced the 20 design awards. In addition, the AIA SC Board of Directors conferred three individual chapter awards. Also presenting awards were AIA SC Board Chair Jonathan Garvin, AIA SC Design Awards Director Kris Feldmann, and Executive Producer of American ByDesign Mike Chapman.
“Receiving an award from AIA SC is a prestigious acknowledgment by one’s peers,” states Jonathan Garvin, 2026 AIA SC Board Chair. “The achievement sets new standards to innovation and the overall pursuit of design excellence.”
Awarded projects were granted “Honor” (highest), “Merit,” or “Citation,” selected based on design quality, response to its context and community, program resolution, innovation, thoughtfulness, and technique. Submitted projects were completed by AIA SC architects practicing in South Carolina or South Carolina projects designed by architects/designers based elsewhere.
Awarded and submitted projects will be featured in the upcoming 2026 SCA Design Issue (summer 2026), which will include project images, notes from the jurors, and a review of their discussion.
DESIGN AWARDS
Student Design
Merit, Students: Matthew Ngango and Jared Cook
Clemson University, Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture
Project: Anderson Community High School
Citation, Students: Lily Wolf and Shane McGoldrick
Clemson University, Richard A. McMahan School of Architecture
Project: Shell-tered
Unbuilt
Merit, Firm: Hord Coplan Macht
Project: Athletic Locker Facility
Small Projects
Merit, Firm: Fathom Firm
Client: Justin Liepman
Project: Jake Frame
Citation
Firm: Teague Studio
Client: Lynn & David Proctor
Project: Lakeside Outdoor Living
Citation, Firm: Craig Gaulden Davis | PBK (CGD | PBK)
Client: York County
Project: South Carolina Ebenezer Park
Interior Architecture
Citation, Firm: DP3 Architects, Ltd.,
Client: Dunean Capital Management
Project: The Daniel
Adaptive Reuse or Historic Preservation
Honor, Firm: Young + Wales Architects
Client: Edisto Island Open Land Trust
Project: Hutchinson House Reconstruction
Merit, Firm: Studio 2LR
Client: Avant Holdings, LLC
Project: The Laundry
Citation, Firm: McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture
Client: The Furman Company
Project: The Borden Building
Robert Mills Residential Award < Residential New Construction under $1,000,000
Merit, Firm: Frederick + Frederick Architects
Client: Steve & Beth Stansell
Project: Wild Marsh Cottage
Citation, Firm: Fortress Architecture Studio
Client: Julie and Scott Keyes
Project: Firewatch House
Robert Mills Residential Award > Residential New Construction over $1,000,000
Citation, Firm: Architecture 224 LLC
Client: Jeff and Katherine Day
Project: Watersheds
Citation, Firm: MHK Architecture
Client: Southern Living
Project: Sea Island Farm House
New Construction > New Construction/Substantial Renovation over 5,000SF
Honor, Firm: Studio 2LR, in association with Shea Studio
Client: Laurens County Public Library
Project: Clinton Public Library
Merit, Firm: McMillan Pazdan Smith
Client: Greenville Technical College
Project: Prisma Center for Health and Life Sciences
Merit, Firm: Goodwyn Mills Cawood
Client: Richland School District Two
Project: South Carolina Pontiac Elementary
Citation, Firm: McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture
Client: United Community Bank
Project: United Community Bank
Citation, Firm: Hanbury
Client: Western Carolina University
Project: Western Carolina University Lower Campus Residence Halls
Citation, Firm: Quackenbush Architects + Planners
Client: Central Carolina Technical College
Project: Academic & Student Services Building
CHAPTER AWARDS
25 Year Award
Jeffrey Rosenblum Architect
Project: Bankers Trust Branch Bank
Firm Award
BOUDREAUX
Social Justice Award
Metanoia SC
Presidential Citation
Laura Middleton, AIA
2026 DESIGN AWARDS JURY
Chair: Heather McKinney, FAIA, Founding Principal of McKinney York Architects
Michael Hsu, FAIA, Founder and Principal of Michael Hsu Office of Architecture
Wendy Dunnam Tita, FAIA, Principal, Chief Practice Officer at Page (now Stantec)
Murray Legge, FAIA
SPONSORS
Special thanks to the 2026 award partners: Hill Construction (premiere sponsor), Terracon (celebration sponsor), PAC Clad/Petersen Aluminum (new construction award sponsor), Delta Millworks (residential award sponsor), Trident Construction (adaptive reuse/preservation sponsor), and First Community Bank.
