Two adaptive reuse projects by Columbia architecture and interior design firm Garvin Design Group (GDG) won Preservation Awards at Historic Columbia’s 2023 awards ceremony. The awards were presented at a celebratory event hosted in the recently renovated pool space at 701 Whaley on May 11th. To date, GDG has won 38 state and local awards for adaptive reuse and historic preservation, 19 of them from Historic Columbia.

Presented annually, Historic Columbia’s Preservation Awards recognize outstanding accomplishments in preserving, restoring, and revitalizing Columbia’s historic and cultural heritage. The awards honor individuals, organizations, and businesses committed to preserving the city’s historic architecture and cultural resources. Awards recognize projects that preserve, rehabilitate, restore, or revitalize historic buildings, as well as those that create new construction sensitive to historic contexts. The awards also recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in local preservation efforts.

Garvin Design Group’s work at 1215 Shop Road earned a 2023 Preservation Award for preservation/rehabilitation/restoration. Originally constructed in 1950 for the Citadel Shirt Company, the single-story warehouse building was expanded multiple times throughout the 20th century. It served as a warehouse building for the Carolina Areas Services Company associated with Fort Jackson and other regional military bases in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Rehabilitation of the building in 2020 carefully preserved its historic steel windows, barrel-vaulted ceilings, and bowstring trusses. Today it houses Hood Construction Company, the general contractor who executed its rehabilitation.

Revitalization of the site at 2901 Rosewood Drive won the 2023 Preservation Award for Revitalization. Originally constructed in the 1970s, the iconic church building was home to Rosewood Church until 2019. Adaptive reuse of the church building and attached education building created 49 new apartment units. Adjacent new construction on the site created short-term rental apartments above spaces for restaurant and retail tenants. Now known as 5th & Sloan, the adaptive reuse project successfully revitalized the site while preserving the distinctive historic features of the church building.

“We are thrilled to have two of our projects recognized by Historic Columbia,” said Scott Garvin, founder and President of Garvin Design Group. “We are passionate about bringing new life and energy to our home city while preserving its historic fabric. We’re honored to be part of the preservation movement in Columbia.”

Read more about the rehabilitation of 1215 Shop Road and the revitalization of 2901 Rosewood Drive on Garvin Design Group's website.

About Garvin Design Group: Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Garvin Design Group (GDG) offers comprehensive planning and design services for a variety of project types and sizes.  From master planning and programming to interior up-fits and new construction, GDG strives to provide client-driven design solutions throughout South Carolina. The firm of 17 people has completed more than $1 billion worth of projects since its founding in 2003. GDG’s contributions to the community and the profession earned it the American Institute of Architects – South Carolina’s (AIA SC) 2019 Firm Award and the Columbia Chamber’s 2020 Small Business of the Year Award. For more information, visit www.garvindesigngroup.com.