Columbia’s Garvin Design Group received two awards at the American Institute of Architects’ South Carolina (AIASC) 2019 Design Awards on Thursday, September 26th. The recently completed Central Energy project on the Bull Street campus won a Merit Award for Adaptive Reuse. Garvin Design Group itself won AIA SC’s prestigious Firm Award.

Central Energy is the Bull Street redevelopment’s latest rehabilitation project. Its adaptive reuse transformed the utilitarian facility that once provided power to the entire Bull Street campus. The building now serves as a home for Downtown Church and as an event venue and gathering space for the wider community. AIASC’s Design Award for Adaptive Reuse/Historic Preservation recognizes thoughtful interventions or restorations that create a synergy between old and new construction. The awards selection committee particularly noted the sense of energy communicated by the building’s creative adaptive reuse.

The Firm Award is the highest honor that AIASC can bestow upon a South Carolina architectural firm. It recognizes a firm’s significant body of work and/or service that has made a lasting influence on the practice of architecture in the state. Firms must be at least 15 years old to be eligible for the award. AIASC has only conferred the Firm Award 12 times in the 26-year history of the award. Garvin Design Group’s nominators lauded the firm’s longstanding commitment to the revitalization of Columbia, the local community, and the advancement of architecture as a profession.

“We are beyond honored to receive the Firm Award,” said Scott Garvin, firm President. “We are grateful to have worked with so many amazing clients and exciting projects that have positively impacted communities around the state. I am most proud of the incredible people that I am blessed to work with every day – they make work fun.”