Columbia architecture, interiors, and planning firm Garvin Design Group recently welcomed two new teammates to the studio. Mitchell Stevens and Samantha (Sam) Lowrie joined the firm as architectural designers following their undergraduate graduations from Clemson University. Mitchell joined the firm for the first time on May 20. Sam completed a summer internship with Garvin Design Group in the summer of 2023 and returned to the firm as a full-time hire on June 17, 2024. Both Mitchell and Sam plan to pursue Garvin Design Group recently began a year-long project to rehabilitate Columbia’s historic Olympia Armory building on Granby Lane. Following extensive historical research, treatment planning, and approval from the State Historic Preservation Office, selective demolition began in June. Lexington-based Solid Structures, LLC serves as the project’s general contractor.
The Olympia Armory building was constructed by Works Progress Administration forces and completed in 1937. In addition to its armory function, On Tuesday, June 4, 2024, at the Columbia Museum of Art, the Columbia Chamber and the Leadership Columbia Advisory Board (LCAB) honored 62 graduates of the Leadership Columbia program. The Class of 2024 completed an orientation, a retreat, 10 class days and a class project with Serve & Connect. Since its inception in 1972, Leadership Columbia has graduated over 2,000 leaders across the Midlands. “For over 50 years, the Columbia Chamber has developed the leaders of our community,” said Carl Blackstone, Garvin Design Group (GDG) recently welcomed four summer interns to the firm’s ranks. Clemson University School of Architecture undergraduate students Wendy Favila, Carlos Richardson, Kelsey Simmons, and Charles (Charlie) Treadway began summer internships with the firm earlier this year. All four are current students at the Clemson University School of Architecture.
Wendy Favila graduated salutatorian from Swansea High School in 2022 and just completed her second year of undergraduate studies. In addition The Columbia Chamber is pleased to announce the winner of the 2024 Cathy Novinger Trailblazer Award, presented by Cool Care Heating, Air, Plumbing & Refrigeration. This award honors an individual who has shown exemplary leadership in her industry, advocates for business, and positively impacts our community. The 2024 recipient is Henri Baskins.
Henri Baskins, a Charleston native, completed her undergraduate degree at Liberty University after attending College of Charleston and went on to the Georgia Garvin Design Group is pleased to announce that Brittany Lapple recently earned licensure as a registered architect. Lapple’s licensure follows the successful completion of the rigorous, six-part Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and certification by the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners. Lapple is now one of Garvin Design Group’s 10 licensed architects.
“Becoming a registered architect has always been a dream of mine,” Lapple said. “I’m very excited to be at this point in my Garvin Design Group, HNTB, and Thompson Turner Construction joined Clemson University for a special topping-out celebration at the new Watt Family Athletic Performance & Wellness Center on Wednesday, May 29.
Located at the corner of Perimeter Road and Track Drive near Memorial Stadium, the new three-story Performance & Wellness Center is being constructed concurrently with the renovation of the adjacent Jervey Athletic Center. The projects will provide a state-of-the-art new home for the Volleyball
Garvin Design Group Welcomes Mitchell Stevens and Samantha Lowrie
Rehabilitation Begins at Columbia's Historic Olympia Armory
Columbia Chamber Leadership Columbia Program Graduates 62 Midlands Leaders
Garvin Design Group Welcomes Four Summer Interns
Columbia Chamber Announces 2024 Cathy Novinger Trailblazer Award Winner
Garvin Design Group’s Brittany Lapple Earns Architecture Licensure
Clemson University Celebrates Topping Out at Watt Family Athletic Performance & Wellness Center