St. John's Fire District Celebrates Fire Station #5 Groundbreaking

We recently celebrated the groundbreaking of St. John’s Fire District Station 5 on Johns Island, an exciting milestone for the community and the team bringing this project to life. The new station will provide updated training facilities and expanded resources for the firefighters and first responders who serve the community. More than a new building, Station 5 will be a place that supports the people who serve Johns Island every day.

We’re proud to be part of a team working together to bring this project to life alongside St. John’s Fire District, Edifice Construction, LCK, ADC Engineering, EM Structural, and RMF Engineering. Thank you to all who joined us for this special occasion and helped commemorate this achievement!

Photography by Bobby C Vision Media.

Giving Back Beyond Design: Liollio Volunteers for Riverbank Cleanup at AIA South Atlantic Region ASPIRE Conference

At Liollio Architecture, we believe our responsibility to the communities we serve extends far beyond the buildings we design. During this year’s AIA South Atlantic Region ASPIRE Conference in Asheville, North Carolina, members of the Liollio team had the opportunity to put that belief into action by participating in the Riverbank Cleanup organized through AIA’s Committee on the Environment (COTE).

The cleanup effort was part of a larger regional initiative led by COTE South Carolina and neighboring COTE chapters, bringing together architects, designers, and industry professionals with a shared commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Volunteers spent the morning working along Asheville’s waterways, helping remove debris, restore natural habitats, and contribute to the ongoing recovery and preservation of these important community resources.

The experience served as a powerful reminder that sustainable design is not only achieved through thoughtful architecture, resilient planning, and responsible material choices. It is also demonstrated through direct action, service, and community engagement. By dedicating a few hours of their time, participants were able to make an immediate and visible impact while connecting with colleagues who share a passion for protecting the places we live, work, and enjoy.

The volunteer event also supported MountainTrue, a nonprofit organization dedicated to championing resilient forests, clean waters, and healthy communities throughout Western North Carolina. Following the cleanup, conference attendees and community members gathered at The Whale’s South Slope location for a networking happy hour, where additional donations and proceeds from sales helped further support MountainTrue’s mission.

We are proud to have been part of a team that contributed its time and energy to this meaningful effort. Opportunities like these remind us that creating a more sustainable and resilient future requires both thoughtful design and active community engagement. We extend our appreciation to the organizers, volunteers, and partners who helped make the event a success and look forward to continuing to support initiatives that strengthen and sustain our communities.

Happy World Architecture Day!

Today, on World Architecture Day, we celebrate the power of design to shape stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities. Established by the International Union of Architects (UIA) in 1985 and observed alongside UN-Habitat’s World Habitat Day, this day recognizes the essential role architects play in creating environments that improve lives and support a more resilient future.

We believe great design begins with listening. Through meaningful stakeholder and community engagement and thoughtful planning, we collaborate with our clients to create places that reflect local culture, meet evolving needs, and leave a lasting impact.

As we celebrate World Architecture Day, we are grateful for the clients, community members, and collaborators who trust us to help shape the places where people live, learn, gather, and thrive.

Fore more about World Architecture Day, click here.

Liollio Celebrates Three Projects Honored at the 2026 AIA South Atlantic Region Design Awards

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Liollio is honored to have three projects recognized at the 2026 AIA South Atlantic Region Design Awards. USC’s South Caroliniana Library received an Honor Award for Historic Preservation, City of Charleston’s Fire Station #11received a Citation Award for New Construction, and the National Park Service’s Virgin Islands Research, Management and Science Facility and Housing received an Honorable Mention. These awards celebrate the power of collaboration and the shared commitment to preserving our history, strengthening our communities, and creating impactful places that serve future generations. We extend our sincere congratulations and gratitude to the University of South Carolina, the City of Charleston and Charleston Fire Department, the National Park Service, and our consultants and collaborators, whose dedication and hard work made these achievements possible. Congratulations to all the 2026 AIA South Atlantic Region Design Awards recipients! 

Happy 110th Birthday to the National Park Service & Happy National Park Week!

For 110 years, the National Park Service has preserved America’s most treasured landscapes, historic sites, and cultural resources. We are honored to have partnered with the NPS on projects that help protect and enhance these extraordinary places, including:

@CongareeNationalPark – Boardwalks & Bridges
@VirginIslandsNationalPark – Lind Point Resource Management Facility & Housing
@CumberlandIslandNationalSeashore – Plum Orchard Manor
@BlueRidgeParkway – Moses Cone Manor
@CapeLookoutNationalSeashore – Cape Lookout Lighthouse
@ChristianstedNationalHistoricSite – Historic Preservation Projects

A very special Happy 70th Birthday to Virgin Islands National Park! For seven decades, the park has protected the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and historic resources of St. John for visitors from around the world.

Thank you to the National Park Service for 110 years of stewardship and preservation. We are proud to play a role in helping preserve these remarkable places for future generations.

Learn more about the history of the National Park Service here.

MUSC's New College of Medicine Celebrates Topping Out

Today we celebrate a significant project milestone as the Medical University of South Carolina tops out its new College of Medicine. The topping out ceremony represents more than the placement of the final beam. It symbolizes the vision, collaboration, and hard work that have gone into creating a world-class space for medical education and research.

Congratulations to the Medical University of South Carolina and project partners SLAM, Rodgers, and Thompson Turner on this achievement. We look forward to seeing the lasting impact this facility will have on the future of healthcare throughout South Carolina and beyond.

Angel Oak Tree Earns Recognition on the National Register of Historic Places

Congratulations to Lowcountry Land Trust on the Angel Oak’s official listing on the National Register of Historic Places! This landmark designation marks the Angel Oak as the first tree in South Carolina to be individually documented on the National Register, recognizing not only its remarkable presence but also its deep cultural and historical significance. Having stood witness to centuries of Lowcountry history, the Angel Oak reflects the stories of Indigenous communities, plantation-era life, Reconstruction, education, agriculture, the Civil Rights Movement, and ongoing conservation efforts.

his achievement is supported by extensive historical, cultural, and archaeological research conducted as part of the planning for the Angel Oak Preserve. In partnership with BVL Historic Preservation Research, Lowcountry Land Trust documented the history of the tree and surrounding landscape, reinforcing its importance as a multi-generational social and spiritual symbol for the people of Johns Island.

rom your friends at Liollio Architecture, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition and your continued stewardship of one of the Lowcountry’s most treasured landmarks.

Learn more about this important designation for the Angel Oak on The Ebb & Flow here.

Charleston Moves Mobility Month: Huger Walking Audit

Liollio is honored to be a sponsor of the Charleston Moves Mobility Month event: Huger Walking Audit! Join us tomorrow, Thursday, June 4, for a neighborhood stroll along the Huger Street corridor to document existing conditions and brainstorm potential bike/pedestrian/transit improvements. We'll meet up at 5:30 pm to discuss the plan, set out for the walk (in small groups) at 6 pm, and wrap it all up at 7 pm. Please RSVP so we have an accurate guest count and can plan accordingly. Hope to see you!

Thursday, June 4, 2026 // 5:30-7 pm // Meet @ Mary Murray Dr/Ashley Ave intersection (of Hampton Park)

Earth Day 2026: SCDNR's SCORE Program

As we reflect on Earth Day 2026, we wanted to share a recent experience we had volunteering with SCDNR’s South Carolina Oyster Recycling & Enhancement (SCORE) program. SCORE is a community-based oyster restoration program that depends on volunteers to help restore oyster reefs – the only program of its kind in South Carolina that restores oyster reefs strictly for the ecological benefits they provide. We assisted SCORE program leaders in restoring valuable habitat while being educated on the ecological importance of oyster reefs and the habitat that oysters create.

Oyster shell recycling is crucial for restoring coastal ecosystems by providing a hard, natural substrate for larval oysters to attach to and grow, which is essential for rebuilding reef habitats. These reefs filter water (up to 50 gallons/day per oyster), protect shorelines from erosion by reducing wave energy by up to 99%, and provide critical habitats for fish, crabs, and shrimp. 

Working with SCORE allowed us the opportunity to give back to the environment as well as our local community in a meaningful, hands-on way. Thank you to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources SCORE Program Leaders for educating us and helping us become better stewards of the environment!

For information on volunteering, contact score@dnr.sc.gov or visit http://score.dnr.sc.gov.

The Town of Mount Pleasant Breaks Ground on Gary Santos Park

Video of the Town of Mount Pleasant breaking ground at the future site of Gary Santos Park.

The Town of Mount Pleasant recently broke ground on the future Gary Santos Park, marking the start of construction on the new recreation destination that will serve residents for generations to come. Nestled along Rifle Range Road and Vaughn Ed Kee Parkway, the park will connect directly to Mount Pleasant Way and transform the site into a vibrant community space focused on recreation, wellness, and gathering. The park is named in honor of former Mount Pleasant Town Council Member Gary Santos, whose time in public service was defined by his deep commitment to youth athletics, recreation, and creating opportunities for future generations. We are honored to collaborate with the Town of Mount Pleasant, SeamonWhiteside, and Choate Construction Company to deliver this thoughtfully designed recreational facility that expands access to high quality athletic spaces and community amenities.

Happy Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: A Day On, Not A Day Off

Viti the Realize the Dream website by clicking image.

Today, and all week long, we reflect on and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by honoring his message and vision centered on achieving racial equality, justice, and human rights for all people. The MLK Day of Service, designated by Congress in 1994, transforms Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday into a "day on, not a day off" for national volunteerism, encouraging Americans to volunteer in their communities to honor Dr. King's legacy of justice and service by tackling issues like poverty, hunger, and education.

Realize the Dream was born from the belief in the power of service to not just help others but to also build understanding, empathy and unity between people and communities. It’s a bold call to perform 100 million hours of service by the 100th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King's birth and a rallying cry for us all to make a difference through acts of love, compassion and goodwill. Learn more about how you can help make a difference by visiting Realize the Dream.

Best of 2025: Year in Review

As we look back on an amazing year, we're reflecting on the incredible people and partnerships that define our work. For us, architecture is about more than just stunning structures; it's about solving challenges and bringing our clients' unique visions to life.

This past year, we worked alongside visionary clients and consultants who value innovation, sustainability, preservation, education, and resiliency to design long-lasting structures that foster unity and growth within our community and the Southeast Region. Clients come to us with a need for inviting, functional spaces, and through close collaboration and our integrated design process, we are able to create spaces that serve their missions for years to come. We are deeply grateful for the trust our clients place in us and for the opportunity to contribute to the built environment in meaningful ways.

Cheers to the Liollio team members who achieved architectural licensure, received recognition for their contribution to the community and the profession, those we welcomed to our studio, and those who were elevated within the firm! Thank you to our entire dedicated team and valued consultants for another year of shared creativity and impact. Here's to building a better future, together.

View our Portfolio // View our Team // 2025 Awards

Celebrating 2025 AIA Charleston Awards

As we reflect on another exciting year, we extend our sincere gratitude to the clients who place their trust in us to provide thoughtful architecture that strengthens and serves our communities. This year, AIA Charleston honored six projects with seven local awards! The College of Charleston’s Simons Center for the Arts and First Baptist Church Of Charleston’s Education Center received AIA Charleston Honor Awards, the highest level of distinction for exceptional design. The City of Charleston’s Carr-Richardson Park received an AIA Charleston Merit Award for distinguished achievement. The Old City Jail received an AIA Merit Award and Student Choice Award for Landmark Enterprises’ preservation and adaptive reuse of the historic building. National Park Service’s Lind Point Resource Management & Science Facility & Housing and Charlotte Mecklenburg’s South County Regional Library were honored with AIA Charleston Citation Awards.

We are honored to have collaborated with these amazing clients, partners, and project teams on these award-winning efforts. We congratulate all of the deserving recipients of the 2025 AIA Charleston Awards, recognized for their vision and commitment to design excellence! View all of this year’s award recipients here.

Happy Holidays!

May your holiday season and new year
be full of LIGHT, prosperity and cheer.

Happy holidays from your friends at Liollio!

Celebrating 2025 AIA South Carolina Awards

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As we celebrate and reflect on 2025, we are grateful to our amazing clients who invest in thoughtful architecture to serve our communities! This year, AIA South Carolina recognized the National Park Service with an AIA South Carolina Framework for Design Excellence Award and an AIA South Carolina Merit Award for the design of NPS’s new USVI Lind Point Resource Management Science Facility and Housing. The College of Charleston was also recognized with an AIA South Carolina Honor Award for the renovation and expansion of the Simons Center for the Arts. We are honored to have collaborated with the National Park Service, The College of Charleston, and our project teams on these award-winning projects. Cheers to all who were recognized with AIA South Carolina Awards, acknowledging their vision and commitment to design excellence!

AIA SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION AWARDS REFLECTION: COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON SIMONS CENTER FOR THE ARTS

In this time of reflection, gratitude and celebration, Liollio is so grateful to our wonderful clients who invest in thoughtful buildings and spaces to serve our communities! This year, AIA South Atlantic Region recognized the College of Charleston with an AIA South Atlantic Region (SAR) ASPIRE Honor Award for the renovation and expansion of the Simons Center for the Arts. We are honored to have collaborated with the College, our friends at HGA, and our entire project team on this award-winning project. Exceptional projects are the result of collaboration with visionary clients!

Cheers to all who were recognized with 2025 AIA South Atlantic Region Awards, acknowledging their vision and commitment to design excellence. Liollio congratulates our colleagues, clients, and collaborators on these amazing accolades!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT LIOLLIO!

Liollio’s Mary Tran Honored in CRBJ’s Forty Under 40 Awards

The Charleston Regional Business Journal recently hosted its annual Forty Under 40 event, celebrating this year’s outstanding honorees. We are thrilled to announce that Mary Tran, Associate AIA + IIDA, Project Designer, and Interior Designer was recognized as one of the award recipients!

Mary works with a diverse range of public and institutional clients, approaching each project as an opportunity to engage stakeholders and create spaces that are socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable. Congratulations to Mary and all the 2025 Forty Under 40 honorees from everyone at Liollio Architecture!

2025 SC Historic Preservation Awards Honors Rehabilitation of Old City Jail

For 30 years, Preservation South Carolina, the SC Department of Archives and History, and the Office of the Governor have recognized exceptional accomplishments in the preservation, rehabilitation, and interpretation of architectural and cultural heritage with a series of statewide awards. We are honored to announce that the rehabilitation of Old City Jail was recently recognized with a 2025 SC Historic Preservation Honor Award.

Once neglected and at risk, this landmark has been carefully rehabilitated, balancing preservation and adaptive reuse. The restoration retained the Jail’s historic character while introducing thoughtful interventions, ensuring its continued use and stewardship.

Liollio would like to congratulate Landmark Enterprises, Charles Blanchard Construction, and our entire team on this amazing project that truly was a combination of head and heart.

For more information about Preservation South Carolina, visit www.preservesc.org.

The American Institute of Architects National Conference on Architecture (AIA25)

Recently, several Liollio team members attended The American Institute of Architects National Conference on Architecture in Boston (AIA25) where they were able to draw inspiration from keynote speakers, talented colleagues, catch up with friends, establish new connections, and discover and explore the city. Liollio’s Ri Glal had a great experience examining various components of architecture in a new lens; “For me, the conference emphasized that architecture is constantly evolving, and the identity of architecture is amplified by the past, present, and the future community of a given place.” It was an invigorating week, and those who attended are excited to share their experience and help implement insights into our current work.