MUSC's Nexton Medical Center Celebrates Topping Out

The new MUSC Health Medical Center in Nexton just hit a big milestone: the topping out! That means the highest steel beam is now in place, the building has reached its full height, and the “skeleton” is complete so the next phase of construction can begin. The topping-out tradition also includes team members signing the final beam before a crane lifts it into place with an American flag and a little tree attached. The little tree, usually an evergreen, brings good luck and symbolizes growth and prosperity.

Congratulations to MUSC and the entire team! Every milestone moves us closer to a future where residents of Nexton and Berkeley County have greater access to world-class healthcare right in their own community, reducing travel time and improving lives for generations to come.

SCBIZ Recognizes Andy Clark in 2026 SCBIZ 500 Top Leaders List

Join us in celebrating Liollio Principal Andy Clark on being named to SCBIZ's second annual SCBIZ 500, a distinguished honor recognizing South Carolina's most influential and impactful leaders across business, nonprofits, government, and higher education. This recognition reflects Andy's exceptional leadership, professional achievements, and lasting contributions to communities throughout the Palmetto State.

Selected for his exceptional leadership, professional achievements, and impact on the architecture profession, Andy Clark is one of three principal architects leading Liollio’s third generation of leadership. This recognition reflects his lasting contributions to communities across South Carolina and his role in shaping the firm’s continued success. Congratulations Andy and all 2026 award recipients on this well-deserved honor. We are proud to celebrate your leadership and this distinguished achievement!

View Andy’s feature here.

“We believe one of the best ways to grow our studio for the future is to align it as closely as possible with academia, fostering creative energy, innovation and an innate desire to ask questions.”

— Andy Clark, AIA, LEED AP, Principal

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! 

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.

Historic Preservation in Progress: National Park Service Cape Lookout Lighthouse

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Built in 1859, the Cape Lookout Lighthouse has guided mariners for generations—and now it’s being carefully stabilized for the future. Facing harsh coastal conditions, the historic tower closed in 2021 and is undergoing a multi‑year preservation project. Liollio, in coordination with BPE & BCA (we should tag them so they repost), has worked with National Park Service on the design to restore the interior and exterior ironwork, stripping and reapplying the exterior coating so the brick can breathe, and update its electrical system to keep the beacon light shining.  Stone and Lime has been working to make the design a reality and is currently removing the lantern for restoration.  For the most up to date information, see the NPS Cape Lookout Lighthouse Stabilization Project at www.nps.gov/calo/. 

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.

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.

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!

Celebrating National Preservation Month 2025

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As our team celebrates National Preservation Month, we reflect on the significance of our nation’s historic places. Liollio has been honored with the preservation of many structures and sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Our clients have entrusted us with buildings both grand and modest, both museum-quality restorations and adaptive reuses, all in keeping with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.

Whether hiding fire protection systems or preserving a doorknob touched by five generations, we understand both the technical and the artistic. We embrace a collaborative, thoughtful, and sensitive approach to assessing and restoring historic structures. Historically and culturally sensitive projects, done well, are a balanced combination of head and heart. We look forward to the opportunity to continue preserving these historic places for the next generation.

Rural Witnesses Exhibition: Retracing & Reimagining Rural Architecture

Liollio is honored to have been selected as a contributor to the inspiring and powerful exhibition: Rural Witnesses: Retracing and Reimagining Rural Architecture presented by Clemson School of Architecture, Partners of Place, and 701 CCA (Center for Contemporary Art). Liollio team members had the pleasure of visiting the opening reception and a tour as part of the AIA South Carolina State Conference.

This exhibition celebrates rural spaces while exploring how past policies and power dynamics can inform more community-driven futures. Kudos to the curators for celebrating untold stories of our communities, and promoting innovative regionalism.

Don’t miss it - on view at the 701 Center for Contemporary Art in Columbia, SC through June 15! For more information visit here.

National Park Service & College of Charleston Recognized with 2025 AIA South Carolina Design Awards

Cheers to our colleagues and clients who were recognized in the 2025 AIA South Carolina Design Awards, recognizing those throughout the state who exemplify vision, creativity, and design innovation. We are honored to have collaborated on the following two American Institute of Architects South Carolina award-winning projects.

The National Park Service was honored with an AIA South Carolina Merit Award and Framework for Design Excellence Award for VIIS Resource Management and Science Facility and Housing. Designed for extreme resilience, this facility provides staff residences, areas to encourage community engagement and outreach, and space for research and storage, allowing the protection and study of the islands’ heritage for future generations. The F4DE award is intended to inspire progress toward a zero-carbon, equitable, resilient, and healthy built environment. 

College of Charleston was recognized with an AIA South Carolina Honor Award for the Simons Center for the Arts. The Simons Center for the Arts renovation aims to create a resilient urban response to showcasing the arts, signaling to the community the creativity within, moderating between history and progress, and enhancing connections to the historic campus. The interior approach transforms dim, uninviting spaces to foster collaboration across curricula, breathing new life into an integral community resource.

Exceptional projects are the result of collaboration with visionary clients. Liollio congratulates award recipients on this outstanding recognition!

Association for Learning Environments SC Conference 2025

Last week Andy Clark and Sarah Glass led a session at the Association for Learning Environments SC Conference in Hilton Head, SC. Alongside Charleston County School District’s Executive Director of Capital Programs, Jasmeen Shaw, and Brownstone Construction’s Senior Project Manager, Bobby Teachey, they presented the story of Early College High School on Wilmot J. Fraser Campus. The session highlighted how one school district’s willingness to listen and learn from the community led to the creation of a state-of-the-art educational facility focused on future opportunities. We are grateful for the opportunity to share this important story. Thank you to the A4LE organization for this experience!

Discovery Place Celebrates Topping Out Milestone of Charlotte Museum of Nature

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We recently had the honor of attending the Discovery Place Charlotte Museum of Nature Topping Out Ceremony. We are excited to see this impactful space take its next steps with this milestone! The building taking shape is thoughtfully designed to serve as a threshold, connecting public spaces such as the new Gathering Grove, Little Sugar Creek Greenway, and Freedom Park to the immersive and magical forest floor experience. This landscape-driven design approach reflects our goal to inspire museum visitors to move from observing nature to actively participating in the natural world around us.

We are grateful to our design, engineering, and construction partners: Hood Design Studio, Stimmel, Stewart, Optima, Wildlands Engineering, and Rodgers Builders. A special thanks to Discovery Place and Mecklenburg County for giving us the opportunity to help bring this meaningful vision to life!

Liollio Joins SC Aquarium for MLK Jr. Day of Service

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, Liollio participated in the South Carolina Aquarium's Litter Sweep and Food Drive at Harmon Field in Charleston on Monday. This event aimed to clean up the roadsides along the Gadsden Creek marsh, helping prevent trash from polluting the Ashley River. We are honored to contribute in keeping our community clean.

A special thank you to the South Carolina Aquarium for organizing this impactful event and to The Citadel Near Center for Climate Studies, Charleston Parks Conservancy, Kids Teaching Flood Resilience, Carolina Ocean Alliance, and The MARSH Project for partnering in this environmental initiative.

Honoring the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Liollio observes Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 20, 2025. This is a day for honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., giving back to our community, and observing the holiday in a way that is meaningful.  MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a National Day of Service, to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities, as we celebrate and carry forward Dr. King’s great legacy.

For more info, visit: https: americorps.gov/serve/volunteer/mlk-day
For information regarding MLK day events: ywcagc.org/mlk-celebration.html

AIA South Carolina Awards Reflection: Exceptional Projects & Visionary Clients

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In this time of reflection and celebration, Liollio is so grateful to our wonderful clients who invest in great buildings to serve their communities! Cheers to our colleagues and clients who were recognized in 2024 with AIA South Carolina Design Awards, recognizing this vision and commitment to design excellence. We are honored to have collaborated on these four American Institute of Architects South Carolina award-winning projects.

AIA South Carolina has recognized the City of Charleston with an AIA South Carolina Honor Award for Carr-Richardson Park, James Island Public Service District with an AIA South Carolina Merit Award for the new James Island PSD Fire Station 1 Headquarters, The University of South Carolina with an AIA South Carolina Citation Award for the preservation of the South Caroliniana Library, and Landmark Enterprises with an AIA South Carolina Merit Award for the rehabilitation of Old City Jail.

Exceptional projects are the result of collaboration with visionary clients. Liollio congratulates our clients and collaborators on these amazing accolades!

National Preservation Month: Celebrating USC's South Caroliniana Library

May is National Preservation Month, celebrating the nation's heritage through historic places. As we reflect on this, Liollio would like to congratulate the University of South Carolina on completing the restoration of the South Caroliniana Library, c.1840 — one of the premier research archives and special collections repositories in South Carolina and the Southeast region.

It's striking how personal much of USC’s library collections are: Mary Boykin Chesnut’s Civil War-era diaries, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s walking cane, Pat Conroy’s side-by-side shotgun, Ron McNair’s personal effects as an African American astronaut who died aboard the Challenger. Bringing these artifacts into public view is our greatest joy with this project, and that joy is amplified by the beauty of the restored Bulfinch Reading Room.

For more information about South Caroliniana Library’s history, visit USC’s University Libraries website.
Photography // Keith Isaacs // @keithisaacsphoto // isaacsphoto.com

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Charleston Moves Mobility Month: Safe Streets on Tap at Munkle Brewing Company

Don’t mis Charleston Moves Mobility Month Events in May! Liollio is sponsoring the kick-off event this Thursday, May 2, from 5-8 pm, "Safe Streets on Tap” at Munkle Brewing Company - 1513 Meeting Street Rd, 29405. For more info visit the event.