Celebrating National Library "Shelfie" Day

Happy National Library “Shelfie” Day! This day is celebrated annually on the fourth Wednesday in January to promote reading and libraries by encouraging people to take photos of their bookshelves and share them. Initiated in 2014 by the New York Public Library, the day encourages sharing unique personal, school, or library book collections. In addition to sharing “shelfies” today, we thought we’d ask our studio to share some of their favorite books and why they love them. Here are a few of their favorite picks:

The Architect's Apprentice by Elif Shafak
Why I love this book: The story is beautifully told with such rich context as it demonstrates how architecture can be a metaphor for life. 
Favorite Passage: “It was after this incident that Jahan understood his master’s secret resided not in his toughness, for he was not tough, nor in his indestructibility, for he was not indestructible, but in his ability to adapt to change and calamity, and to rebuild himself, again and again, out of the ruins. While Jahan was made of wood, and Davud of metal, and Nikola of stone, and Yusuf of glass, Sinan was made of flowing water. When anything blocked his course, he would flow under, around, above it, however he could; he found his way through the cracks, and kept flowing forward.”

Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Why I love this book: I first read Flowers for Algernon in my 8th grade English class, and it's been my go-to book ever since. When I need to read something meaningful, it helps me think outside of my own head.

The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
Why I love this book: It’s an intense, uncompromising defense of individualism, integrity, and creative independence. For me personally, it was life-changing, empowering, and deeply thought-provoking.
Favorite Passage: "Your work, the material the earth offers you, and what you make of it, is the meaning of life."

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
Why I love this book: It’s a collection of poetic essays in which a wise prophet shares profound insights on love, passion, work, reason, death, freedom, and more, offering timeless wisdom on the human condition.
Favorite Passage: "I do not recognize anyone’s right to one minute of my life. Nor to any part of my energy. Nor to any achievement of mine... I don't intend to build in order to have clients. I intend to have clients in order to build."

Happy reading to all, and remember, reading is fundamental!

SCBIZ Recognizes Andy Clark in Inaugural South Carolina 500 Top Business Leaders List

“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

The South Carolina 500 is SCBIZ’ first-ever list of The Palmetto State’s most influential and impactful leaders in business, nonprofits, government and higher education. This annual feature aims to spotlight South Carolina’s most influential professionals, and the selections were based on career achievements, impact, and leadership. Andy is one of three principal architects leading the Liollio team and guiding the firm’s third generation of leadership. The entire Liollio team congratulates Andy on this recognition! View Andy’s feature here. Click here to view SCBIZ’s entire South Carolina 500 list.

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

Liollio Celebrates 70 Years of Designing for Place

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As Liollio Architecture celebrates 70 years of designing for place, we honor our past and celebrate our future. We know that our longevity is a result of working with amazing clients, our collaborative process, our team culture, and our firm leadership. We also celebrate the career achievements and contributions of our second generation of leadership as they retire from architecture, C. Dinos Liollio, FAIA, LEED AP, and Rick L. Bousquet, AIA, LEED AP.

Liollio Celebrates Team 2025 Licensures!

Liollio celebrates the accomplishments of our team. We are pleased to announce Mason Malsegna and Hunter Thurlo have gained their professional architectural licensure. Their hard work, dedication, and perseverance have truly paid off. Congratulations from our entire team!

About Mason: Mason’s interest and research in sustainable, equitable, and resilient design methodologies, combined with his passion for social justice helps Liollio to produce equitable and thoughtful designs. His thought leadership and attention to detail have strengthened our design studio. Mason has served as Architectural Designer on projects of varying types and sizes, and he aspires to promote sustainable and resilient architecture through his involvement as Chair, and now as an active member of COTE South Carolina.

About Hunter: A key contributor to Liollio’s culture, Hunter plays an active role in the studio. Whether presenting in pinups, participating in charrettes, or engaging in critical project discussions, he brings balanced focus to both detail and overall massing. With a deep appreciation for sensible preservation, Hunter has a meticulous approach to historic materials and design. He believes that architecture should honor a community’s vernacular while embracing modern building technologies, bridging the past and present through design that is both respectful and forward-thinking.

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!

Spotlight On: Carlos Vazquez

Spotlight On is our tradition of interviewing team members to celebrate and get to know them better. Our latest Spotlight On feature is Carlos Vazquez. Carlos joined the Liollio team this year and is a graduate of Bethel College in Kansas, where he earned his Bachelor of Industrial Arts. With a unique background of construction and architectural professional experience, Carlos brings a well-rounded perspective to the Liollio team. He has project expertise spanning a wide range of markets and a proven track record of successfully leading design and construction teams, delivering value, mitigating project risk, and exceeding client goals. We sat down for a Q+A session with our newest Spotlight On feature:

Where did you grow up?
All over – Born in NYC, where I went to elementary school, then moved to Puerto Rico, where I attended middle school, then moved to South Florida, where I attended high school, and then college in Kansas.

Are you married?
Yes, 25+ years to my wife Joanne

Do you have children? If so, tell us a bit about them.
Yes, three: Melissa (granddaughter Mea, 12); Natasha, an elementary school teacher & Brian, a high school teacher (granddaughter Eliana, 12 & grandson Connor, 9); and Antonio (Tony), a Major U.S .Army Foreign Area Officer & Tammie, a college counselor (granddaughter Catherine, 6 & grandson Arthur, 3).

What do you like to do for fun?
Anything outdoors - travel, exploring, boating, design-build, fixing something

Favorite place(s) to go locally?
Beach

Favorite restaurant?
Currently exploring!

Favorite food? 
Puerto Rican (Arroz con Pollo, Pasteles), Italian (Pizza, Lasagna), and Low Country Boil

Do you play any instruments?
No, I attempted piano and guitar, but it did not stick. Spanish tradition is the guitar.

What song is at the top of your most played list?
Hotel California by The Eagles, Cats in the Cradle by Harry Chapin, Fly Like an Eagle by the Steve Miller Band, ,and I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing by Aerosmith

Favorite visual artist?
Salvador Dali

Favorite television show?
This Old House

Favorite podcast or blog?
What’s this? HAHAHA!

Favorite movie or genre?
Action/Adventure & Drama

Favorite place you have traveled to and why?
Monterey, CA, Washington D.C., Annapolis, MD, and Anchorage, AK

Favorite style of architecture?
Palladium Architecture (symmetry) refers to a classical architectural style that emerged during the Renaissance in Italy, particularly associated with the work of the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio.

What building have you visited that most impressed or inspired you?
Falling Water by Frank Lloyd Wright - being able to envision design while walking on site, translating it to paper, then building it!

Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to and why?
Driving the Southern U.S. Coast from Padre Island, Texas to Marco Island, Florida - meeting people and sharing foods and spirits with different cultures. 

Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Me (for the money) 

If you could be an animal, what would you be and why?
Lion, king of the jungle (hahaha), first grandchild-grandson on fathers’ side, Spanish culture 

Are you messy or organized?
More organized

What is your pet peeve?
Picking up after others. Clean up your mess! Don’t expect others to clean up your mess.

Guilty pleasure?
Ice Cream

Tell us a random fact. 
Outside linebacker with 4.59 speed

Favorite quote? 
“Do you feel lucky Punk?”  - A famous line from the 1971 film Dirty Harry, spoken by Clint Eastwood's character, Harry Callahan & "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." - A line from the 1939 film Gone with the Wind starring Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh.

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?
The Pope

If your house was burning down, what is the one non-living thing you save?
Family pictures 

What three traits characterize you?
Strength, love challenges, respectful, and honest. 

What’s your astrological sign?
Leo

What is your personal philosophy?
Always proceed with your best foot forward. Treat all with respect and dignity. Help others when in need.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
Spouse and Family

What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far?
Being a single parent and learning you’re not superman.

What is your superpower?
Faith, belief in oneself, and helping others.

What inspires you most?
Life, adventure, people, and cultures.

What accomplishment(s) are you most proud of?
My kids

What is your favorite thing about working at Liollio?
The people

What does true leadership mean to you? 
Leading a group of people to accomplish a goal by Teamwork, mentoring

How do you define success?
My kids and grandkids – Teaching and pushing softly in a positive direction with love. Watching their success, education, and talents as individuals.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I’ve completed several MS150 bike rides. I’m an Executive Member on my Church Board. I managed church food coop distribution. I’ve been involved with numerous volunteer services. I never quit!

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Be strong and have faith! Take the next step! 

Liollio Team Members Reflect on 2025 AIA National Conference on Architecture

Each month, our studio gathers to share meaningful engagements and experiences that team members are actively involved in. Last month, several staff members reflected on their time at the 2025 AIA National Conference in Boston, MA. Their insights were both inspiring and energizing to the entire studio.

Ri Glal and William Scott shared: "Over the course of three days, we had the opportunity to meet incredibly talented architects, engage in impactful conversations around topics like climate justice and advocacy through architecture, explore an expo with hundreds of vendors, and experience the energy and charm of Boston."

We were also proud to see Matthew Ngango and Jared Cook, recent additions to the Liollio team, present at the COTE Open Forum. They shared insights from their award-winning 2024 COTE Top Ten for Students project, Alamihi Village, developed during their time at Clemson University. The project addresses the complex challenge of rebuilding in Lahaina, Maui, following one of the most devastating wildfires in U.S. history in August 2023. Centered on a 9-acre site at the edge of the affected area, Alamihi Village explores opportunities for cultural conservation, ecological restoration, and economic development.

Matthew and Jared reflected: “We’re grateful for the representatives from Liollio Architecture who joined us at the forum. As our first AIA conference, the experience extended beyond the event itself, including visits around Boston, inspiring talks, and engaging Expo showcases.”

Thank you to all who shared their takeaways from the conference, we acknowledge the passion and curiosity that drives our team and are excited to see how these findings are implemented into our work!

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.

Spotlight On: William Scott

Spotlight On is our tradition of interviewing team members to celebrate and get to know them better. Our latest Spotlight On feature is William Scott. William joined the Liollio team in 2024 and is a graduate of Clemson University, where he earned his Master of Architecture. His passion for architecture began in high school through the Carolina Alliance for Technology program, where he was first introduced to the practice of architecture, engineering, and sustainable principles. While attending Clemson, he joined a design-build program that gave him the chance to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders, disciplines, and community members to bring a project to life - an experience that solidified his commitment to community-focused design. This path led him to Liollio, whose dedication to meaningful community engagement and thoughtful, inclusive design continues to inspire William’s work. We sat down for a Q+A session with our newest Spotlight On feature:

Where did you grow up?
Clinton, SC

Are you married?
In the works! Currently engaged and have been together for almost 7 years now.

Do you have children?
No, but we’d like to adopt eventually!

What do you like to do for fun?
I love to run, listen to podcasts, beach, xbox, and binge movies.

Favorite place(s) to go locally?
James Island County Park, Sullivans Island, Colonial Lake, Hampton Park

Favorite restaurant?
Xio Bao Biscuit

Favorite food?
JAPANESE!

Least favorite food?
Cucumbers. Ruins everything.

Do you play any instruments?
Sadly, no. One day I’ll learn how to play the violin though. It’s my favorite instrument to hear in songs.

What song is at the top of your most-played list?
Ribs by Lorde

Favorite musical artist or genre?
Indie/Alternative & Pop/House

Favorite visual artist?
My dear friend, Janie Holsten

Favorite television show?
RuPaul’s Drag Race or Survivor or Game of thrones

Last book you read?
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

Favorite podcast or blog?
Emergency Intercom

Favorite movie or genre?
Anything Sci-Fi/Fantasy – The Substance

Last movie you watched?
Sinners (10/10)

Favorite place you have traveled to and why?
Interlaken, Switzerland! Lake Thun & Lake Brienz are absolutely gorgeous and the mountains are breathtaking. The natural beauty of this region is unmatched and there are so many outdoor activities to choose from.

Favorite style of architecture?
Gothic Revival, Art Nouveau, Contemporary - hard to pinpoint!!

What building have you visited that most impressed or inspired you?
National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC

Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to and why?
Amsterdam. I have an intrinsic connection to city parks. They arguably have the best in the world. A perfect blend of people, nature, and urbanity.

Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Hopefully, Timothee Chalamet

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
Kiwi Bird. First off, I can fly. Secondly, I’d be native to New Zealand which is pretty cool. 

Are you messy or organized?
Organized

What’s your pet peeve?
Slow drivers

Guilty pleasure?
Dunkin’ Donuts

If you could interview one person (dead or alive) who would it be?
Barack Obama

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?
RuPaul’s Drag Race Finale, Season 9, Alex Theater Glendale, CA

If your house was burning down, what is the one non-living thing you would save?
My Xbox 360. Although it has sat in my closet for years, it has over a dozen of my Minecraft cities that I need to preserve.

What three traits characterize you?
Empathetic, driven, playful

What’s your astrological sign?
Capricorn

What is your personal philosophy?
Do what you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
My mom

What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far?
Both accepting and embracing my identity.

What is your greatest fear?
Tsunamis

What is your superpower?
My humor. I’d say I can turn difficult situations into something lighthearted or comforting.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Receiving the Harlan McClure Award from Clemson University for my final graduate project!

What is your favorite thing about working at Liollio?
The people! I feel embraced and am constantly learning.

What does true leadership mean to you?
True leadership is the ability to accept feedback and listen with an open mind to empower others.

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
Music Producer

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?
To get off Minecraft and go outside.

How do you define success?
Constantly growing and evolving

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I am the middle child of 5.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
”If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell can you love anybody else?”

Happy Women’s History Month 2025!

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As we look back on Women’s History Month, Sarah Glass reflects on her experience at last year’s AIA Women's Leadership Summit. This inspiring event brings together the industry’s largest network of women for impactful programming, leadership seminars, expert insights, and networking. We are proud to be a part of an organization that empowers women to break down barriers to become leaders in the industry. Mark your calendar for the 2025 Women’s Leadership Summit happening November 3-5 in Atlanta! For more info click here.

Spotlight On: Navya Tummala

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Spotlight On is our tradition of interviewing team members to celebrate them and get to know them better. Our next Spotlight On feature of 2025 is Navya Tummala. A valuable asset to the team, Navya joined Liollio in 2024 and is a graduate of Savannah College of Art + Design (SCAD), where she earned his Master of Architecture degree. Navya is dedicated to creating spaces that foster connection, inspire creativity, and promote sustainability. In an ever-changing world, she sees architecture not as static structures, but as dynamic reflections of our values and aspirations. By listening to the needs of the public, embracing the principles of unintrusive design, and practicing with intentionality, Navya strives to create spaces that resonate with the human spirit and stand the test of time. We sat down for a Q+A session with our newest Spotlight On feature:

Where did you grow up?
Frisco, Texas – a suburb in the DFW area.

Are you married
No

Do you have children?
No

What do you like to do for fun?
Play with my dog, crochet, read

Do you have pets? If so, tell us a bit about them.
I have a two-year-old dog named Oakly! He is a super sweet Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who does pretty much everything with me.

Favorite place(s) to go locally?
Since I try and find things my dog can do with me, pretty much any parks or walking trails around Charleston are our most frequented spots.

Favorite restaurant?
There is a brewery in Savannah called Hopatomica that has the best pizza.

Favorite food?
Either burritos or pizza

Least favorite food?
I think I can eat anything honestly!

Favorite book?
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is incredible, very emotional but an amazing book.

Do you play any instruments?
I played piano growing up but I am very out of practice now.

What song is at the top of your most played list?
I get fixated on a new song every couple of months, but right now it is I’m Still Fine by the Red Clay Strays.

Favorite musical artist or genre?
Folk/Country

Favorite visual artist?
I love any contemporary or mixed media artists. I think my favorites are reserved for my friends I went to college with who are amazing illustrators and creatives.

Favorite television show?
Our Planet; or anything with David Attenborough

Favorite book or author?
Kristin Hannah and Khaled Hosseini are both writers whose books I always enjoy.

Favorite podcast or blog?
This American Life or Armchair Expert

Favorite movie or genre?
I don’t think I have a favorite movie, but I can never go wrong with some kind of historical fiction.

Last movie you watched?
Wicked

Favorite place you have traveled to and why?
I traveled to Kenya a few years ago, and that was incredible. Being able to see wildlife and animals that candidly is indescribable.

Favorite style of architecture?
Anything where local craft is visible. The most meaningful pieces of architecture I have seen or interacted with that have struck me most were ones where I could observe local materials and means of construction; seeing the hand of the people in which the architecture serves in its construction makes the physicality of it even more connective for users.

What building have you visited that most impressed or inspired you?
I grew up visiting small temples in different villages throughout Southern India. I was most inspired by these buildings because of what I stated previously in that each one had its unique identity based on its location and community that built it.

What would the book or movie about your life be called?
Navya?

Who would play you in a movie about your life?
I would love to see an interpretive rendition of my life preformed by my dog, Oakly.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
An otter so I could float in the water all day.

Are you messy or organized?
Organized

What’s your pet peeve?
Seeing anyone being disrespectful

Guilty pleasure?
I don’t think I have one.

Tell us a random fact.
I have the same birthday as Barack Obama.

If you could interview one person (dead or alive) who would it be?
Jane Goodall

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?
I try not to glamorize historical events because there’s a lot more nuance to events that have taken place than I am sure I realize, but witnessing New York City on V-J Day I am sure would be a unique experience.

If your house was burning down, what is the one non-living thing you would save?
My glasses or contacts

What three traits characterize you?
Organized, welcoming, and friendly

What’s your astrological sign?
Leo

What is your personal philosophy?
To give others and myself grace

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
My loved ones

What is your greatest fear?
Honestly, losing someone I love.

What is your superpower?
I can remember conversations pretty verbatim; months can go by and I’ll be able to recall what someone else and I talked about word-for-word.

What inspires you most?
The people I love

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Raising my dog

What is your favorite thing about working at Liollio?
The inclusivity and diversity of the office, there is not one person with the same background or experience and all that diversity creates such a rich and welcoming team to work within.

What does true leadership mean to you?
Being a representation of the ideals most valuable to a team/workplace (i.e. being respectful, inclusive, etc.)

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
Wildlife conservationist

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?
Nothing is that serious.

How do you define success?
Feeling fulfilled in staying true to your ethos as a person, but also challenged in your craft.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
My boyfriend always gives me amazing advice, and one of the things he told me was to tend to the parts of the garden you can see. It is part of one of his favorite quotes but it is something I replay in my head a lot when things feel turbulent in work, school, etc.

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

Spotlight On: Nate Stoltenberg

Spotlight On is our tradition of interviewing team members to celebrate them and get to know them better. Our first Spotlight On feature of 2025 is Nate Stoltenberg. A valuable asset to the team, Nate joined Liollio in January 2024 and is a graduate of the Iowa State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree. Nate has a passion for architectural design and sustainability. Representation of unique designs have been at the forefront of Nate’s education and interest. Nate values the process of physical model making as well as mixed media visual representation. We sat down for a Q+A session with our newest Spotlight On feature:

Where did you grow up?
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Are you married?
Soon to be!

Do you have children?
Nope just my dog.

What do you like to do for fun?
I love the beach, whether its surfing, playing spike ball, or just hanging out with a cold one!

Do you have pets? If so, tell us a bit about them.
I have a dog named Bean that was a failed foster because as soon as we held him at the shelter we knew he was coming home with us!

Favorite place(s) to go locally?
Brown Fox Coffee is my favorite coffee on a Saturday morning, but Shem Creek is also a blast for food and drinks. My favorite meal I’ve had in Charleston though is for sure Hall’s Chophouse.

Favorite restaurant?
Lewis BBQ is my go-to. Their brisket and banana pudding are amazing.

Favorite food?
Popcorn is my favorite snack by far.

Favorite book?
Im not a big reader but I prefer non-fiction. My favorite book is Side Country by John Branch

Do you play any instruments?
I played piano for a couple of years in elementary school but nothing since then.

Favorite musical artist or genre?
Its tough to pick one but I really like Drake and AC/DC (what a combo).

Favorite television show?
Dexter for sure because it kept me entertained through covid.

Favorite podcast or blog?
Kill Tony (not true crime its comedy)

Favorite movie or genre?
The Dark Knight

Last movie you watched?
I watched the new Joker movie without realizing it was a musical so that was a shock.

Favorite place you have traveled to and why?
I really love Hawaii because the islands have so much to offer from culture, cuisine, hikes, beaches. It is a slower lifestyle that is very welcoming and fun.

Are you messy or organized?
I am an organized person.

Guilty pleasure?
Lewis BBQ

If you could interview one person (dead or alive) who would it be?
Anthony Bourdain

What’s your astrological sign?
Sagittarius

What is your favorite thing about working at Liollio?
I really enjoy when the studio comes together for a pin up or think and drink to hangout and bounce ideas off one another.

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?
Slow down

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Comparison is the thief of joy.

Elissa Morrison honored with National AIA Award in Washington D.C.

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Liollio Firm Associate, Elissa Morrison, AIA, was recognized last week at the The American Institute of Architects (AIA) National Conference, as one of only 30 nationwide recipients of the 2024 AIA Young Architects Award. This prestigious award recognizes individuals for their exceptional leadership and significant contributions to the architecture profession and their communities.

Always seeking to elevate the quality of life for the communities she serves, Elissa has distinguished herself as an unparalleled leader and award-winning architect. Liollio would like to congratulate Elissa and all of this year’s award winners!

Spotlight On: Michelle Lanker

Spotlight On is a Liollio tradition of interviewing team members to celebrate them and get to know them better. Our February Spotlight On feature is Michelle Lanker. Michelle joined the Liollio team in January 2023, relocating from Seattle. An Ohio native and graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michelle is a versatile architect with more than 20 years of experience. She is known for building trust with clients and teams through clear communication and by bringing a strategic and focused approach to each project. We sat down for a Q+A session with our latest Spotlight On feature:

Where did you grow up?
Loveland, Ohio

Do you have children?
My dog Arnie is definitely like my child.

What do you like to do for fun?
I like to garden, paint when I can (love watercolors), walk around the downtown Charleston since I live downtown, ride my bicycle whenever I can, hang out with friends, and hang out with my dog a lot.

Tell us about Arnie.
He is a 16-year-old mutt named Arnie that I adopted from a shelter out in Portland, OR 15 years ago after he lost a leg and was scared to death of people. He has traveled everywhere, including cross-country from Seattle, WA to Charleston and back three times now with me. He is my best friend.

Favorite place(s) to go locally?
I love Hampton Park and Battery Park, walking there quite frequently. Arnie and I like to go to Folly Beach and hang out when it’s not the tourist season. Probably my favorite place is my own garden space which is rare to have in downtown Charleston.

Favorite restaurant?
A spot called Harvest Moon out on Highway 17.

Favorite food?
Gourmet grilled cheese and tomato soup!

Least favorite food?
I’ll try just about anything. I try to avoid processed foods though, so those would probably be my least favorite.

Favorite book or author?
Erik Larson, Devil in the White City. I love all his books.

Do you play any instruments?
No. Tried playing the clarinet in middle school, but not my thing.

What song is at the top of your most played list?
Home by HAIM (Barbie movie soundtrack)

Favorite musical artist or genre?
I’m pretty eclectic, but my favorite band is called Metric.

Favorite visual artist?
Monet

Favorite television show?
Six Feet Under

Last book you read?
I Am Bunny by Alexis Devine

Favorite podcast or blog?
Ologies with Alie Ward

Favorite movie or genre?
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Last movie you watched?
To Sir with Love

Favorite place you have traveled to and why?
It’s close – I love two cities – Barcelona, Spain and Medellin, Colombia. I am enamored with how both cities have managed to make dense urban environments feel so tied to nature either in the way the architecture is inspired by organic structures such as coral and forest canopies and various animals and plants (in Barcelona) or how transit systems tie the urban fabric to the natural mountains that surround via trolleys and escalators and light rail (in Medellin).

Favorite style of architecture?
Probably Expressionism. How buildings affect the way we think and feel has always been very important to me as an Architect.

What building have you visited that most impressed or inspired you?
Sagrada Familia

Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to and why?
I went to Spain years ago for three weeks by myself. I bought a one-way ticket to Madrid and then just stayed at hostels while on a very loose itinerary that took me all over the country and even to Paris for a few days before coming home. It was life changing for me.

What would the book or movie about your life be called?
Wherever Life Takes You, Embrace It

Who would play you in a movie about your life?
She is not anywhere close to my age or even younger than me, but I was always told I look a lot like Ali McGraw, and I would say my personality is similar to her character in her most famous role, Love Story.

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?
Sea turtle, without question. They are solitary, they travel a lot. Symbolically, they have always meant a lot to me representing longevity, wisdom, carrying the world on it’s back. I have a tattoo of a sea turtle on my right shoulder.

Are you messy or organized?
Most of the time organized, lol.

What’s your pet peeve?
Interrupting and talking over others.

Guilty pleasure?
Buying flowers for myself when I go to the grocery store.

Tell us a random fact.
My dad is from Nicaragua, and I have an uncle who was, and a cousin who is, an Architect in Nicaragua today.

Favorite quote?
”Nothing is invented, for it’s written in nature first.” – Antoni Gaudí

If you could interview one person (dead or alive) who would it be?
My maternal grandparents who both died when she was a teenager. I would like to tell them what a wonderful woman my mother is and how proud they should be of her.

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?
1998 NBA Finals, Chicago Bulls vs Utah Jazz, Game 6 (Michael Jordan’s last game) - I worshipped him as a kid.

If your house was burning down, what is the one non-living thing you would save?
A necklace from my family in Nicaragua and my maternal grandmother’s engagement ring.

What three traits characterize you?
Empathy, honesty, openness

What’s your astrological sign?
Leo

What is your personal philosophy?
Live in the moment as much as possible.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
Getting outside and enjoying the fresh air.

What is the greatest challenge you have had to overcome in your life thus far?
Life not happening quite the way I expected and being okay with that because it has made me who I am.

What is your greatest fear?
I don’t think I’m really afraid of anything. As a kid I was deathly afraid of sharks after seeing Jaws. I would dream about them being in a pool I was swimming in and have even had a recurring nightmare like that as an adult. But I got to cage dive with Great Whites in South Africa several years ago and that shifted my fear to awe. They are amazing creatures and such survivors. I now admire their perseverance instead!

What is your superpower?
Adaptation

What inspires you most?
I am constantly inspired by my friends and family. Hearing their personal stories of overcoming great odds or doing something incredibly brave, or just being amazing humans that surround me with so much love is a wonderful gift I try my best to not take for granted.

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Having the courage to start over.

What is your favorite thing about working at Liollio?
The openness and compassion here. Arnie comes to work with me nearly everyday and everyone has been just awesome in welcoming him along with me into this fantastic work family.

What does true leadership mean to you?
It depends on the circumstance. Leading a team means being able to clearly express a vision and/or set of goals and then empowering and supporting those around you to achieve that vision or reach those goals together. True leadership is also demonstrated in individual work though. Always striving for your best and when your best isn’t possible or you make a mistake, owning it and learning from it.

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
A cartoonist

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?
Don’t sweat the small things so much.

How do you define success?
Being content, but always learning.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I was very into basketball as a kid (my dad was a high school coach) and I was also a very tall preteen, so I decided to try out for an all-boys’ team in 4th grade and ended up being the starting center from 4-6th grade when we won the league championship. I did not grow an inch more and in junior high moved to forward and by high school was a shooting guard for my high school team. If I hadn’t gone to school for architecture, I would have played college ball somewhere, but the commitment was too much to do both.

What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
Sounds silly, but my mom and I both remind each other to “let it go” as it is sung in the movie Frozen.

Liollio Honors the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on MLK Day 2024

Liollio will be observing Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, January 15. This is a day for giving back to the 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. Our team will join the SC Aquarium for the MLK Day of Service Litter Sweep & Food Drive on Monday.

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

CCPL Celebrates National American Indian Heritage Month With Architecture

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Charleston County Public Library recently hosted a Native American Architecture Program at the Main Library to celebrate National American Indian Heritage Month in November. The Liollio team volunteers for CCPL’s annual program to teach children about vernacular architecture and native structures and dwellings. Following a presentation of vernacular architecture, children were given an hour to build a dwelling of their choosing with the help and direction of architects and designers. The Liollio team had a wonderful time with the children and CCPL staff. It is always a pleasure spending time and sharing knowledge with our community. To potentially spark a child’s interest in history, architecture, and design is a special and rewarding experience. Thank you to Charleston County Public Library for hosting our team!