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!

Celebrating Black History Month 2025: Reflecting on Wilmot J. Fraser Elementary

This Black History Month, we honor Wilmot J. Fraser Elementary and its namesake. Originally built in 1957 as Columbus Street Elementary, the school was part of South Carolina’s Equalization Program, built for African American students. The school became a vital hub for the Eastside community, a gathering place during pivotal historical moments, including the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo, Civil Rights rallies and the assassination of John F. Kennedy, as recounted by the Eastside Community Development Corporation board.

The Columbus Street school was later renamed in honor of Wilmot J. Fraser, a dedicated African American educator, and continued to shape young minds and benefit the community. Fraser served not only as Principal of Columbus Street Elementary, but also East Bay Elementary, and the Archer School among others. He went on to act as the supervisor for all African American schools in Charleston and later assistant director of elementary schools for the entire county.

Throughout his career, Fraser was committed to uplifting students and ensuring that schools served as centers for both education and community support. As one of the initial organizers, president, and board member of the Elementary Principal Association within the South Carolina Palmetto Education Association (PEA), he worked to strengthen teacher development and mentor the next generation of educators. His efforts laid the groundwork for lasting change in Charleston’s education system.

Now, through community engagement sessions, the next chapter of this historic site is being written. Early College High School will preserve the stories of the past while creating future opportunities for students in one of South Carolina’s most historically significant neighborhoods. 

By weaving together history, resilience, education and community, this project ensures that Wilmot J. Fraser’s legacy continues—providing a stable foundation for the future to take root.