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1640 Meeting Street Road, Suite 202
Charleston, SC, 29405
United States

8437622222

For 70 years, Liollio has provided sustainable architecture, interior design, and historic preservation for public projects. We are an award-winning architecture firm located in Charleston, SC, who value subtle & restrained design, rooted in context, culture & collaboration

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News

Liollio Architecture Awarded 2020 AIA National Healthcare Design Award

Mez Joseph

Visit the AIA National Website: 2020 Healthcare Design Awards - Click Here.

Visit the AIA National Website: 2020 Healthcare Design Awards - Click Here.

Liollio Architecture is honored to announce that the American Institute of Architects has recognized Liollio’s design of the Hampton County Health Clinic in Varnville, SC with a 2020 AIA National Healthcare Design Award.

“This project brings dignity, hope, and joy to the community it supports.”
— Jury comment

This facility serving two rural South Carolina communities reflects the region’s faith in its future. The new facility, a joint venture between county and state agencies, replaced an outdated, 50-year-old structure. Given the site’s location in a former railroad town, simple materials and massing were employed to evoke the boxcars that used to roll through. Inside, patient care areas are divided between clinical care and care for women, infants, and children. Each features its own service corridor and waiting areas, all with ample natural light that enhances the environment for patients facing potentially difficult diagnoses. Privacy was a key factor in determining the program and organization of the clinic’s spaces. At the new facility’s ribbon cutting ceremony, the team noted a shift in perception and mood, confirming it had delivered a modest but noble clinic reflective of the community’s emboldened spirit.

“Functional and understated, it is a fantastic little jewel box made of simple forms and modest materials...It is wonderful to see such thoughtful care and attention given to a rural community health facility. It is a building they can take pride in.”
— Jury comment

Albert Simons Center for the Arts Getting A New Look: Live 5 News

Mez Joseph

By Summer Huechtker | July 22, 2020

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The College of Charleston has been working on plans to improve the Albert Simons Center for the Arts for at least four years now.

On Wednesday, the plans will be seeking preliminary approval from the City of Charleston’s Board of Architectural Review.

The City of Charleston Planning Director Jacob Lindsey says portions of the building will be demolished and replaced, including a newly designed structure that will house the theater in the Simons Center. Additionally, Lindsay says the interior of the theater will be re-designed and expanded.

The existing courtyard will be updated and Lindsay says the new parts of the building will frame this newly designed space so the Green Way Street entrance will look completely different at the front.

Lindsey says the changes will give the Simons Center a new, modern face. He adds that the city encourages high style for civic buildings like theaters.

It's important for the city to play a role in this design process because the building is on a public street, along Philip Street, Lindsay says.

Although the Simons Center is a College of Charleston building, many of its art openings and performances are open to the public and it is also used for the Spoleto Festival.

The college says they have been in the planning phases of this re-design with Liollio architects for a number of years, so they hope to get through the approval process as soon as possible.

Though the city’s board of architectural review will be reviewing the designs for the first time Wednesday, Lindsey says they are still months away from the start of construction.

Copyright 2020 WCSC. All rights reserved.

Children’s Museum Expanding with Outdoor Space: Live 5 News

Mez Joseph

By Summer Huechtker | July 22, 2020

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The Children's Museum of the Lowcountry is planning an expansion of an outdoor area and improvements to its current historic building.

The city's Planning Director, Jacob Lindsey, says he's excited about this expansion that plans to gives the city's only children's museum more space outdoors. He says the previous outdoor space around the building was not very big and not well used.

The museum says they are planning to add a creative canopy that resembles the children's game of "pick up sticks."

"The design is really a playful one and is colorful and different from anything else that you'll find in the city," Lindsey said.

He added that there will be a new, permanent roof over the outdoor area as well as a fence that surrounds this area in order to keep it more private and safe.

Lindsay says the outdoor space is going to be next to the museum on Ann Street, and will run the whole length of the block between King Street and Meeting Street.

The Children’s Museum’s historic building has never gone through rehabilitation, but organizers say they are excited to finally get this underway after about two years of planning.

The city says they are also planning for an interior re-work of the facilities and programs indoors.

These additions are up for preliminary approval at the Board of Architectural Review Wednesday. Once it gets full approval for the outdoor shade and interior renovation, it could start construction.

Copyright 2020 WCSC. All rights reserved.

STUDIOLLIO

Mez Joseph

#Studiollio - In the Fall of 2019, Liollio Principals Andy Clark and Jennifer Charzewski co-taught a firm design studio as lecturers for Clemson University’s School of Architecture at the Clemson Architecture Center in Charleston. Students experienced an academic design studio through the lens of a professional teaching studio.  The studio explored the City of Charleston and it’s grappling with change due to climate, technology, population, economics and mobility. Students investigated critical issues with a focus on how design can improve resiliency and cultural connectivity within a city.

A vibrant city is a living, breathing organism, and the civic infrastructure and architecture connect the identity, aspirations, and human story of the occupants to each other and to the past, present, and future. Architecture is intrinsically linked to landscape architecture and site in a hybrid conversation, rather than two separate entities. Similarly, the infrastructure that connects and moves people should participate in this hybrid conversation, and can reveal the opportunities that exist to grow in healthy ways.

Programmatically, Charleston is also confronting a tenuous balance between the tourism industry which undergirds the city’s economy, and the desire to be a livable city for all residents. Whereas development in housing, retail, food service, and offices is booming, it is often the cultural institutions and public parks that really bring a city to life and give it depth and a voice to residents.

Charleston is home to many preeminent programs and buildings for the visual and performing arts, and includes an aquarium, a history museum, and a children’s museum. However, there is a notable absence of a museum or center for nature and science –which are both integral to life in the Lowcountry and to supporting workforce development and STEM education.

The design projects provided the students with an opportunity to investigate these ideas and opportunities, further refine their critical and strategic approach in an iterative design process across a variety of scales, and develop requisite design and presentation communication skills. As a firm-led studio, the unique perspective of a practicing firm provided opportunities to intersect the academy with practice, including connecting students to professional mentors and enriching the firm with academic investigation.

Spotlight On: Lance Eubanks

Mez Joseph

Liollio is pleased to welcome Lance Eubanks, Associate AIA, LEED AP, to our design studio! A native of Mississippi, Lance completed his Bachelor of Architecture at Mississippi State University. Prior to joining Liollio, Lance worked as a Project Manager and Project Architect with ZGF Architects in Washington DC. After giving Lance a bit of time to settle in, we sat down for a little Q&A with our newest Spotlight On feature.

How long have you lived in Charleston?
A little over two months.

Where did you grow up?
About five miles outside of Lucedale, Mississippi – a tiny town near the Gulf Coast.

Are you married? Children?
Not married, but I moved here with my partner, Justin.

What is your favorite nonliving thing in your home?
I have a cedar chest that was originally my Great Aunt’s dowry chest from around 1930. It somehow made its way to me. It’s moved with me everywhere I’ve been since college, and I would probably try to carry it out if my house caught on fire.

What do you like to do when you have free time?
Social distancing has taught me that I need more hobbies. I try to spend as much time outside as possible. Virtual game nights and cooking keep me going while I’m stuck in the house.

Do you have any pets? If so, tell us a bit about them.
We have a dog named Bee. She’s an eight year old Beagle mix, and she will literally never turn down an offer for someone to pet her. She’ll let you go for three hours straight if you’re up for it.

What architect or architecture firm most influenced you as a student?
I have always loved Tadao Ando’s work. What he does with natural light in his projects, in the simplest way possible, has always amazed me. 

What is your favorite place you have traveled to and why?
Florence, Italy has to be my favorite. Ankara, Turkey is probably the most interesting place I’ve been.

What is your favorite thing about working at Liollio?
When I was moving to Charleston and looking for a job, I read a few of the Spotlight On posts on the Liollio website. Everyone said that their favorite thing about working here is the people. Well, they were right. I have been blown away at how many awesome people I get to work with. 

What inspires you most?
People. All of them. Everyone has an interesting perspective to offer to the world.

What is your favorite restaurant?
So far, Leon’s on King Street is my favorite Charleston spot, but there are so many more places to try.

What’s your favorite place in Charleston?
The beach at Sullivan’s Island at sunset has been my happy place so far.

What is your favorite food?
I could eat seafood every day for the rest of my life. Let’s hope I don’t get mercury poisoning.

What is your least favorite food?
I’ll eat almost anything, but the sight of blue cheese is sickening to me.

Do you play any instruments?
I was in the band in high school, and I played the trombone. It’s been a really long time since I’ve played though.

Who or what is your favorite musical artist or genre?
So, I like a lot of musicians, but Dolly Parton definitely has the number one spot. She’s a great songwriter, and she has this warm and positive personality that is infectious.

Favorite television show?
Law & Order (original) is always on the DVR. The Sopranos was fantastic. Right now, we’re watching The Crown, Schitt’s Creek, and Grace and Frankie.

Last book you read?
Educated by Tara Westover.

Last movie you watched?
The Irishman

Favorite movie or genre?
The Godfather is a classic.

Are you messy or organized?
The kitchen is spotless. Sometimes the closet overflows.

Do you have a favorite newspaper, blog or website?
I love local news. I got a subscription to the Post and Courier before I moved here. I also really enjoy reading CityLab online.

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

If you could witness any historical event, what would you want to see?
The March on Washington in 1963 must have been a truly amazing sight.

What would the book or movie about your life be called?
Life of a Klutz: How to Get Back Up Again

What’s your astrological sign?
I’m a Capricorn. I don’t think it matters, but I’ll still read a horoscope every now and again.

What is your personal philosophy?
Treat others well.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
My people. I’ve always thought this, but recent events have completely reinforced that for me.

What does true leadership mean to you? 
Empowering the people around you to be their best self and do their best at whatever they are doing.

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
It’s a toss-up between a chef and a retirement home activity director.

How do you define success?
Being happy, healthy, and engaged.

Liollio Zoom Happy Hour

Mez Joseph

In the midst of challenging times, it’s been wonderful to see our team remain connected and full of energy and positivity. Our studio has been blessed to be able to work remotely - and in the spirit of connectivity, we all joined together for a Zoom Happy Hour. We hope you and your loved ones remain healthy and happy!

USCB Hilton Head Hospitality Management Campus Featured in Local Life Magazine

Mez Joseph

LOCAL Life is about living well in the Lowcountry. Stories are everywhere: intriguing people and places, food and fashion, culture and creativity, homes and health. These stories embody our local style and sophistication with a southern twist. Eloquently written words and stunning photography capture the local essence in a way that educates, entertains and engages locals who are inspired and want more.

LOCAL Life Magazine, a publication celebrating the stories, culture, and people that make Hilton Head, Beaufort & Bluffton SC unique, showcases the University of South Carolina-Beaufort's Hilton head Hospitality Management Campus as a backdrop to a fashion shoot, while providing details on the building’s design. Visit www.locallifesc.com for more.

2020 Liollio Team Oyster Roast

Mez Joseph

Thank you to Liollio’s Alison Dawson and her husband, Calvin, for hosting their annual oyster roast for our Liollio team and their families! Everyone had a wonderful time, as usual!

CELEBRATE CHARLESTON'S TRAILBLAZING WOMEN IN THE A/E/C INDUSTRY

Mez Joseph

The Charleston Chapter of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) requests the pleasure of your company on January 15, 2020 at the Founders Round Table. Please help us honor the Women Trailblazers whose leadership has shaped and inspired the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Community of the Lowcountry. Liollio Principal, Cherie Liollio, will be one of several distinguished guests on the panel. For event info: https://lnkd.in/eGh36uJ

IMAGINE A WORLD WITHOUT STRANGERS

Mez Joseph

Each and every day is unique and special when we make it that way.
— The Liberators International

Winter Monday morning blues instantly dissolved in Perth, Australia as an entire carriage of passengers spontaneously joined in singing Somewhere Over the Rainbow on their way to work.

Peter, the founder of the social movement enters the 7:51am express train to Perth and starts off by contributing a beautifully uplifting message. The intent behind this was to allow people to feel recognised for the work they do and to demonstrate how simple it can be to uplift each other when we come together through positive shared experience. It can be easy to feel unappreciated, disconnected and isolated from our community in a world that constantly desires exponential growth, busy-ness and expansion. Thankfully, we’ve discovered our shared humanity exists just cm’s beneath the surface of a seemingly ghost like public places. We decided to create this moment as a humanitarian check-point; a brief moment in time to see that beyond our differences there is love and humanity.

What happens next is quite incredible to say the least. Pete hands out the lyrics to the song whilst a young Ukulele player brings out a vintage uke and starts to hum out an angelic version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Within seconds other members of the public decide to join in on this outpouring of community joy.

“We had a few of the Liberators help get the ball rolling, however more than 60% of the passengers who sung along were complete strangers. We sung the entire song, progressively gaining confidence and participants as we went. When we finished an uproar of positive emotion, claps, cheers and smiles came streaming from the people.” Said Michelle, one of the Liberators who helped in the morning.

The Liberators are no strangers to these public participatory experiences having created multiple examples of freedom & human connection in Perth including the Perth Train Party which gained more than 40 million views online. The Liberators create these moments for the world to no longer be fearful of respectful self-expression in public. We expose an element of our own vulnerability as a way to give strength to those who are unable to do so yet. This is where the idea of Liberation comes in to the picture.

The next step for this Perth-based international social movement is taking their concepts of love and human connection through 5 capital cities in Europe to see if these acts of spontaneous joy are universally well received or if it’s just in Perth. Assist the Liberators in sharing the love to a global audience by supporting their crowdfunding campaign at www.pozi.be/liberatorstoeurope.

19 SLIDES FOR 2019: LIOLLIO YEAR IN REVIEW

Mez Joseph

As 2019 comes to a close, we take a look back at all of the wonderful people, places and events that made this year special. Thank you to all who’ve made 2019 a year to remember! Here is a look back at some of the events that helped shape our year. Comment, share and enjoy!

LIOLLIO PETS! Meet Our Four-Legged Family Members

Mez Joseph

Scroll through and meet some of our biggest fans. Have some fun and match a pet to it’s Liollio family member., comment — tell us which images are your favorite, or share a photo of your own furry family member with us! Enjoy!

Matilda F. Dunston Elementary Dedication Ceremony

Mez Joseph

This building is the future. It’s the future for our children, it’s the future for our community and for our parents.
— Cheryl Savage, Matilda F. Dunston Elementary Principal

A dedication ceremony took place on Wednesday, December 18, 2019 for the new Matilda F. Dunston Elementary School. The school’s new campus is located at the same site as the former building on Remount Road in North Charleston. The school opened back in August, but Wednesday was the first time staff and students were able to showcase the new state-of-the-art building to the community. Some of the elementary school’s new features include larger classrooms, two computer labs, and a media room.

The principal of Matilda F. Dunston Elementary, Cheryl Savage, says staff always wanted a bigger campus for the students. “This building is the future. It’s the future for our children, it’s the future for our community and for our parents. We can now have a lot more events here,” Savage said. “We can have community members come in and do more with our children.”

She says none of this would be possible without the help from staff and parents. “We are growing every day with our numbers. We have children that are moving into this area I think because they want to come to Dunston,” Savage said. “We have a good reputation for how much we care about our children…we really love our children and we want them here.”

City of North Charleston Mayor, Keith Summey, and Charleston County School District Superintendent, Gerrita Postlewait, spoke at Wednesday’s dedication ceremony alongside other elected officials and school faculty.

Liollio Architecture Elevates Andy Clark, AIA, to Principal

Mez Joseph

Andy Clark, AIA, LEED AP, Principal

It’s an honor to be part of a talented and dedicated team of design professionals that take pride in their work and make even the most challenging days fun and rewarding.
— Andy Clark, AIA, LEED AP, Principal

Liollio Architecture is pleased to announce the elevation of Andy Clark, AIA, LEED AP, to Principal. Liollio celebrates Andy’s accomplishments and is proud to have him as a firm leader!

Andy is passionate about design and the value it brings to our clients through successful collaborations. As part of Liollio's third generation of ownership, Andy leads the educational market and has a diverse portfolio spanning educational, municipal, commercial and healthcare. “It’s an honor to be part of a talented and dedicated team of design professionals that take pride in their work and make even the most challenging days fun and rewarding.” A graduate of Clemson University, with a Master of Architecture and Bachelor of Science in Design, Andy is currently serving as the State President of AIA South Carolina, where he organized the Community: by design Conference in conjunction with ArtFields in Lake City. He has served on the Clemson Architectural Foundation Board, volunteers as a student mentor, and is a Past President of AIA Charleston, where he co-founded a free public lecture series to elevate the design dialogue in our community.

SPOTLIGHT ON: DANIEL CORTE, AIA

Mez Joseph

A native of Chicago, Dan completed his undergraduate at Southern Illinois University and earned his Master of Architecture at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte. Dan has been a Liollio team member for over four years. He contributes to design from start to finish. We recently sat down for a little Q&A with Dan, our May Spotlight On feature.

How long have you lived in Charleston?
I moved to Charleston just over 4 years ago.

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a western suburb of Chicago called LaGrange Park.

Are you married? Do you have children?
I am married to my wonderful wife, Corinne and we just celebrated our 1 year anniversary! We have 3 fur babies - 2 dogs and 1 cat.

What is your favorite thing in your house?
I have to go with our dining room buffet. We bought it on Craigslist and it was poorly painted and dinged up. It took almost a month of nights and weekends of stripping old paint, sanding, painting, staining the top and sealing it up, but it was worth the time we put into it.

What do you like to do when you have free time?
Having all of my exams finished, I feel like I get to experience this so called free time! With the weather improving, my wife and I have been riding our bikes around the neighborhood and down to the Ashley River or to our favorite brewery down the street in Avondale.

Do you have any pets?
If so, tell us a bit about them. I have 3 pets. A lab mix named Maya, a german shepherd named Aurora, and a cat named Aspen. I got Maya as an undergraduate at SIU (Go Salukis) and she has been with me ever since (moving 4 or 5 times around the country). Corinne and I adopted Aurora after we had been dating for some time and she stayed with Corinne while she finished up school in Charlotte. Aspen (better known as Job Site Kitty at Liollio) was found when Liollio was volunteering Habitat for Humanity. She came home with us and bonded with Aurora, so we couldn’t give her up!

What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Becoming an Architect.

What building have you visited that most impressed you?
Quite possibly the Milwaukee Art Museum by Calatrava. I was very interested in structural expression through the majority of my college career and how you can use structure make spaces.

What architect or architecture firm most influenced you as a student?
Ray & Charles Eames, Richard Neutra, Pierre Koenig, Eero Saarinen, among others. These architects/designers also did more than just architecture, but also ventured into sculpture, furniture, and other types of design.

What is your favorite country you have traveled to and why?
Unfortunately I have only been to Canada, so I suppose that has to be the answer. I hope to change that sometime in the next few years though!

What is your favorite thing about working at Liollio?
The collaborative atmosphere of the studio. I feel like multiple times a week people stop working for a moment to ask others opinions on a detail or roof slope or massing. Having a range of experience in the studio gives you such different outlooks on any number of design problems.

What is the hardest part about your job?
Trying to give the client everything they want in a well-designed, thought out package. Sometimes there just isn’t enough space so we have to be really creative in how a space/room/building can evolve depending on their needs that day or time of day.

What style of architecture most impresses you or is your favorite?
I really love the modernist movement or mid-century modern movement in the 1920’s-1960’s.  There were a range of architects that produced really stunning buildings. Of course, most of those buildings are hard to replicate these days with all those pesky energy codes.

What is your favorite book?
I really enjoy the series ‘A Song of Ice and Fire’, which are the Game of Thrones books. It's hard to like only one!

What is your favorite restaurant?
Lou Malnati’s. That's a Chicago style pizza restaurant in Chicago.

What is your favorite food?
I really can never make this decision, but top 3 might be pizza, pasta and fried rice.

What is your least favorite food?
Probably Beets. They just taste so much like dirt.

Do you play any instruments?
I used to play guitar, but it has been quite a long time since I have played anything except Wonderwall.

What song is at the top of your most played list (be honest)?
For the past few months it has been Faded by Alan Walker. A nice upbeat song that can help power through a day!

Who is your favorite artist?
I had to open up Spotify to see which artist I had the most music from. It looks like it is a pretty even split between Maroon 5 and Owl City, which are two pretty different artists.

Favorite television show?
Probably a tie between House of Cards and Game of Thrones. When are those new seasons coming out anyway??

Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Well since typically you get someone who accentuates any/all your features in a good way, I would go with Ryan Reynolds. Who wouldn’t want to be portrayed by that guy...

What’s your astrological sign?
I am a Pisces. Some of the explanations of what that means say that Pisces turn fantasies into realities, so I think having chosen the profession of architecture fits that description well.

Last movie you watched?
It’s Complicated - can’t beat John Krasinski. He would be another actor i could see playing me in a movie.  We have the same goofy personality, but he has a far better ability at growing facial hair, so 1-0 John.

What is your personal philosophy?
Try not to worry or get upset about things you can’t control, and the things you can control, don’t be passive.

What’s one thing you couldn’t live without?
I don’t know if there was any one thing I couldn’t live without, however. if I ever lost my wedding band, I would be extremely upset. It means two different things to me. It is, of course, an outward expression of my love to my wife. It was also my late Grandfather's wedding band for 60 years. He wore it in faithful dedication to my Grandmother for his whole adult life and I hope to wear it another 60 in mine.

What is your greatest fear?
Disappointing my family. They are the ones that will always be behind me, but that is the biggest fear.

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?
If I could gain all of their knowledge for that one day as well - a mechanic. I like the satisfaction of fixing things, even if I get a bit frustrated when it's not going my way, which it usually doesn't with cars.

Tell us something that might surprise us about you.
I can make a clover shape with my tongue!

How do you define success?
I feel like I have been successful in my efforts when I am happy with the end result, or feel like I am headed in the right direction if it is midway through that process.

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?
Be true to who you are and to your closest friends.

LIOLLIO ARCHITECTURE ELEVATES JENNIFER CHARZEWSKI, AIA, LEED AP, TO PRINCIPAL


Mez Joseph

Liollio is pleased to announce the elevation of Jennifer Charzewski, AIA, LEED AP, to Principal. As part of Liollio Architecture’s third generation of ownership, Jennifer promotes both the well-being of our design studio and the communities that we serve. Jennifer believes that architecture is about people, and designing places to gather, learn, work, and play is an opportunity to celebrate the pride and the story of a community. “ Liollio Architecture is a family, in every sense of the word, and the talent, enthusiasm, and commitment of our team makes our work a joy.”

A graduate of Texas A&M University and the University of Minnesota, Jennifer is a past President of AIA Charleston, a member of the AIA South Carolina Disaster Assistance Committee, a volunteer with ACE Mentors of Charleston and is currently working with an AIA South Carolina group to establish a committee for Equity in Architecture in South Carolina.

Jennifer has been part of the Liollio team for nine years and her design leadership spans from the award-winning St. Helena Library at Penn Center, Rock Hill’s Main Street Children’s Museum and Charleston International Airport to current projects including Richland Libraries, Charleston Fire Station #11 in West Ashley, James Island Town Hall, SCPRT State Welcome Centers, Children’s Museum of the Lowcountry and College of Charleston Simons Center for the Arts.

For Dinos Liollio, FAIA, Design Originates Through the Eyes & Stories of Communities

Mez Joseph

C. Dinos Liollio, FAIA, LEED AP, Principal

Liollio Architecture is proud to announce that Principal Dinos Liollio has been elected to the 2017 College of Fellows for the American Institute of Architects. AIA Fellows are recognized with the AIA’s highest membership honor for their exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society. The judging is rigorous, with approximately three percent of the AIA’s 88,000+ members having this distinction. There are multiple categories upon which a candidate might be considered. With nearly 100 awards, Dinos is recognized for his contribution to the design environment. We would like to congratulate Dinos and all of this year's recipients. Visit the AIA National website here.

Liollio's Movember 2016 Kick-off Photo

Mez Joseph

The men of Liollio pose for the Movember kick-off photo! Visit mobro.co/liollio to donate and help us raise funds and awareness for the Movember Foundation. The Movember Foundation is the only charity tackling men's health issues on a global scale year round. To learn more about the Movember Foundation, visit here.