Garvin Design Group takes home Historic Columbia Preservation Award

Garvin Design Group took home an award for Adaptive Use from the Historic Columbia Preservation Award Luncheon on Wednesday, May 3rd. GDG, PMC Property Group, and Triangle Construction were recognized for preserving an important piece of Columbia’s built history through the Palmetto Compress project. The building is one of only three surviving cotton compress facilities in the Southeast and one of the largest cotton warehouses in the state.

The rehabilitation project focused on preserving the original warehouse form, while introducing apartment and retail uses within the given framework. The existing east porch was rebuilt using the same heavy timber framing, decking, and design as the original. The exterior walls and interior structure of the warehouse were preserved, including the sloped wooden floors, which are still visible from below as exposed wood ceilings. In each bay, at the apex of the sloped floors, a large opening was cut from the first floor through the roof, introducing natural daylighting, views, and fresh air to the common spaces and units via Juliet balconies, upper floor terraces, and ground floor patios. The structure remains to show the original floor locations and give scale to the 350,000-sf warehouse.

“We enjoyed showcasing the unique structural components of this beautiful old building,” said Scott Garvin, GDG President. “This was the project that everyone said could not be done because of it’s existing complexities. They were wrong – it turned out to be economically viable and amazing.”

About GDG:

Garvin Design Group is in its 14th year in the heart of Columbia’s historic Vista. We remain committed to strategic delivery models focused on strong innovative design, client-centered service, and a team-oriented approach.

For more information on GDG, please visit: www.GarvinDesignGroup.com