SeamonWhiteside completes innovative and sustainable design for Morrison Yard Apartments during Environmental Awareness Month
September 27, 2022
SeamonWhiteside (SW+), a full-service site design firm throughout the Carolinas, provided master planning, civil engineering, landscape architecture, permitting, and construction administration for Morrison Yard Apartments, the 4.6-acre, sustainably focused mixed-use community located in Charleston’s Upper Peninsula.
The Morrison Yard Apartments is one of many of the firm’s recent projects focusing on innovative and sustainable practices. SeamonWhiteside created many mindfully-designed spaces within this apartment complex, incorporating elements such as rain gardens and pervious pavers, to create a low-impact, eco-friendly project. The Morrison Yard Apartments will open this fall.
“Within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, there is a growing trend towards eco-friendly and sustainable practices. Charleston, specifically, has a new Stormwater Manual that encourages low-impact development such as rain gardens, bioswales, roof gardens, and pervious pavers,” says Mary Martinich, Landscape Architecture Team Leader at SeamonWhiteside. “These best management practices help soften and cool urban areas that would otherwise be paved. As the Lowcountry continues to develop, designing open spaces and incorporating trees into the plan is essential to help reduce flooding and slow stormwater.”
SeamonWhiteside incorporated multiple sustainable and innovative elements into Morrison Yard Apartments.
Rain Gardens
The apartments feature six linear rain gardens along Morrison Drive that capture stormwater from adjacent sidewalks and impervious surfaces and are filled with native plants that help trap and remove sediment and toxins from the water. The rain gardens also help to slow the water, which reduces the velocity at which the water enters the storm system.
Preservation of Nature
SeamonWhiteside protected a 73-inch grand live oak tree at the entrance to the parking garage and worked the design around this beautiful tree.
Pervious Pavers
The firm designed pervious pavers into overflow parking spaces adjacent to the wetland and entry of the parking garage. These pavers reduce storm runoff and allow water to percolate into the ground. The areas can function as a multi-purpose open space when not being used for vehicular access.
Electronic Vehicle Friendly
The apartment complex includes electronic vehicle parking spaces with charging stations.
Health and Wellness Amenities
A unique trail connection will connect up to the “Wonder’s Way” multi-use trail on the Ravenel Bridge that connects Charleston to Mount Pleasant. This encourages health and wellness of the apartment and office users.
The design incorporates bike ramps from the sidewalk on Morrison to the development, encouraging and promoting access for pedestrians and bicycles.
The apartments also include outdoor workstations in the courtyards and outdoor activities such as a competition-size bocce court, outdoor grilling stations, a fire pit, and a pool.
SeamonWhiteside worked closely with partners to bring the Morrison Yard Apartments to life. These partners included Housing Studio, Woodfield, CF Evans, AquaBlue Pools, Green Roof Outfitters, SiteOne, Baytree, Critical Systems Engineering, and E.M. Seabrook Surveying.
To learn more about SeamonWhiteside and its focus on employee growth and personal development, visit www.seamonwhiteside.com.
About SeamonWhiteside
SeamonWhiteside (SW+) is a full-service site design firm providing master planning, civil
engineering, landscape architecture, urban design services, and permit coordination to public and private clients throughout the Carolinas. SW+ believes that crafting great places is achieved by blending a deep understanding of a client’s vision, strong relationships, collaborative design, and a passionate team. This approach results in innovative spaces that enrich lives and leave a lasting legacy for future generations. Headquartered in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, SeamonWhiteside also has offices in Summerville, Greenville, Spartanburg and Charlotte, North Carolina. For more information on SW+, visit www.seamonwhiteside.com.
