Posts by Meg Syms
Garvin Design Group welcomes interior designer Nicole Kuehner
August 18, 2026Columbia-based architecture, interiors, and planning firm Garvin Design Group recently welcomed Nicole Kuehner back to the firm as a full-time member of the interior design team. She completed a summer…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group celebrates 23 years
June 25, 2026Columbia-based architecture, interiors, and planning firm Garvin Design Group marked its 23rd anniversary on June 26, 2026. In its 23-year history, Garvin Design Group has established itself as a leader…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group welcomes Emma Grace Connelly and Ellie Spicer
May 20, 2026Garvin Design Group recently welcomed Clemson University School of Architecture students Emma Grace Connelly and Ellie Spicer to the studio as summer architectural interns. Emma Grace Connelly earned her Bachelor…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group welcomes Isabella Barbagallo as summer 2026 intern
February 4, 2026Garvin Design Group announced that Isabella Barbagallo will join the firm as an interior design intern for the summer of 2026. Isabella is currently completing her junior year at Kansas…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group welcomes Emma Grace Connelly as an architectural intern
December 15, 2025Garvin Design Group welcomed Emma Grace Connelly back to the firm as a winter architectural intern. Emma Grace is currently a graduate student at Clemson University’s Richard A. McMahan School…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group welcomes Wendy Favila
December 10, 2025Garvin Design Group welcomed Wendy Favila back to the firm as a full-time architectural designer. Wendy grew up in the Midlands and completed her undergraduate degree at Clemson University with…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group welcomes Shannon Maria
December 3, 2025Garvin Design Group announced that Shannon Maria has joined the firm’s architectural design team. Originally from central Massachusetts, Shannon completed her studies at Clemson University in 2023. She went on…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group, Hood Construction complete USC Garnet Station at Russell House
August 18, 2025Garvin Design Group and Hood Construction joined University of South Carolina (USC) administrators, students, and staff to celebrate the grand opening of Garnet Station, the newest and largest dining destination…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, construction, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group, HNTB, and Contract Construction complete Coastal Carolina University’s Indoor Practice Facility
August 4, 2025Garvin Design Group, HNTB, and Contract Construction announced the completion of Coastal Carolina University’s new Indoor Practice Facility in Conway, South Carolina. This state-of-the-art, 93,000-square-foot facility marks a significant enhancement…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: architecture, construction, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group, Hood Construction complete USC Idea Center at Gateway 737
July 22, 2025On July 21, Garvin Design Group and Hood Construction joined members of the University of South Carolina community for a special grand opening event and tour of the recently completed…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, construction, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group welcomes five summer interns
June 16, 2025Garvin Design Group (GDG) recently welcomed five summer interns to its studio. Emma Grace Connelly, Wendy Favila, Jessica Gray, Nicole Kuehner, and Crissa Thomason will complete internships in architecture and…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group completes Sage Financial office renovation and addition
April 28, 2025Sage Financial has officially opened the doors to its new office on Devine Street, marking the completion of an extensive renovation and addition project led by local firms Garvin Design…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, construction, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group’s Jerome Simiyon earns architecture licensure
February 25, 2025Garvin Design Group announced that Jerome Simiyon recently earned licensure as a registered architect. Simiyon’s licensure follows the successful completion of the rigorous, six-part Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and certification…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group welcomes Carlos Richardson back to the firm
January 27, 2025Garvin Design Group recently welcomed Carlos Richardson back to the studio as a full-time architectural designer. Richardson graduated from Clemson with a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture in December 2024.…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group welcomes new Office Manager Kate Hughes
October 9, 2024Garvin Design Group announced the hiring of Kate Hughes as the firm’s new Office Manager. Kate has a strong history with the firm, having previously served as a marketing intern…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group welcomes Drew Butler to the interior design team
September 17, 2024Columbia architecture, interiors, and planning firm Garvin Design Group recently welcomed Drew Butler to the firm’s interior design team. Originally from Seattle Washington, Drew graduated cum laude from the Savannah…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: architecture, on-the-move
Golden Spur returns to USC campus
August 16, 2024Garvin Design Group and Hood Construction joined the University of South Carolina for a special grand opening of the Golden Spur restaurant on August 15. A reincarnation of an old…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, construction, education, on-the-move, restaurant
Coastal Carolina University celebrates topping out at new Indoor Practice Facility
August 14, 2024Garvin Design Group, HNTB, and Contract Construction joined Coastal Carolina University for a special topping-out celebration at the new Indoor Practice Facility on Tuesday, August 13. Designed to accommodate various…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, construction, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group welcomes Mitchell Stevens and Samantha Lowrie
July 1, 2024Columbia architecture, interiors, and planning firm Garvin Design Group recently welcomed two new teammates to the studio. Mitchell Stevens and Samantha (Sam) Lowrie joined the firm as architectural designers following…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group celebrates 21 years
June 26, 2024Columbia-based architecture, interiors, and planning firm Garvin Design Group marked its 21st anniversary on June 26, 2024. Garvin Design Group has become a leader in design for higher education, historic…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Rehabilitation begins at Columbia’s historic Olympia Armory
June 19, 2024Garvin Design Group recently began a year-long project to rehabilitate Columbia’s historic Olympia Armory building on Granby Lane. Following extensive historical research, treatment planning, and approval from the State Historic…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group welcomes four summer interns
June 12, 2024Garvin Design Group (GDG) recently welcomed four summer interns to the firm’s ranks. Clemson University School of Architecture undergraduate students Wendy Favila, Carlos Richardson, Kelsey Simmons, and Charles (Charlie) Treadway…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group’s Brittany Lapple earns architecture licensure
June 5, 2024Garvin Design Group announced that Brittany Lapple recently earned licensure as a registered architect. Lapple’s licensure follows the successful completion of the rigorous, six-part Architect Registration Examination (ARE) and certification…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: architecture, on-the-move
Clemson University celebrates topping-out at Watt Family Athletic Performance & Wellness Center
June 3, 2024Garvin Design Group, HNTB, and Thompson Turner Construction joined Clemson University for a special topping-out celebration at the new Watt Family Athletic Performance & Wellness Center on Wednesday, May 29.…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group wins 2023 IIDA Carolinas awards for excellence in interior design
December 18, 2023Columbia architecture, interiors, and planning firm Garvin Design Group received two awards for excellence in interior design at the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Carolinas’ 2023 DesignWorks awards ceremony in…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group’s Jerome Simiyon wins 2023 AIA SC Student Design Award
November 8, 2023Garvin Design Group’s Jerome Simiyon is the 2023 recipient of the American Institute of Architects – South Carolina’s Student Design Award. Simiyon and his studio partner Andrew Schick developed their…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group’s Michael Caraballo wins 2023 Aspire Student Design Award
September 13, 2023The American Institute of Architects state chapters of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina have selected a project by local architectural designer Michael Caraballo as the 2023 Aspire Student Design…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group, Contract Construction break ground on CCU Indoor Practice Facility
September 7, 2023Garvin Design Group and Contract Construction joined Coastal Carolina University to break ground on a new Indoor Practice Facility project on Thursday, September 7. Located at the intersection of University…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz Category: architecture, construction, on-the-move, sports
Camp Cole breaks ground on Southeastern Freight Lines Activity Center
August 23, 2023Garvin Design Group and Hood Construction joined Camp Cole to break ground on the organization’s new Southeastern Freight Lines Activity Center project on Tuesday, August 22. In a special groundbreaking…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, construction, non-profit, on-the-move
Jerome Simiyon joins Garvin Design Group
July 11, 2023Columbia architecture, interiors, and planning firm Garvin Design Group recently welcomed Clemson graduate Jerome Simiyon to the firm as a full-time hire. Hailing from Taruchirabballi, India, Jerome holds a professional…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group celebrates 20 years
June 29, 2023Columbia-based architecture, interiors, and planning firm Garvin Design Group marked its 20th anniversary on June 26, 2023. Scott Garvin established his firm in the Vista’s historic Gervais Place building in…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Carlos Richardson and Michael Caraballo join Garvin Design Group
June 20, 2023Columbia architecture, interiors, and planning firm Garvin Design Group recently welcomed two new teammates. Carlos Richardson enters the firm for the first time this summer as an architectural intern, and…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Ania Suber and Kate Hughes join Garvin Design Group
June 14, 2023Columbia architecture, interiors, and planning firm Garvin Design Group recently welcomed two new teammates. Ania Suber, a Clemson University School of Architecture graduate, joins the firm for the first time…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group’s Liza Brockman graduates from Leadership Columbia
June 7, 2023Garvin Design Group announced that interior designer Liza Brockman graduated with the Leadership Columbia class of 2023. The graduation ceremony was held at the Columbia Museum of Art on the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, business-services, chamber, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group welcomes two summer interns
May 18, 2023Garvin Design Group recently welcomed two summer interns to the firm’s ranks. Clemson University School of Architecture undergraduate students Samantha Lowrie and Kevin Buell began summer internships in May. Both…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group projects win Historic Columbia 2023 Preservation Awards
May 15, 2023Two adaptive reuse projects by Columbia architecture and interior design firm Garvin Design Group (GDG) won Preservation Awards at Historic Columbia’s 2023 awards ceremony. The awards were presented at a…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group’s Rosewood Church redevelopment wins 2023 Golden Nail Award
March 13, 2023Columbia architecture and interior design firm Garvin Design Group won a Golden Nail Award for the redevelopment of the Rosewood Church site at the Columbia Chamber’s 2023 Impact Awards on…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group breaks ground on Hope Lutheran Church expansion project
January 24, 2023Columbia architecture and interior design firm Garvin Design Group joined Hope Lutheran Church to break ground on an expansion and renovation project on Sunday, January 22. In a special groundbreaking…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, churches, construction, on-the-move
Clemson University breaks ground on Women’s Sports Program Expansion with GDG + HNTB
December 13, 2022Clemson University Athletics and distinguished speakers broke ground on a comprehensive Women’s Sports Expansion project on Dec. 7. Columbia, South Carolina firm Garvin Design Group and national sports architecture firm…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz, upstatebizsc Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group’s Liza Brockman joins Leadership Columbia Class of 2023
September 12, 2022Garvin Design Group Interior Designer Liza Brockman has been named to the Leadership Columbia class of 2023. She joins a cohort of 61 emerging community leaders participating in the Columbia…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, business-services, chamber, construction, local-industry, on-the-move
Smoked team wins SC Historic Preservation Honor Award
July 14, 2022The team behind new Columbia restaurant Smoked received an Honor Award at the 27th annual South Carolina Historic Preservation Awards on Wednesday, July 13, 2022. Governor McMaster presented the team…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, chamber, commercial-real-estate, construction, economic-development, hospitality, on-the-move, restaurant
Columbia architecture, interiors & planning firm Garvin Design Group celebrates 19 years
July 7, 2022Columbia-based architecture, interiors, and planning firm Garvin Design Group marked 19 years as a business on June 26, 2022. Scott Garvin established his firm in the historic Gervais Place building…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, local-industry, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group welcomes six new teammates
June 6, 2022Garvin Design Group recently welcomed five summer interns and one new full-time architectural staff member. Clemson University School of Architecture graduate students Alexandra Masters, Nicole Coker, Edgar Alatorre, and Michael…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, business-services, commercial-real-estate, local-industry, marketing-and-communications, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group designing new Halls Chophouse in Nashville
December 22, 2021Columbia architecture, interiors, and planning firm Garvin Design Group is designing Halls Chophouse’s new location in Nashville. The new restaurant will occupy the ground floor of the Broadwest tower in…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group wins two AIA South Carolina 2021 Design Awards
December 2, 2021Columbia architecture, interiors, and planning firm Garvin Design Group won two Design Awards at the American Institute of Architects South Carolina (AIA SC)’s annual awards presented virtually on November 19,…
Read MorePosted in: lowcountrybizsc, midlandsbiz Category: architecture, business-services, construction, education, local-industry, on-the-move
1649 Main Street wins prestigious regional design award
September 22, 2021Columbia’s 1649 Main Street received a Merit Award for Adaptive Reuse/Preservation from the American Institute of Architects – South Atlantic Region (AIASAR) at the organization’s annual design awards presented virtually…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, construction, on-the-move
Columbia’s 1649 Main Street wins South Carolina Historic Preservation Award
July 26, 2021Columbia’s recently rehabilitated 1649 Main Street received an Honor Award at the 26th Annual South Carolina Historic Preservation Awards on Friday, July 23, 2021. The project team members behind the…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move
Kimani Raley and Eric Bell Join Garvin Design Group
June 2, 2021Garvin Design Group recently welcomed two additional architectural staff to the firm: Kimani Raley and Eric Bell, graduate students in Clemson University’s School of Architecture program, began summer internships in…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, commercial-real-estate, employment, on-the-move
Homeless No More breaks ground on new education facility
March 17, 2021On March 8, 2021, nonprofit organization Homeless No More broke ground on its new Education Facility off Two Notch Road in Northeast Columbia. When completed, the new 5,000 sf building…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, construction, non-profit, on-the-move
Garvin Design Group’s 1649 Main Street wins AIA SC Citation Award for Adaptive Reuse
December 4, 2020Garvin Design Group received a Citation Award for Adaptive Reuse/Historic Preservation of 1649 Main Street at the American Institute of Architects – South Carolina’s (AIA SC) 2020 Virtual Design Awards…
Read MorePosted in: midlandsbiz Category: architecture, on-the-move






