Quackenbush Architects receive AIA Columbia Honor Award in New Construction
November 7, 2022
Quackenbush Architects + Planners received a 2022 American Institute of Architects Columbia Section Honor Award in New Construction for its design of the Rosewood Elementary School Library Addition and Renovation in Richland County School District One.
First constructed in the 1930s, Rosewood Elementary had outgrown its original library. Administrators, staff, and students celebrated the old building’s character and charm, and wanted an addition that was respectful of the original structure. However, the functional objective was to provide a new modern, flexible plan infused with innovation to support the learning needs of today’s students.
Quackenbush Architects used the National Park Services’ Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings as the foundation of their work. “We kept in mind the preservation of the historic building’s form, size and scale while working to make the addition compatible in its architectural features and materials,” says Project Manager, Robyn Rogers, AIA LEED Green Assoc. The 4,480-square-foot addition is set back from the main school’s facade and preserves views of the original structure. While the new addition takes cues from the original structure’s exterior materials and massing, contemporary features such as an expansive window wall and projecting glass lightwell introduces abundant natural lighting and landscaped views into the reading room.
The AIA Columbia jury praised the project as “lovely” and “exemplary,” and appreciated the addition’s “small contemporary moves within a primarily traditional form.” One juror noted that “the undulating glass wall, skylight and abundance of natural light create a very nice children’s library.”
“We worked with Rosewood to ensure that the design preserved the character of their existing school while also providing them with a new and modern daylight-filled library that accommodates the diverse needs of students and teachers,” Rogers says. “Our intention was to make sure the new library was a destination, a place where students could come and be inspired.”
The annual awards, presented at the AIA Columbia 2022 Design Awards Ceremony on November 3, recognize excellence in design, and honors projects, architects and owners throughout the region who exemplify vision, creativity and design innovation.
“We’re honored to receive this recognition from the American Institute of Architects Columbia,” says Q+ President Doug Quackenbush, AIA LEED, AP. “We’re also proud of our work with the K-12 community to create designs that serve their students and faculty well.”
Quackenbush Architects + Planners is a full-service architecture and planning firm located in Columbia, SC. The firm specializes in educational, civic, and institutional projects. Its services span from building design to land planning to interior design. The team’s work reflects commitment to innovation, sensitivity to our regional context, and the richness that comes from collaboration with our clients and the community.
