Columbia 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 their undergraduate graduations from Clemson University. Mitchell joined the firm for the first time on May 20. Sam completed a summer internship with Garvin Design Group in the summer of 2023 and returned to the firm as a full-time hire on June 17, 2024. Both Mitchell and Sam plan to pursue Columbia-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 preservation, K12 education, hospitality, athletics, and commercial projects. The firm has grown to include 24 team members, amassed over $1 billion worth of project experience, and earned over 70 awards. Members of the firm are active in myriad community service organizations. Over the past year, Garvin Garvin 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 Preservation Office, selective demolition began in June. Lexington-based Solid Structures, LLC serves as the project’s general contractor.
The Olympia Armory building was constructed by Works Progress Administration forces and completed in 1937. In addition to its armory function, Garvin 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 began summer internships with the firm earlier this year. All four are current students at the Clemson University School of Architecture.
Wendy Favila graduated salutatorian from Swansea High School in 2022 and just completed her second year of undergraduate studies. In addition Garvin Design Group is pleased to announce 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 by the South Carolina Board of Architectural Examiners. Lapple is now one of Garvin Design Group’s 10 licensed architects.
“Becoming a registered architect has always been a dream of mine,” Lapple said. “I’m very excited to be at this point in my Garvin 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.
Located at the corner of Perimeter Road and Track Drive near Memorial Stadium, the new three-story Performance & Wellness Center is being constructed concurrently with the renovation of the adjacent Jervey Athletic Center. The projects will provide a state-of-the-art new home for the Volleyball
Garvin Design Group Welcomes Mitchell Stevens and Samantha Lowrie
Garvin Design Group Celebrates 21 Years
Rehabilitation Begins at Columbia's Historic Olympia Armory
Garvin Design Group Welcomes Four Summer Interns
Garvin Design Group’s Brittany Lapple Earns Architecture Licensure
Clemson University Celebrates Topping Out at Watt Family Athletic Performance & Wellness Center