Seaside Farms, a 500 acre historic plantation in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, is the home of a large family with ownership occurring over four generations. DesignWorks was commissioned to develop a new community plan for Seaside Farms, establishing the appropriate mix of preservation and revenue generation. The new plan addresses the challenge of integrating commercial and residential uses into a cohesive and value enhancing new community. A new creek was created as the central organizing feature of the community, complete with a three mile long waterfront park that links all the residential areas to the village center.

The Memminger Auditorium, built in the 50’s, was renovated by Spoleto Festival USA.  DesignWorks was retained to design a new courtyard garden for the Auditorium, as a venue for pre and post performance events.  DesignWorks was then retained by the City of Charleston to redesign the streetscape fronting the Auditorium and the adjoining Elementary School to create an appropriate entry for both.  The Charleston County School Board then retained DesignWorks to design the outdoor spaces associated with the New Memminger Elementary School.

Daniel Island is a 5000 acre new community in Charleston, South Carolina bounded by the Cooper and Wando Rivers.  DesignWorks began work with The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation, owners of the land, in 1994 when the island was agricultural fields defined by hedgerows, fingers of salt marsh, creeks and rivers.  Guided by a broad stroke master plan, DesignWorks planned and designed the entire community, including the complete public realm network of streets and parks, the residential neighborhoods, the shopping areas, the schools, churches  and other componets of this community of over 7000 people.  The park system, managed by the City of Charleston, ranges from large parks such as Center Park, and Smyth Park to smaller neighborhood parks and is linked by trails measuring nearly 30 miles in length.  Private amentities DesignWorks designed include The Daniel Island Club with two golf courses and athletic clubs on both ends of the island.

DesignWorks is currently working with the Guggenheim Family on the master plan of the nearby Cainhoy Plantation totaling 8000 acres.

Awards
Urban Land Institute, Award for Excellance for the Americas
Tri-State Merit Award for Design, American Society of Landscape Architects
State Honor Award for Design, American Society of Landscape Architects
State Merit Award for Design, American Society of Landscape Architects