Liollio Architecture was recognized for design excellence at the 2016 South Atlantic Region (SAR) AIA Design Awards Gala in Savannah GA, and was the only firm from South Carolina awarded multiple honors. Held every three years, this year’s jury received roughly 200 submissions from Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina. The firm was well represented by an enthusiastic contingent, and garnered two design awards, one for St. Helena Library in St. Helena Island SC, and the other for the preservation to the U.S. Custom House in Charleston SC.

The jury comments that Steve Dumez, FAIA, read while presenting the award for the New Construction/Substantial Renovation Merit Award for St. Helena Library were: “Links to cultural identity, the natural landscape and the creation of beautiful, human scaled spaces produce a project that announces itself as a vibrant gathering space for its community. Through direct and simple means, a poetic atmosphere is introduced within the project. References to the rich history and culture of the people and place are shaped with a strength of purpose. The architecture of the library clearly grows out of this landscape’s vital context, presenting us with an inspirational, rather than literal, illustration of the history it embodies.”

When presenting the Honor Award for the U.S. Custom House, jury comments were: “A return to stateliness of the U.S. Custom House is evidence of an inspired preservation project that combines investigative research with contemporary construction technique. To complete the dramatic interior renovation, issues with moisture control and water infiltration required meticulous and complicated maneuvers. The dramatic transformation of the central cortile, with the return to its original Victorian era color scheme, provides a rich and theatrical focal point for this impressive historic restoration project.”