Spotlight On: Elissa Bostain
Mez Joseph
Elissa Bostain, AIA, is a native of Charleston and has worked on a variety of projects, ranging from Historic Preservation and Higher Education to Community and Healthcare Architecture. She is currently a board member for the local AIA Chapter and participates in the Chamber of Commerce Charleston Young Professionals. Elissa has worked at Liollio since 2012 and recently became a licensed architect. We sat down for a short Q&A for this month’s Spotlight On: feature.
How long have you lived in Charleston?
I was born in Charleston! I moved back after graduate school at Clemson just over three years ago.
Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Mount Pleasant. It still shocks me how much Mount Pleasant has grown since the late 80’s. There used to be only one movie theater with three screens (where the VW dealership is on 17).
Do you have any brothers/sisters? Where do you fall in the “line-up”?
Only child….has its advantages and disadvantages
What area of town do you live in?
Mount Pleasant off Mathis Ferry
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
My most recent accomplishment of getting my license! After 6 years at Clemson, 3 years working after graduate school and 7 exams, I finally got my license in June.
What building have you visited that most impressed you?
Sagrada Familia, a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, Catalonia, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí - mainly because I can’t believe it has taken this long to construct. Construction started in 1882 and expected completion date is 2026.
What is your favorite city you have traveled to and why?
Barcelona will always have a place in my heart. I spent an amazing semester studying architecture there in graduate school. A close second would be Budapest; I took a fantastic backpacking trip earlier this summer to Eastern Europe (Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and Munich)! I happened to be in Budapest the weekend of the Red Bull Air Race, which was amazing! The planes were flying over the Danube between the city’s two halves – Buda and Pest.
What is your favorite thing about working at Liollio?
Definitely the people!
What do you like on your pizza?
My order at Your Pie = pesto sauce, cheese, pineapple, spinach, pecans, and chicken
How do you take your coffee?
Not a coffee drinker!
What is your favorite food?
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! I am a frequent customer at Jeni’s.
What is your least favorite food?
Bacon
Do you prefer dogs or cats?
Dogs
Do you play any instruments?
Piano
If you could play an instrument, what would it be?
I have always wanted to learn to play the drums.
If you had one superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation
If you could contribute to a charity, what organization would top your list? Why?
East Cooper Meals on Wheels – I’ve volunteered every summer since I could count! I helped pack and deliver meals to homebound residents in the Old Village in Mount Pleasant. It is a great organization that really takes care of each resident.
