Projects: The Boulevard

Following the Coleman Boulevard design guidelines written by SW+A’s urban edge studio and expertly crafted into an overlay ordinance by the Town of Mount Pleasant, The Boulevard represents the first mixed-use parking garage oriented project to be built on Coleman Boulevard!

One of the challenges when developing infill projects is typically the amount of space you have to work with. This was definitely the case with The Boulevard. While the new overlay zoning allows higher density, the design maintains a balance between offering more living space with increased public space along Coleman and the creation of quality open space within the project.

SW+A approached this challenge by utilizing our stormwater ponds as amenities that contributed to the open space and overall aesthetic of the project. We also used pervious pavers as part of the drainage solution. It is important to test the soils for good infiltration rates in order for pervious pavers to work effectively. SW+A looks forward to more infill projects where we can employ innovative design and engineering techniques that will contribute to a great public realm.

Seamon Whiteside + Associates’ High Res Studio designs spaces for the 2010 Southern Living Showcase Home

The High Res Studio of Seamon Whiteside + Associates (SW + A) used their  landscape architectural and site design talents to create a visually striking yet low-maintenance outdoor space for the 2010 Southern Living Showcase Home. A LEED for Homes project, the design and construction team worked together to create luxurious indoor and outdoor space utilizing ‘green’ building practices.  In total 15 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) credits were intertwined to produce a green initiative throughout the formal and naturalistic garden designs.

Using good LEED design principals, SW + A incorporated a number of green building systems into the home’s outdoor plan. By choosing native plants that take little maintenance such as Red Oak Maples and ‘Little Gem’ Magnolia trees, adding  a rain barrel and a compost, and integrating outdoor living space with the addition of an exterior living room and kitchen, High-Res Studio was able to create a unique, totally liveable space and add credits towards LEED certification.

To learn more about all 15 LEED credits used in the Showcase Home check out the Southern Living Showcase Home’s builder, Dillard-Jones’ blog.

The house is available for viewing on  weekends now through December 19^th.  Hours include: Friday from 1-6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday from 1 – 6 p.m.

Photography provided by Vass Markets, Inc.

Seamon Whiteside + Associates Launches E-Newsletter

Newsletters are newsletters but an e-newsletter is something special. Take a look at what we have put together to bring you up-to-date with the SW+A Sustained Approach initiative.

For best quality, press play, then pause and allow to stream before viewing.

Ike Boatwright, EIT, LEED AP Honored by USGBC-SC

STAFF ACCOMPLISHMENT: The South Carolina chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council has awarded Ike Boatwright, E.I.T., LEED^® AP a Fellowship grant to attend the 2009 Greenbuild convention and exposition. Ike was chosen for this honor due to his commitment to sustainable design practices and his leadership in the organization and community. He is a Team Leader with the SeamonWhiteside + Associates’ civil engineering department where he has worked on projects such as Sandhill Research and Education Center in Richland County for Clemson University and the new Governor’s Park Recreation Area on Daniel Island. Greenbuild will be held November 11-13, 2009 in Phoenix, AZ.

School is Back in Session!

MEREDITH BEARDEN, LEED® AP
LAND PLANNER

The students and faculty of Moultrie Middle School (MMS) have officially arrived at the new and improved location situated between SW+A’s Town of Mount Pleasant Farmer’s Market and Pocket Park. A project that was designed to LEED® certified standards, MMS is one of four new schools to open in the Charleston County School District for the 2009/2010 school year. While the two-story, 120,000 SF building (GBA) holds many green features, the site contains a variety of sustainable qualities as well.

First bell at the new Moultrie Middle School

With a plant palette containing mostly native plant species, the site includes the use of a central bioswale that catches drainage not only from the school site but also from the adjacent Farmer’s Market site. With the existing sandy soils, the bioswale provides infiltration for stormwater run-off without having to design multiple ponds on site. The bioswale also presents an aesthetic appeal and educational experience to students and faculty and also to parents as they circle it during the drop-off and pick-up of their children.

As a motive for alternative transportation, bike racks were provided, and the result exceeded everyone’s expectations. The racks, filled with several hundred bikes, certainly should be an inspiration to our communities and municipalities to evolve to a biker-friendly lifestyle. And speaking of creative influences, the east and west courtyards at MMS have great potential to be special gathering spaces that expand the children’s learning possibilities through sustainable materials and practices.

As reported by The Post & Courier, Jean Siewicki, Moultrie Middle School principal says that the new school is “the crown jewel of Coleman Boulevard.”

Big Toy, Big Fun!

CAMERON CLEMENTS, LEED® AP
LAND PLANNER/URBAN DESIGN

I recently had the opportunity to be involved with the design team for the new playground at Palmetto Islands County Park. For the first time in my professional career, I was able to hold meetings on a swing set and test out new playground equipment which is not your typical day at the office. The playground was designed with imagination and interaction in mind. The team wanted to create an innovative and exciting new play space that would meet the needs of children’s physical and social growth.

The playground equipment is physically challenging to the new user and also encourages kids to come back time and time again. To help enhance social skills, we provided spaces for children to have more personal talks with their friends and other children.  These spaces are equipped with fun hammock seats that allow children the opportunity to talk face to face and develop valuable communication skills.  There are also shaded picnic areas for parents and families that have become the new hot spot for birthday parties.  We provided seating areas throughout the park and within the play spaces so parents won’t miss any of the action.  There are separate play areas for 2-5 year olds and 5-12 year olds.  The climbing boulder and sand play area is appropriate for all ages and promotes interaction between the younger and older kids. And for those hot summer days, there is a mist pole for cooling off.

Kids of all ages love the Big Toy

Not only is the playground beneficial to its users, it is also environmentally sensitive.  We utilized recycled materials whenever feasible.  The equipment is comprised of recycled aluminum and 30% recycled steel.  The equipment is also PVC and Phthalates free.  The benches are made from recycled plastic and the colorful rubberized surface is made from 100% recycled tires and is 100% pervious. This surface material allowed us to position the playground within the Live Oaks on the site without harming the trees.  We also used only native plant material that doesn’t require irrigation and also provides habitat for the surrounding wildlife.  I hope everyone in their professional career has an opportunity to design for children. This was such a fun and rewarding project.

Bragging Rights

Meredith Bearden, LEED® AP
Land Planner

Although I have only been at SeamonWhiteside+Associates for nearly three years now, I stand honored and privileged to be a part of such a reputable firm and what I know as my home away from home.  Since establishment in 1985, SW+A has provided services such as Land Planning, Civil Engineering, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, Permit Coordination, and Construction Administration.  With projects ranging in size from one acre to 4,500 acres, I have been lucky to have taken part in a number of project types such as residential, planned developments, commercial, parks & recreation, public works, schools, urban design, and due diligence.  It is pretty amazing to have on record that SW+A has not only designed over 25,000 residential units equating to housing over 60,000 people, but in twenty-four years, we have also engineered more than one million linear feet of water and sewer lines! As history continues to be made, even in these trying times, we continue to hunker down, keep our spirits up, and get the job done right.

While we remain encouraged and committed to keeping up with the evolving technologies in our field, we continue to be ambitious in our goals of professional development.  With offices in Mount Pleasant and Greenville totaling to 51 employees, we have a total of 9 Professional Engineers, 12 Registered Landscape Architects, 10 LEED® AP Civil Engineers including three PEs (40% of civil staff), and 9 LEED® AP Landscape Architects including five RLAs (50% of LA staff). This leaves us with 21 registered personnel and 44% LEED Accredited Professional staff! Times are always changing and as this firm evolves with new studios, new designs, and new ideas, we hold true to the people we are and the services we provide.  I am proud to be part a part of this journey, this firm, and this family, and that is something to brag about!

Green Roof: 1 Year and Going Strong

Zach Bearden, RLA, LEED® AP
Landscape Architect

Our SW+A green roof is alive and well.  The LiveRoof® product has survived a full year with absolutely no maintenance.  Actually we forgot about it.  SW+A may have one of the only modular green roof installations in Charleston.  We feel  that the LiveRoof® system is a truly sustainable product for new construction of energy efficient buildings, LEED projects, and suburban retrofits.

Green Roofs are great way to reduce operating expenses, add beauty to otherwise desolate roof space, and reduce storm water run off.  Thanks to Mike Semones of Riverbend Nursery for donating the modules for our test installation.

To learn more about LiveRoof® visit:
www.LiveRoof.com

Stuart Whiteside Interviews with SC Business Review

PRESS RELEASE

Stuart Whiteside

Stuart Whiteside, Vice President of Seamon Whiteside + Associates was chosen to interview with Mike Switzer, host of South Carolina Business Review; a radio program on SC ETV Radio. The interview was broadcast on Thursday, September 4, 2008.

Stuart spoke with Mike about SW+A’s role in the sustainable design movement and how green design practices are carried out in civil engineering and landscape architecture. Seamon Whiteside + Associates is proud to say that we have LEED accredited professionals in both our civil engineering and landscape architecture departments. As the green design movement has found its place in South Carolina development, SW+A has undertaken a program of continuing education and participation in organizations that support sustainable design practices.

In the area of civil engineering, a visible and successful way to incorporate green design into land development is to integrate low impact stormwater management design. Low impact stormwater management such as using vegetated swales to capture and naturally filter stormwater runoff is a responsible and effective way to handle stormwater and reduce possible groundwater pollutants. Creative engineering solutions work to blend the desired environmental safeguards with the goals of the development and do so in a cost conscious manner.

The same is true for the sustainable approach to landscape architectural design. Using native and drought resistant plants, adding trees and shrubs specifically into areas such as parking lots, and street medians to reduce heat islands and therefore the need for extensive irrigation, and incorporating stormwater runoff as natural irrigation are ways that landscape architecture works to reduce environmental impacts and incorporate sustainability into the design.

Stuart also discussed the movement to look at urban planning from a regional standpoint instead of through a hodgepodge of neighborhood, city/town and municipal regulations that often are in opposition to one another. Together with the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Urban Land Institute (ULI), Stuart and other members of the land design community are working with the Charleston area regulatory commissions to align planning guidelines into a regional view. The Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments has a program, Our Region, Our Plan that focuses on this method of urban planning. More information about the movement to plan regionally is available these organizations websites.