Quackenbush Architects + Planners is seeking a Project Manager/Project Architect to join our creative and collaborative team of design professionals. We focus primarily on high-performance design solutions for educational and institutional clients. We work closely together in a studio environment, with opportunities for meaningful engagement throughout all phases of planning, project design, and construction administration. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, responsible, and interested in quality work.

Preference will be given to applicants who have:
• earned a professional degree in Architecture 
• worked in the profession for 5-7 years
• obtained (or begun working towards) an architectural license

OR, to those who have comparable credentials and experience which qualifies them to assume project leadership roles right away. Revit experience is a plus. Interested applicants should send a cover letter, resume, work samples, and a statement of design philosophy to info@quackenbusharchitects.com.

A licensed architect and project manager, Hutchinson has led a number of Quackenbush projects involving new construction and renovation in the K-12 and higher education arena. Most notable are his work in design of the new Heyward Career & Technology Center Culinary Arts & Classroom Additions in Richland County School District One, which won a 2021 American Institute of Architects South Carolina (AIASC) Honor Award for New Construction.

“I’m humbled to be recognized for this award,” he says. “It’s easy to be immersed in the heads down day-to-day project work, so it’s nice to be able to step back and see how the work we’re doing is having a real impact in the community.”

A Columbia native, Hutchinson credits a number of individuals as mentors. “I won’t say it’s just a select number of people, but rather so many individuals I work with who inspire me — from the engineers, contractors, and clients to community members, including teachers and students, as well as my own colleagues here at Quackenbush. Each has a unique perspective, and every interaction is an opportunity to learn something new.”

When Hutchinson is not working, he enjoys getting outdoors with his wife Chrissy and recently celebrated the birth of a new baby daughter.

“We’re proud of Spencer’s leadership in helping to advance design integrity and his impact on our community,” says Q+ President Doug Quackenbush.

Quackenbush Architects + Planners is a full-service architecture and planning firm located in Columbia, SC. The firm specializes in institutional, civic, educational, and commercial projects. Its services span from building design to land planning to interior design. The firm’s portfolio includes projects for universities, cities, colleges, government agencies, school districts, and private clients. The team’s work reflects commitment to innovation, sensitivity to our regional context, and the richness that comes from collaboration with our clients and the community.

This is the third award received for the Addition since its opening, having also received recognition from the American Institute of Architects Columbia Chapter and the South Carolina Association for Learning Environments.

“Through a preliminary needs assessment and discussions with the career center’s leadership, the culinary arts program was identified as one of the center’s most popular, and consequently one of the programs most in need of updated and expanded facilities,” says Q+ project manager Spencer Hutchinson, AIA. “Working closely with the culinary instructor and hearing his insights into how the culinary kitchen would function as an instructional space were key to the success of the project."

The AIASC jury praised the project as “powerful” and one that “elevates the status of those typically back-of-house programs to be the full focus of the architect’s design efforts.”

The jury also highlighted the project’s preservation of both form and detailing, “yet delivering maximum impact, from materials selection, daylighting, and the relationship between structure and enclosure.”

The annual awards, presented virtually at the AIASC 2021 Design Awards ceremony on November 20, are the state’s highest recognition of excellence in design, recognizing projects, architects, and owners throughout the state who exemplify vision, creativity, and design innovation.

“We’re honored to receive this recognition for design excellence from the American Institute of Architects South Carolina,” says Q+ President Doug Quackenbush, AIA LEED, AP. “We take pride in the collaborative work we do with our educational clients- and we’re delighted to see it celebrated by our peers!”  

Awarded each year in celebration of Preservation Month, the prestigious Preservation Awards recognize local projects and leaders that have maintained or added to Columbia and Richland County’s historical, architectural and cultural heritage.

The Quackenbush project entails a renovation and addition of a new, innovative educational space for Rosewood Elementary, a 400-student school, which outgrew its original 1930’s-era design. The addition includes a modern reading room, conference areas and maker space, all with flexible furniture and soft seating. The new flexible, daylight-filled design is meant to accommodate the ever-changing needs of students and faculty. Penn Contracting, LLC, was the contractor for the project.

Historic Columbia praised the new addition’s siting to minimize visual impact on the original structure. The preservationists also highlighted the addition’s deep red brick and shingled hipped roof to complement the original structure. They noted that “the circulation along the exterior and interior of the glazing is very strong” and commended the “nice composition” on the front entry and west elevation’s façades. In particular, the organization said, “The interiors have a great color palette and we appreciate how the colors speak to nature. These interiors create a really nice color scheme for wayfinding.”

“This year’s Preservation Award winners showcase the building owners, developers, architects and contractors who make historic preservation a reality through their time, talents and funds,” said Robin Waites, Historic Columbia executive director. The Quackenbush team was one of four recipients of the Revitalization (all categories) award. Other awards given were for Preservation Leadership; Preservation, Rehabilitation or Restoration (residential); and Preservation, Rehabilitation or Restoration (commercial, institutional, rental or municipal). "

“The Quackenbush team is honored to be recognized for our work in celebrating Columbia’s rich architectural history, says Quackenbush Architects + Planners President Doug Quackenbush. “We believe this project will benefit our community for future generations.”

Quackenbush Architects + Planners is a full-service architecture and planning firm located in Columbia, SC. The firm specializes in institutional, civic, educational, and commercial projects. Its services span from building design to land planning to interior design. The firm’s portfolio includes projects for universities, cities, colleges, government agencies, school districts, and private clients. The team’s work reflects commitment to innovation, sensitivity to our regional context, and the richness that comes from collaboration with our clients and the community.

“As key members of our design team, Spencer and Robyn have always been appreciated by clients and colleagues as both skilled architects and the best kind of l­­­­­­eaders,” says Q+ President Doug Quackenbush, AIA, LEED AP, “solving problems, collaborating with others, and taking responsibility for delivering excellent work. We’re excited to expand their leadership roles and look forward to where their talents will take us.” 

Robyn Fisher Rogers​ has led the teams designing the new EL Wright Middle School, Rosewood Elementary School’s library addition, both in Columbia, and Furman University’s Men’s Lacrosse locker room renovation, among others. She also played a significant role in two major University of South Carolina projects—the Football Operations Center and the Center for Health and Well-Being. A LEED Green Associate, Rogers earned a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture from Clemson University and a Master of Architecture from N.C. State. She is a Midlands director and communications chair for the American Institute of Architects South Carolina Chapter (AIASC), a 2016 Leadership Columbia graduate, and was recognized in 2020 as one of Columbia’s Best & Brightest 35 and Under. 

Spencer Hutchinson​ has experience managing projects in both the design and construction phases and has brought his diverse skill set to athletic, educational, and civic projects. Recently, he led the team for the Culinary Arts addition at Richland School District One’s Heyward Career Center. That project, as well as his work with the Q+ team to renovate the Columbia Museum of Art’s Boyd Plaza, were both recognized with design awards from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Columbia chapter in November 2020. Hutchinson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture and a Master of Architecture from Clemson University, where he also served as a teaching assistant in the first-year undergraduate design studio, and currently serves on the board for AIA Columbia.

Robyn and Spencer have worked closely together on several projects including athletic facility upgrades at Columbia and Dreher High Schools, and the James Island Charter High School Career & Technology Education and Competition Gym additions. Both natives of Columbia, Robyn and Spencer take pride in working to better the community they grew up in. They look forward to continuing to serve current and future clients as a part of the Q+ team in these new roles.

Now in its fifth year, the annual Best & Brightest 35 and Under issue celebrates the women and men who are rising stars in the business community. Even though they have many more years in the workplace, these Best & Brightest have made an impact at their businesses and in our community. We applaud their business successes and their achievements as active members of the community.  

Robyn was interviewed as part of her recognition, seen below.

Tell us a little about yourself!

"As an architect at Quackenbush Architects and Planners and a native of Columbia, I have had the very special opportunity to design buildings and spaces for a city and community that helped raise me. Since I was in first grade, I knew I wanted to be an architect or work in a field that would allow me to be creative. I am fortunate to have been mentored by wonderful architects and designers since my first summer job right after high school. At Quackenbush Architects, I am surrounded by the best.

I am currently an active member of both the American Institute of Architects, serving as communications director for the South Carolina Chapter, and the Junior League of Columbia, serving as a vice chair for the “Done in a Day” Project Committee. When not at the office, on construction sites or volunteering in my community, my husband, Kirk, and I stay busy with our very active 16-month-old son."

What is your favorite quote?

“Bloom where you are planted.” - 1 Corinthians 7:20-24

Who is your most influential mentor?

"Two that have impacted me significantly in my professional career are Doug Quackenbush and Barb Haller. They have taught me so much about the profession of architecture, including the importance of beautiful, functional design and how through collaboration with our clients we can create buildings and spaces that positively impact how people live, work and play.

And of course, my parents, who have been my mentors long before I knew I needed mentoring. They are a huge source of encouragement in all aspects of life, work and relationships. They have taught me to dream and to go after those dreams with all I have - and most importantly, to be nice to people along the way!"

Original link and more information can be found here: 
http://www.columbiabusinessmonthly.com/2020/09/10/327496/columbia-business-monthly-best-brightest-35-and-under

In the new construction category, Quackenbush Architects + Planners received one of only two Honor Awards bestowed by the awards jury — the organization’s highest recognition of excellence in design — for their work on the new UofSC’s Center for Health & Well-Being.The 68,0000-square-foot facility, designed in collaboration with Perkins & Will, is located in the heart of the University of South Carolina campus. The building received high benchmarks for sustainability, creating a campus center around wellness, promoting healthy living and setting a high bar for student health centers nationwide.

The AIASC jury, led by Jury Chair Cheryl Morgan, FAIA, Emerita Professor of Architecture at Auburn University, praised how the center “beautifully orchestrates a complex program of uses and services, and is nicely scaled to the existing campus buildings. Complex but well resolved elevations are clean, crisp, contemporary and nicely varied in scale. [The elevations] speak nicely to the complexity of the program, its intent and how wellness is a multi-faceted goal.”

In addition to the Honor Award, Quackenbush Architects + Planners also garnered two Citation Awards from the AIASC, for excellence in design of the Midlands Technical College’s Learning Resource Center, and for Interior Architecture for the University of South Carolina’s Ken and Cyndi Long Family Football Operations Center.

The Q+ design for Midlands Technical College replaced the Beltline campus’s library/classroom building, located in the heart of campus, with a new Learning Resource Center. This three-story building is now the focal point of the Beltline campus, and features technology-rich classrooms and computer labs. The design transforms an outdated library into a campus technology hub and thriving student destination for collaborative learning, research and socialization. Creation of a courtyard elevates the community’s everyday experience by activating neighboring buildings and redefining the campus’s core. The project has achieved LEED Silver certification and serves as a campus case study on sustainable design.

AIASC’s jurors commented how the building’s “north elevation and adjacent courtyard/commons are beautifully scaled and well resolved, and the layering of the entry plaza elements reinforces the thoughtful approach to the building.”

The University of South Carolina’s 110,000-square-foot, $50 million football operations center, a collaboration between Quackenbush Architects and Gensler Sports, is the new headquarters and crown jewel of Gamecock football. The Ken and Cyndi Long Family Football Operations Center consolidates several previously decentralized functions. The interior design establishes a cohesive expression of team branding and culture. From the walls and ceilings to custom casework and lighting, a motif of dynamic angles defines the space and acts as a metaphor for athletic performance. The building includes event space for recruitment and donor initiatives and a large glass atrium allowing the public to experience interactive exhibits and displays highlighting the team’s history and achievements.

AIASC’s jurors lauded Q+’s work, citing that “the building design helps create an exciting experience that engages visitors — the central theme for the building is front and center. There is clear evidence that the designers understand their audience.”

Two members of the Quackenbush Architects + Planners team were also recognized for their service to AIASC during the annual meeting. Dan Schaeffer, 2019 AIASC President, awarded Presidential Citations to Doug Quackenbush, AIA, for his leadership on the AIASC Capital Campaign Steering committee and service to the SC Architectural Foundation, and to Robyn Rogers, AIA, for her leadership with the AIASC Communications efforts. AIASC Presidential Citations are awarded for outstanding efforts by individuals in service to the profession in the areas of Advocacy, Knowledge, and Community.

“We’re honored to receive these recognitions for design excellence from the American Institute of Architects South Carolina,” says Q+ President Doug Quackenbush, AIA LEED, AP, “and we’re proud to say that it reflects our team’s values and integrity in creating designs that serve our communities well.”

To see all 2019 AIASC Design Award Winners, view the SCA Magazine: www.aiasc.org/scadigital/

Quackenbush Architects + Planners proudly accepted an American Institute of Architects (AIA) Columbia’s Devine Detail award for two of its University of South Carolina projects: The Center for Health and Well-Being and the Russell House Leadership and Service Center. Q+ also accepted an AIA Columbia Merit Design Award for New Construction for its Chapin Middle School projects!

The awards were presented at the AIA Columbia 2018 Design Awards dinner and ceremony on Thursday, November 1.

For more information on the USC Awards and the Chapin Middle School Awards, click on their respective links! 

“This wouldn’t be possible without the support of our community,” said Superintendent Stephen Hefner. “It’s a great milestone in District Five history.”

The campus will house only seventh-graders and eighth-graders and will alleviate overcrowding at Chapin Elementary, Lake Murray Elementary and Chapin Middle schools. Board Chairman Beth Watson said the new school was planned so the district can continue providing quality education.

“We understand smaller class sizes are a major key,” she said.

Representatives from Quackenbush Architects, including Doug Quackenbush, Marc Warren, Kyle Fant and Kate Lanni, were also on site Thursday to see how their vision is progressing. Quackenbush said the team began working on the school’s design in early 2013 and collaborated with the district for about a year.

Construction is scheduled to wrap up in time for the school to welcome students in the fall of 2015.

Read the original article here, learn more about the groundbreaking here and here, and see construction photos here.