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Raising the standards for over 100 years

In 1913, six local architects formed the South Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects to elevate the profession and establish architectural education in South Carolina.

We are honored to continue their legacy

The South Carolina chapter was instrumental in the establishment of the SC Board of Architectural Examiners, the development of the first statewide building codes and the creation of a stand-alone architecture degree program at Clemson University.

Charles Coker Wilson
1913

Charles Coker Wilson, with 5 other AIA members residing in SC, forms the South Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. He is elevated to the College of Fellows the following year for his work in establishing and promoting standards of practice.

Courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia

History 1923
1923

AIA members from the region gather in Charleston, SC for the first “Southeastern Architects Convention” at which AIASC President Nat Gaillard Walker pleas for a stronger relationship between the Institute and its “far distant” chapters and for the establishment of regional directorships. The following year, he becomes the first Regional Director from the South Atlantic Region.

Courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia

History 1933
1933

Governor Blackwood requests three AIASC members be appointed to “a State building congress of architects, engineers, general contractors, sub-contractors and materialmen”, commissioned to formulate a state building code.

Courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia

History 1944
1943

With eighty percent of the membership serving overseas during World War II, a Chapter meeting is held in Columbia where members vote to both waive dues for architects serving in the Armed Services and to suspend all future meetings until the war is over.

Drawing by Victor Lundy, an architect stationed at Fort Jackson from the Victor A. Lundy Archive (Library of Congress)

History 1953
1953

AIASC President William A. Carlisle, FAIA presents the “Document of Services and Charges” at the annual meeting.  This fee schedule will serve as a model for the North Carolina and Georgia Chapters, and is used by the SC Budget & Control Board for several decades.

Courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia

History 1963
1963

Walter F. Petty, FAIA edits “A Semi-Centennial History” of the Chapter and signs it, “To that architect, perhaps unborn, who will write the Centennial History in the year of our Lord, 2013 – GREETINGS.”  For decades to come, Petty’s volume will be given to newly licensed architects at annual Chapter meetings.

Courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia

History 1973
1973

Pledges from AIASC members enable the Clemson College of Architecture to purchase a villa in Italy for the Charles E. Daniel Center for Building Research and Urban Studies in Genoa.

Acrylic on canvas by D. Wayne Rogers, AIA

History 1983
1983

Major General Clifton D. Wright, Jr. and Charles E. Fraser become the first South Carolinians to receive the AIA Honorary Membership award, conferred on non-architects whose contributions are judged to be of national significance – the latter for his pioneering work developing planned communities on Hilton Head Island.

Courtesy of SeaPines50thAnniversary.com

History 1993
1993

Born out of the a group of dedicated individuals, Harlan E. McClure, FAIA, Dean Emeritus of the College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities stated, “The South Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is unique, for it has worked as a group to improve the professional standards of architecture. In 1993, the Chapter bestows its first Medal of Distinction Award to him.

History 2003
2003

Architectural Practice: The South Carolina Chapter of the American Institute of Architects is published. Written by USC Professor John M. Bryan, this volume celebrates 90 years of the Chapter and serves as its “history book” for more than a decade.  This year also marks the first time an architect from South Carolina, Thompson E. “Thom” Penney FAIA, serves as president of AIA National.

Courtesy of South Caroliniana Library, University of South Carolina, Columbia

History 2013
2013

The Chapter unveils its “Oral History Project”, which captures videotaped interviews with AIASC members and leaders throughout the state, as part of the year-long 100th Anniversary celebration.

Logo designed by Tripp Riley, AIA

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