SMHa

SMHa has had the privilege of partnering with The Church at LifePark since the church’s beginning and are honored to support its continued growth with this latest expansion, thoughtfully designed to embody the spirit of the Lowcountry and enrich the fabric of our community.

The Restored Historic Sanders House

When it came to design, we let history lead the way.

“As discovered by Charleston-based SMHa, the architectural team hired to design and oversee the property’s five-year restoration, Sam Sanders used a catalog or pattern kit to construct his house. ‘It’s much like the Sears catalog houses of today,’ explained the project’s lead architect Jeff Johnston. ‘Back in 1860, there were a few millwork companies in the Northeast selling these home kits. You would buy the lumber; they would have the pieces stenciled, give you simple instructions, and ship it to you in rough lengths of wood. It would be up to you, the owner, to build the foundation for it and put the pieces together.’ When working on the property, Johnston and his team noted letters and numbers on pieces of the home’s framework. And, of course, Sanders’ name. ‘It could either be his signature or it could be a receipt noting this was the package for Samuel Sanders. Pretty doggone neat!’ [Last photo shows lumber with Sanders’ name]

“To maintain the integrity of the home, Johnston and his colleagues worked diligently to retain as many of the structure’s original features as possible... The home was restored using adaptive reuse design principles and is now open to residents of the community as a gathering and event space.”

- excerpts from The Daniel Island News
https://www.thedanielislandnews.com/news/restored-historic-sanders-house-rooted-things-past #

📸 Patrick Brickman for Target Market
🏗️ Hill Construction

Last night, we wished a happy (albeit emotional) retirement to our founding partners Sam Herin and Charles Muldrow.

Sam and Charles, along with Sidney Stubbs, founded Stubbs Muldrow Herin Architects (now SMHa) in 1990, setting out to rebuild the Lowcountry in the wake of Hurricane Hugo. Steadfast in respecting not only the built environment but also its people, the firm led with the principles of architecture appropriate for its place, impeccable client service, and commitment to community.

As we all experienced last night, those principles have been upheld and remain close to heart 36 years later.

It is our honor and privilege to carry the legacy these gentlemen built, and we know this is not goodbye rather a welcoming them into a new chapter.

The recently completed Night Heron Park Activities Center on Kiawah Island has it all!

A Nature Center featuring wildlife found on the Sea Islands along with bowling, golf simulators, arcade, art studio, and lively bar with delicious food and drink create memorable experiences for residents and visitors.

We were thrilled to be able to spend the afternoon enjoying this stunning space, a welcome addition to the existing amenities we have designed for Night Heron Park.

General Contractor:
Structural:
MEP:
Interior Design:
Bowling Consultant & Design:
Nature Center Consultant & Design:
📸

Day of Caring. A day we look forward to every year.

This year we dropped cloths and picked up brushes at Windsor Hill Arts Infused Elementary School, bringing brightness and color - along with lessons about various artists and types of visual art - throughout the hallways.

A beautiful afternoon in the Lowcountry to get out and sketch!

We love taking every opportunity we can to wander our neighborhood and capture the uniqueness of the Old village. Today was all the more special when a walking tour came upon Charles Muldrow sketching Hibben House, a renovation project he worked on in the firm’s early years. Charles shared the behind-the-scenes of the project and the home’s storied history, much to the group’s delight!

In celebration of World Architecture Day, a few projects we have had the honor of working on in recent years…

The Chapel at The Sanctuary on Kiawah Island

Quarters J at Charleston Navy Yard Officers’ Quarters Historic District

Horry County Schools’ Ten Oak Elementary School

Charleston ENT & Allergy at Windmill Station

The Nest Market & Cafe at Kiawah Island’s Night Heron Park

City of Charleston Police Department Judith Gordon Forensic Services Division

Town of Mount Pleasant Municipal Complex

Southern First Bank Headquarters in Greenville

Berkeley Education Center

Roper Medical Office Building at Sawmill in Summerville (under construction)

We were thrilled to work with Horry County Schools on bringing two new elementary schools to life. The Ten Oaks Red Foxes and Pine Island Pelicans are ready to welcome students in just a few weeks!