When it comes to award winning architects in Charleston, we’ve been making headlines for all the right reasons. We’ve earned multiple prestigious Carolopolis Awards over the past few years, including the honor of contributing to Folly Beach’s very first Carolopolis Award. This historic achievement speaks volumes about our commitment to excellence in preservation and innovative design.
This isn’t just another plaque on the wall. It’s proof that when you combine architects for residential projects with structural engineering experts under one roof, something special happens. Below, you’ll learn about some of the many things that make these awards so significant and why they matter for homeowners considering their next home renovation or new construction project.
The Prestige of Carolopolis Awards – Charleston’s Gold Standard
The Carolopolis Awards aren’t your typical industry recognition. Created in 1953 by the Preservation Society of Charleston, these awards represent the gold standard for historic preservation and exceptional architectural design in the Lowcountry. With more than 1,500 awards presented since the program began, receiving a Carolopolis Award places you among Charleston’s most respected preservation professionals.
What makes these awards challenging to earn is the strict selection process. Projects are evaluated by a multidisciplinary, independent review committee that follows strict eligibility criteria. Every submission must closely adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties – no small feat in a city where historic preservation is taken seriously.
The awards span five categories:
- Exterior
- Interior
- New Construction
- Resilience
- Pro Merito
Each category recognizes different aspects of preservation excellence, ranging from maintaining the original character to adapting historic structures to meet today’s building requirements.
A Historic First – Coastal Creek Design’s Role in Folly Beach Recognition
We played a pivotal role in a project that made history, helping Folly Beach earn its first ever Carolopolis Award. The 1943 beach house at 508 E. Ashley Avenue won the Resilience Award for its exceptional preservation work, which adapted the historic structure for modern living.
This wasn’t just any renovation project. The house had stood through decades of hurricanes and storms, suffering major water damage over time. The restoration required lifting the entire structure to meet FEMA regulations while preserving its coastal charm. This is precisely the kind of complex challenge that demonstrates why having both architectural design services and structural engineering expertise in-house makes such a significant difference.
Brian Wells, who founded Coastal Creek Design and heads its structural engineering division, played a significant role in this success. His background in residential structural work, combined with the firm’s architectural team, helped save an important piece of Folly Beach history.
A Pattern Of Award Winning Excellence
Our Carolopolis recognition spans multiple years—2022, 2024, and 2025—and that consistency isn’t by chance. It reflects our deep understanding of Charleston’s architectural heritage and the technical expertise required to preserve it properly.
The key difference lies in our unique structure. As the only residential architect firm in Charleston with both architectural and structural teams working together daily, we can solve problems in real-time rather than passing issues back and forth between separate companies. This teamwork leads to better solutions and results for projects.
Media Recognition and Industry Leadership
The accolades don’t stop with preservation awards. We’ve also been featured in Charleston Home + Design Magazine across a range of categories, including:
- The prestigious Top 10 Awards of 2022
- Kitchen of the Week
- Outdoor Living Rooms
- Unforgettable Kitchens
- and more!
We’ve also hosted launch parties for Charleston Home + Design Magazine and have been featured in national publications including Luxury Design Magazine. Also, we’ve received coverage in The Post and Courier, Charleston’s leading newspaper.
Both Brian Wells and lead architectural designer Joel Adrian have appeared on the popular “Talking About A Home” radio show, sharing insights about design trends and preservation techniques.
Our founder, Brian Wells, has also been featured on “Retire Y’all Charleston” and “Between Two Brokers” podcasts.
This media attention goes beyond good marketing. It shows industry recognition of our expertise and innovative approach to residential design.
Founder Leadership Beyond Design
Brian Wells’s impressive credentials go well beyond architecture awards. He was a Charleston Regional Business Journal “Forty under 40” Award winner in 2011, which acknowledges both his professional success and community involvement.
His background as the youngest Corps of Engineers division chief in the country speaks to his leadership capabilities and technical expertise. During his time with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he oversaw operations and maintenance activities totaling over $30 million annually and organized the district’s Leadership Development Program.
These leadership experiences shape how we operate at Coastal Creek Design. Our structured approach to project management, clear communication standards, and ability to deliver projects on time reflect his background in military and federal service.
What Hiring Award Winning Architects Means for Your Charleston Project
When you’re considering an architect for your Charleston-area project, awards like these matter for practical reasons. Carolopolis recognition means we understand Charleston’s complex building codes, historic district requirements, and preservation standards. We know how to navigate architectural review boards and permitting processes that can trip up less experienced firms.
The media recognition also signifies we stay current with design trends while respecting historic character, which is exactly what you want when renovating a historic home or building new construction in an established neighborhood.
Our track record of recognition shows that we’ll bring the same level of care and expertise to your project that earned us these awards in the first place.
The Integration Advantage – Why Award Winning Architects Deliver Excellence
The secret behind our award-winning projects is in our unique integration of architectural services and structural engineering. When architects and engineers work together from day one instead of being brought together later, projects benefit from:
- Faster problem solving when structural and aesthetic requirements conflict
- More creative solutions that satisfy both preservation requirements and modern functionality
- Reduced delays from coordination issues between separate firms
- Better cost control through early identification of structural implications
This integration becomes especially valuable in Charleston, where historic preservation projects often involve unexpected structural discoveries that can derail timelines and budgets when not handled expertly.
Looking Forward – Continued Excellence in Charleston Architecture
Our pattern of recognition suggests this is just the beginning. As Charleston continues to grow while preserving its historic character, firms that can balance preservation requirements with modern functionality will become increasingly valuable.
Our three years of Carolopolis recognition, combined with media coverage and founder achievements, position us among Charleston’s most respected architectural firms.
For homeowners planning renovations, additions, or custom luxury home construction in Charleston, this track record means you can trust that your project will receive the same expertise, care, and attention that earned us these prestigious awards.
Start Your Project With Award Winning Architects in Charleston
Whether you’re planning a historic renovation that requires preservation expertise or designing new construction that needs to complement one of Charleston’s beautiful neighborhoods, our award-winning team brings proven experience to every project.
Working this way means faster timelines, better coordination, and solutions that satisfy both design and structural needs. With awards from the Preservation Society of Charleston, features in Charleston Home + Design Magazine, and proven industry leadership, we can handle even the most challenging residential projects.
Curious to learn what award-winning design can do for your home? Schedule a consultation with Coastal Creek Design today and learn more about our architectural design process and why Charleston homeowners trust us with their most important projects.
Want to see our work in action? Check out our gallery of completed homes and listen to real client testimonials about working with our award-winning team.
