All photos credit: Reese Moore Photography; Provided: Preservation Society of Charleston
Lowcountry Land Trust is proud to share that the Lowcountry Center for Conservation has received a prestigious Carolopolis Award from the Preservation Society of Charleston, recognizing the project’s outstanding contribution to thoughtful design in new construction. For the Land Trust, this honor reflects a vision of conservation, legacy, and community.
The award was presented during the 72nd Carolopolis Awards ceremony on February 27 at The Grand at 81 Mary, where the Preservation Society showcased 29 exceptional projects from across the region. Since 1953, the Carolopolis Awards have celebrated extraordinary efforts to preserve the historic character and authenticity of the Charleston area.
The Lowcountry Center for Conservation sits on the historic grounds of Ashem Farm in West Ashley, once home to Charleston philanthropist and equestrian Emily Ravenel Farrow. After nearly a century caring for the land, Farrow placed the property under conservation easements with Historic Charleston Foundation and bequeathed it to Lowcountry Land Trust with one clear wish: that the Land Trust establish its permanent headquarters there while ensuring the land remained protected.
Opened in 2025, the Center for Conservation fulfilled Ms. Farrow’s vision. The building occupies just four acres of the original 55-acre property. The remaining land will soon become Old Towne Creek County Park, managed by Charleston County Park & Recreation Commission, and scheduled to open in 2026. Together, the protected public landscape adjacent to Charles Towne Landing and the Lowcountry Center for Conservation ensure the property continues to serve both people and nature.
From the beginning, the building was designed to feel deeply connected to its surroundings. Reggie Gibson Architects, GEL Engineering, Willis Hagood Construction, and OMNI collaborated to create a building inspired by traditional Lowcountry forms while incorporating sustainable materials and modern design. Reclaimed brick from a historic structure on King Street and pine siding salvaged from a 1918 Georgia schoolhouse anchor the exterior. A simple gabled roof recalls traditional agrarian structures found throughout the Lowcountry. While a majority of the materials and details are expressed with contemporary clarity, one traditional detail stands as a marker at the main entry: a round brick column, reminiscent of historic Lowcountry landmarks such as Old Sheldon and St. James Santee churches.
The landscape design by Surculus follows the same philosophy: preserve what exists and enhance it thoughtfully. Much of the site’s existing vegetation was retained, while new plantings focus on native species that provide year-round beauty and support wildlife, including birds and pollinators. The building itself was carefully placed on the highest ground of the site, increasing resilience to potential flooding and running parallel to a historic bridle trail once used by Ms. Farrow, which has been preserved as an open path.
Receiving a Carolopolis Award places the Lowcountry Center for Conservation among a distinguished group of only 1,500 award-winning buildings that help define the region’s architectural and cultural legacy. The honor is also a tribute to the many supporters, including early donors to the It Can’t Wait campaign, whose extraordinary gifts made it possible. The Center stands as a lasting symbol of stewardship: a place where the past is honored, the land is protected, and the future of conservation in the Lowcountry continues to take shape.
