Building Expansion and Space Planning Location: Bluffton, SC Square Footage: 4,100
Design: 2007 – 2008 Construction: (Project placed on hold)

ArcWest Architects was retained by Lowcountry Newspapers to complete the architecture, design and engineering for an expansion to their existing office spaces. This project is a continuation and fulfillment of the feasibility study completed during the summer of 2007. The design of the existing facility responds to the regional vernacular context of the tobacco barn profile often seen in the area.  The proposed expansion compliments these architectural forms of the existing building. The expansion would “extend” the gabled forms of the north office area to the building setback, as set forth by the Town of Bluffton Zoning Ordinance. The two gabled extensions would then be connected with an East-West passage that will serve as employee circulation, as well as create a secure outdoor courtyard amenity. The primary function for the new office expansion space is to allow the integration and consolidation of The Beaufort Gazette news, reporting and advertising staff with that of The Island Packet.  This is the logical next step since production operations have already been relocated to the recent production building addition. The owner will be enabled to close the satellite Beaufort Gazette facility thereby having all operations consolidated to a single site.

Lowcountry Newspapers: The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette are owned by The McClatchy Company.

References:

Sara Johnson-Borton, Publisher

William King, Production Director

Existing Facility and Project Design