Summerville, SC
Pine Hill Business Campus
Gateway Park with Lowcountry Character
status
Completed 2014
client
MeadWestvaco
expertise
Office + Corporate Campus
services
Landscape Architecture
An Authentic Approach Lead by the Land
The 38-acre gateway park pays tribute to the cultural heritage and traditions of the Lowcountry region through a series of crafted landscape experiences, setting the precedent for future development.
Situated in rural Summerville, South Carolina, at the northern edge of the Charleston metro region is the 367-acre Pine Hill Business Campus, a Class-A research and development campus that is a small piece of the 80,000-acre master planned community, East Edisto. To position the office park as a workplace destination in the growing region, the client turned to LandDesign’s landscape architects to envision a new entry sequence and signature amenity area for tenants and visitors. The arrival experience draws in visitors and employees through a grand park that preserves and celebrates the character of the land. The amenity lake, with naturalized planting and ample walking trails, set the tone for Pine Hill Business Campus as an oasis and outdoor respite to the businesses that occupy.
Natural, authentic, and genuine–the overarching design is derived from the landscape patterns of rice fields, and later timber production, which resulted in permanent “lines on the land.” Examining the striated and linear forms in juxtaposition to the natural lay of the land lead to the creation of a signature open space that is a physical illustration of the cultural landscape. Structured groves of crape myrtles mimic the rows of slender pines and evokes the outlines of irrigation canals from the historic rice fields. A series of walking trails line the amenity lake and are enhanced through ornamental trees, tall grasses, textured stone and patterned bark. The park captures the stark beauty of the lowland coastal plain while embracing the site’s natural flatness and towering pines, resulting in a purposeful connection of people to the land.
In this undeveloped region, land stewardship is held in high regards with the greater community, making it crucial that LandDesign prioritize the preservation of the natural site while providing the flexibility needed to accommodate future growth. The existing conditions of the lake was riddled with remnants of a flooded sand mine resulting in an eye sore for business park tenants. Rather than turning the focus away from the water’s edge, the new, gracefully curving shoreline creating breathtaking views and acts as a peaceful oasis with multiple walking trails and pedestrian boardwalks. Honoring the land in such a way promotes the continuation of smart growth and contributes to the region’s economic vitality, setting the tone for the remainder of the East Edisto master plan.
