HELLO + WELCOME!
McMillan Pazdan Smith is an established design firm with an industry presence since 1955.
We are steadily growing our regional footprint and always advancing our capabilities, community impact, and reach. Our studios are currently located in Atlanta and Augusta, GA; Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Spartanburg, SC; Asheville and Charlotte, NC.
A reputation for design excellence, over 100 MPS projects have received AIA design awards. ENR named us Southeast Firm of the Year in 2019, and AIA South Carolina presented MPS with the prestigious “Firm Award” in 2024. We support our teams with dedicated leadership in Design Engagement, Project Delivery and Sustainability, providing resources such as our design excellence worksheet, design chats, and regular collaborative charrettes to help everyone produce their best work.
Asheville
Spartanburg
Charlotte
Greenville
Augusta
Charleston
Atlanta
Columbia
6
PRACTICE AREAS / CIVIC + CULTURAL, COMMERCIAL, HEALTHCARE, HIGHER EDUCATION, K-12 EDUCATION, LIVING
8
STUDIOS / ASHEVILLE, ATLANTA, AUGUSTA, CHARLESTON, CHARLOTTE, COLUMBIA, GREENVILLE, SPARTANBURG
70 YEAR HISTORY PRACTICING SINCE 1955
100
320
AIA AWARDS FROM THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS SINCE 2000
EMPLOYEES TO ENGAGE WITH AND COLLABORATE ACROSS PRACTICE EXPERTISE
We are ranked #31 in the most recent BD+C Giants 400 Report. The annual report ranks the largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S.
PRACTICE AREAS
McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture delivers exceptional client experience and design excellence, organized around our six main Practice Areas: Civic + Cultural, Commercial, Healthcare, Higher Education, K-12 Education, and Living. This structure enables principals and senior personnel to be thought leaders within their areas of expertise, share knowledge within their studio, and provide focused, hands-on service from advance planning with our advisory services team through project completion.
What type of work are you passionate about?
CIVIC + CULTURAL
Animal Care
Government
Museum
Non-Profit
Public Recreation
Performing Arts
COMMERCIAL
Food + Beverage
Hotel + Resort
Industrial Retail
Workplace
HEALTHCARE
Acute Care
Medical Office
Non-Acute Care
HIGHER ED
Academic
Administration
Athletics Housing
Libraries
K-12 EDUCATION
Elementary
Middle School
High School
Career + Tech
Public
Private
HEALTHCARE
CIVIC + CULTURAL
United
COMMERCIAL
K-12 EDUCATION
HIGHER EDUCATION
Fairforest Middle School
Community
USC Instructional Chemistry Lab Building
Aug Smith On Main LIVING
Conyers-Rockdale Library Teen Space
MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital
AWARDS / UNITED COMMUNITY: WELL Certified™ Bronze, 2024; FAIRFOREST MIDDLE SCHOOL: (A4LE) SC Chapter, Excellence Citation Award for Community Engagement, 2021; CONYERS-ROCKDALE LIBRARY: IIDA Carolinas Chapter Designworks Awards, “Beauty on a Budget” Honorable Mention, 2022; MUSC: AIA Charleston, Interior Architecture Merit Award, 2022.
AIA SC Adaptive Reuse Merit Award, 2020; AIA Greenville Honor Award, 2019
AIA SC Adaptive Reuse Merit Award, 2020; AIA Columbia Honor Award, 2020
DESIGN EXCELLENCE
An ever-deepening pursuit of Design Excellence is fundamental to our core purpose as a firm. Forums for idea-sharing, mentorship, peer-to-peer learning, and routine assessment of recent work have guided our practice and deepened a truly collaborative culture from our earliest days. Having laid this foundation in the formative years of our firm, we have matured these ideals as we’ve grown in reach and expertise. We are fortunate that the resulting work has been recognized with numerous AIA and industry awards and countless repeat and happy clients.
In recent years as our growing firm has required restructure and succession planning, we have established dedicated leadership for Design Engagement. We are committed to a design culture that brings forth the best ideas from the fullness of our team and a thoughtful and inclusive process on every project. Use of the word “engagement” is intentional in our effort to elevate the importance of active participation, enjoyment, and inspired thinking as fundamentals to our work and culture. Leadership focus on design culture is critical to this pursuit.
In the Summer of 1999, Pazdan-Smith Group’s first “Good Design workshop” was conducted by John Jacques (Professor Emeritus of Architecture at Clemson and Design Facilitator for the firm) and held in the upper level of Kent Court in Greenville, just before our renovation was complete.
Our ongoing design workshops are held across the firm. Greenville pictured above and Charleston below, 2016.
DESIGN EXCELLENCE = STEWARDSHIP
Our design philosophy and approach have grown to find inspiration in the AIA Framework for Design Excellence and the AIA 2030 Commitment, of which we are a signatory. We have recently developed the MPS Design Excellence Worksheet to create goals set forth by our Stewardship Initiative, fundamental ideas on design, and key reminders for building a rigorous process. By embedding principles of good design within our process and with dedicated leadership, this firmwide framework strives to elevate the possibilities and potential within every project. We endeavor to track and measure these steps and achievements in design with the same rigor that we track other performance metrics, holding each other accountable and holding design as central to our efforts.
In all that we do — creating meaningful design solutions that positively impact the diverse communities we serve is not only our mission statement, but a central tenant that defines our firm.
The MPS Design Excellence Worksheet (above) has the potential to facilitate an inclusive, integrated, and holistic approach to our work that considers the interdependence among people, buildings, infrastructure, and the environment.
Fort Mill Middle School charrette, Charlotte Studio.
CULTIVATE EXCELLENCE
For the pursuit of excellence to be collaborative and inclusive of every person at MPS — nothing beats getting together in-person with all 300+ team members across eight studios. We are committed to this important tradition on a three-year interval, bringing together our entire firm for a two- to three-day retreat. In 2023, we branded this conference as Cultivate, establishing its mission as a vital place for fresh perspective, dialogue, and shared inspiration toward elevating our practice. Cultivate sessions are opportunities to investigate a broad range of topics related to the future of the profession, our client groups, and the communities in which we work. Guest speakers are invited to share on key topics and a variety of sessions and opportunities for fellowship to round out the agenda.
Architects lead a panel discussion, L to R: Principal Josh Czerniak, Associate Greg Bassiely, and Associate and DEI Committee Member Janet Zuckerman.
Kate Schwennsen, FAIA, kicks-off day one of Cultivate as our first guest speaker.
Cultivate, day two featured two guest speakers from Lake Flato Architects, Greg Papay, FAIA and Brandi Rickles, AIA. Also pictured above.
ABOVE: Our firmwide meeting, “Cultivate” in the spirit of cultivating excellence in design across a variety of themes.
MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS
In keeping with our “stay curious” and “we, not i” core values, we teach each other, invest in each other, and lift each other up. We work to offer routine opportunities to share new projects or skills and engage with experienced team members. We believe in mentoring the next generation, by engaging new talent with opportunities to gain real-world experience, presenting their work, conducting field visits, and serving as role models in their community.
Meeting students at a college recruitment fair in Atlanta.
At Independence High School, Charlotte donated iPads and 20 books by African American author Jason Wilson (“Cry Like A Man”), and spoke about continuing education and navigating corporate America as a minority.
Leading a charrette for summer interns.
Collaborating at a K-12 workshop.
Presenting a 3D model to the Healthcare team.
Summer interns are encouraged to share their work and lead design discussions.
Incoming class of summer interns, 2024 at our Augusta office.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
We foster the growth of emerging professionals by providing competitive salaries, reimbursing passed licensure exams, granting access to ARE study platforms, offering extra paid time off for exam days, and financially backing additional credentials and certifications.
• Access to ARE Study Platforms: Amber Book + Black Spectacles + Paid-Time-Off for exam days.
• Lunch-&-Learns for AIA CEU credit + internal tutorial sessions to assist growth and advancement.
• Leadership MPS identifies and develops potential leaders within the firm with an annual, executive-led training program.
• Consistent exposure to all parts of the design process — from visiting job sites to presentation participation, and client meetings for hands-on training.
• Reimbursement for AIA, CSI, IIDA, NCARB, NCIDQ, USGBC and other certifications — plus, annually paid memberships.
• Annual “5S” Career Dialogues give team members a chance to have honest, genuine discussions with firm leaders regarding their personal development and career goals.
• Associate + Senior Associate Program recognizes developing leaders that have made, and continue to make, meaningful contributions to the firm’s success, exemplify our core values, and have a personal commitment to serving the communities where we work.
Amber Book workbooks are provided with our firmwide license for team members actively pursuing licensure.
Our AIA CES Catalog offers courses for continuing credits to team members and architects within our region.
Leadership MPS Class V enjoying a break together during the interactive training session and retreat.
Construction field visit for our Interior Design Emerging Professionals.
MPS | ACADEMY
FIRM DEMOGRAPHICS
Across our offices, you’ll consistently find creative trailblazers and collaborative thought leaders committed to impactful design for the good of all — working environments where everyone’s input is valued and design opportunities are available for every role.
%
OF RECENT HIRES ARE WOMEN AND/ OR MINORITY
“As a mom of three coming from 10 years as a classroom teacher into architecture, I was very nervous to step into corporate America, but [the firm] has been an amazing space to learn and grow. My team makes me feel like a trusted and valued member. [They are] an amazing community that supports and encourages me.”
– Kristin Ward, Project Designer, Charlotte
With nearly 40% of our team members being millennials, our firm has committed to cultivating a millennial-friendly work environment by offering collaborative and flexible work schedules and providing ample time for mentorship and goal setting with more seasoned team members.
2024 NEW HIRES (FIRMWIDE)
BABY BOOMERS (45’-64’)
(FIRMWIDE)
GENERATION (FIRMWIDE)
AIA Women in Architecture tour our AC Hotel project.
Barbara Price, FAIA, LEED AP, NCARB with MPS team members attend AIA/WIA Charlotte, 2017.
Principals Minta Ferguson, AIA, ACHA and Jana Hartenstine, AIA, LEED AP BD+C attend AIA/WIA Charlotte Breakfast, 2022.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION
We are a firm where: free movement of ideas, expertise, and creativity are nurtured; All team members are valued and empowered to reach their potential to achieve both project and professional success. We have committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as a natural component of our firm’s core values, open culture, and collaborative nature, and created a DEI strategic plan in 2021 with ongoing resource development and events.
DEI TASKFORCE
DEI FOCUS AREAS
DIVERSITY RECRUITING
Growing our team of diverse professionals to provide a variety of experiences, perspectives and skill sets that cultivate an environment rooted in collaboration, innovation and good design.
OPPORTUNITY PATHWAYS
Mapping pathways to foster fair access, opportunity, and advancement for all team members as they navigate their career, passions and tenure. Working with leadership to foster a working environment that strengthens an individual’s purpose through advocacy and mentorship.
DEI TOOLKITS
Connecting team members to internal and external resources to spotlight pathways for open communication and dialogue throughout the firm. Promoting access to a set of tools for nurturing individual well-being.
EQUITABLE DESIGN SOLUTIONS
Amplifying design dialogue through thought leadership and design stewardship to elevate the spaces we engage with our communities through the built environment and practice of design.
INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Connecting community groups, underrepresented individuals, and the next generation of students with real-world planners and design professionals, to nurture engagement in the industry.
SERVICE + COMMUNITY
Our firm has been built on a deep commitment and passion for service to each other, our clients, and to each of our studio communities. Years of experience have demonstrated that community engagement leads to a more vibrant and inclusive built environment. That is why service is the cornerstone of our design philosophy, integrated into every level of our firm culture and professional practice.
As signatories to the AIA 2030 Commitment, we seek to understand the greater impact of our work, engaging those involved, and advocating for those impacted. We encourage our studios to participate within their local community through a variety of firm-endorsed service events as well as a paid “Serve with Integrity” day used for each team member to invest time and talent with the community organizations that they feel passionate about. And we seek to align our team with personal opportunities for service as an extension of our MPS core values. Service to others is at our core and will always form the basis of who we are. We are better together.
Lauren O’Brien, Assoc. AIA volunteers for Charleston ACE Mentoring with St. John’s High School students. Greenville celebrates our annual United Way fundraiser.
Spartanburg volunteers at Habitat for Humanity.
Atlanta volunteers for CHOICES (Center Helping Obesity In Children End Successfully) bagging
AIA Charlotte sponsored a coloring book (our team contributed) to donate to Levine Children’s Hospital.
Associate Alex Lay, AIA illustrates “Every Person I’ve Ever Met” for Lighten Up Spartanburg, a large-scale public art installation project that bolsters the cultural vitality of downtown Spartanburg.
Principal William Gray, Assoc. AIA and Associate Justin Offutt, AIA volunteer at local Spartanburg schools to give a glance at careers in architecture. Students at Carver Middle School also got a walking, guided architectural city tour.
Augusta Director / Associate , Joy Newberry, AIA and her husband “Brave the Shave” to raise money for Augusta Children’s Hospital.
Greenville shows their support for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Carolinas.
Our Summer interns across all 8 studios meet in Augusta for a design charrette to collaborate on our Bridge Builder Communities project designing tiny homes for young adults that have aged out of the foster care system.
fresh food for families.
Charleston competes to raise money for the Jerry Zucker Ride for Hope.
Asheville supports the United Way’s Backpack to the Future supply drive for K12 students.
FIRM CULTURE
We believe work should be social and fun for everyone!
Pink Out Day for Breast Cancer Awareness.
Dressed for Pink Out Day.
Greenville team enjoys happy hour at Cultivate.
Hiking & camping in the Pisgah-Cherokee National Forest.
Charleston celebrates Halloween.
Easter mini-golf championship in the Charlotte office.
Greenville goes bowling.
Asheville gets weird for Halloween.
Charlotte Knights Outing.
Atlanta Thanksgiving potluck and Escape Chamber.
Atlanta WELL Cooking Class.
Asheville Get Outside Day.
Greenville MPS Spins outing on the Swamp Rabbit Trail.
Greenville Pet + Play Day.
Spartanburg Northside 5K Run + Walk.
TEAM TESTIMONIALS
[This has] been the perfect place for me to emerge as a young professional. My team has quickly become a community of mentors that teach me collaboration, creativity, open mindedness, and confidence in every task that comes my way. Even as one of the youngest professionals at the firm, every person I have collaborated with has made me feel like an equal. [They have] given me all the self-assurance I need to grow into my career and become the best (future) architect I can be.”
– Madison Turcotte Design Professional, Atlanta
What’s it like to work here?
“I’ve had the privilege of working [here] for a couple of years now, and... access to the firm’s professional licensing resources, and experience with practice area mentors have been crucial to my success! The HR team and the entire firm demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting us on our journey to becoming licensed architects.”
– Matt Marflake, Associate Design Professional / Charlotte
“Since I began working at McMillan Pazdan Smith, I have had a wonderful experience! I have been given opportunities to engage in design at multiple levels and have already benefited from working with architects and designers from all different experience levels on a wide range of projects.
– Ammon Embleton Design Professional / Greenville
The Continuum
City of Columbia, Water Distribution
Clemson University, Lee Hall
Drayton Mills Elementary School
Spartanburg Judicial Center
Williams Terrace
in association with Thomas Phifer and Partners
TTI Innovation Center
Hapeville Public Library
in association with SSOE Group
in association with David Baker Architects
AWARDS / TTI INNOVATION CENTER: Metl-Span Building of the Year, 2020; HAPEVILLE LIBRARY: AIA Georgia, People’s Choice Award, 2022; AIA Georgia, Citation Award, 2022; THE CONTINUUM: AIA SC Design Awards, Honor Award for Adaptive Reuse, 2020; AIA Charleston Design Awards, Jury Citation - Preservation and Adaptive Re-Use, 2022; CLEMSON LEE HALL: AIA National, Honor Award, 2013; AIA South Carolina, Honor Award, 2014; CITY OF COLUMBIA: AIA South Atlantic Region (SAR), Adaptive Reuse Merit Award, 2020; AIA SC, New Construction Merit Award, 2018; AIA SC, Adaptive Reuse Honor Award, 2018; WILLIAMS TERRACE: AIA/HUD Secretary’s Housing and Community Design Award, Excellence in Affordable Housing, 2019; AIA Charleston Design Award, Jury Citation, 2019; DRAYTON MILLS: A4LE Excellence in Design Merit Award, 2019; Learning By Design, Outstanding Project Award, 2019.
www.mcmillanpazdansmith.com
