WILLIAM COULTER
Undergraduate
Portfolio
Selected Works 2021-2024
Clemson University ‘25
PERSONAL STATEMENT
My name is William Coulter, and my journey into architecture began during childhood. I’ve always been fascinated by buildings, constantly wondering how they stood and remained upright. That curiosity led me to seek out answers, exploring the mechanics behind the structures we inhabit. Alongside that, I discovered an innate talent for drawing and a deep love for creativity, which gave me a way to visualize and express the spaces I imagined. Growing up, I was also drawn to construction, watching the intricate process of design becoming reality. The blend of creativity, engineering, and real-world impact drew me to architecture as the perfect career path. It allows me to challenge myself to think structurally and imaginatively while contributing to the creation of spaces that inspire community and connection. For me, architecture isn’t just about buildings; it’s about creating places that enrich people’s lives and bring ideas to life. Ultimately, I realized architecture was the field that perfectly united my skills, passions, and desire to leave a lasting impact on the community around me.
My design philosophy centers on balancing function and aesthetics, with a strong focus on structural integrity and buildability. I strive to create spaces that cultivate a sense of community and belonging, enhancing the human experience in ameaningful ways. Each project is an opportunity to contribute to cultural growth and social cohesion. Through my work, I strive to create a built environment that is more inclusive and equitable, while maintaining a strong commitment to structural soundness and stability.
- 13 TRANSFORMATION - 15 A Modular Office Tower A Civic Arts Center A Transitional Housing Complex An Urban Home Complex Hand-Drawing to Architecture
01 BETWEEN THE BLUE A City Corridor
In this urban design-based studio, we contributed to the Charleston MARSH project by creating an ecological corridor to connect tidal creeks, restore green spaces, and enhance the overall human experience on the peninsula. Guided by the concept of “bringing people to the water,” my partner and I designed a cleaner, greener urban environment while also incorporating new development to improve the city’s density. My partner focused on streetscape design and mapping, while focused primarily on the new development ideas and renders.
Fall 2024 ARCH 3520
Professor Schuyler Clogston
Partnership with Valerie Evans Charleston, SC
My partner and I plan to revamp the corridor’s roads with a primary, secondary, and tertiary route system to improve flow and connectivity. To reconnect Charleston locals with the water, we designed kayak launches, boardwalks, and waterfront trails, fostering recreation, community ties, and appreciation for the waterways.
We designed our bus stops to capture, filter, and store stormwater in an underground cistern. We also incorporated corridor signage on the back to reinforce the route’s identity and maintain a streamlined design.
At the intersection of our primary and secondary routes, my partner and I developed a plan that prioritizes sustainability, accessibility, and identity. We incorporated bioswales to manage stormwater, native plants to enhance biodiversity and beautify the area, and a wayfinding bus stop system to connect users to the corridor. These features not only improve functionality but also serve as visual and ecological reminders of the corridor’s presence and purpose. Together, they create a cohesive, environmentally conscious design that fosters a sense of place and connection.
We transformed the underutilized Food Lion parking lot on King St by adding a mixed-use building with retail below and apartments above, increasing density in North Central. A new green space with trees, benches, walking paths, and a reflection pond will offer a park for residents, enhancing recreation and the community’s visual experience
Our proposal for the Morrison Drive lot creates a mixed-use development with retail spaces and a grocery store serving East Central, North Central, and East Side residents. The design includes a park connecting to Newmarket Creek and the Lowcountry Lowline, offering tranquil paths leading to the marsh and retail, with a denser tree canopy as visitors move south.
FOOD
CURRENT
As part of our housing developments, we converted the top floor of the Big Bertha storage building into a coliving space, balancing common areas for social interaction with private spaces for personal retreat. This design fosters community while maintaining privacy, catering to modern residents seeking both connection and autonomy. We also designed a pocket neighborhood layout with 6 homes on a single lot, incorporating shared green spaces and parking zones to foster community engagement and maximize urban density. This approach provides more housing in a smaller area, reducing the need for dispersed developments.
The corridor map integrates our proposals, blending mixed-use developments, green spaces, improved connectivity, and water access spots.
Several elements, including large steps, structural arches, and curved roofs, were implemented to mimic Santorini’s iconic architecture. Each unit was designed to be repeatable, using a kit of parts that allowed for stacking and visual cohesion. The layout diagram above illustrates how the stacked units come together to form the overall structure.
03 UNI(t)FIED A Modular Office Tower
My partner and I collaborated on designing an office building along New York City’s iconic High Line. The project involved researching contemporary urban environments and workplaces to create a design that integrates with its urban context. Through several case studies, we developed our core concepts, culminating in the final design. I heavily contributed to the conceptual development, digital modeling, and was responsible for producing the line drawings, wall sections, and physical model. After the studio concluded, I redid the renders to my liking.
Fall 2023
ARCH 3500
Professor Clarissa Mendez
Partnership with CJ Duff
Chelsea, NY
The building’s structure uses two central cores with precast concrete corridors supported by steel beams and columns. Each module is designed to “clip” onto the central steel column system and is constructed on-site. Once completed, modules are lifted by crane and attached to the columns. We designed 13 distinct units, each tailored to a specific occupant type, whether an artist, innovator, or designer. Acknowledging the diverse needs of New York City workers, each unit has unique features and reflects one of three workspace types: collaborative, speculative, or incubator. The wood represents collaborative space, the white stucco represents speculative space, and the concrete tile represents incubator office space.
THE NETWORKER
MR. WONDERFUL
FASHIONISTA
SELF-MADE
HUSTLER
SCHOLAR
BREAKDOWN
PERMANANCE
IMPERMANANCE
The design adapts to New York’s post-COVID remote work shift with flexible units that can transform underutilized office spaces into apartments, educational areas, or other uses, while maintaining structural permanence and design integrity.
OPEN-MINDED A Civic Arts Center
For this project, I transformed a narrow site in Cayce, South Carolina into a public civic complex celebrating art and culture, reflecting the area’s identity as an art district. The final design highlights how architecture can support creativity in a vibrant community. After taking Structures II a year after this studio, I was provided the unique opportunity to redesign a great portion of this building. I revised the building’s framing, adding several interior columns, restructuring the roof, and redesigning the clerestory window, updating all drawings and renders accordingly.
Spring 2023
ARCH 2520
Professor Byron Jefferies
Structures ll
Professor Amy Trick Cayce, SC
The programming layout for my Cayce Arts Center was developed through an iterative process focused on hierarchy, circulation, and balancing spaces.
The design of the art center is driven by the concept of “ openness,” reflected in the glass windows and open floor plan. This atmosphere fosters creativity and free expression, offering an ideal setting for both creating and appreciating art. The center provides a fresh perspective on art and serves as an ideal destination for those immersed in the creative world.
I chose steel framing for its flexibility, durability, and suitability for large-scale buildings. It allows open interiors and has a high strength-to-weight ratio for lighter, durable structures. Through taking Structures II, I was assigned to frame this entire building, teaching me a great deal about steel structures.
2131 SLIGHS AVENUE
An Urban Home Complex
During my first summer internship experience at McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture in Greenville, SC, I worked in the Living Department on several high-profile projects, providing assistance to architects Rob Couch and Daniel Taylor. I spent the majority of my internship focused on the 2131 Slighs Avenue home complex, where I contributed to its design and development. I played a big role in creating many of the presentation drawings as well as the renders.
Summer 2024
McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture
Project Architects: Rob Couch, Daniel Taylor Living Practice Area Columbia, SC
I contributed heavily in several presentation drawings of the Slighs Avenue apartment complex in downtown Columbia, aimed at blending with the neighborhood and fostering resident belonging. The project includes quadplexes and townhomes, with quadplexes featuring mirrored 2-bedroom units for efficient construction and accessibility. Townhomes offer 3 bedrooms, and all units include spacious kitchens, living areas, and generous porches. The quadplexes and townhomes use wood and brick exteriors to blend with the neighborhood. Townhomes have symmetrical facades, while quadplexes feature asymmetrical fronts with balconies. Different materials highlight the levels, emphasizing the townhomes’ verticality and distinguishing the quadplexes.
06
Transformation
Hand-drawing to Architecture
As a child, my fascination and talent for drawing ignited a spark that evolved into a passion for architecture. Those drawings taught me about spatial relationships, perspective, and design principles. Through those drawings, I unconsciously learned about form, balance, and composition, which are skills essential to architectural design. My interest in drawing allowed me to explore different styles, materials, and structures, providing an intuitive understanding of aesthetics and functionality that now seamlessly translate into my work in the architecture field.
In my junior year of high school, I was introduced to surrealism, which taught me to adopt an architect’s mindset. Creating a surreal drawing, like this food forest, involved breaking free from the ordinary and exploring unconventional angles, which set a precedent for my future work.
Exploring Shadows and Reflections Exploring Shadows and Reflections
In my senior year AP drawing class, focusing on metals and reflections deepened my understanding of three-dimensional representation. Capturing light on metallic surfaces improved my ability to depict depth, form, and perspective, while exploring shadows and highlights enhanced my grasp of value and contrast, essential for both hand and architectural drawings.
