“Neighbors helping neighbors” is a core mission of one of Mount Pleasant’s oldest non-profit organizations. During the start of the pandemic, we had the privilege of assisting East Cooper Community Outreach reorganize their Wellness Pantry to create a safer environment and more efficient layout to better serve the growing client base. This was our first behind-the-scenes glimpse of the work ECCO provides for our East Cooper neighbors. Since then we have been able to learn how each of ECCO’s departments support the core mission and were selected to design the expansion and renovation of their existing facility in Mount Pleasant. Founded as an emergency relief effort in 1989 after Hurricane Hugo’s devastation, East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) now functions as a permanent resource for the community through their food pantry, dental, medical, housing and financial assistance services. An over-arching goal of the building improvements was to locate all of the organization’s services under one roof; thus a space needs programming effort was critical to exploring how best to redesign the existing building and add on. The final design provides a total of 16,200sf and a new porte cochere. The existing ‘Lowcountry vernacular’ architectural aesthetic of the existing building was continued in the renovations but with a fresh color scheme to mark this new chapter for ECCO. Click here for an interview with ECCO’s Executive Director, Stephanie Kelley.

A new porte cochere or covered drive will allow clients, volunteers and donors to be protected during daily interactions.

Discussions with staff members resulted in the consolidation of the medical and dental departments to create a single “Health Services” wing (in purple) as well as the importance of consolidating the multiple entrances into a single main entry door where every client is received and personally assisted with their needs.

The existing facility, shown above, was built in 2002 and expanded in 2008.

A Groundbreaking Ceremony was held on April 10, 2024.

General Contractor: Harbor Contracting

Civil Engineering: Seabrook Engineering

Landscape Architecture: The Tomblin Company

Architecture: Rush Dixon Architects

Structural Engineering: ADC Engineering

MPE Engineering: Charleston Engineering

Interior Design: Form + Function

The design approach for this 11,000sf office building responded to the historic 49” Live Oak tree on the property, both literally and figuratively. The “L” shape footprint wraps the tree allowing for a strong visual connection for the building occupants and a passive outdoor gathering area under its limbs. The building facade explores repetition of understory trees through the repeating brick pilasters and weaves abstract patterns and textures of bark and leaves into the detailing.

Aiding in the study of biophilic design, the prominent tree on the property served as the main driver of decisions related to the site design, landscape architecture and building design. An effort was made to ensure that the building and its occupants be able to engage with the tree in a meaningful way. This engagement began with a metaphor of the canopy trees and the understory trees. As the proverbial understory trees, the building attempts to embody patterns, textures, rhythms, and filtered light as a way to connect the building and those inside to the natural landscape while preserving the historic tree.

The resultant design evokes a solidness and sturdiness as well as vast amounts of glass allowing all of the interior workspaces to be visually connected to the outdoors. Chevron details in between the brick pilasters are derived from patterning found in nature while wood elements bring a warmth to the structure.

General Contractor: Harbor Contracting

Civil Engineer: Seabrook Engineering

Landscape Architecture: The Tomblin Company

Architecture: Rush Dixon Architects

Structural Engineering: ADC Engineering

MPE Engineering: Charleston Engineering