Goodwyn Mills Cawood (GMC) recently had six projects land on SCBiz’s Top Projects list – a recognition program honoring the best building and construction work in South Carolina over a 12-month span.
Project winners include Mayberry Park; Nieri Family Alumni and Visitors Center; Purrysburg Water Treatment Plant Expansion; Rice Creek Elementary School; SCTAC Oval Track; and Thornwell Residence Hall.
These awards are not only a look back at the excellent work that’s taken place in the previous year but also anticipate how these plans and projects potentially established landmarks of the future.
Honorees will be recognized during an online video celebration on April 22, 2026.
Mayberry Park | Greenville, South Carolina

Built in 1925, the former Mayberry Park started as a simple athletic field but quickly became a cherished gathering spot for the Black community in a segregated Greenville. Now, 100 years later, thanks to a generous gift from Craig and Vicki Brown, owners of The Greenville Drive, the City of Greenville, South Carolina Government is proud to rebuild the park and honor its legacy.
Nestled in Unity Park, enhancements to the park include a new grandstand, left-field patio, modern batting cages and a welcoming entrance plaza. These features connect through improved sidewalks, enhancing accessibility and flow throughout the park. At the center of the project is a Little League regulation field with bleachers, a press box, dugouts and concessions. As the first phase of a larger cultural plan, this project reflects a strong investment in community and recreation.
GMC designed this facility in partnership with DLR Group, as well as providing civil engineering and landscape architecture services, with Harper General Contractors as the general contractor.
Nieri Family Alumni and Visitors Center | Clemson, South Carolina
Clemson University’s Nieri Family Alumni and Visitors Center serves as the new front door to campus, anchoring the Tiger experience through each step in the student journey. Creating a shared destination point for first-time visitors and returning alumni alike, the 102,450-square-foot building brings together multiple departments under one roof.
A central vision for the project was to create a destination that resonates with every generation of Clemson Tigers – from first-time visitors to long-time alumni. Achieving this meant designing a building that feels inherently connected to the university’s heritage while still projecting a forward-looking spirit. Every design choice was made with intention, ensuring the space delivers a memorable, immersive experience that is unmistakably and authentically Clemson.

Designed in partnership with Cooper Carry, GMC provided architecture and civil engineering services for the project, with Brasfield & Gorrie serving as the construction manager. Additional project engineers include RMF Engineering and Michael M. Simpson & Associates.
Purrysburg Water Treatment Plant Expansion | Hardeeville, South Carolina

The Purrysburg Water Treatment Plant expansion project represents a significant infrastructure investment that has successfully doubled the facility’s capacity from 15 million gallons per day (MGD) to 30 MGD.
Highlights include expanded treatment capacity to support regional growth; modernized processes and advanced water treatment technologies; and upgraded facilities including lab, control and emergency operations spaces.
Commissioned by the Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA), this comprehensive expansion addresses the growing water demands of the rapidly developing region.
GMC provided an array of multidisciplined services included architecture, engineering, environmental, geotechnical engineering, MEP, civil engineering and water engineering. Reeves Young served as the general contractor on the project.
Rice Creek Elementary School | Columbia, South Carolina
Richland School District Two’s renovated Rice Creek Elementary School was designed to transform the campus into a more student-centered, functional and welcoming environment for both students and staff.
The project includes a new gymnasium designed for large gatherings and athletic events, an innovative ECHO Lab classroom with support spaces and an expanded cafeteria to better accommodate the school community. Interior modifications also created two classrooms tailored to students of varying abilities, as well as additional office and meeting spaces. Outside, the bus loop has been reconfigured to share access with Ridge View High School, improving traffic flow and ensuring students’ safety.

GMC designed the project in partnership with Hood Construction, with ADC Engineering and Buford Goff & Associates serving as the engineers.
SCTAC Oval Track | Greenville, South Carolina

The South Carolina Technology and Aviation Center (SCTAC) International Transportation Innovation Center Oval Track features a continuous 3-mile loop engineered to support consistent high-speed testing in a controlled environment.Designed with banked pavement and tailored to site-specific soil conditions, the track was engineered to handle heavy vehicle loading while maximizing durability and long-term performance.
With a targeted 20-year pavement lifespan, this facility sets a new standard for automotive testing built to perform today and for years to come.
GMC provided engineering services on the project alongside Tilke Engineers & Architects, with Hogan Construction Group as the general contractor.
Thornwell Residence Hall | Columbia, South Carolina
The 41,000-square-foot renovation of the University of South Carolina’s Thornwell Residence Hall transformed it into a modern student living environment. The redesigned floor plan shifts from apartment-style units to suite-style housing, increasing capacity while enhancing functionality and shared spaces.
The project introduces a new entry addition, renovated courtyard and fully upgraded building systems to support long-term performance – with careful restoration of the historic façade and slate roof to keep the building’s character intact. With 61 new residential suites and enhanced living spaces, Thornwell Residence Hall is designed to serve students for years to come.

GMC provided architecture and civil engineering services for the project, with Mashburn Construction as the general contractor. Timmerman Engineering and RMF Engineering served as additional project engineers.