The South Carolina chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has recognized The Ponds’ historic farmhouse and pavilion for excellence in architecture.
A 2009 Merit Award was recently given to Charleston-area design firm Cobb Architects, whose plan blended the farmhouse, an open-air pavilion and three other “outbuildings” into a cohesive central amenity area for The Ponds.
This is the second major design honor for The Ponds and its developer, Greenwood Communities and Resorts, following an American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) regional Merit Award for analysis and planning given to DesignWorks of Charleston.
This is also Greenwood’s second consecutive Charleston-area development to receive multiple industry accolades; Beresford Hall earned a statewide Merit Award for both “The Ruins” community center from the AIA and for its master plan from the ASLA.  “Consideration of the natural elements of the property, including the historic farmhouse, has been an integral part of our development plan,” said John Morgan, community manager of The Ponds.  “The farmhouse represented an incredible amenity that Darryl Cobb and his team were able to preserve, renovate and expand.”
??“We wanted the farmhouse to be the focus of the design solution,” said Cobb.  “The pavilion, sales cottage and pool buildings needed to support the farmhouse.  We didn’t want to replicate original structures we knew were once there, but to be suggestive of the original outbuildings in terms of shape, form, texture and materials.” ?
The Ponds’ historic farmhouse was originally built in the 1830s.  The restoration process started in 2006 and was completed in 2007.  It began with moving the house about 200 feet onto a new foundation, rebuilding the chimneys and wooden windows, reinstalling the marble walkway, and rebuilding the kitchen wing from salvaged beams and wood flooring.??
“In creating a program for Cobb Architects to restore the farmhouse and design utilitarian, new outbuildings, we stressed the importance of allowing the farmhouse to retain its architectural prominence, while the outbuildings were to provide a comfortable context for the house,” said Morgan.
“From the beginning of the assignment, Cobb understood Greenwood’s sensitivity to achieving this outcome for our special gathering place.”??
??The Ponds is a 1,950-acre master-planned community set between the town of Summerville and the Ashley River Historic District.  In addition to enjoying an 1,100-acre nature preserve, there is a newly completed onsite Summerville Family YMCA and EMS/fire/sheriff substation, as well as a planned village center.  Greenwood has also set aside land for a proposed K-8 public school.??  Several homes are now finished and the first residents have moved in.  For more information, please call 843.832.6100, or register for ongoing updates at www.DiscoverThePonds.com.??  For more information about Greenwood Communities, visit www.greenwoodcr.com.