When you think about transforming communities through thoughtful design, McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture stands as a regional powerhouse. This architecture, advisory services, and interior design firm has been practicing since 1955, building a reputation that extends across multiple states and diverse project types.
The firm’s reach has grown substantially over the decades. Today, their work shapes schools, hospitals, corporate facilities, and cultural spaces throughout the Southeast, proving that great architecture serves both clients and the broader community.
This article explores McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture’s history, services, notable projects, and what makes them a trusted partner for complex design challenges. You’ll discover their collaborative approach, recent recognitions, and the values driving their continued growth.
History and Regional Presence
MPS formed through a strategic 2009 merger of McMillan Smith + Partners, founded in 1955 in Spartanburg, with the Pazdan-Smith Group, established in 1993 in Greenville. This combination created a stronger entity capable of tackling larger, more complex projects.
The firm expanded rapidly after the merger. McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture currently operates studios in Augusta, Asheville, Atlanta, Charleston, Charlotte, Columbia, Greenville, and Spartanburg. Each studio embeds itself within its local community, understanding regional needs while maintaining firm-wide design standards.
Strategic growth continued beyond organic expansion. In 2025, McMillan Pazdan Smith acquired West Columbia-based Jumper Carter Sease, an accomplished architecture firm with a rich history of quality projects dating back to 1929. This acquisition brought additional expertise and strengthened the firm’s presence in the South Carolina Midlands.
Geographic Footprint
The firm serves clients across multiple states:
- South Carolina: Four studios providing deep local knowledge
- North Carolina: Offices in Asheville and Charlotte
- Georgia: Studios in Atlanta and Augusta
- Additional states: Professional services performed by MPS Architects, P.C., in AL, AR, CA, CO, GA, IL, MA, MD, MI, NC, NY, OH, OK, PA, and RI
Comprehensive Services
McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture offers integrated solutions beyond traditional design work. Their service model addresses the complete lifecycle of built environments.
Core Offerings
Architecture and Design: The foundation of their practice includes planning, programming, and full architectural services. Teams work across building types, from educational facilities to healthcare campuses.
Advisory Services: The firm provides planning, advisory services, and expertise in Sustainability, Master Planning, Building Information Modeling, Construction Administration, Historic Preservation, and Adaptive Reuse. These services help clients make informed decisions before design begins.
Interior Design: Integrated interior design ensures cohesive environments. The team considers how spaces function and feel, not just how they look from the outside.
Specialized Expertise: The firm maintains practice groups focused on specific sectors, allowing for deeper knowledge in areas like healthcare planning, educational programming, and industrial design.
Practice Areas and Project Types
Diversity defines the McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture portfolio. The firm tackles varied building types while maintaining consistent quality standards.
Educational Facilities
Education represents a major practice area. The firm received two Excellence in School Building & Design Awards from the South Carolina Chapter of CEFPI for the Center For Advanced Technical Studies and Meeting Street Academy.
The Center For Advanced Technical Studies spans 80,000 square feet. It’s designed to emulate the workforce of demanding new industries in South Carolina within a representative “real world” teaching environment. This approach prepares students for actual career demands.
Healthcare Architecture
Healthcare projects showcase the firm’s ability to balance complex functional requirements with patient experience. McMillan Pazdan Smith designed a new pediatric cancer and blood disorders unit for Prisma Health Children’s Hospital-Upstate in Greenville, South Carolina.
One architect brought unique perspective to this project. Daniel Taylor, whose daughter has been fighting cancer, served as a key design team member, bringing perspective that helped support fellow patients and families.
At the Medical University of South Carolina’s Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital, the firm reoriented the tower so every room has a river view, placing the sickest children on top floors with the best views. This facility will be one of only three in the nation to place critically ill newborns in the same rooms as their mothers.
Historic Preservation
The firm excels at adaptive reuse projects. The Montgomery Building project won a 2021 Palladio Award for Commercial Adaptive Reuse and/or Sympathetic Addition.
The 1924 Montgomery Building, a 127,000-square-foot National Register building and one of the first Chicago-style skyscrapers completed outside The Windy City, had been abandoned for two decades before renovation into retail, office, and residential space. The project required special permission to replace deteriorating pre-cast panels with historically accurate replicas.
Commercial and Industrial Projects
The firm serves major corporate clients including Hubbell Lighting, Samsung, and QS/1 Datasystems. Projects range from manufacturing facilities to corporate offices, each designed for operational efficiency and employee wellbeing.
| Practice Area | Recent Notable Projects | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| K-12 Education | Center for Advanced Technical Studies | 80,000 SF occupational training center |
| Healthcare | Pediatric Cancer Unit, Prisma Health | Family-centered design approach |
| Historic Preservation | Montgomery Building | 127,000 SF adaptive reuse |
| Higher Education | Multiple campus projects | Outdoor learning spaces integration |
Recognition and Awards
Industry recognition validates the firm’s commitment to excellence. McMillan Pazdan Smith received the Firm Award from AIA South Carolina in 2024, the highest honor that AIA South Carolina can award an architecture firm.
Before bestowing this award, the AIA South Carolina Board of Directors considers a firm’s body of work, their contribution to the profession, and service in the community. Brad Smith, Founding Principal, noted that AIA awards are carefully structured and highly competitive.
Additional recognition includes:
- Over 100 AIA awards accumulated throughout the firm’s history
- 2022 Premier Award for Client Satisfaction from PSMJ Resources, a national award honoring architecture and engineering firms that deliver exceptional client experience
- Engineering News Record’s Southeast Firm of the Year in 2019
Collaborative Culture and Team Approach
Culture drives results at McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture. The firm is recognized for its collaborative culture and innovative solutions, with a purpose to create meaningful and lasting impact for the good of all.
The physical workspace reflects this philosophy. The downtown Charleston office, located in a renovated historic building, features completely open industrial chic interiors so ideas can flow across desks, departments and areas of expertise.
This open approach extends to client relationships. Chad Cousins, CEO, emphasized the firm’s relentless commitment to positive client experience. The Premier Award for Client Satisfaction recognized this focus through carefully calculated metrics highly correlated with sustained growth.
Values in Practice
Several principles guide daily operations:
Community Focus: Each studio maintains strong ties to its local community. Projects consider neighborhood impact, not just client requirements.
Sustainability Commitment: As a proud signatory of the AIA 2030 Commitment, MPS is dedicated to actionable climate strategies. This commitment appears in material selection, energy planning, and long-term building performance.
Design Excellence: Regular forums support idea-sharing, mentorship, and peer learning. Teams challenge each other to produce better solutions.
Recent Developments and Future Direction
Growth continues through strategic initiatives. In 2024, the firm entered a growth equity partnership to boost both organic and acquisitive expansion. This positions the firm for continued regional leadership.
The acquisition strategy strengthens geographic reach. Strategic acquisitions have strengthened MPS’s regional presence, with the company joining forces with established firms in Charleston, Columbia, Augusta and Huntsville. These partnerships expand both expertise and coverage while maintaining community-focused service.
Recent studio relocations reflect growth ambitions. The Atlanta studio moved to the heart of Midtown Atlanta, placing the team within a vibrant urban context. Studio Director Joseph Alcock noted the talented team will stay inspired by local art and culture while pursuing design excellence.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many offices does McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture operate?
The firm operates 10 studios across the Southeast in cities including Greenville, Spartanburg, Charleston, Columbia, Charlotte, Asheville, Atlanta, Augusta, Huntsville, and West Columbia.
What types of projects does the firm specialize in?
Core practice areas include K-12 and higher education, healthcare, civic and cultural facilities, commercial and industrial buildings, historic preservation, and adaptive reuse projects.
How long has the firm been in business?
The practice traces its roots to 1955, with the current entity formed through a 2009 merger, representing nearly seven decades of architectural experience.
Does McMillan Pazdan Smith work outside the Southeast?
While focused on the Southeast, the firm provides services in 15 states through its affiliate MPS Architects, P.C., including projects in California, Colorado, Illinois, and other regions.
What makes their approach to design unique?
The firm emphasizes collaborative culture, community impact, and integrated services that combine architecture, planning, interior design, and advisory expertise for comprehensive project solutions.
Conclusion
McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture has earned its reputation through decades of thoughtful work across the Southeast. From educational facilities that prepare students for modern careers to healthcare spaces that support healing, the firm demonstrates how architecture serves broader community needs.
Their growth trajectory shows no signs of slowing. Strategic acquisitions, new partnerships, and expanding service offerings position them to tackle increasingly complex challenges. Yet the core philosophy remains constant: create meaningful and lasting impact for the good of all.
The built environment shapes how people learn, heal, work, and connect. Firms like McMillan Pazdan Smith prove that exceptional design emerges from collaboration, community understanding, and unwavering commitment to quality. As the Southeast continues to grow and evolve, their role in shaping its future becomes ever more significant.
Featured Snippet
McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture is a regional architecture, advisory services, and interior design firm operating 10 studios throughout the Southeast. Practicing since 1955, the firm maintains offices in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, serving diverse clients in K-12, higher education, healthcare, civic, industrial, and commercial sectors.
