Spartanburg Planning Commission Recognizes Converse with Excellence in Design Award

The Spartanburg City Planning Commission presented Converse College and McMillan Smith & Partners Architects with an Excellence in Design Award for renovation of the college’s historic log cabin. The award was presented during a March 27 ceremony hosted by the Commission at the Spartanburg County Library.

Originally constructed in 1938, the log cabin has been used primarily for student and public activities. “Converse showed tremendous appreciation for the historical aspects of the cabin while implementing a design that increased its functionality and beauty. It’s just the sort of project that we believe should be acknowledged through our Excellence in Design Awards,” said Ricky Richardson, chairman of the Spartanburg City Planning Commission.

The renovation, which began in June 2005, was made possible by a financial gift from a friend of the college in honor of his spouse, a Converse graduate. Its scope included a complete replacement of the roof, restoration of the logs, refinished floors, new lighting, a new landscape design and the addition of two externally accessible lavatories.