Ajax Building Company & AE Partners Earn an Interior Carolopolis Award for the College of Charleston Sottile Theatre Renovation
January 21, 2021 : Charleston, SC — Ajax Building Company, LLC, McMillan, Pazdan, Smith Architecture,Go to https://www.mcmillanpazdansmith.com/ Bennett Preservation Engineering, and Rogers Art Conservation were chosen for the renovation of the historic 1927 Sottile Theatre at the College of Charleston, a project that received an Interior Carolopolis Award from the Preservation Society of Charleston (PSC)Go to https://www.preservationsociety.org/what-we-do/preservation-initiatives/carolopolis/ during their 67th annual celebration.
This year, the PSC Carolopolis Award celebration was offered two ways; as a socially distanced event hosted in the Sottile Theatre itself, and as a virtual live-streamed event. It recognized 18 historic renovations from Hollywood to Hampton Park, all within Charleston County.
The PSC is the oldest grassroots preservation organization in the United States. It was founded in 1920 by Susan Pringle Frost, a pioneer preservationist as well as the first president of the Charleston Equal Suffrage League. Since 1953, the PSC has been honoring the best preservation efforts through the Carolopolis Award program, having recognized more than 1,400 projects.
Ajax and MPS Architecture’s work included not only the stage, but the backstage areas to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of the space. These areas were reconfigured to increase accessibility to the backstage and wing areas for sets and performers. The previous rigging system was antiquated, unsafe, and required a certified technician to operate, and was replaced with a safer modern system that is considered an industry standard. A new fire curtain, fire door, and ramp were installed with new fire protection equipment connected to the fire alarm panel. Other modifications and improvements included new stage floors, repaired plaster ceilings, new front-of-house stage lighting positions, and a new orchestra pit lift.
About Our Company: Ajax Building Company, LLC founded in 1958, is an employee owned and third generation family operated construction management firm. During the past 62 years, Ajax has steadily grown to become one of the Southeast’s premier contractors. As a part of the STO Building Group family, Ajax’s project experience now extends throughout the United States, into Canada and the UK. Regardless of the complexity or size of a project, Ajax brings innovative solutions to construction challenges and the final product exceeds owners’ expectations. Ajax prides itself on delivering projects on time, in budget and with the highest level of safety, customer service and quality. Ajax is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.