ESSENTIALS

Firm Name: Anderson Studio of Architecture and Design

Principals: Scott Anderson

Headquarters: Charleston, South Carolina

Accolades: Forbes Architecture’s “America’s Top 200 Residential Architects,” 2025; Forbes Architecture’s “America’s Best-in-State Residential Architects,” 2025

House Name: River Watch

Location: Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Area & Layout: 5,190 square feet, 5 BR, 7 BA

Architectural Photographers: Brennan Wesley (brennanwesley.com), Kelly Ferguson

Salt marshes and coastal waterways etch the edges of South Carolina’s southern shore, beguiling vacationers and residents alike with sublime scenery and southern charm. Asked to design a winter home for a globe-trotting family on Kiawah Island, one of the Lowcountry’s barrier islands, the team at Anderson Studio of Architecture and Design was confronted with a challenge: How do you elevate a house to take advantage of the views without compromising the views you’re celebrating—especially given a small, irregular lot with a cluster of specimen trees smack in the middle and another blocking the view?

“One of the most satisfying realizations was that the site wasn’t working against us—it was telling us exactly what to do,” says founder Scott Anderson. Honoring that directive, he angled the house to orient it toward the scenery (and away from neighbors), wrapping it around the trees so they became focal points instead of obstacles.

To downplay the home’s mass, Anderson took a counterintuitive approach. “We moved the ground plane up and the architecture down,” he says. Front steps wind around the oak cluster, depositing visitors in a raised entry hall set at base flood level. There, more stairs lead to an elevated first floor that’s crowned with a splayed gambrel roof. Although it conceals a full second floor, the roof creates the illusion that the house is much smaller than it actually is. “The home presents itself as low and grounded from the key vantage points that matter most,” Anderson says.

Such sleight-of-hand is commonplace for Anderson Studio, which specializes in designing houses that nod to historic styles but are more responsive to their settings and inhabitants than an actual period house might be. In the case of the Kiawah Island home, that meant breaking with period convention and lining the view side with window walls, and incorporating a variety of ceiling treatments to help define living spaces (and introduce a sense of scale) within the open plan.

“Each house is shaped by its own set of circumstances,” Anderson says. “Rather than developing a recognizable ‘style,’ we are more interested in creating homes that feel deeply rooted in place and deeply connected to the people who inhabit them.”

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Miss Charleston Lindsay Jones is preparing to represent the Lowcountry on one of the state’s biggest stages as she competes for the title of Miss South Carolina during the 2026 Miss South Carolina Competition, taking place June 16-20 in Columbia. The week-long competition will conclude with the final competition and crowning on June 20 and can be streamed live here.

Jones enters the competition with a strong record of community engagement, mentorship advocacy, and professional leadership. Throughout her year as Miss Charleston, she has hosted numerous community events, including partnerships with Kendra Scott, The Works Cycle, and multiple Pilates-based fundraising and outreach events designed to bring women together while supporting meaningful causes.

A passionate advocate for mentorship, Jones has focused much of her platform on her work with Big Brothers Big Sisters, an organization that holds special significance in her life.

“As someone who grew up with a mentor, I’ve experienced firsthand the impact that guidance and support can have on a young person’s future,” Jones said. “My goal is to continue working alongside the National CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters to share the importance of peer-to-peer mentoring and help connect more young people with life-changing opportunities.”

Lindsay Jones, Miss Charleston at Kendra Scott fundraiser event (Provided)

In addition to her community service efforts, Jones has become a sought-after speaker, using her professional experience to inspire young women pursuing careers in traditionally male-dominated industries.

Earlier this year, Clemson University invited her to speak about her journey as a woman succeeding in a male-dominated field. Her message resonated strongly with students, leading to an invitation to return during Rush Week and speak with sorority members and student leaders. This summer, she will also address audiences at both Clemson University and the University of South Carolina.

“I want young women to know they belong in every room they walk into,” Jones said. “Whether it’s engineering, manufacturing, construction, or leadership, there should never be limits placed on what women can achieve.”

A unique aspect of Jones’ Miss South Carolina competition journey is her non-traditional talent presentation, titled “HER Story”. Rather than performing a traditional talent, Jones uses the platform to share her personal experiences and encourage others to embrace their own stories.

“My talent is about the power of storytelling,” she explained. “I share what it’s like to be a female working for the world’s largest power tool company and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. Everyone has a story worth sharing, and when we tell our stories, we give others permission to do the same.”

Lindsay Jones, Miss Charleston at The Core Club for pilates fundraiser event (Provided)

Looking ahead, Jones has ambitious goals should she earn the title of Miss South Carolina. Among her priorities are expanding the organization’s Princess Mentorship Program, increasing recruitment efforts to introduce more young women to the Miss South Carolina Organization, and strengthening partnerships with Big Brothers Big Sisters across the state.

“If given the opportunity to serve as Miss South Carolina, I want to help grow the Princess Mentorship Program and create more opportunities for young girls to build confidence, leadership skills, and lifelong connections,” Jones said. “I also want to recruit more girls into this incredible organization and continue advocating for mentorship at every level.”

As competition week approaches, Jones says she is focused on making Charleston proud while remaining true to the mission that has guided her year of service.

“This journey has never been about a crown,” she said. “It’s about impact. If I can encourage even one young woman to believe in herself, share her story, or pursue a dream she thought was out of reach, then I’ve accomplished something meaningful.”

Supporters from across the Charleston area and beyond will be cheering on Jones as she competes June 16-20 for the opportunity to become the next Miss South Carolina and continue her mission of mentorship, empowerment, and leadership throughout the state.

Lindsay Jones, Miss Charleston (Provided)