Colleton County Farmers Market
Hybrid brick & steel market
2016
Colleton County Farmers Market
The Project
A multi-use community facility combining the Colleton County Farmers Market with a commercial kitchen rental program. The project blends existing multi-wythe brick walls with new construction steel framing and light-gauge infill to create flexible vendor stalls, food-prep tenancy, and community gathering spaces. The design preserves the visual heft and texture of the historic masonry while inserting contemporary roof framing and service infrastructure to support modern commercial-kitchen operations and market activities.
The Challenge
The site brought together old and new materials and programs that place competing demands on the building: preserving and repairing century-old multi-wythe brick walls while adapting the plan for modern food-safety, mechanical, and accessibility requirements. The existing masonry limited where new penetrations, service runs, and openings could be located without undermining stability. At the same time the client required durable, easy-to-clean surfaces for commercial kitchen tenants, robust roof framing for long clear spans over market stalls, and a configuration that supported both daily market activity and occasional larger community events. Managing construction sequencing to protect the existing walls and minimize downtime for the market was also a priority.
The Solution
The project team pursued a conservation-first approach to the masonry, stabilizing and repointing the multi-wythe walls and selectively reinforcing openings where necessary. New roof structure and primary framing were designed in steel to achieve clear spans and to carry mechanical loads without bearing on fragile masonry. Light-gauge partition and infill systems provided code-compliant tenant separations and hygienic surfaces in the commercial kitchen area while remaining non-structural and reversible. Mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems were routed through new steel framing and dedicated chases to avoid cutting into historic masonry. Detailing at interfaces used isolation plates, compatible flashing, and through-bolted connections to protect the masonry from point loads and moisture intrusion. Construction sequencing prioritized temporary shoring and protective measures so the market could continue limited operations as essential repairs and new work proceeded.
The Improvements
Stabilization and targeted repairs substantially improved the masonry’s durability and weather resistance. The steel roof framing enabled larger unobstructed market aisles and created a more flexible footprint for vendors and events. The commercial kitchen areas were built out with hygienic finishes, correct clearances, and modern utilities routed to minimize visual impact on the historic fabric. Service access, drainage, and waste-handling were upgraded to meet health department expectations while protecting the building envelope. Where new openings were required, engineered lintels and reinforcement preserved wall behavior and visual continuity.
The Results
The renovated Colleton County Farmers Market now operates as a bright, functional community hub that retains the tactile presence of its historic brick while meeting contemporary needs for food preparation, vendor flexibility, and public programming. The hybrid structural approach extended the useful life of the original masonry, improved day-to-day operations for market vendors and kitchen tenants, and reduced long-term maintenance risk through improved flashing, weathertightness, and load distribution. The project demonstrates how careful integration of steel framing and modern systems can revitalize a historic building for community use without erasing its character.
