April Magill, Board Member
April is the Principal Architect and Owner of Root Down Designs (founded in 2011), an Adjunct Professor at The American College of the Building Arts, a Natural Builder, Educator & Workshop Facilitator, Board Member/Advisor to several non-profit organizations: The Community First Land Trust & The TERRA Collaborative, and The Charleston Redevelopment Corporation. She is a community leader & activist, and a mother of two.
April attended architecture school at Virginia Tech where she graduated with a 5 year BA in architecture. During her studies in Europe, she became inspired by the organic architecture of Gaudi (link) and of the ancient world and would later, further broaden her knowledge of the ancient built world through an exploration of earthen building methods, in search of a truly sustainable building model.
In 2004, she began her career in Charleston, South Carolina, working for several architecture firms and developing a diverse range of skills and knowledge in a variety of project types. In 2011 she founded Root Down Designs on a mission to bring a true sustainable and regenerative architecture to the south; inspired by Natural Building projects from around the world and the principles of Permaculture (link), yet grounded by the roots and knowledge of her past experience.
Her passions and creative work are expressed through her architecture and her love of community-building. April is an activist and an advocate of affordable housing solutions, healthy building solutions, and the empowerment of women as building artisans.
April is a leading voice in the advancements of Alternative, Natural, & Healthy building methods and has been a pioneer in the advancement of alternative building methods in the southeast. She has worked with multiple building jurisdictions in helping clients obtain building permits for alternative materials. She has successfully obtained permits for multiple rammed earth projects, compressed earth block, and off-grid Eco Resorts. April’s conventional background also allows her to excel in Project Management and she has led large teams through the conception of an idea through to the completion of a project, with the client’s budget always at the forefront of every project.
April has led over 4 dozen community-building workshops and courses, is an Adjunct Professor for the American College of Building Arts, and is a keynote speaker and presenter to many organizations and universities. Her passion for engaging with communities and involving people in the process of building is essential and a major passion. She is a true visionary for resilient and healthy buildings for the future and for the future of a healthy planet.
