Root Down Designs

Root Down Designs Full Scale Architectural Services; Natural Building Consulting & Workshops In 2011, she founded Root Down Designs, a full service architectural firm.

April Magill is an Architect, Alternative Building Consultant, and a Natural Builder in North and South Carolina. April is a 2004 graduate of the Virginia Tech School of Architecture, where she first became inspired by the organic architecture of Antonio Gaudi while studying abroad in Europe. Root Down Designs is a progressive and forward-thinking small business dedicated to responsible architectu

re and building. Living in a society which is facing major issues such as overpopulation, pollution, and diminishing natural resources, we are obligated to finding creative, efficient, and ‘out-of-the-box’ building solutions. Root Down Designs is committed to bringing a holistic view to all projects, with regionally sourced materials, Passive-Solar design, Sacred Geometry, and Dynamic Flow dictating her designs. Natural Building/Alternative Building is a growing movement of building practices and principles; April has just recently designed two modern Rammed Earth buildings permitted in South Carolina. She splits her time between her architectural practice and focusing on Natural Building practices, both as a traveling teacher of workshops and as a commissioned artisan. She recently completed an all-natural, clay plaster job in North Carolina and a clay paint for her own home. April is eager to keep learning and practicing, and sharing this knowledge with others.

04/30/2026

What a fun process, working with the stellar team over at .publicprefab to design this high performing, healthy, custom home!

03/26/2026

on a beautiful spring day 🐣🌻🌸
.publicprefab

03/05/2026

12/19/2025
12/19/2025

We consult for clients across the country! Hit us up if you’re sitting on that dream house idea but are feeling stuck! We got you!

11/26/2025

I’m excited and inspired by these students and their end of semester work. Each project was focused on community enhancement and resiliency efforts in .
I even spotted some bio-based materials!
Thank you for your thoughtful leadership Skye Clogston in shaping these future Architects! I’m honored to have been able to come and provide my feedback. Here’s to a resilient built future!

Over the past 15 years, as the public has become more aware of climate change, indoor air quality, and the dangers of re...
04/23/2025

Over the past 15 years, as the public has become more aware of climate change, indoor air quality, and the dangers of red-list materials, April Magill, founder of the nonprofit Root Down Building Collective, has seen local interest grow steadily. She’s on a mission to make those sustainable materials and techniques accessible to all. “Everybody is entitled to housing, but people don’t want to live in cheaply made, toxic, overpriced homes. We can have equitable housing that’s also sustainable, healthy, and environmentally friendly,” she says. Head to the link in the bio to learn about the nonprofit’s hempcrete test site and the hands-on experiences they offer for people who want to learn more.

WRITER: Lauren B. Johnson
PHOTOGRAPHER: Joe Caldwell & Courtesy of Root Down building Collective

https://charlestonmag.com/features/empowering_communities_root_down_s_quest_for_sustainable_and_equitable_housing_solutions?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR77Tb8YDm675_Px7cJsymZ6xGohOAH2UOh4uDnnted_C9R_pPAqBSF9HIANmA_aem_ASnpBqYU7jENdbeAdKDKBA

Find out about their hempcrete test site and hands-on experiences they offer for people who want to learn more

03/06/2025

It's always big scoops and bigger smiles with this crew when we're working with Hempcrete. Many of our plans are specifi...
02/26/2025

It's always big scoops and bigger smiles with this crew when we're working with Hempcrete. Many of our plans are specifically designed to be built with hempcrete, and you can see, we don't just imagine what it will turn out to be, we see it.

This efficient design can be built as a stand-alone unit, or as an accessory structure. The design consists of a ground-...
02/19/2025

This efficient design can be built as a stand-alone unit, or as an accessory structure. The design consists of a ground-level 630sf Garage and a 630sf 2nd-floor studio apartment, giving you the ability to maximize your property's value and provide housing for another family member or friend or just a massive party room! The 9’ ceiling height and large windows on the front make this compact living space feel larger.

https://www.rootdownhouseplan.com/collection/adu-apartment-garage-house-plan-bjl86

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Charleston, SC
29401, 29403, 29405, 29407, 29409, 29412, 29414, 29424, 29425, 29455, 29492

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