April Magill is the Principal Architect and owner of Root Down Designs, a progressive and forward-thinking design firm dedicated to responsible architecture and building. She founded the small business to bring sustainable and regenerative architecture to the south; inspired by natural building projects from around the world and grounded by the roots and knowledge of her past experience.

We can’t wait to see you all (virtually) on May 15!

1. What do you love most about what you do? 

Helping people achieve their dreams in an often confusing process, and watching the empowerment happen in building workshops and classes

2. What inspired you and how did you become involved in your current career(s)? 

I have always been inspired by natures, it just took me 15 years to figure out how to merge nature and architecture. i am insipred by the notion that we can create shelter through the use of natural materials, and a knowledge base which has existed for thousands of years. i became invovled in my current career 9 years ago when someone in India mentioned the words ‘NATURAL BULDING’ to me; and thus the seed was planted and rooted and already growing.

3. How do you start your day?  

Well, these days in the covid-19 style, it’s a bit different than in the real world where i have a 6 and a 4 year old who has to get to school on time. these days i start with coffee and headstands.

4. Tell us about your proudest moment or accomplishment. 

Each time a community-building project comes together

5. Do you have a hidden talent? P

hotography and (sort of) playing my fiddle

6. Who or what gives you creative inspiration? 

All of my natural building artisan colleagues (especially the women) around the world who are doing incredible, beautiful, work

7. Coffee fuels our morning events. If you’re a coffee drinker, what’s your go-to order? 

Drip coffee, black

8. What is your favorite place in Charleston? 

Hampton Park

9. How do you unwind or de-stress? 

Hot baths, quietness. i’m an introvert, so just give me a quiet space and i’m good.

Rapid Fire:

Morning person or night owl? 

morning

Summer of winter? 

spring….ok, summer

Mountains or beach? 

mountains

Pancakes or waffles? 

waffles

Fiction or non-fiction? 

non-fiction