Assembly

We could not be more excited to announce that we are joining our longtime friends and collaborators @thisisgrow and @madebysway and our new friends @flagshipvisuals in @assemblynfk. Assembly is designed to connect — people, creative companies, our community and the region. Assembly will be packed full of shared amenities and collision spaces that will push each of our companies to grow and succeed faster as we learn from and collaborate with each other. WPA is proud to be designing Assembly for friends who we admire and who have been pushing each other to do our best for Norfolk/VB and the region for over a decade!

#assemblynfk

https://www.assemblynfk.com/

Introducing Assembly – Grow – Medium

 

Commercial Coffee Hampton Roads at the NSU Innovation Center on Main Street

Join us on Wednesday, March 27th for a tour of the Norfolk State University Innovation Center on Main Street. Located in the heart of Norfolk’s business district, the center was created in partnership between the Norfolk State University Research & Innovation Foundation and the City of Norfolk to create a space to better connect students, faculty, and alumni with the greater business community. Because there is no defined end user, the Center is a model for flexibility and serve many purposes. It includes small and large conference areas that can be reconfigured many different ways. The space also includes individual break-out spaces and collaborative work areas, informal sitting and lounge areas, a catering kitchen/break room and four touch-down office spaces. Work Program Architects and Norfolk State University will be speaking about the center.
A special thank you to Work Program Architects for sponsoring!
As always, Commercial Coffee is free-of-charge so please click the “Register Now” link to confirm your attendance.
Paid parking at Commercial Place Garage or on-street metered parking are available.

 

Virginian-Pilot article By Briana Adhikusuma, Staff Writer

https://pilotonline.com/business/consumer/article_33d2d9a6-45a8-11e9-a0e7-cf457cc788c3.html

 

 

IPConfigure

 

 

 

IPConfigure, Inc. is a video surveillance and research and development software company based out of Norfolk, VA. When they came to us with the idea of restoring the old Dubin Metals Building on Bowdens Ferry Road we jumped at the opportunity. Here are a few images of the existing conditions and proposed future renovations. This is a historic tax credit project with the original building constructed around 1938 for acetylene gas manufacturing for World War Two! The subsequent additions yield a total building footprint of over 28,000 SF.


IPConfigure plans to utilize a portion of the building as their new headquarters, and they are looking for tenants to take advantage of the large outdoor space and help support their revitalization efforts in the area. This is a very exciting project in the Lambert’s Point area and we are proud to be a part of it!IPConfigure Interiors…the original loading dock canopy welcomes visitors into the building. Skylights and new light fixtures cast a warm glow on the reception area when filtered through new wood slats installed in the steel canopy. Adjustable height desks make it comfortable for employees to sit or stand while they work. A new steel staircase leads up to the original tower. What once was a testing ground for acetylene gas will soon be a conference room, break room, and rooftop terrace. It is really exciting for us that this property sits right on the
@ertnorfolk

 

 

World Below the Brine

We’re very excited to announce that WPA, in association with Rhiza A+D and Piece of Cake Productions, has been selected by the City of Virginia Beach – Office of Cultural Affairs to design, fabricate, and install a piece of interactive temporary public art at Rudee Inlet Loop. Drawing inspiration from the vivid Walt Whitman poem of the same name, “World Below the Brine” will simulate the ever-changing shore, above and below the water’s surface by creating an canopy that both captures the wind and translates the sun into a “play of light through the water.” The piece consists of a tall steel framework anchored by four concrete benches and supporting a torqued stainless steel wire grid on which 200 painted metal paddles with cast glass counterweights will pivot in wave-like motion as breezes pass through. During the day, visitors will walk below the piece and be covered in moving diffused light and shadow. At night it will be illuminated with LED lighting that will respond to the movements of visitors, creating the visual of a floating anemone visible to passers-by from Atlantic Avenue and the nearby Rudee Inlet Bridge. “World Below the Brine” will debut this September and remain through the Spring of 2020. We are also excited to share that AP Art students from Virginia Beach City Public Schools will be lending a hand with fabrication and installation right at the beginning of their first semester, and that Lynch Mykins will be our structural engineering partner. Stay tuned here and on our Instagram @wpa_norfolk for updates on our progress.

NEON Community Open Space

The following is a list of features being contemplated, as shown in the renderings:

Paved pathways connecting the surrounding sidewalks and streets to the existing paved concrete pad to remain in place. 

Landscaping within the areas of soil on site: grass or stable groundcover, trees, and shaping of the land (rain gardens, swales, berms, etc.).

Planters: both stationary and mobile. The purpose of these are to extend the greenspace from the south edge deeper onto the site, and to help designate the boundaries of the various activity spaces.

Stage Platform:  this is shown with multiple tiers, serving multiple uses including: 1) A platform for performances; 2) amphitheater for watching activity within the Park; 3) a resilient element for play/recreation (can handle wear and tear from skateboarding and other high intensity activities).

Shade Structure: over the stage platform. This will make the platform usable rain or shine. There is a potential for the shade structure to incorporate rigging for lighting, projection screen, speakers, or other performance-related equipment.

Shipping Containers: the two 20’ containers currently at the PLOT can be re-used and modified for new purposes (vending, storage, etc.). A new 40’ container can be added to span above the 20’ containers to provide a surface for graphics and to make a shaded space below. The walls of the containers become surfaces for vertical gardens and graphics (like a neon ‘NEON’ sign!).

Benches: these would be made of solid concrete with reinforced edges for durability. They would accommodate a range of activities including seating, market stalls, and skateboarding.

Playground Area: to include play equipment on an appropriate play surface. The play equipment could be in the form of public art, similar to “Upper Blush”, the sculpture by Matthew Geller that was recently installed on site.

Basketball Area:  a resilient hoop, backboard, and pole, with striping painted on the ground. Depending on the location, a fence element might be necessary to help prevent balls from leaving the site and becoming a hazard.

Lighting: the light poles from PLOT I could be re-used and new lighting could be implemented as needed. It will be beneficial to have power at the Stage Platform and also at the Containers.

Painting and Scoring: the concrete surface presents a good opportunity painting or scoring to help emphasize the diagonal paths and/or the division of the site into activity areas. The scoring may help with drainage – to provide a path for water to migrate toward the landscaped areas. During the charrette it was discussed that some game surfaces would be nice on the paving: chess, hopscotch, bocce, etc.

Public Art: the west wall of the adjacent building is a perfect place for a large commissioned mural. Also, places within the park can be dedicated for additional sculptures. Artworks that promote participation, interaction, and play should be favored.

Miscellaneous Park Equipment:  Tables and chairs, play equipment, signage, water source for irrigation, etc.

 

Please stay tuned here and to the Downtown Norfolk Council’s website for news, upcoming milestones, and ways to get involved in the NEON District as it continues to evolve.

Vibrant Spaces Announces Selden Market

Downtown Norfolk’s First Retail Incubator

NORFOLK, Va. – (May 2017) – Downtown Norfolk Council is pleased to announce that Vibrant Spaces, an incentive program developed to stimulate street-level business, is partnering with the City of Norfolk to open Selden Market. Located in the Selden Arcade that sits between Main and Plume Streets in Downtown, Selden Market will serve as a storefront incubator for new businesses.

Selden Arcade is the historic connector between Slover Library and Hilton Norfolk The Main. Selden Market will be transformed into a vibrant space with multiple small-business tenants, mentors and kiosks for pop-up businesses. The program will stimulate street-level activity with low rents and short-term leases to help businesses shape their model, learn from each other and build community in a low-risk environment.

“This market concept is a culmination of all of the lessons we’ve learned from the successful Vibrant Spaces program,” said Drew Ungvarsky, chairman and CEO and executive creative director of Grow. “Vibrant Spaces matched new businesses with existing spaces in Downtown and provided grants and reduced rents. Additionally, grants were awarded to existing businesses that brought unique concepts to create street-level vibrancy. The goals for Selden Market are regular activation, a unique atmosphere and continual transformation.”

 

“One thing we discovered was the need for smaller spaces that allow businesses to get started and then grow,” added Mary Miller, president and CEO of Downtown Norfolk Council. “We anticipate this will stimulate businesses across the city and provide a learning and sharing environment. Plus, the synergy of the location adjacent to Slover Library and The Main is a huge benefit. The market is an interim use for two to three years, and we are working with Work Program Architects on a moveable design approach.”

The Slover Library Maker Studio, an initiative of the Slover Library Foundation, will be added to the library’s first floor in the Arcade for patrons to experiment with all kinds of new technologies and tools to create and invent. It will include a sound recording studio, laser cutter and sewing machines.

The Selden Market concept is progressive but not uncharted. Downtown Norfolk Council has incorporated the best practices in retail incubation, markets, food halls and hybrid spaces across the country.

Downtown Norfolk Council and the Vibrant Spaces committee will accept applications for potential tenants. Applications are available online at www.seldenmarket.com.

Tenant selections will be made for those that communicate the following qualities:

  • Exciting and unique street-level businesses
  • Inclusive of retail, experience, food, service and especially hybrids and non-traditional business models
  • Exemplifies the original program criteria: incredible design, regular activation, exceptional offerings


 
Selden Market will be operated by the Downtown Norfolk Council, and the call for entry is available now through July 13. In addition to incubator storefronts, DNC will offer a few mentor spaces to help with tenant education and traffic generation. Kiosk rentals will allow businesses to test concepts by the day or week. Construction will begin on connectors to The Main and Slover Library this summer, and a fall launch is anticipated.

Selden Market from WPA on Vimeo.

Vibrant Spaces started in 2015. The first phase attracted 86 applicants for six spaces in seven weeks. Three businesses opened in Downtown: Prince Ink at 433 Granby, Lamia’s Crepes at 401 Granby Street and Muddy Paws Downtown at 400 Granby Street. Eight additional grants were awarded to existing businesses including Brick Anchor Brew-House, Work | Release, Leone’s and Hurrah Players.  Additional vacancies have been filled through connections with Vibrant Spaces including Pinot’s Palette (Ghent); Town Center Cold Pressed (Ghent); Jollity & Co. (Ghent; Pacers (35th Street); Bearded Bird Brewing (NEON); Corks & Caps (Downtown); Bonchon (Downtown) and The Rustic Tart (Downtown).

Downtown Norfolk Council (DNC) is a private, not-for-profit membership organization comprised of businesses and individuals working toward a dynamic, attractive and prosperous Downtown. DNC also manages the Downtown Norfolk Improvement District, a 48-block special services district with enhanced services that keep Downtown friendly, safe and spotless. Connect with Downtown Norfolk on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram or visit DowntownNorfolk.org.

Mill Street Carriage House

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In April of 2015, the historic carriage house located at 533 Mill Street was destroyed in a fire. Constructed in 1906 with additions built in 1907-1909 and 1924-1925, the building served the Royster family’s three homes around Mowbray Arch and Warren Crescent, housing six cars below and the chauffer and mechanic in a small apartment above. WPA has been working with the home-owners, the City, the Architectural Review Board, the Sargeant Memorial Collection, and the Ghent Neighborhood League on a design for a replacement to the historic carriage house that fits seamlessly back into the neighborhood, alludes strongly to the original building, but asserts itself as a 2016 building.

 

W:1515 Brett Garage and Carriagehouse�3 Models1515_15-11-17_B

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400 Granby Street  Suite 301 Norfolk, VA 23510 Studio: (757) 227-5310

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400 Granby Street
Suite 301
Norfolk, VA 23510
(757) 227-5310
© WPA
Website Maintained By