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

 

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.

CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART TAPS WORK PROGRAM ARCHITECTS TO EXPLORE POSSIBLE EXPANSION OF ITS PERRY GLASS STUDIO

—Studio’s exceptional success in first five years spurs discussion of needs for larger facility—385516_261125320620101_1955520259_n

The Chrysler Museum of Art launched its Perry Glass Studio in 2011 as an educational complement to the Museum and its extraordinary glass collection. The state-of-the-art facility offers classes in all glass processes for both novices and experienced artists. The Perry Glass Studio also is known for innovative Third Thursday events that feature glassmaking as a performing art. Image by Ed Pollard, Museum Photographer

NORFOLK, VA. (December 16, 2016) — The Chrysler Museum of Art has joined forces with Work Program Architects of Norfolk to perform feasibility studies for a possible expansion of the Perry Glass Studio building, Museum Director Erik Neil and WPA Principals Thom White and Mel Price jointly announced today. The Perry Glass Studio, now in its fifth year, has surpassed the Museum’s original expectations for its success, prompting the exploration of creating a larger facility to accommodate its growing educational demands and opportunities for new programs.
“The Perry Glass Studio has met with unprecedented success in its first five years, and as we capitalize on that success, its future looks even brighter,” said Museum Director Erik Neil. “WPA can help the Chrysler consider its options for an enlarged and enhanced facility, but even more, we believe that WPA can help us make a statement about the Perry Glass Studio and its importance to the growth of the arts in Norfolk.”

WPA is a full-service architecture, interior design, and planning studio with offices in the historic Monticello Arcade in Downtown Norfolk. Their expertise includes all scales of architecture, urban design, master planning, and sustainable and resilient design. The award-winning firm is also lauded for its reputation for creative collaboration with its clients, and for LEED certification in energy-efficient “green” building practices.

WPA was founded in 2010 by Thom White (AIA, Principal/Design Architect) and Mel Price (AIA, LEED AP, Principal/Project and Process Manager). The firm and its leaders boast an impressive portfolio that includes design projects across the country, with many of their foremost accomplishments within the Commonwealth. Among these recent successes are the new G.W.C. Brown Memorial Hall at Norfolk State University and a host of urban design interventions that focus on placemaking and a resilient approach to development, K-12 and higher-education facilities, retail spaces, corporate offices, residences, and galleries across Hampton Roads.

The group’s experience with both the Chrysler Museum and Downtown Norfolk and the city’s growing NEON
(New Energy of Norfolk) Arts and Design District are especially valuable. Both the Chrysler Museum of Art and its glass studio play a critical role as anchor locations within the NEON District. The Perry Glass Studio was launched in 2011 as an educational complement to the Chrysler’s comprehensive collection of glass. The popular state-of-the-art facility offers classes in the many processes of glassmaking and serves novices and master artists alike. In addition, the Perry Glass Studio has garnered a reputation for innovative uses of glass in the performing arts. These successes and the area’s burgeoning arts scene earned the Chrysler and the City of Norfolk a prestigious honor: selection as co-hosts of the 46th Annual Glass Art Society Conference in June 2017.

Work Program Architects emerged as the Museum’s choice for the expansion research project through a competitive search. Each of the local, regional, and national firms invited to participate is known for its experience with similar expansion projects, according to Museum Trustee Peter Meredith, who heads the Building Committee. He said WPA stood out for their research initiative, aesthetic creativity, community understanding, contracting networks, and professional expertise. The Museum’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved the selection on October 27.
“WPA is thrilled and honored to be selected to explore an expansion of the Perry Glass Studio,” said Thom White, Principal/Design Architect. “We look forward to working with the Chrysler Museum of Art to develop a world-class facility that is a vital and versatile destination for artists and visitors alike to engage deeply with the art of glassmaking.”

“An expansion to the Perry Glass Studio could provide a better and more resilient link to the Museum proper, create more partnerships with the community, showcase all of the glassmaking processes that the Studio has to offer, and provide an even more incredible and fun educational experience for visitors!” Mel Price, WPA’s Principal/Project and Process Manager, said. “We are delighted to work with the Chrysler Museum of Art to consider how to turn these possibilities into reality.”

ABOUT THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART
The Chrysler Museum of Art is one of America’s most distinguished art museums, with a nationally recognized collection of more than 30,000 objects, including one of the great glass collections in America. The core of the Chrysler’s collection comes from Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., an avid collector who donated thousands of artworks to the Museum. In the years since Chrysler’s death in 1988, the Museum has dramatically enhanced its collection and extended its ties with the Norfolk community. The Museum expanded in 2014 to add additional gallery spaces and amenities for visitors. The Chrysler also mounts an ambitious schedule of visiting exhibitions and educational programs and events each season.

In November 2011, the Chrysler opened a full-service glass Studio adjacent to the Museum. This state-of-the-art facility features a 560-pound capacity glass furnace, a full hot shop, a flameworking studio, nine annealing ovens, and a coldworking shop. This popular facility has a growing reputation for creativity and innovation in the glass world, and will serve as a cohost for the 2017 Glass Art Society Conference in Norfolk.

The Chrysler Museum of Art also administers two historic houses in downtown Norfolk: the Moses Myers House and the Willoughby-Baylor House.

The Chrysler Museum of Art, One Memorial Place, Norfolk, and its Perry Glass Studio at 745 Duke St., are open to the public Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.

The Historic Houses on East Freemason Street are open weekends. General admission is free at all venues. For more information on the Chrysler Museum of Art, visit chrysler.org.

ABOUT WPA
Work Program Architects was founded in 2010 by Thom White and Mel Price. Located in the historic Monticello Arcade in Downtown Norfolk, WPA has an open studio environment that encourages collaboration between staff, consultants, clients, and the community. WPA is focused on municipal, educational and government work, civic landmarks, places of business, and any place where people gather.

Our mission is to build community through good design. Our ever-evolving, inclusive, multi-disciplinary design process results in projects unique to their location. The relationships we build with our clients and the community create buildings, neighborhoods, and urban places that connect people in living, working, and social spaces. We value a healthy and collaborative environment in which we develop responsible professionals and effective leaders, and foster the efforts of engaged citizens.

WPA was formed around the commitment to take on a significant pro bono project portfolio each year. Our current efforts are focused in the NEON District and on the formation of the Friends of the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation. The Friends of the ERT Foundation’s mission is to provide planning, fundraising, and marketing to activate and enhance the Elizabeth River Trail.

For more information, visit wparch.com.

 

Oozlefinch Craft Brewery

WPA is thrilled to partner with For the People Projects on Oozlefinch Craft Brewery in Hampton, VA. The project is located at Fort Monroe and is BCOM project. Jen Stringer (longtime friend and collaborator) is the Lead Designer and Owner of For the People Projects. WPA is the Architect of Record, assisting Jen with her work as Lead Designer and Owner’s Representative.  Oozlefinch Craft Brewery honors the legend of the “Oozlefinch,” a featherless bird that flies backward at supersonic speeds. Under the influence of alcohol, Captain H.M. Merriam first sighted the Oozlefinch outside the officer’s club at Fort Monroe. Over time, reports of Oozlefinch sightings became more common, sketches were made, and a statue of the Oozlefinch was erected on Fort Monroe.Oozlefinch2_2

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oozlefinch

Oozlefinch Facebook

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2015 AIA Hampton Roads Design + Honor Awards

AIA awards (7 of 7)WPA and our design partners are honored to receive the Merit Award for Interiors for the Norfolk Tug Warehouse Renovation project. The renovation was a project in which we could highlight adaptive reuse, the challenges of integrating modern design elements harmoniously with old, and incorporating custom design elements. This award and the recognition by our peers is truly an honor and a capstone to our 5th year as a firm. Thank you all.

INTERIOR DESIGNER:
SPACE Design Group:
Allison Whitmore

CONTRACTOR:
P.G. Harris Construction Co.

PHOTOGRAPHER:
UP Studio:
Yuzhu Zheng

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Price Residence

House-1_small

A huge thanks to the whole team who helped give new life to this beautiful old 1920 West Ghent home. Can’t wait for the next phase of the renovation!

Structural Engineering – Speight Marshall and Francis
General Contracting (Exterior, windows, new structure and foundations) – Beach Building Group
General Contracting (Interior) – Covington Contracting
Kitchen Cabinetry – Unique Environments
Photography – Yuzhu Zheng at Up Studio
Dog Star – Neptune (City of Norfolk Spokesdog and Canine Crusader for Clean Waterways)

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Renovations to a Residence in Western Branch

14-08-11_Keverline_Entry_High_Glass

WPA is proud to continue to work with our Clients in Western Branch on small renovations and interventions in their home.  This new covered entry sets the stage for procession into the recently renovated entry foyer, music room, living room, dining room and kitchen. Custom glass and steel elements match profiles used on the interior of the house, and solid wood columns are reminiscent of heavy timber columns on the interior, recycled from the now demolished Norfolk Boat House concert venue.

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

© WPA Website Maintained By

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