OUR MISSION

To strengthen community through a collaborative design process.

We do this by only taking on projects that build:

OUR CORE VALUES

Collaborative

We are true collaborators within the WPA studio, with our clients, consultants, other architects, and the community. We’ve purposefully provided spaces in our work environments for these opportunities.

Community-Focused

We support our local community and believe in real public process where everyone has an equal voice and feels invested. We deliberately take on pro bono work to demonstrate our dedication to community projects.

Open + Transparent

We’ve built our business on true transparency. Finances, salaries, and bonuses are an open book, as we believe it provides for two-way accountability. By opening ourselves up for critique, we can grow and develop our practice more rapidly.

Environmental Resilience

We are dedicated to the stewardship of both the natural and built environment, prioritizing sustainability and adaptability. By addressing environmental challenges, we foster resilience through harmony between natural systems and community well-being.

Respect of People + Place

We are listeners, first and foremost, honoring the unique stories, cultures, and context that shape each project. This approach ensures authenticity, meaning, and a deep connection to the communities we serve.

ABOUT/HISTORY

Work Program Architects was founded in 2010 by Mel Price and Thom White. Located in the beautifully renovated Assembly building at 400 Granby Street in Downtown Norfolk, originally an Ames and Brownley department store (ca. 1919). WPA has an open studio environment that encourages collaboration between staff, clients, consultants, and the community.

WPA is focused on educational and municipal work, civic landmarks, places of business, and any place where people gather. Our 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.

WPA is comprised of professionals with a broad range of skills including architecture, industrial design, interior design, urban planning, graphic design, fabrication, modeling, and project management. WPA has an in-house licensed educator on our team to help program and design engaging learning environments. We value a healthy and collaborative environment in which we develop responsible professionals and effective leaders and foster the efforts of engaged citizens.