OUR CORE VALUES
Collaborative
We are true collaborators within the WPA studio, with our clients, consultants, other architects, and the community. We’ve built out additional desks, meeting space, and gallery in order to make a physical space 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 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.
Generalists
We design for all types of projects and take on work on the condition that it allows us to learn something new. While we are developing expertise in sea level rise and coastal resiliency work, we will never specialize in any project type.
Process-Driven
We practice process-driven design. The same steps apply to all sizes and types of projects. This reinforces all of our other Core Values.
ABOUT/HISTORY
Work Program Architects was founded in 2010 by Mel Price and Thom White. Located in the historic Monticello Arcade in Downtown Norfolk, 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, 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.
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, 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.
Our Team
Mel Price
Principal
Thom White
Principal
Peter Johnston
Associate | Urban Designer | Industrial Designer
John Stephens
Senior Architect | Project Manager
Jacob Combee
Architect | Project Manager
Zachary Robinson
Architectural Designer | Urban Designer
Robert Crawshaw
Senior Architect | Project Manager
Sam Bowling
Senior Architect | Project Manager
Beth White
Marketing
Rick Alexander
Business Development
Ross Cannon
Urban Planner | Graphic Illustrator
Stacey Crawshaw
Graphic Designer
Our Team
Mel Price
Principal
- Bachelor of Architecture, University of Notre Dame
- AIA, NCARB, LEED AP
- DEB certified
- State of Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers and Landscape Architects (APELSCIDLA)
- Past Chair, AIA National Small Firm Exchange
- Friends of the Elizabeth River Trail Foundation, Executive Board of Directors
- Greater Norfolk Corporation, Executive Board of Directors
- Downtown Norfolk Council, Executive Board of Directors
- Norfolk Forum, Board of Directors
- City of Norfolk Design Review, Past Member
- Norfolk Public Libraries, Board of Trustees, Past Member
- Re:Vision Norfolk, Founding Member & Treasurer
- Roy Badgley Distinguished Service Award Recipient, 2017
Mobile: 757-472-9342
E-mail: mel@wparch.com
Thom White
Principal
- Bachelor of Architecture, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Virginia State AIA Emerging Leader in Architecture 2011
- NCARB
- Director of Re:Vision Norfolk
Mobile: 757-589-8281
E-mail: thom@wparch.com
Peter Johnston
- Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Board of Directors, Downtown Norfolk Council
- Downtown Norfolk Council Walkability Committee
- Director of Re:Vision Norfolk
Mobile: 757-321-1509
E-mail: peter@wparch.com
John Stephens
- Bachelor of Architecture, Virginia Polytechnic and State University
- AIA
- NCARB
- LEED AP
- Director of ReVision: Norfolk
- President of Saint Paul’s Place Board of Directors
Mobile: 757-639-0710
E-mail: john@wparch.com
Jacob Combee
- Bachelor of Architecture, Virginia Tech
- AIA
- Tap into Design Committee Chair, AIA Hampton Roads
Mobile: 804-516-9100
E-mail: jacob@wparch.com
Zachary Robinson
- Master of Architecture, Hampton University
- Master of Urban Design, University of Miami
Mobile: 347-743-5345
E-mail: zach@wparch.com
Robert Crawshaw
- Bachelor of Architecture, Hampton University
- AIA
- Virginia State AIA Emerging Leader in Architecture 2016
Mobile: 757-287-3236
E-mail: rob@wparch.com
Sam Bowling
- Masters of Architecture, Kansas State University
- AIA, NCARB
- Co-Director of Outreach, AIA Hampton Roads
- Emerging Leader – Design Futures Council 2015
Mobile: 703-635-6280
E-mail: sam@wparch.com
Beth White
Marketing
- Bachelor of Science, Anthropology, Radford University
- Master of Education, Old Dominion University
Mobile: 757-575-4613
E-mail: beth@wparch.com
Rick Alexander
Business Development
- Bachelor of Fine Arts, Graphic Communications, Old Dominion University
- Member Urban Land Institute
- Member HRACRE
Mobile: 757-692-8162
E-mail: rick@wparch.com
Ross Cannon
Urban Planner | Graphic Illustrator
Bachelor of Arts in Urban Affairs & Planning, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Mobile: 757-615-1163
E-mail: ross@wparch.com