NEON District | WPA - Work Program Architects

Chrysler Museum of Art Preps New Perry Glass Studio Expansion

Written by WPA on September 10, 2024. Posted in Architecture, Blog, Chrysler Museum, Civic, Glass, Glass Studio, NEON, Norfolk, Uncategorized, Virginia, WPA.

Phase 1 of the new Perry Glass Studio expansion and renovation at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk is nearing completion. The oven has been fired and university classes and demonstrations have been scheduled for the fall as the builders shift their focus to the renovation of the museum’s original glass studio, the second and final phase of the $55 million project.

The Chrysler recently invited Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander and other city leaders, as well as a number of journalists, to take a sneak peek of the new space alongside Chrysler Director Erik Neil and Perry Glass Studio Manager and Program Director Robin Rogers.

“Everyone at the museum is very excited,” Rogers told WAVY. “We’ve been giving some hard-hat tours, and everyone that’s come through has been thrilled to see the space and just anxious to bring their families and get in here in person.”

The expansion, designed by WPA, features three hot shops, dedicated classrooms and a 200-seat amphitheater theater for teaching and performance. Visitors to the expanded facility will be able to witness the glass-making process, learn the history of glass as an artistic medium, and view the museum’s growing collection of glass art.

“There are only a few of these facilities in the world,” WPA CEO Mel Price told 13 News Now. “So in order to prepare ourselves to really bring an internationally significant building to Norfolk, my partner Thom [White] traveled all over the world to visit the best facilities [and] met with the curators.”

The expansion and renovation are also specifically designed to accommodate the artists who will work at the studio.

“We spent time here,” Mel said. “We took every single class here because we had to know what the artists were experiencing to be able to design.”

The entirety of the 33,000-square-foot Perry Glass Studio is expected to open to the public in early-spring of next year.

Watch the complete segments on WAVY and 13 News Now, and read a full report at The Virginian-Pilot.

Houndstooth: the Redevelopment of the Greyhound bus station

Written by WPA on April 16, 2024. Posted in Arts & Design District, Downtown Norfolk, NEON, Norfolk, Residential, WPA, WPA Studio.

We are excited to announce that we are partnered with Breeden on the design and development of “Houndstooth” on the site of the Greyhound bus station at the corner of Granby and Brambleton.

Click here to read more about Houndstooth and to view proposed renderings.

OpenNorfolk — A Toolkit to Help Restaurants and Small Retail Businesses During COVID-19

Written by WPA on May 22, 2020. Posted in Civic, Downtown Norfolk, Norfolk, Parklet, Re-imagining, Uncategorized, WPA, WPA Studio.

Work Program Architects is leading an effort to OpenNorfolk, as cities and towns around the world try to imagine living with COVID-19.

Altruistic Design

Written by WPA on December 12, 2017. Posted in Arts & Design District, Blog, NEON, Vibe District.

WPA is proud to announce that Jeremy S. Maloney has founded Altruistic Design in Virginia Beach. In keeping with his mission, Jeremy has built Altruistic Design on a platform of socially responsible architecture. If you’ve worked with Jeremy before, you know that he loves all parts of the design process from finding the perfect project fit, to programming, design, detailing, and contract administration. We will miss seeing Jeremy in our office every day, but are happy that we will continue to collaborate on our existing projects. We know that by expanding the choice in great design firms in this area, we can build a better connection between the NEON District, the Vibe District, and the region as a whole. Please send Jeremy your congratulations!

NEON Community Open Space

Written by WPA on November 9, 2017. Posted in Blog, Civic, NEON, Norfolk, Public Art, Rendering.

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.

UPDATE: NEON Community Open Space Charrette

Written by WPA on November 1, 2017. Posted in Charrette, Civic, Downtown Norfolk, Event, NEON, Uncategorized, Wayfinding.

WPA led a well-attended public design charrette to determine the future use of the Cofer Lot in the NEON District at the Hurrah Players’ Copeland Center on September 19th.

The Cofer Lot, at the location of a demolished former auto dealership, is poised to be designated as much-needed open space in the District positioned in a perfect spot on West Olney Road midway between the offerings on Granby Street and the Chrysler Museum.

Some charrette participants suggested a public art space with opportunities for sculpture and performance art. Others desired a tranquil green oasis welcome to all, perhaps with a playground for small children. Voices for the skateboarding community advocated for a safe and welcoming place for sport. The challenge is to accommodate multiple uses in a small footprint, and participants seemed open to discussion and compromise.

TONIGHT: The results of the Charrette and next steps for the site will be presented at this month’s NEON District Committee Meeting, at the Push Comedy Theater in the NEON at 5:30 pm. 763 Granby Street, Norfolk.