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Inc. Names Work Program Architects One of 2025’s Best Workplaces

Written by WPA on June 17, 2025. Posted in Architecture, Norfolk, Virginia, WPA, WPA Studio.

Work Program Architects has been named to Inc. magazine’s 2025 list of Best Workplaces, a national recognition honoring companies that “have continually invested in employee development, benefits, and experiences, no matter the obstacles.” WPA is one of 514 companies across the country selected for this year’s list.

“Inc.’s Best Workplaces program celebrates the exceptional organizations whose workplace cultures address their employees’ welfare and needs in meaningful ways,” said Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc. “As companies expand and adapt to changing economic forces, maintaining such a culture is no small feat. Yet these honorees have not only achieved it — they continue to elevate the employee experience through thoughtful benefits, engagement, and a deep commitment to their teams.”

The distinction is based on a comprehensive employee survey administered by Quantum Workplace, which measured engagement, leadership, development opportunities, and team dynamics. Inc. also audited each firm’s benefits and workplace policies to determine how effectively the company supports its people.

WPA’s inclusion highlights its long-standing commitment to cultivating an environment where trust is foundational, creativity is nurtured, and leadership is encouraged.

“We’ve always believed that architecture is about people — and that starts with the people inside our studio,” said WPA CEO Mel Price. “This recognition from Inc. is really a reflection of the trust, creativity, and shared leadership our team brings to the table every day. We care deeply about each other and the communities we serve, and that culture of care is what makes this place so special.”

See the full list of honorees at Inc.com.

Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab Named a ‘World Changing Idea’ by Fast Company

Written by WPA on June 10, 2025. Posted in Architecture, Civic, Education, Educational, Elizabeth River, Elizabeth River Project, ERP, Hampton Roads, Norfolk, Uncategorized, Virginia.

Work Program Architects is proud to share that the Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab has been named a winner in Fast Company’s 2025 World Changing Ideas Awards. This national recognition honors bold, creative efforts that respond to society’s most pressing challenges, and this project’s message couldn’t be more urgent.

WPA was recognized alongside garbage-eating microbe technology developed at Harvard, a hydrogen-power data center created by ECL and the first-ever zero-plastic warehouse from Manifest.eco. Other architectural and design projects on the list include the Portland International Airport and the Hilda L. Solis Environmental Justice Center at Puente Hills Regional Park.

Fast Company noted that the resilience lab “not only used flood-proof materials but also integrated habitats like wetlands, oyster reefs, and native plants to naturally absorb floodwater, shield the structure from erosion, and protect its surroundings from pollution.” The recognition went on to write that “the natural habitats also serve as educational tools for the public, and the design itself can be a model for communities at risk of rising sea levels.”

“The Ryan Resilience Lab was designed as a global model for how communities can adapt to the realities of sea level rise and climate change,” says Sam Bowling, associate principal at Work Program Architects and project architect for the Lab. “That’s why it’s so meaningful to see it recognized by Fast Company as a World Changing Idea — this award spans the globe, just like the challenge we’re working to address.”

This year’s World Changing Ideas Awards featured more than 1,500 entries, with just 100 projects selected as winners. Submissions were judged by Fast Company editors and reporters for their impact, creativity, sustainability, and ability to improve lives. The Lab is included in the Summer 2025 print issue, on newsstands June 17.

“The World Changing Ideas Awards have always been about showcasing the art of the possible,” says Fast Company editor-in-chief Brendan Vaughan. “We’re proud to recognize the organizations and leaders that are making meaningful progress on the biggest issues of our time.”

Check out the Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab here.

NBC’s Today Show Takes Viewers on a Tour of the Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab

Written by WPA on April 25, 2025. Posted in Architecture, Civic, Community, Elizabeth River, Elizabeth River Project, Environment, ERP, Norfolk, Uncategorized, Virginia, WPA.

The Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab, designed by Work Program Architects, was recently featured on NBC’s Today show, bringing national attention to the Norfolk-based nonprofit’s groundbreaking model for climate resilience. The segment highlighted how the lab is providing both hope and inspiration for residents of coastal communities worldwide.

Consumer correspondent Vicky Nguyen took viewers on a tour of the lab as part of the show’s climate coverage, noting how it “showcases inventive and practical ways homeowners and builders can design structures to endure severe weather and combat pollution.”

Situated along Knitting Mill Creek in Norfolk, the 6,500-square-foot lab was intentionally built within a flood zone to showcase real-world solutions to environmental challenges. The building incorporates features such as a floating entry pavilion, permeable parking surfaces, rainwater reuse systems, green roofs, and a living shoreline, each element contributing to its net-zero energy goals and resilience against rising tides.

“The thing we kept in mind from the very beginning was sustainability, resilience to flooding, and accessibility,” project architect Sam Bowling told Nguyen. “We wanted to make sure that every solution was something that someone could buy off the shelf, put together with parts [and] do it themselves or find someone locally who could do it for them.”

The lab, which opened in Spring of 2024, provides tours and programming year-round for anyone interested in learning more about the solutions included in the Today show report, as well as those just looking to connect with the river.

People who visit the lab “are so excited,” said Elizabeth River Project Founder Marjorie Mayfield Jackson. “They come back with their neighbors and friends and colleagues. It’s a new day on the Elizabeth River and I hope it’s giving hope around the world.”

For the full Today show segment above and here. Read more about the Elizabeth River Project’s Ryan Resilience Lab here.

Expanded Perry Glass Studio Reopens at the Chrysler Museum of Art

Written by WPA on April 14, 2025. Posted in Architecture, Arts & Design District, Chrysler Museum, Civic, Downtown Norfolk, Educational, Glass, Glass Studio, Hampton Roads, NEON, Norfolk, Uncategorized, Virginia, WPA.

The Perry Glass Studio at the Chrysler Museum of Art has officially reopened following a $30 million expansion. The museum marked the occasion with a vibrant weekend of festivities that drew major media attention and hundreds of visitors. The grand opening included live glassblowing demonstrations by nationally recognized artists, a sold-out gala event, and a family-friendly festival featuring performances and hands-on activities.

In advance of the festivities, the expanded facility was featured across regional media outlets including 13News Now, WAVY, The Virginian-Pilot, and WHRO, all highlighting the studio’s striking transformation and its significance to Norfolk’s cultural landscape.

“It’s a dream come true to see it emerging fully finished and ready to go,” WPA’s Thom White told WAVY. “I think it will be huge. It will have the ability to reach a lot more visitors, to educate students and glassmaking and the arts around glass. It’s so versatile in the way that it can handle programming, whether that be productions in the theater, hot shop or this classroom.”

Work Program Architects led the design of the project, which more than tripled the size of the original studio and established it as a leading center for glass art in the U.S. The reimagined space includes a 190-seat amphitheater-style hot shop, dedicated classrooms, and state-of-the-art cold- and flame-working areas, all designed to accommodate a growing community of artists, students, and visitors. With a focus on transparency, accessibility, and environmental resilience, the expansion enhances both the creative and educational mission of the museum while preparing the site for future climate challenges.

Media coverage highlighted both the design and the experience it creates. 13News Now provided a behind-the-scenes video tour, while WAVY spotlighted the museum’s assistantship program, which is aided by the new space. In a written report, WHRO detailed the many ways community members, including university students, can utilize the facility to create their own works of art, while an episode of the station’s arts program, Curate, explored the studio and the artform, as well as the origins of the expansion.

“We interviewed several architectural firms up and down the east coast, from all the big cities,” said Robin Rogers, manager and program director for the Perry Glass Studio. “But it was a local firm, WPA, that really hit it out of the park.”

The Virginian-Pilot provided even more historical context to the recent developments, noting the glass studio’s beginnings as a 9,200-square-foot facility that “reached capacity after the huge demand due to the popular glassblowing classes and partnerships with local colleges and community organizations.”

“The workshops allow visiting and in-house artists to create new and innovative artwork on full display to visitors,” project architect Robert Crawshaw told The Virginian-Pilot. “And spaces throughout the expansion present opportunities for the museum to display these works.”

Watch and read coverage of the opening from WAVY, 13News Now, The Virginian-Pilot and WHRO. Read more about the project here.

Proposed Designs for New Maury High School Unveiled

Written by WPA on February 7, 2025. Posted in Architecture, Education, Educational, Norfolk, Norfolk Public Schools, Uncategorized.

Last week at a public event, Work Program Architects (WPA), VMDO Architects and Heartland Construction unveiled proposed designs for the new Maury High School in Norfolk, Virginia. During the event, which was held in the cafeteria at the current high school building and hosted by Norfolk Public Schools and the City of Norfolk, community members were invited to weigh in on the designs.

As noted in local coverage of the event, this was the second in a series of community engagement sessions to gather feedback on plans for the school.

“The only way we can be successful is to be engaged with the community and to get that feedback,” Heartland Construction Vice President Robert Hudson said in an interview with WAVY at the event. “We encourage the community to come to these meetings and to be vocal about what their hopes and dreams and goals are for this facility.”

The redevelopment is aimed at creating a modern, high-performing learning environment designed to support diverse student needs. The new four-story high school, adjacent to the current Maury High School building, is designed for 1750 students and features outdoor learning spaces, pedestrian pathways, and enhanced facilities. The design also includes facilities for football, baseball, softball and track, as well as a tennis complex, multi-use fields, and a natatorium.

“I like it,” community member Doug Knack told WAVY. “It’s really thoughtful and I think it will accomplish a lot.” “It seems to be a design that will expand over time,” added Kathy Knack, “and I think you need to plan for the future and just not for the immediate needs.”

The designs on display last week were influenced by an initial community meeting that took place in June. In that meeting, community members were invited to share their thoughts, hopes, and dreams for the school’s transformative redevelopment.

Discussed in both the first and second meetings was the fate of the current Maury High School building. The historic 1911 building will remain, though its future use has yet to be determined.

“The existing building is a historic landmark, and I think they should keep as much of it in its original form as they can,” Maury alum Victor Jones told WHRO during the event. “I think it should be left up for those people like myself … to come back and marvel and have memories of what it was when I was here as a young freshman.”

Another community event aimed at gathering additional feedback will be scheduled for later in the year. The project is currently scheduled for completion in the Fall of 2028.

“These images you see will change,” VMDO’s Rob Winstead told the community members gathered in the Maury cafeteria. “Next time we come back, they will be different.”

Watch, read and listen to coverage of the event from WAVY, WTKR, The Virginian-Pilot and WHRO.

WAVY, WHRO Highlight Functionality and Resilience of New Perry Glass Studio

Written by WPA on January 10, 2025. Posted in AIA, Architecture, Chrysler Museum, Education, ERT, Glass, Glass Studio, Hampton Roads, Monticello Arcade, Norfolk, Reslience, St. Pauls, Urban Design, Vibe District, Virginia, WPA, WPA Studio.

As the second and final phase of the Perry Glass Studio’s expansion and renovation nears completion, members of the press are taking notice of the new structure standing tall alongside the main Chrysler Museum of Art building in Norfolk, Virginia. These recent stories show how the WPA-designed project is elevating the museum’s beloved studio to become a world-class center for glass artistry that also demonstrates innovative approaches to flood mitigation.

The Perry Glass Studio has long been a cornerstone of the museum, offering hands-on experiences and drawing artists from around the world. With the $30 million expansion tripling its size, the studio will better meet a growing demand. “My favorite feature of this whole project is […] the ability to do more than one thing at once,” said Perry Glass Studio Program Director Robin Rogers in a recent WAVY segment.

While the renovation of the previously existing studio into additional instructional space is just now nearing completion, the studio’s 24,000-square-foot expansion has been open for months, providing a cutting edge facility for education, exhibitions, and live demonstrations, while also creating welcoming spaces for the community.

In addition to functionality, the building’s design prioritizes resilience in the face of flooding. This was the focus of another recent segment, from WHRO. Norfolk’s vulnerability to sea level rise required innovative solutions to ensure the studio could withstand future flooding.

“In our area in Norfolk, where many of our projects are, we have to deal with the environment first because of flooding,” project architect Robert Crawshaw told WHRO. “So not only are they getting the tidal (flooding), but they’re also getting all of the water that’s draining off of several square miles of area uphill.”

Measures include raising the building and the power transformer that keeps the furnaces running above the floodplain, as well as the installation of a large rain garden, designed by Stromberg Garrigan & Associates. As WHRO highlighted, the project emphasizes sustainability and adaptation, showcasing how design can address both creative and environmental challenges.

Watch and listen to the complete coverage at WAVY and WHRO.

Architectural Products on WPA: “Community Architecture at its Finest”

Written by WPA on December 17, 2024. Posted in Assembly, Chrysler Museum, Community, Elizabeth River Project, Glass Studio, Mel Price, Norfolk, Virginia, WPA.

Community is critical to the work we do at Work Program Architects. Whether we’re working with local officials, engaging small business owners or talking with neighbors about their hopes and concerns, we rely on their voices to help our projects enhance the social, economic, and environmental landscape of our region.

Barbara Horwitz-Bennett at Architectural Products recently highlighted this aspect of our work in her Last Details column, going so far as to call the work WPA does “a shining example of community architecture at its finest.”

To support that superlative statement, she shared some of our favorite community-focused projects, like the Ryan Resilience Lab, OpenNorfolk, and the Perry Glass Studio at the Chrysler Museum of Art. Each of these projects reflects our mission to make communities stronger, more vibrant, and more resilient.

“We view the community as a major stakeholder in the work we do. They might not be the ones calling for a proposal, but they will be impacted by the environments we help build,” WPA CEO Mel Price told Horwitz-Bennett. “For a project to be successful, those impacts need to be taken into account, which means that those people need to be listened to.”

Read the full article in Architectural Products here.

WPA’s Open-Books Policy Highlighted in Fast Company Article

Written by WPA on September 14, 2024. Posted in Architecture, Norfolk, Uncategorized, Virginia, WPA, WPA Studio.

People aren’t supposed to talk about their paychecks with their coworkers, much less other employees’ paychecks. That’s been the accepted wisdom for a very long time. But now some businesses, including Work Program Architects, are challenging that assumption and experimenting with open-books policies in the office. Recently, WPA CEO Mel Price and Associate Principal Erin Agdinaoay shared WPA’s experience with the readers of Fast Company. They write:

Some of the results of our transparency work were expected. The culture of openness built trust. Managers were more likely to trust the staff to be responsible with their time and the firm’s finances, while staff could trust that managers were being honest with them, even if they didn’t agree with every decision.

Pay transparency also helped us keep potential pay disparities in check, which helped foster a culture of belonging. We have found that people specifically seek out WPA as an employer because of our transparency, and that pay transparency, in particular, has contributed to our ability to be more equitable, diverse, and inclusive.

Something else happened that we didn’t expect. By openly sharing information, we were treating everyone like an owner. As a result, we had employees who behaved like owners. We knew, though, that this approach was sustainable only if we actually rewarded our team members with ownership.

Read the full Fast Company article here.

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.

CEO Mel Price Talks About Workplace Transparency with Inform Magazine

Written by WPA on August 8, 2024. Posted in Architecture, Norfolk, Uncategorized, Virginia, WPA.

Workplace transparency has been central to WPA’s operations since the firm’s founding in 2010. In a recent interview with William Richards for an article about “radical transparency” for Inform Magazine, CEO Mel Price discusses why the firm adopted an open books policy early on, how that decision has shaped the business and whether she and founding partner Thom White have any regrets. Richards writes:

“Back then [in 2010], the economy was shaky and the recovery from the Great Recession was slow-going. It maybe wasn’t an ideal time to try something radical when it came to company finances, but in that moment of uncertainty it was critical to create a culture of trust,” says Price about WPA’s founding.

Today? The firm’s approach to openness appears to be both prescient and also sustainable.

“The recent business climate hasn’t changed our approach to transparency at all and I really can’t imagine any economic situation that would,” she says. “I think the kind of trust between staff and management that true transparency creates is critical in the current moment as well. I can’t say if transparency is right for every firm all the time. But I do believe that if more firms tried, they would see what we have seen and they wouldn’t go back.”

Read the full Inform Magazine article here.

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