Tag: wpa

CoVaBiz Talks Architectural Tech with WPA’s Corrie Cohen

In a recent Q&A for CoVaBiz Magazine, WPA’s Corrie Cohen unpacks how technology is shaping the future of architecture — and how WPA is leveraging new tools to design smarter, more resilient buildings without losing sight of what matters most: people. As a project manager and the firm’s BIM coordinator, Corrie plays a critical role in integrating new tools into WPA’s process, from custom algorithms and 3D scans to AI-enabled community engagement. Below are four standout moments from the interview, each showing how WPA is making technology work.

Fueling Collaboration

“In the last couple years we have standardized the use of digital twins for our projects, essentially creating digital replicas of each project that allow us to test and troubleshoot a design in the digital space before anything is built. 3D modeling has been a part of our workflows for a while — the use of the BIM platforms used to build these models is industry standard at this point — but only recently have we started working in this kind of shared digital space with our contractors and consultants. This has meant more collaboration and fewer surprises.”

Designing With Data

“We’ve developed custom algorithmic tools that integrate large environmental datasets — modeling real-world factors like sun, wind, and tidal flooding — so we’re not just designing with intuition, but with evidence. These tools allow us to simulate how a building or site will perform under current and projected future conditions. In our resilience-focused projects, we use that data to test material performance, evaluate site strategies, and even shape building form to respond to climate stressors.”

Opening Doors With Digital Skills

“Architecture has always been an industry that favors those with more years under their belt, but that’s changing. Tech fluency gives younger designers a seat at the table. At WPA, we’ve built a robust BIM training program because knowing how to design isn’t enough — you need to be able to collaborate, communicate, and build in digital space. You can’t sit out the tech anymore. If you want to stay competitive, you learn. That’s our ethos, and it’s reshaping who holds power in this profession.”

Listening Better

“Community input is core to our work, and tech helps us listen better. We’ve built internal AI tools that filter huge volumes of feedback — comments, surveys, even Reddit threads — to identify what people affected by our work think about a project. I use geo-mapping data obsessively and follow local forums because anonymous voices can surface the most honest concerns. This doesn’t replace meetings with community stakeholders. That in-person experience is critical to our work and cannot be replaced by technology. We still show up, but now we show up more prepared.”

Read the full Q&A in here.

AIA Publishes Essay on Pay Transparency by WPA’s Erin Agdinaoay

How architects engage with their work changes when they’re given access to the full financial picture. At Work Program Architects, it has resulted in more trust, more clarity, and more shared ownership. In a new essay for the American Institute of Architects, Associate Principal Erin Agdinaoay describes how WPA’s open-books policy has shaped not only her own leadership journey but also the firm’s culture as a whole. She writes:

WPA’s open-books policy fundamentally changes how architects engage at work.  By providing open-book access to financial information, the policy allows employees to see how revenue, expenses, and salaries are interconnected, as well as how these financial elements relate to their role on projects.  

Employees can see salary structures across all levels, from early-career architects to seasoned leaders. This visibility provides a clearly defined pathway for growth, linking responsibilities to compensation, and highlighting how individual contributions impact the firm’s revenue and profitability.

This transparency also fosters a sense of shared responsibility, encouraging employees to take ownership. With a clear understanding of the bigger financial picture, team members are empowered to advocate for their ideas and themselves while keeping the overall health of the firm in mind, fostering confidence and fueling career growth.

For a firm, these benefits extend beyond individual development. Transparency supports employee satisfaction, promotes retention, and cultivates a workplace culture where everyone feels valued and aligned with the company’s goals. By demystifying financial processes, the open-books policy at WPA has created an environment of trust and collaboration, strengthening the organization.

Read the full article here.

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

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.

Work Program Architects named to Inc. List of the Fastest-Growing Private Companies in the Mid-Atlantic for 2025

Work Program Architects (WPA) is No. 113 on the fifth annual Inc. Regionals: Mid-Atlantic list, recognizing the fastest-growing private companies in the Mid-Atlantic, which includes Delaware, Maryland, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. An extension of the national Inc. 5000 list, the Regionals offer a unique look at the most successful companies within the Mid-Atlantic economy’s most dynamic segment – its independent small businesses.

“This recognition from Inc. is particularly meaningful because it’s an honor based on results for work that was driven by our mission,” says Work Program Architects CEO Mel Price. “Our growth has been fueled by our commitment to social, economic and environmental resilience in our community. Making a positive impact across multiple fronts is certainly something worth celebrating.”

The companies on this list show a remarkable rate of growth across all industries in the Mid-Atlantic. Between 2021 and 2023, these private companies had a median growth rate of 95 percent; by 2023, they’d also added 7,266 jobs and $4.9 billion to the region’s economy.

Complete results of the Inc. Regionals: Mid-Atlantic, including company profiles, can be found at inc.com/regionals/mid-atlantic.

“The honorees on this year’s Inc. Regionals list are true trailblazers driving economic growth in their respective regions, industries, and beyond,” says Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc. “This list celebrates their achievements and tells the stories of remarkable companies that are fueling growth and adding jobs in local economies throughout the country.”

This is the second honor in a short time for WPA, as it was also named to Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2025, ranking No. 7 in the Social Good category. That annual list “recognizes businesses and organizations leading their industries through bold ideas and meaningful impact.”

Work Program Architects Named a 2025 Most Innovative Company by Fast Company

Work Program Architects (WPA) has been named to Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2025, earning the #7 spot in the Social Good category. The annual list recognizes businesses and organizations leading their industries through bold ideas and meaningful impact.

“As the world shifts and industries transform, the World’s Most Innovative Companies aren’t just keeping up. They’re setting the pace,” wrote Fast Company in its introduction to this year’s list, which includes other forward-looking companies like Waymo, Athletic Brewing and BlueSky. “Fast Company’s annual look at the most groundbreaking companies in every industry and across the globe offers a snapshot of innovation today and a playbook for the future.”

The Most Innovative Companies recognition highlights WPA’s commitment to designing spaces that foster resilience and strengthen communities with a particular focus. The firm’s work is shaped by a guiding principle that every project must address at least two of three core objectives: economic resilience, social resilience, and coastal resilience.

“Architecture has the power to strengthen communities, but only when the design process prioritizes the needs of the people who live and work in these places,” said Mel Price, CEO of WPA. “This recognition from Fast Company underscores the importance of placing resilience and social impact at the forefront of design.”

In the write-up that accompanied the recognition, Fast Company highlighted the expansion of the Perry Glass Studio at Norfolk’s Chrysler Museum of Art. Completed in September 2024, the project tripled the studio’s size while integrating flood-mitigation strategies to protect it from recurrent flooding. 

“WPA used advanced flood-mitigation techniques, including innovative subterranean engineering, to help raise the building above the floodplain, ensuring it can withstand rising sea levels and severe weather events,” Fast Company noted.

Fast Company also notes the impact the studio is having on the local creative economy, with nearly 1,500 community members participating in glassmaking by the close of 2024 and monthly visitors averaging 2,500 to 3,000. The project stands as a model for how cultural spaces can adapt to climate challenges while fostering community engagement. 

Check out the full list of Most Innovative Companies here.

Work Program Architects Recognized as a Top Impact Company by Real Leaders

Real Leaders® has unveiled its Top Impact Companies for 2025, and Work Program Architects (WPA) made the list! The Norfolk-based firm placed 66th among all honorees and 11th in the “Construction, Energy, and Facilities” category.

The Real Leaders Top Impact Companies list celebrates privately-owned businesses that excel in making meaningful contributions to the world. The competition, now in its seventh year, assessed companies based on revenue, growth and six key pillars of I.M.P.A.C.T.: Intention, Model, People, Accountability, Collaboration, and Transformation. WPA was recognized for creating “projects unique to their location that advance sustainability, climate resilience and social justice.”

“We truly appreciate being included on this list,” said CEO Mel Price. “Everyone at WPA  believes in the power of design to have positive impacts on people and communities. We work hard to do good, and we believe strongly in a more resilient future for our communities and environment.”

Real Leaders highlighted WPA’s contributions to sustainable design, emphasizing the firm’s commitment to creating spaces that promote environmental stewardship, community well-being, and lasting impact. 

This year’s list includes a variety of respected impact-driven brands across industries, such as Cotopaxi, PATH, Alter Eco Foods, and Climate First Bank. 

“It seems like every company is calling themselves an impact company these days,” said Kevin Edwards, President of Real Leaders. “We wanted to spotlight businesses that are genuinely dedicated to making a difference. By incorporating CEO interviews and community-driven impact evaluations, we ensured that only the most deserving organizations made the list.”

A special “Real Leaders UNITE” awards celebration will be held in San Diego on Feb. 3-4, 2025 to honor the winners. 

About Real Leaders

Real Leaders is the fastest-growing community for impact-driven leaders, supported by a global media platform that advocates for purpose-driven business. Founded in 2010, Real Leaders promotes responsible leadership that prioritizes employees, society, and the planet alongside profit. An independently owned Certified B Corporation and member of the UN Global Compact, Real Leaders is on a mission to unite farsighted leaders to transform our shortsighted world.

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

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.

The Architect’s Newspaper Showcases WPA’s Approach to Community Engagement

When it comes to design, community engagement doesn’t always get the attention it deserves. Here at Work Program Architects, we believe it’s the foundation of every successful project. 

In a recent article for The Architect’s Newspaper, CEO Mel Price and Director of Urban Design Peter Johnston shared how WPA approaches community engagement, emphasizing the importance of building trust, fostering emotional connections, and empowering communities. They write:

When a new building or development is planned in a neighborhood, it is only natural that emotions run high. A new project doesn’t just change the skyline and sightlines, after all; it alters the fabric of communities in a way that can be unnerving for even the most open-minded resident. 

In our practice, Work Program Architects (WPA), we work on civic-oriented projects, which often get some pushback from residents and other stakeholders. Each project is different, but collectively they have provided us with valuable insights about complexities of community dynamics and the value of a well-run community engagement plan. 

It may be tempting to regard this part of the process as another box to check, but designers and builders can’t afford to treat community engagement as an afterthought. Done wrong, this critical part of the design process can lead to mistrust, opposition, and polarization. 

Read the full article in The Architect’s Newspaper here.

CEO Mel Price Talks About Workplace Transparency with Inform Magazine

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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