Celebrating Joel Blackstock’s Legacy and Lasting Impact

Williams Blackstock Architects is proud to recognize our founder and CEO, Joel Blackstock, for receiving not one but two prestigious honors this year: the Vistage Legacy Award and a place on the Birmingham Business Journal’s Who’s Who in Construction & Building list.

Vistage Legacy Award
Joel’s 30-year journey as a leader and visionary culminated in a successful succession plan that ensures the firm’s continued growth and excellence. Under his leadership, Williams Blackstock Architects has tripled in size, contributed significantly to shaping Birmingham’s skyline, and built a culture that empowers the next generation of leaders. A long-time Vistage member, Joel has always invested in developing others—helping them grow not only as professionals but as people.

BBJ Who’s Who in Construction & Building
As founder of Williams Blackstock Architects, Joel has always believed in the power of architecture to transform communities. His vision has guided projects that reimagine historic landmarks, strengthen institutions, and create spaces that bring people together. This recognition highlights the enduring impact Joel has had on Birmingham and beyond, as he continues to influence the built environment and inspire the people around him.

Together, these two honors celebrate not only Joel’s professional accomplishments but also his commitment to people, community, and the future of design. His legacy is one of leadership, innovation, and service—a foundation that will continue to shape Williams Blackstock Architects and the communities we serve for decades to come.

Ribbon Cutting Marks Grand Opening of Colina WeHo in West Homewood

The Homewood Chamber of Commerce officially welcomed Colina WeHo, a brand-new luxury apartment community in West Homewood, with a ribbon cutting and happy hour celebration on Thursday, July 31, 2025.

Chamber officials, members, and community supporters gathered at 80 W Oxmoor Road in Birmingham to mark the grand opening. The celebration highlighted Colina WeHo’s contribution to the area as an upscale residential option and featured a festive atmosphere for attendees.

Colina WeHo offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments along with carriage homes, all designed with high-end finishes and modern layouts. The community is distinguished by its extensive amenities, including:

• A saltwater pool

• Pickleball courts

• A state-of-the-art fitness center

• Dedicated coworking spaces

• Pet-friendly features

Managed by Arlington Properties, Colina WeHo is positioned as a vibrant addition to West Homewood, combining elevated living with a strong sense of community.

The ribbon cutting underscored both the growth of the Homewood area and the Chamber’s continued support of businesses and developments that enhance the community.

Celebrating the 2025 ACFA Scholarship Recipients

The 2025 ACFA Scholarship Luncheon brought together students, families, and leaders from across the architectural community to recognize the next generation of architects. Hosted at the Alabama Center for Architecture, the event highlighted the achievements of nine Alabama students who were awarded a combined $16,000 in scholarships to support their pursuit of accredited bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture.

Keynote speaker James W. Shepherd, AIA, LEED, FAPT, shared insights from his extensive preservation and design work on the Washington National Cathedral, offering students a perspective on the complexity, creativity, and responsibility inherent in the profession. His presentation served as both inspiration and a reminder of the critical role architects play in shaping communities and preserving history.

The program was led by Bill Segrest, Principal at Williams Blackstock Architects, who introduced the scholarship recipients and underscored the importance of investing in students who demonstrate both promise and financial need.

The ACFA Scholarship exists to support aspiring architects from Alabama through financial assistance, helping to ensure that talent and dedication—not financial limitations—determine a student’s ability to pursue a career in architecture. By recognizing these students, the luncheon underscored ACFA’s commitment to strengthening the profession within the state and fostering future leaders in design.

Driving Connections: NAWIC Greater Birmingham Hosts 5th Annual Topgolf Tournament

On Friday, July 18th, the Greater Birmingham chapter of the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) brought together members of the local construction community for its 5th Annual Topgolf Tournament at Topgolf Birmingham. From 1–4 p.m., attendees enjoyed an afternoon filled with networking, camaraderie, and a little friendly competition.

Whether participants were seasoned players or picking up a club for the first time, the event had something for everyone. A Topgolf Pro was on hand to offer tips and help sharpen swings, making sure that fun—not skill level—was at the center of the afternoon.

NAWIC’s mission is to champion women and impact the future of the construction industry by providing education, community, and advocacy. Events like this one create opportunities to connect professionals across every facet of the industry while celebrating and empowering women in construction.

Williams Blackstock Architects was proud to join the tournament with a six-member team: Lauren Gwaltney, Kayla Bailey, Asia Burgin, Celia Gannaway, AC Brown, and Sharon Stone. Their participation highlights WBA’s commitment to supporting NAWIC’s mission and engaging with the broader construction community.

The Topgolf Tournament continues to grow each year, serving as a reminder of the power of collaboration, networking, and shared experiences in building stronger, more inclusive industries.

2025 AIA Birmingham Design Awards

Celebrating Excellence in Design

On a night dedicated to honoring innovation, creativity, and community impact in architecture, the Birmingham Museum of Art hosted the 2025 AIA Birmingham Design Awards. Each year, the program recognizes projects that elevate design in meaningful ways—advancing both the built environment and the communities they serve.

Williams Blackstock Architects was proud to be recognized with three awards at this year’s ceremony. From adaptive reuse and historic preservation to civic design and sustainability, these projects reflect our firm’s commitment to creating spaces that connect people, foster collaboration, and serve future generations.

Auburn in Birmingham – Honor Award

The Auburn in Birmingham project earned one of the highest distinctions of the evening: an Honor Award.

The jury commended the project for its thoughtful approach to preservation, noting that it “did a wonderful job of preserving the history and integrity of this building and celebrating its structure.” By maximizing daylight from both sides and introducing connected, flexible spaces, the design breathes new life into a historic landmark while supporting Auburn University’s mission in Birmingham.

The project stands as a model for blending the old with the new. Revealing the building’s structure and honoring its historic fabric, while introducing light-filled, vibrant environments, the design creates a dialogue between past and present—an authentic expression of preservation, innovation, and design excellence.

Alabaster Police Department – Citation Award

The Citation Award recognized the Alabaster Police Department project, a civic building designed to balance security with transparency.

The jury described it as “a civic gesture that’s very open to the community,” acknowledging the design’s ability to resolve the complex challenge of creating a secure facility that remains welcoming and connected to its site.

By integrating natural light, open sightlines, and a strong civic presence, the design demonstrates how public buildings can build trust, foster accessibility, and still meet the highest standards of safety. The result is a modern police facility that reflects Alabaster’s values of community and service.

The Nature Conservancy – Mayor’s Choice Award

The Mayor’s Choice Award, personally selected by Birmingham Mayor Randall L. Woodfin, was presented to The Nature Conservancy project.

Mayor Woodfin explained his choice:

“I chose the Nature Conservancy project for the Mayor’s Choice Award because it reflects the kind of smart, purposeful design our city needs. It is a thoughtful adaptive reuse project that took a severely dilapidated building and turned it into a space that serves multiple community priorities – from conservation and environmental education to long-term resource stewardship. Sustainability is a key priority for the City of Birmingham, and this building exemplifies that commitment through energy-efficient design, the use of solar power, and sustainable construction practices that reduce environmental impact while maximizing community benefit.”

This project transforms a neglected structure into a hub for environmental stewardship, demonstrating how architecture can drive both ecological responsibility and community enrichment. It stands as a testament to the power of adaptive reuse, sustainability, and purposeful design

Gadsden City Hall Tops Out

Gadsden’s new City Hall project reached an exciting milestone in February 2025 with a topping-out ceremony marking the placement of the final beam in the new connector building. A topping-out ceremony is a long-standing construction tradition that celebrates the completion of a building’s structural framework and the start of interior work.

The new City Hall is a three-part complex designed to bring together key municipal offices:

• The former Regions Bank building at 200 Broad Street

• The adjacent former Merrill Lynch building

• A new connector structure linking the two, where the ceremonial beam was set in place

Mayor Craig Ford led the ceremony alongside the Williams Blackstock design team—architects Sean Whitt and Kyle Stover, and designers Kayla Bailey and John Beason—joined by the hundreds of skilled workers who have brought the new City Hall to life.

The move will allow the City of Gadsden to relocate from the outdated municipal complex at 90 Broad Street. That site is slated for redevelopment into a hotel as part of a larger riverfront revitalization effort. The new City Hall is expected to be completed and open by late 2025, offering the community a modern, connected hub for city services.

Finding Inspiration in New York City

This summer, members of our interior design team traveled to New York City to immerse themselves in the vibrant design culture that the city is known for. Founder Joel Blackstock, Director of Interior Design John Beason, and designers Kayla Bailey and Kelsey Quillin spent several days exploring showrooms, galleries, and architectural landmarks that continue to shape the design world.

From the timeless elegance of historic spaces to the bold innovation of cutting-edge interiors, the team returned with fresh ideas and renewed energy to bring back to our clients. These experiences not only deepen our creative perspective but also strengthen our commitment to delivering designs that balance beauty, functionality, and innovation.

Trips like this remind us that inspiration is everywhere—and that the best design comes from staying curious, connected, and engaged with the world around us.

1st Annual Firm Retreat at Pursell Farms

In April, we hosted our first annual firm retreat at Pursell Farms, bringing the entire team together for two days of connection, inspiration, and fun. Set against the scenic backdrop of Alabama’s rolling hills, the retreat offered a welcome pause from the day-to-day—giving employees space to reflect, recharge, and reimagine what’s possible together.

From collaborative sessions to friendly competitions in archery, axe throwing, and golf, the retreat blended professional growth with a healthy dose of play. Conversations flowed freely, new ideas took root, and relationships across the firm deepened. It was a meaningful reminder that great design begins with strong connections—and that the people behind the work are what truly set us apart.

Community Foodbank of Alabama Groundbreaking Ceremony

On April 3, 2025, the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama marked a significant milestone with the groundbreaking of its new facility in Bessemer, Alabama. This event signifies a major step forward in the organization's mission to combat hunger across its 12-county service area. The new facility, slated to open in the spring of 2026, will enhance the Food Bank's capacity to distribute nutritious food to those in need, reflecting its commitment to addressing food insecurity in Central Alabama.

The groundbreaking ceremony was a celebration of community collaboration and dedication. In April alone, the Food Bank received 1.7 million pounds of food and distributed 1.75 million pounds, providing over 1.46 million meals to neighbors facing hunger. This expansion will further support such efforts, ensuring that more individuals and families have access to essential resources.

This aerial rendering captures the full scale and impact of the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama’s new facility—seamlessly integrating office, warehouse, and community garden spaces to support expanded operations and deepen local engagement.

This rendering of the new Community Food Bank of Central Alabama facility showcases a modern, welcoming design that reflects the organization’s mission of nourishment and care. Featuring expansive glass, clean lines, and natural materials, the building is designed to foster transparency, accessibility, and community connection.

Momentum Impact Day 2025

Our team attended Momentum Impact Day 2025 in Birmingham—a dynamic event dedicated to advancing women in leadership across Alabama. The day brought together professionals from diverse industries to share ideas, build connections, and explore new ways to foster inclusion and empowerment in the workplace.

Through inspiring keynote sessions, interactive workshops, and meaningful conversations, our team left feeling energized and motivated. The experience reinforced the importance of supporting one another and continuing to cultivate a culture where women can lead, grow, and thrive.