The recently completed splash pad in Pell City is officially open for business. Located at Lakeside Park, this state of the art, splash water park is based on the design theme of a fish camp. It has an overall pad area of approximately 3,000 square feet and includes 24 water features, including the large central monsoon water slide, which is the focal point and the main attraction.
Urban Cookhouse restaurant expanding to Tuscaloosa with help from WBA
AL.com's article on the expansion of Homewood based restaurant, Urban Cookhouse. WBA is excited to be a part of their growing business.
“Urban Cookhouse, a fast-casual restaurant concept that began in Homewood in 2010, will open its first Tuscaloosa location later this year in the Village at Northbank development off Rice Mine Road.
Urban Cookhouse will be the only restaurant tenant in the new development, which was designed by Ellis Architects and is managed by College Station Properties, according to a media release. Urban Cookhouse was represented by Walter Kelley of Arc Realty, and Williams-Blackstock Architects will be designing the restaurant space.”
WBA Ranks First in Birmingham's Top Architecture Firms
The Birmingham Business Journal has ranked Williams Blackstock Architects number one in their list of architecture firms in Birmingham.
“The top players on the List retained their spot since last year. Williams-Blackstock Architects PC tops the ranking with 21 architects in Birmingham offices…”
Pell City Library is officially open for business!
The Pell City Library has officially opened its doors to the community. WBA is honored to complete this project for the citizens of Pell City.
“We’re real pleased with this building, we think it’s going to be a tremendous asset to the community.”
Mountain Brook Municipal Complex
Design Alabama has a wonderful article on the recently completed Mountain Brook Municipal Complex. Enjoy!
“A municipal building is often a monolithic structure that stands out instead of harmonizing with its surroundings. But that’s not the case with the two-story Mountain Brook Municipal Complex located in leafy Crestline Village.”
Mountain Brook Municipal Complex
Nestled among existing oak trees, the new Mountain Brook Municipal Complex occupies the same site as the original Mountain Brook City Hall built in 1967. Designed as the new home for the community’s city council, mayor’s office, city manager and fire and police departments, the 53,000-square-foot complex provides much needed additional space and facility upgrades – including a 60-space, underground parking deck – while complementing the character and design elements, such as red brick with limestone trim and Tudor-style details, of the community village where is sits.
Groundbreaking at The Waites
WBA staff was in attendance for the groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of The Waites.
“Construction work has begun at The Waites, a $16.5 million mixed-use development at the corner of Seventh Avenue South and Richard Arrington Boulevard on Birmingham’s Southside.”
UAB will be breaking ground this Fall on the Collat School of Business
WBA is excited to be apart of the future Collat School of Business building at UAB.
UAB Collat School of Business rendering
“The Collat School of Business is proud to be a vital part of the incredible renaissance taking place in our Magic City. Every day, our students, faculty and staff break new ground by pushing boundaries, innovating ideas, inspiring others, and turning challenges into opportunities.”
Renovations begin soon at former Federal Reserve Building
WBA is excited to be apart of the restoration of the Federal Reserve building in downtown Birmingham. The project will create 85,000 square feet of office and retail space to the dormant building.
“The historic Federal Reserve Building sits between two very important courthouses in a critical part of Birmingham’s downtown, after sitting dormant for almost 20 years, the 1927 and 1958 properties are being restored back to modern use.”
Two of our projects, the UAB Collat School of Business and the UAB School of Nursing, are included UAB's master plan.
Williams Blackstock Architects is playing a key part of UAB's master plan, creating a more walk-able campus while expanding the footprint of their campus.
“The school recently developed a new master plan that will transform not just the campus, but the entire Southside, creating new opportunities for developers, innovators and the region.”
Communication
2016 will be the year of communication. We will strive harder than ever to communicate our value as architects and designers to the general public around us. We have increased the awareness to many of what we have to offer, though there is still much ground to make up, and many, many more to reach. We will meet our clients on their terms and listen to their wants, needs and goals. We will bring awareness to those who don’t know we exist by being present in unexpected places, offering a glimpse that will lead to their wanting to know more about our profession. We will learn how to communicate in such a way that speaks universally of quality in the places we call home.
We will communicate to our profession the value of the AIA as an organization. We will listen to our peers as they speak of our shortcomings and areas we need to improve, and we will act. We will communicate with our young emerging professionals, letting them know what our organization does for them and how they can find their place with our support. We will learn how to communicate with those who are just beginning their architectural careers or education by understanding what it is that makes them unique, and so perfectly suited to elevate our profession to new heights. We will also communicate with our experienced colleagues who have so much to offer through countless lessons learned throughout their careers.
By communicating visually through examples of our work, we can expand our reach to vast numbers of potential clients, supporters and future architects who will gain understanding of the important roles architects serve in the places we live, work and play. We will have entertaining and informative opportunities to truly socialize with one another, and provide venues and events that will encourage coming together and building community. We will communicate with others within the profession, our schools, and other chapters by exchanging ideas and resources. We will occasionally get up from our desks, from behind our computer screens, and become active participants in our communities. What an immensely exciting time to be living and practicing in the cities that make up our Chapter and State!
We will communicate with our supporters and let them know how much we appreciate them. The successful programs we run, and are now taking statewide, are due in large part to their continued support over the years. We will also communicate to new potential donors the outreach we provide through our programs and how they can help advance our mission.
2016 will be an exciting year, and I am grateful and honored to be the Chapter President. It would be foolish to think that a small group can accomplish the things outlined above and continue to toe the line that others started to move in years past. This excitement comes with a need to increase our numbers, embrace new ideas and strive to strengthen and grow our footprint. Therefore, I’m excited to see our numbers grow, our participants increase and our message get out into the surrounding communities, cities and statewide. I look forward to hearing each of your thoughts, ideas, and challenges and I look forward to seeing and communicating with each of you at our upcoming events.
Thank you so very much for your passion and dedication to our profession!
Humbly,
Bill Segrest, AIA
2016 AIA Birmingham President
This appears in the AIA Birmingham January 2016 newsletter found here →