Joel Blackstock Receives AIA Alabama President's Award

"I am pleased to announce Joel Blackstock as recipient of the President's Award.  For decades, Joel has led Williams Blackstock Architects to excel in creativity and dedication to our collective craft, as evidenced by their portfolio … as well as the design awards they have been awarded.  (And we all know – one cannot lead others to grow in any attribute without having a great measure of that attribute themselves.)

Joel has also selflessly given himself in service and leadership to our sister organization, the Alabama Center for Architecture. During his years of service (which includes President), Joel worked with Design Alabama to coordinate the architectural portion of "Design200". This 2019 feature showcased 200 examples of excellent design, including 50 examples of superb architectural design.  Joel also jumpstarted the ACFA's membership initiative, which has helped it become more financially self-sustaining.

Perhaps most importantly, Joel selflessly volunteered for ACFA events on numerous occasions, emphasizing to children, youth, and adults the excitement and fulfillment architecture brings to individuals and society.

In recognition of his exemplary and substantive leadership of the Alabama Center for Architecture and of Williams Blackstock Architects, AIA Alabama bestows the 2020 President's Award on Joel Blackstock!"

- Bruce Herrington, AIA

Promotion Announcement: Lauren Gwaltney

Lauren Gwaltney

Senior Associate

Specializing in Higher Education with a deep experience on a wide range of projects, Lauren goes above and beyond expectations and is unfailingly focused on the needs of clients and the committed to the success of each project. Lauren’s positivity, thoroughness, judgment, and communication skills engender trust and respect with everyone she works with. Her projects are inspirational and creative, meeting the client’s needs while creating a sense of community and belonging. Lauren is a graduate of Auburn University and is a leader in The American Institute of Architects.

Promotion Announcement: Derek Needham

Derek Needham

Senior Associate

With an extensive mixed-use residential and retail experience, Derek has helped lead this division of the firm. This division of the firm has grown substantially under his guidance. Whether the project is large or small, he provides leadership, organization, and clear communication with the project team. In addition to his project management skills, he has extensive knowledge of rendering programs that he utilizes with the client and team throughout the design and construction phase and is active in managing IT in the firm. Derek received his Bachelor of Architecture from Auburn University.

Jeremy Cutts Wins AIA Alabama Young Architect Award

We are honored to announce that Jeremy Cutts, an Associate at Williams Blackstock, has been selected as the recipient of the 2021 AIA Alabama Young Architects Award! This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the architecture profession early in their careers. Congratulations on this incredible achievement, Jeremy!

2021 AIA Alabama Awards

We had a great evening representing the firm at the 2021 AIA Alabama Conference on Architecture, taking home awards for Auburn University Mell Classroom, 2200 Magnolia, The Switch, and AIA Alabama Young Architect of The Year.

Auburn University Mell Classroom

• Merit Award

As a transformational environment embodying the spirit and promotion of learning, the Mell Classroom Building is an effective addition and new entry to the Ralph Brown Draughon Library that serves as an academic “living room” at the heart of the campus. The project met the challenge to transform and advance the academic experience for both students and faculty by promoting a series of teaching methods and interactions both inside and outside of the classroom. Tiered lecture halls, seminar, active learning classrooms, and team study rooms make up the core elements, with each integrating the latest technology to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, enable collaboration, and promote ongoing assessment and evolving pedagogy over the years.

2200 Magnolia

• Merit Award

Vacant for two decades, the unique 1920s corner structure was renovated to meet state and federal historic preservation requirements and qualified for tax credit funding in a fresh, simple way. The design of the contemporary 11,500 SF, 2-story, office buildout for Bayer Properties transforms the historic space with new life and transparency, encouraging collaboration and connectivity with the surroundings. Their restoration and integration into the design compliments the clean, simple elements that float within the envelope to create an inviting lobby, transitions over floor level differences inherent to the building, and an exciting variety of workspace types from private office to open office, and conferencing to phone booths.

The Switch

• People’s Choice Award

REV Birmingham's vision for The Switch - Birmingham’s future Innovation District. The goal was to design a vibrant space that brings new life, creativity and economic growth to the 4-5 block radius around the Innovation Depot. What was once a railroad switch, where trains could switch from one track to another, will hopefully be the next place for the people to come together and experience something new.

Brittany Foley to speak at AIA Conference →

This Saturday, Brittany Foley will present at AIA Alabama Now Meets Next Conference on successful strategies for sympathetic modernization of historic buildings through a case study analysis that covers contemporary considerations surrounding historic envelopes, building systems integration, and architectural material conservation.

Join us for the "Evicted" Opening Reception →

We're proud to be a sponsor of the EVICTED exhibit at the Birmingham Public Library. Join us on Thursday, October 21st for the opening reception. Sociologist and author Matthew Desmond worked with the National Building Museum to create an exhibition based on his book "Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City" and will share his research and scale of the problem of eviction.

Tickets are FREE! Sign up today:

bit.ly/EvictedOpening

“In Evicted, Princeton sociologist and MacArthur “Genius” Matthew Desmond follows eight families in Milwaukee as they each struggle to keep a roof over their heads. Hailed as “wrenching and revelatory” (The Nation), “vivid and unsettling” (New York Review of Books), Evicted transforms our understanding of poverty and economic exploitation while providing fresh ideas for solving one of twenty-first-century America’s most devastating problems. Its unforgettable scenes of hope and loss remind us of the centrality of home, without which nothing else is possible”

KMS Repurposed Warehouse in DesignAlabama →

Another Birmingham industrial building is transformed into a functional space that’s part of the history of the city, offering an exciting juxtaposition of old and new. Williams Blackstock Architects turned a warehouse in Birmingham’s Lakeview District into the new offices for KMS (Kemp Management Solutions), a program management and consulting firm.

“The existing materials and character of these buildings provide a great environment for a variety of uses, including office space with this project. Clients are drawn to the texture and solidity of the steel windows, exposed structure and masonry, all of which provides a great opportunity to contrast with newer, modern insertions in the space necessary to accommodate new functions. The openness of these existing spaces typically lend themselves to more of an open office approach with fewer enclosed offices, which also promotes flexibility with the layout over time.”

— Stephen Allen, Principal

The Estelle is now open in Birmingham

The Estelle, Birmingham’s newest premier apartment community, is now open. The $45.6M project along the Lakeshore corridor boasts 280 units across nine apartment buildings in a 300,000-square-foot complex. It also features separate urban-chic amenities buildings for the vibrant clubhouse with entertaining kitchen, sate-of-the-art fitness center and a yoga center with yoga lawn. Guests can enjoy a large, heated saltwater pool, bark park, outdoor entertainment area with fire pit, and outdoor kitchens. The apartments feature chef-inspired kitchens with large islands, wood-grain plank flooring, and designer lighting.

“The Estelle fills a void in the area for those looking for a modern, upscale apartment in a great location near employment, retail and recreational opportunities.”

— Jay Chapman, Capstone Building Corp. CEO

Hewson Hall is Now Open →

We're proud to announce that Hewson Hall is now open at The University of Alabama. Located across from Alston Hall and Bruno Library, the new building on Stadium Drive is a transformative addition to the business school complex. Hewson Hall provides a variety of classroom, office, and collaboration spaces to accommodate growth in both students and faculty.