Thanksgiving at WBA →

We took some time today to enjoy our traditional Thanksgiving meal with each other. We are thankful this holiday season for an amazingly talented group to work with!

Promotion Announcement: Suchithra Prabhu

Suchithra Prabhu

Associate

Alongside her delightful demeanor, Suchithra brings a keen modern eye and expertise in sustainable building strategies to her design process.  She demonstrates extraordinary leadership within the office and is a welcome face with each client and project team.  She is a fantastic team member with wonderful initiative - tirelessly tackling complex issues on projects while pushing project design in parallel.  She was recently instrumental in the adaptive re-use of the Hardwick Building, a historic industrial facility to be repurposed into an imaginative modern mixed-use office building in Birmingham’s Design District.  She graduated from Siddanganga Institute of Technology in India with a Bachelor of Architecture in 2008 and has a Master of Architecture from the University of Illinois.

2021 AIA Gulf States Awards

We're thrilled to announce that we won an AIA Gulf States Citation Award for the design of the Resource Management Services offices. The design concept reflects the company’s identity and values by creating a dynamic relationship between the wooded lake front and the daylight filled interior. The result is a pleasant office space that attracts and retains employees that are engaged by the company’s collaborative, entrepreneurial, forestry-focused culture.

Resource Management Services Office

• AIA Gulf States Citation Award

The design optimizes light and transparency throughout the space with unlimited views of the surrounding site. From the elevator core of the building, visitors and employees experience is a panoramic view creating a dynamic heart for the office space. The “town center” of the office has a formal and informal conference space, a café, and a variety of open seating areas for employees and visitors along the lakefront side of the building. Strong axial views through the building of the surrounding forest are found throughout the space providing a connection to the what drives the company.

AIA Alabama Awards Featured in Bham Now →

The Williams Blackstock Architects team was recognized by The State of Alabama American Institute of Architects (AIA) with five honorable awards this month and we are proud to have it covered on BhamNow.

Promotion Announcement: Taylor Christiansen

Taylor Christiansen

Associate

An experienced architect focused primarily on Higher Education projects, Taylor strives for excellence and understands that every client and project is unique and requires a custom-tailored design. He excels in programming and developing design concepts. His passion for meeting the individual needs of clients, and building relationships, is evident through his recent work with Wallace State Community College and the Hewson Hall for The University of Alabama’s College of Business. Taylor has dedicated himself to the architecture profession and enjoys collaboration with clients and colleagues. Taylor graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture from Auburn University.

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.