2023 Building Birmingham Award Winners

We’re proud to announce that two of our projects were selected as winners in the 2023 Building Birmingham Awards by the Birmingham Business Journal. These awards recognize the projects that are changing the face of the Magic City and were chosen based on their impact, their degree of difficulty and unique aspects, among many other factors.

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Nextec

The long-vacant Nextec building in a neglected area downtown was originally constructed in 1927 date and served as the Edward’s Motor Company for many years. The 50,000-square-foot building has been restored to create flexible work offices and collaboration zones for early-stage companies and non-profit organizations.

Located a block from Innovation Depot, an incubator and accelerator for tech & bio-focused businesses, the design brings new vitality to this area of downtown with a carefully renovated historic facade, which utilized tax credits, and a new innovative interior design of office spaces for tech companies.

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Hoffman Media

This creative interior design solution which completely renovated the interior of the building creates a new home reflecting the company's brand and mission. As a special-interest publisher involved with print, online and interactive media, this renovation represents their generational opportunity to relocate from the suburbs and create a new home in the heart of Birmingham’s thriving downtown environment.

The new headquarters for Hoffman Media on Second Avenue North, dubbed “The Hoffice on Second”, includes a wide-reaching variety of spaces such as video production studios, photography studios, test kitchen, and related office space. Features throughout this new space, such as the test kitchen area, provide ample space for their creative endeavors and uniquely represents their inspiring brand and mission to enrich daily lives.

2023 AIA Birmingham Awards

Last night we had a wonderful time at the AIA Birmingham Awards Ceremony! We are proud to announce that the design for The Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Pavilion has won an AIA Birmingham Honor Award. And our front lobby and table design has won a Merit Award in the Design Detail category. We're incredibly proud of our team and humbled by these accolades.

Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Pavilion

Honor Award

We are proud to announce that the design for The Equal Justice Initiative Legacy Pavilion has won an AIA Birmingham Honor Award. The pavilion serves as a welcome center for the Legacy Museum and the National Memorial for Peace and Justice, which are part of EJI’s work to advance truth and justice in America and to more honestly confront the legacy of slavery, lynching, and segregation.

The design featured light and transparency with a perforated steel screen façade serving as a dynamic, living sculpture connecting the park, porch, and lobby. As reflected light changed throughout the day and night, sunlight was filtered through the images and onto the visitors as they entered.

The perforated stainless steel front screen honored seven key civil rights figures, helping visitors understand the unique role Montgomery played in fueling a civil rights movement that continues to reverberate around the world.

Williams Blackstock Architects Front Lobby and Table

Merit Award - Design Detail

The reception lobby features a sleek and minimalistic table, with a skillful interplay of charcoal soapstone and a single piece of folded blackened steel. The cantilevered effect of the heavy material is intentionally created to provoke a sense of wonder and challenge the limits of what is possible. Dynamic veining in the natural stone creates a beautiful accent to the wood and steel backdrop.

The sleek high-tech design of the reception area creates a strong juxtaposition to the rustic brick, exposed board-formed concrete structure, and polished concrete floors. The design concept creates an impactful welcome area that respects and celebrates the historic warehouse, juxtaposed with modern innovation, technology, and design.

Auburn Alumni Spotlight: Brittany Foley

Brittany Foley was recently featured in The College of Architecture Design and Construction newsletter for all of her accomplishments. Brittany graduated from Auburn’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture (APLA) with a Bachelor of Architecture and a Bachelor of Interior Architecture in 2009. She is now a partner at Williams Blackstock and was recently named to Birmingham Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 list.

“Here in Alabama, we’ve had wonderful and meaningful projects that we’ve been able to work on and it’s been really amazing to see the adaptive reuse and historic preservation sector of our practice grow.”

— Brittany Foley

Play Ball!

We had an absolute blast representing our firm at the recent kickball tournament for a great cause! The event brought together teams from various companies across Birmingham, all rallying behind a shared goal of supporting a worthy charity, Christopher Kids. With laughter, friendly competition, and a whole lot of team spirit, the "WBA Ballbarians" gave it our all on the field. Not only did we have a fun time, but we felt better knowing our support contributed to making a positive impact in our community.

Community Food Bank Volunteer Day

At Williams Blackstock Architects, one of our core values and fou on the power of giving back to the community. We understand that our success goes beyond our professional achievements; it extends to making a positive impact on the lives of those around us. That's why we recently organized a group volunteering activity at the Community Food Bank of Central Alabama, an organization dedicated to fighting hunger and providing support to those in need.

It was a day filled with unity, compassion, and making a positive impact in our community. We rolled up our sleeves, worked together as a team, and supported the amazing efforts of the Community Food Bank in fighting hunger and helping those in need.

We sorted and packaged over 500 boxes for distribution to seniors for the month. Seeing firsthand how our collective efforts can make a tangible difference was a humbling experience and we are grateful for the opportunity to contribute and leave a lasting impact.

We firmly believe in the power of collaboration and the strength of our community. Together, we can create positive change and support those facing food insecurity. Thank you to the Community Food Bank for the incredible work you do. We are honored to be a small part of it. Let's keep spreading love, compassion, and support to create a brighter future for all.

2023 IIDE Awards

We are thrilled to announce that our firm has been recognized with not one, but TWO prestigious interior design awards from IIDA Alabama! The first award recognizes Growth Capital Properties with the Best of Corporate - Small Award that showcases a combination of dark and light materials with simple modern forms to create a dramatic work environment. The second award honors Bailey-Harris Construction with the Best of Design Detail Award. Our innovative design of a custom communicating stair constructed from a steel stringer, wood treads, and a cable rail system, contrasts with a concrete wall to create a stunning feature in the lobby. We are incredibly proud of our team for their hard work and dedication to excellence, and we are grateful to our clients for entrusting us with their designs. We look forward to continuing to create exceptional spaces that inspire and delight.

Growth Capital Properties

• Best of Corporate - Small

Growth Capital Partners, a real estate investment firm, relocated its headquarters to the 15th floor of a 1962 International Style Birmingham high rise.  The design of the 11,000 square foot office space combines solid with clear elements and dark with light materials to outline full height exterior windows.  The build out incorporates a mixture of new with existing construction.  Critical to the success of having unobstructed views to the exterior was understanding and applying current building codes which allowed for the removal of rated stair vestibules. The design combines dark and light materials with simple modern forms to create a dramatic work environment that begins in the elevator lobby and continues throughout the space. 

Bailey-Harris Construction

• Best of Design Detail

The design team’s approach was inspired by the building specialties of Bailey Harris Construction and the vision was to showcase the materiality of each service. The interior details subtly reveal the unique textures and elements of each trade. Celebrating the construction process a large steel stair, concrete walls, stone reception area, and warm wood textures create a synergy between design, construction and brand.

JSU Dining Hall Groundbreaking

Proud to be a part of the groundbreaking yesterday for the Jax State Dining Hall. Over two years ago this vision started and now this transformation celebration has begun, planning to open in the Fall of 2024 benefiting the current Jacksonville State University students and future students. This long-standing infrastructure enhancement moves JSU forward and signifies tremendous growth.

The new dining hall will offer a large dining space with new seating options creating a place where students want to gather and connect.

WILLIAMS BLACKSTOCK ARCHITECTS LOOKS TO THE FUTURE

Williams Blackstock Architects, is looking to the future with a newly designated leadership team that will ensure stability, growth, and the continued delivery of exceptional architectural design and service.

Joel Blackstock, Principal and cofounder, now assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer. Stephen Allen, Principal, succeeds Blackstock as President. Matt Foley, Principal, becomes Chief Operating Officer. Binx Newton and Bill Segrest, both Principals and mainstays at the firm, head an expanded team that also includes Brittany Foley, Principal, and Amanda Fowler, Principal and Chief Financial Officer.

This revitalized leadership team, building upon a deep well of experience that has been instrumental in the firm’s success, will oversee implementation of a strategic vision and ensure that Williams Blackstock Architects continues to deliver the outstanding quality of architectural design and services for which it has earned a solid reputation during nearly 30 years in business.

Joel Blackstock, CEO

Joel Blackstock has served as President since founding the firm, and he will assume the role of CEO and will focus on maintaining the high standards of design and attention to client relationships that have defined the firm and his career.

Stephen Allen, President

Stephen Allen has served as Principal and Vice-President at the firm, and he will assume the role of President. He has been a consistent leader behind the direction and vision of the company and will oversee the firm’s continued service, strategic growth and long-term success.

Matt Foley, COO

Matt Foley will assume the role of Chief Operating Officer. He will oversee the day-to-day operations and will focus on the firm’s client service and project delivery. He will enhance the firm’s platform for continued growth.

Amanda Fowler, Principal & CFO

Amanda Fowler is the Chief Financial Officer of the firm and has been promoted to Principal. She is responsible for guiding the financial success of the firm. She also will support the broad operations of the firm from a financial perspective including project financial management.

Brittany Foley, Principal

Brittany Foley has been promoted to Principal. Her expertise in historic preservation and adaptive reuse projects is recognized nationally in addition to leading design on a wide variety of projects in the office. She will focus on project design, client focus, and business development.

Bill Segrest, Principal

Bill Segrest is a Principal in the firm, responsible for multi-family, mixed use, and retail projects. He brings unparalleled passion to his craft. He excels in building valuable, lasting relationships with his clients by providing unique, thoughtful design solutions through his singular approach to each project.

Binx Newton, Principal

Binx Newton is a Principal in the firm, specializing in complex higher education, research, and healthcare projects. His attention to detail and meticulous analytical approach, along with his dedication to design and technical excellence, have delivered some of the firm’s most complex projects with dynamic results.

The firm has also named three new directors to cultivate strategic direction and thought leadership in growing sectors: Lauren Gwaltney, Director of Higher Education, Joanne Riddle, Director of Multi-Family Housing, and John Beason, Director of Interior Design. This transition marks the next phase of long-term strategic planning and vision which is to continue to deliver premiere architectural design and services to our clients.

Lauren Gwaltney, Director of Education

Lauren Gwaltney is promoted to Director of Education. She has a deep background and experience leading award-winning education projects for the firm. She will focus on the firm’s work in the educational sector, expanding the firm’s opportunities with her passion for client service and relationships.

Joanne Riddle, Director of Multi-Family Housing

Joanne Riddle is promoted to Director of Multi-Family Housing. She leads multidisciplinary teams on some of the firm’s most high-profile multi-family residential assignments. She works in close partnership with clients to meet their expectations and deliver successful results.

John Beason, Director of Interior Design

John Beason is promoted to Director of Interior Design. His extensive portfolio includes leading design across all sectors of the firm’s work with creative and innovative design solutions. His focus will be continuing the department growth and delivering high-quality, award-winning design projects.

Nextec

The core and shell for Nextec, the former Historic Edwards Motor Company, is complete! The space can be leveraged as a flexible workspace and innovation lab for start-up businesses in the heart of the emerging Technology Switch District. Nextec offers cutting edge office spaces, common area training room and meeting suites, beautiful city views, and a brand-new urban park amenity with an amphitheater and areas for local events. By supporting the community redevelopment and growing local small businesses, this new maker space is a burgeoning center for growing tech businesses.

Top 40 Celebration - Brittany Foley

We had a blast celebrating Brittany Foley recently as she accepted her award for being one of the Top 40 Under 40 by the Birmingham Business Journal. We are so proud of her amazing accomplishments in Birmingham and throughout the southeast.

What accomplishment are you most proud of in your career?

“Challenging and meaningful projects that include the Historic Federal Reserve Redevelopment, Historic Greyhound Bus Depot renovation, Nextec Redevelopment, Hardwick Redevelopment and Fort Morgan National Historic Landmark Restoration.”

— Brittany Foley