UAB Biomedical Research and Psychology Building

On June 28, 2024, UAB broke ground on their UAB Biomedical Research and Psychology Building. This new facility adds to the University’s annual research and have the opportunity to save more lives.

The eight-story, 300 thousand-square-foot facility will include wet and dry research laboratories and support spaces, which will provide the necessary access for investigators from various disciplines to utilize the space. Students, faculty and staff will soon be able to fully captivate the utilization of space, enhance collaboration, and share equipment and resources. Offices and administrative support spaces will also be included.

Above is a rendering of the building, showcasing the eight-story research facility. It includes different types of researching laboratories and offices. It is a critical step in the UAB research legacy.

Celebrating Three Decades of Design: Williams Blackstock Architects Marks Milestone Anniversary

Williams Blackstock Architects, an award-winning architecture firm, is proud to announce its 30th anniversary. Three decades of innovative design, unwavering commitment to quality, client relationships, and transformative projects have solidified Williams Blackstock Architects as a trailblazer in the industry. Building on the richness of past endeavors and a long-running journey of growth, they have expanded to a 55-person staff of talented architects and interior designers and are excited about a bright future. Their philosophy is to develop creative design solutions that provide value to clients and that inspire people and improve communities.   

Since its inception in 1994, Williams Blackstock Architects has consistently provided creative design solutions that provide significant value to clients.  The firm has built a legacy of creating iconic structures that seamlessly blend creative, functional, sustainable  designs to be cost effective and inspiring. The company has been busy for the last thirty years building a reputation for providing visionary design, teamwork, and collaboration, which has led to great relationships and reshaped the skyline of Birmingham and made a meaningful impact in communities and campuses across the region with designs that stand the test of time.

"We are thrilled to reach this significant milestone in our journey," said Joel Blackstock, Founding Principal, and CEO. "The last thirty years have been a testament to our passion for delivering inspirational architecture and interior design with a commitment to excellence. We owe our success to our talented team, visionary clients, and the communities that have allowed us to serve them."

President Stephen Allen said, “With a legacy of superior client service and continued growth, we remain poised to continue our transformative design work in the years to come.  The firm looks forward to continued growth and delivering high quality design solutions that serve our clients, enrich people’s lives, and positively shape our communities.”

To commemorate this momentous anniversary, Williams Blackstock Architects has planned a series of events and celebrations with it’s members, clients, and colleagues, throughout the year.

Clean Up Day to Benefit The Fresh Water Land Trust

This week we sought to make a positive impact in our community to celebrate Earth Day. Our team rolled up their sleeves picking up trash together to benefit the The Fresh Water Land Trust, lending a hand to help our local environment. One of our core values is to make the world and our communities a better place and our commitment extends beyond crafting beautiful spaces—it's about actively caring for our environment and surroundings. Together, let's continue to make a positive impact, one step at a time!

Media Buzz About Bird-friendly Windows

In the construction of the new UAB Altec Styslinger Genomic Medicine and Data Sciences Building in Birmingham, our team at Williams Blackstock Architects has integrated a unique design feature to address bird safety, responding to a growing concern in urban design. At the request of the UAB, known for its commitment to sustainability, we have incorporated etched glass with a bird protection frit into the building's 6-story curtainwall, which spans nearly 50,000 square feet.

This initiative aligns with UAB's goal to achieve LEED Silver certification for the project and reflects a broader vision for a sustainable campus. Learn more about this innovative initiative design featured in BhamNow.

Great-Birmingham Bake Off: Giving Back

The 2024 Bake-Off was held on Saturday, April 6th at Cahaba Brewing. We were so proud to be a sponsor of such a fun event that supports a great cause: Workshops Empowerment! The team from WBA got together and picked out recipe to compete in the event using one of their WE Made Southern Staples baking mixes. We, maybe, sample a few ourselves over cold beverages and had a blast.

WE Inc. provides employment opportunities to people with disabilities and so much more. Through training and workforce development, they’re helping individuals be their best selves and we are proud to support them.

Meet 4 Female Leaders among the team at Williams Blackstock Architects

Meet 4 of the incredible female leaders among the amazing team of women who work here at Williams Blackstock Architects in this latest article on Bham Now. We're incredibly fortunate to have such an exceptionally skilled and vibrant team, including an outstanding group of women who constitute over half of our firm and play vital roles across all aspects of our work.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have a remarkably talented—and fun!—team of professionals who are actively contributing to our community.

Among them is a fantastic group of women who make up 50% of our firm and play a pivotal role in every aspect of our practice, from design and project management to marketing and strategy.

Their presence enriches our identity and culture, serving as a daily source of inspiration for all of us.”

— Brittany Foley, Principal, Williams Blackstock Architects

2024 NextGen Awards: Celia Gannaway

Congratulations to our own Celia Gannaway who was named as a recipient for the Birmingham Business Journal 2024 NextGen: Real Estate & Construction Awards! This special issue will feature up-and-coming professionals in the real estate and construction fields who are emerging leaders in Birmingham.

ULI Alabama Project Tour: The Hardwick

Last week we had the privilege of leading a project tour of The Hardwick with ULI Alabama! Together, we explored the transformation of this 110-year-old steel processing plant into a vibrant hub for restaurants, retail, and commercial offices along Birmingham's Rotary Trail. A special thank you to all who joined us for the insightful journey!

2024 Top 40 Under 40 - Amanda Fowler

Congratulations to Amanda Fowler for being named a Top 40 Under 40 by the Birmingham Business Journal! Amanda is an exemplary leader in our firm and in our community. As CFO, her impact has been transformative, steering the company to unprecedented growth and success while playing a crucial role in the well-being of our community.

Starting as CFO/Controller in 2016, she became an equity partner in 2021 based on her record of guiding and driving the financial success of the firm over the last eight years. Amanda is not only a dynamic leader, but also supports the broad operations and health of the firm from a financial perspective.

Southern Research Station 41 Ribbon Cutting

This past week, we had the honor of participating in the Southern Research Station 41 Incubator Ribbon Cutting. Together with our partners at HOK, we've had the opportunity to contribute to Birmingham's thriving biotech scene by designing this new commercialization hub. Equipped with wet labs, shared equipment, and office space, this new renovation is all set to welcome around a dozen startup companies. It's a big step forward in fostering biotech innovation right here in our community.