Spanning 3.4 acres along the stunning Choctawhatchee Bay, the City of Destin and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection teamed up to develop Captain Leonard Destin Park as a community asset that pays homage to the area’s history. Named for the original founder of the Destin who came from Connecticut in the mid-1800s to establish a fishing village along the Florida Gulf Coast, the park references the original homestead by including historical interpretive elements, such as a model seine boat and preserved heron rookery.
At the core of our design philosophy was a dedication to cultivating community engagement. The park includes an accessible beach area, boardwalk, dock and paddle craft launch, splash pad, playground, and picnic pavilions. These amenities provide refuge for locals and visitors alike. By providing spaces for social gatherings, educational signage, and cultural experiences, the park emerges as an invaluable community resource.
Funded by Albany Tomorrow, a city/county consortium, this multi-tenant, privately developed, three-story, 50,000-square-foot office building is located on the city square in a very prominent downtown location. Movement of the building entry from the corner to the center of the building served to redefine the existing public park space in conjunction with two existing civic structures.
To respect the contextual setting, the team performed a visual audit of landmark structures around the city, resulting in the adoption of details to guide the design process. These included window proportions, cornice details, base details and colors, including brick and stone.
The building creates a Class A office environment that serves multiple agencies and departments from various levels of government housed in Albany. The two-story atrium creates a welcoming environment to do business with local government. The top floor houses a large meeting space for city and county commissioners which overlooks the civic plaza below.
Two parking structures accommodated parking for the site. A two-story, 128-space parking deck and a four-story, 520-space parking deck are both adjacent to the building. Street-level retail has been incorporated along with two parking structures.
In order to preserve one of America’s treasured pieces of art, housed in Atlanta’s Grant Park, a new building was designed for the “Battle of Atlanta” during the renovation of the Atlanta History Museum. The oil painting is one of the world’s largest works of art at 47’ x 358’ and weighing nearly nine tons. The design of a new museum to house the painting would allow it to be viewed in its entirety; the first time since 1922. The museum addition would feature a 360-degree viewing platform, rising 12 feet above the gallery floor, and offering guests the opportunity to view the 15,000-square-foot painting as people experienced it in the late 1800s.
Due to area zoning that mandated a three-story height limitation, the building was recessed below grade to accommodate the artwork. The new facility provided a state-of-the-art conditioned space to regulate both temperature and humidity, in order to prevent further deterioration to the painting. An added benefit was that the environment allowed for the installed painting to be restored over a 12-month period.
Another significant addition to the project was the introduction of The Texas, a coal-fired locomotive steam engine that was prominent in the story of the great train chase of the Civil War. Also transported from the Grant Park location, the design team wanted this aspect to be a strong visual element visible from the street.
Planning the removal, transportation, and ultimate re-installation of the piece of art to its new home spanned two years and a team of over 200 architects, contractors, historians, art conservators, and countless specialists.
The 54,000-square-foot courthouse addition includes six courtrooms, seven judges’ chambers, hearing rooms, public spaces and court support spaces, all built over a secure parking and mechanical level. An elevated, enclosed and environmentally controlled connection links the addition to the existing courthouse and to the sally port. Carefully planned phasing allowed this major courthouse addition to be constructed while existing building services, emergency exits, and inmate delivery systems remained operational.
After years of neglect, the redesigned Bo Diddley Plaza is a vibrant and inviting space for people to gather and enjoy a range of daytime and evening activities. Situated along the bustling University Avenue in historic Gainesville, the plaza’s reimagining incorporates an industrial modern feel that pays homage to Gainesville’s rich heritage, while embracing a contemporary vision of urban life.
Drawing inspiration from the Plaza’s weekly farmer’s market and free Friday concerts, the plaza’s new layout was crafted to enhance these experiences. From the introduction of a café with both indoor and outdoor seating to the staff information kiosk and modern bus shelter, every element has been curated to infuse the area with a renewed sense of energy. Noteworthy features such as an interactive water feature at the park’s entrance and the preservation of the existing heritage oak trees further enhance the plaza’s appeal.
A highlight of the redesign is the updated amphitheater, now boasting state-of-the-art facilities, including public restrooms, storage, and a green room with changing areas for performers. With reduced planter heights to optimize visibility, thoughtfully planned pathways, and informative signage, Bo Diddley Plaza attracts residents and visitors, providing a renewed sense of community and belonging.
Our award-winning design for a 13,500-square-foot municipal library beautifully embodies the fishing and boating heritage of Destin. Laminated wood beams, reminiscent of a ship’s ribbing, frame the structure, while symbolic masts support the enclosed “hull” roof. Inside, an arching wood ceiling evokes the character of nearby boathouses, creating a space for meetings and community gatherings.
The library offers tranquil areas for reflection beneath a broad entry porch, with scenic views of preserved windswept live oak trees. The building’s soft moss-green Hardiplank siding and natural metal roof blend seamlessly with the surrounding historic residential neighborhood, reflecting both its heritage and its commitment to the community.
Transforming an existing bank building in downtown Panama City to a new City Hall, marked the beginning of the city’s effort to revitalize its downtown and marina areas. The renovation of the 58,000-square-foot Trustmark Building enabled the city to consolidate most of its services under one roof.
This prominent downtown location and design set a new benchmark for architectural excellence in the area. A redesigned exterior skin not only elevated the building’s street presence, but also maximized natural light in the interior, significantly improving the energy efficiency of the envelope system. This renovation aimed to inspire future developments and enhance the overall aesthetic of the downtown district.
Perdido Key, Florida, a barrier island prone to flooding during severe weather, needed a new fire station and community center. The new facility design was elevated above the surge zone to ensure the critical infrastructure would be safe for emergency operations during storm events. The design includes a three-bay fire station, a visitor information center, and a versatile community room for meetings, safety training, and emergency response coordination. Additionally, a helipad was constructed on the station’s roof to ensure access for airborne services in case the coastal highway becomes inaccessible.
The Watercolor Fire Station, situated in a picturesque coastal community, features a southern vernacular style, characterized by wide porches, overhanging metal shed roofs, and a central tower. Spanning 5,200 square feet, the state-of-the-art facility supports both emergency response and beach rescue operations in this popular resort area. Its board and batten design and watchtower reflect the aesthetic of the beach community it serves, seamlessly blending with the local architectural character.
The museum renovation of the Atlanta History Center and Cyclorama included the redesign of both the exterior and interior of the facility as well as an addition for a historic painting. The surrounding landscaped grounds have long served as a unique invitation to museumgoers to enjoy the history of Atlanta. As a means of celebrating the gardens through architecture, guests are greeted through a series of concentric spaces defined by transparent and solid garden walls leading into the museum. The net result was a new entrance that served to complement the existing, adjacent Swan House, one of Atlanta’s greatest architectural treasures.
The exterior renovation created a new entrance, which reflects a stronger civic presence and provides a significant approach to the building. The new site design includes a formal arrival space and improvements to an existing motor court to ease pedestrian access to the existing parking deck. With two concepts at play, the front building façade is very open and welcoming, accentuating a two-story glass wall that creates a “lantern-like” presence along West Paces Ferry Road at night.
The interior program included an expanded lobby, a new bookstore, and restaurant. There is a special events area for 500 people, as well as improvements to visitor circulation, ceilings, and wall finishes in the public areas connecting to the exhibit galleries. The Allen Atrium, a two-story rotunda, is one of the key enhancements, providing the museum flexibility and expanded capabilities for artifact displays and other special programming and events.
