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.
Source: https://www.wba-architects.com/
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.”
Greyhound Bus Terminal Site Visit
In honor of Black History Month, our DEIB committee invited the office to gather for a site visit at the Historic Greyhound Bus Depot. As a part of the Freedom Rides, the Historic Greyhound Bus Station holds a significant impact to the Civil Rights Movement. The space has been sympathetically restored and newly renovated the iconic landmark to become an office space to impact the Birmingham area moving into the future.
Auburn Alumni Spotlight - Jeremy Cutts
Jeremy Cutts is in the Auburn Spotlight! The College of Architecture Design and Construction recently featured Jeremy for all of his accomplishments on their website.
“Sometimes it’s the relationships that were formed and other times there is a meaningful lesson learned or knowledge gained,” he stated. “It’s always incredible to see the result of hard work and the impact it can have on a person, a family or a community.”
2023 Top 40 Under 40 - Brittany Foley
Congratulations to Brittany Foley for being named a Top 40 Under 40 by the Birmingham Business Journal!
She is a key leader within the organization and was recently promoted to an equity partner. As a preservation architect with expertise in urban redevelopments, she promotes sympathetic and creative strategies to repurpose underutilized historic buildings into meaningful community assets in the state. In addition to a range of adaptive reuse projects, she has experience with projects utilizing the Federal Historic Preservation Tax Incentives Program, Opportunity Zones and New Market Tax Credits. She has been instrumental in the adaptive reuse of the Hood McPherson into the new Auburn University Center in Birmingham and the restoration of Fort Morgan National Historic Landmark in Gulf Shores with the Alabama Historical Commission.