From Left to Right: Hays Layerd, Cam Whitlock, Rodney Lewis

AL+W is very pleased to be awarded the AIA Tallahassee Honor Award for Design for the FSU Softball Training Facility project, as well as the Merit Award for the Urban Green Sustainable Mixed-Use project. We want to thank our clients, FSU Athletics and Mad Dog Construction, as well as the wonderful people at the Tallahassee AIA.

The Honor Award, given to the Softball Batting Facility, includes the following Jury comments:

“This was our favorite project among all of the submittals.  Not only did it have the ‘WOW’ visual effect, the simple forms, function, site relationships, and campus material palette all were extremely well utilized.  Unlike the typical high-pitch gable roof common to the campus, the designer used the low-profile curved roof to emphasize the functional nature of the building.  The integration into the softball complex was outstanding.  We expressed the desire for more projects of this quality on campus, with less reliance on perceived ‘kit of parts’ forms and materials.”

The Merit Award, presented for the Urban Green project, included these Jury comments:

“We are impressed by this project’s use of color and form to transform a drab 1950’s era structure and create a dynamic, playful design while also incorporating model sustainable features.  The use of horizontal/ vertical planes and varied materials to create building zones effectively masks the original structure’s exterior while utilizing the building’s ‘bones’ – a true sustainable design.”

The President’s box at Bragg Stadium recently received a much needed renovation. The effort was a pro-bono partnership between Architects Lewis + Whitlock and Culpepper Construction. The project included new lighting, seating, finishes and millwork. We hope that our gift to Florida A&M provides the University President and his guests a comfortable view of many Rattler victories.

To aid the FSU Women’s Softball Team in player development and in competing with the top collegiate softball programs in the country an Indoor Softball Batting Cage and Practice Facility has been developed to protect the players from inclement weather.  AL+W was contracted to design a facility that would help the University achieve this. The design incorporated 4 batting areas, equipment storage, and a new bullpen within the first level. In addition, a second floor houses a fielding practice space and viewing area, with a ramped connection to the Soccer-Softball Building concourse and an additional vertical access.

The structure utilizes steel frame technology with bow chord trusses to achieve the open spans needed for this athletic practice space. The design aesthetic recognizes the nature of this building structure yet pays homage to the classical University precedents through its brick and stone treatments. The naturally ventilated and efficiently lit athletic facility will provide a comfortable, versatile, and energy efficient space that will press the goals of quality design, and performance well into the future.

We are proud to announce that we are moving our office on Thursday, 10/28, to our new location at 206 W. Virginia Street!

The proposed Teaching Facility represents an important step in the evolution of the FSU Tennis Program by providing an enclosed practice facility that will allow both the men’s and women’s teams to practice regardless of the weather conditions.  In order for this facility to meet the demands of these two vibrant programs, the design team developed the project with a critical eye to the myriad of details that will ultimately result in a state-of-the-art tennis environment.  This project poses many unique opportunities for the design team.

Key issues in the success of the Multipurpose Teaching Facility:

• Addresses the building massing and site topography to create a comfortable scale for the mass of the practice facility in relation to the Marine Science Research and Training Center and the surrounding residential area.
• Strategically addresses the exterior building design to relate to the Collegiate Gothic Architectural Style.
• Applies the latest technology in the design of the tennis court environment to provide a world-class competitive collegiate facility.

Due to favorable bid climate, the University directed the design team to move forward with the design of two building shell components and unit heaters to move closer to the ultimate master planned build-out of the Indoor Tennis Practice Facility.  To the north is shell space one, and to the south is shell space two. The goals for this expansion are to provide an aesthetically and functionally complete building that allows a sensible transition through the multi phased development process.

AL+W was charged with providing a framework for unified development for enhancements to the Waterfront Area of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The site enhancements extend much further than simply addressing the water’s edge, as the project addresses ways to facilitate patron access to the waterfront, plans for infrastructure needed to support waterfront activities and events, and provides integration of the waterfront activities with the already developed portions of this historic campus.

The Waterfront Promenade extends from the southern Tree Park and parking areas North, to the historic Ca D’Zan Mansion.  The richly landscaped pathway, flanked by the ocean on one side and royal palm trees on the other, provides a captivating view of the Ca D’Zan as the patron approaches.  Clusters of seating are nestled among the landscaping along the promenade.

Detailed, hardscaped surfaces are provided for a large event tent, catering tents,  valet service, and a portable restroom facility.  Four areas of parking are incorporated into the project in a harmonious relationship with the surrounding landscaping as to not detract from the beauty of the campus.

Other features of the project include service drives for emergency vehicle access, site lighting, relocating utilities away from the Ca D’Zan and event tent areas, catering vehicular access, pedestrian paths to connect the campus with the Waterfront Promenade, and the addition of two storm-water facilities.  Construction will be complete in late 2010.

The new AL+W offices are finally under construction. The project involves a complete renovation of the historic Salvation Army Building on W. Virginia St. This urban renewal project is located in the Frenchtown neighborhood. It was awarded a significant facade grant from the Tallahassee Community Redevelopment Agency because of the positive impact that the project will have on a reemerging area.

The traditional red brick building will be updated with contemporary interiors and new windows to improve daylighting in the space. Custom shading devices not only bring new life to the facade while respecting the character of the existing brick, but provide relief from solar heat gain and glare on the east and west facades. The interior of the building will be updated with high efficiency lighting and plumbing fixtures as well as low VOC emitting finishes. These renovations will create a more efficient and healthful environment.

The new facility is intended to provide much needed space for the firm, and also to help reignite  a conscientious and attractive pattern of development in an important historic district of the city. AL+W is hoping to move into the new space in late October.