Our firm specializes in both commercial and residential projects. GARC has a solid reputation for delivering successful outcomes in both project types. Our design process is user-centered and research-oriented, allowing us to understand the unique needs of each project and collaborate closely with our clients to bring their vision to life. Our commercial projects are diverse and encompass a wide …
Breathing New Life into Old Spaces: An Adaptive Reuse Case Study
The Albemarle Building, constructed in 1905, originally served as a hotel. In the 1980s, it was renovated into a law office. Today, the upper floors have been converted into boutique apartments, offering elegant contemporary living in the heart of historic Downtown Norfolk, with stunning views of Granby Street and the Big Wisky. The renovation of the Albemarle Building was a …
We’ve Moved in 2022
We are excited to announce that GARC has moved into our long-term home at 112 Granby St. Suite 400 in downtown Norfolk since September 2022. This was determined after a lengthy search for a new office location that could meet our current and future needs and we look forward to starting a new chapter in this space!
HRACRE Design Awards
GARC won two HRACRE design awards this year! Got Fish? for Best Recreation/Entertainment/Hospitality Project Merit Award and Get Well Soon for Best Interior Excellence Award. We want to thank our clients for the opportunities of working on these wonderful projects. We are looking forward to continue serving our community and working with local business owners.
How to Check the Zoning Requirements for Your Project
In our previous article post, we discussed the Three Things to Check Before Buying and Renovating a House in the Hampton Roads area. To make a long story short, those three things are: Zoning, Floodplain Ordinance and the Chesapeake Bay Protection Area. As suggested in that article, there are multiple ways to find the information, including calling the zoning staff of your …
Working From Home – Challenges and Solutions
After staying at home for more than a month, the challenges of WFH are starting to reveal themselves. One significant challenge many people are finding is how to separate work and personal life, as this was previously separated by their commute, or physical distance. Yes, you can sit at your kitchen island, or use your laptop on a sofa, but …
Connecting Dots
Our clients from Get Well Soon sent us this piece writing about their business. Thanks for the shout out to our design! “The duo relied on Norfolk-based architects, GARC Design, to help create all of the interior drawings and renderings of the space. “It was a really fun and easy process,” adds Ahmad. “They were easily able to take our …
Q&A: How to Jumpstart My Commercial Project?
Are you looking to start your own business and need an inspiring space? Perhaps you have two spaces in mind but not sure which one will align better with your business plan? Maybe you want to renovate your current space to attract more customers? Are you struggling with how to fully optimize the space available? You may already have a …
Happy Fall!
Our summer was jam packed with exciting projects. Check out some of the recent projects that we have been working on in the Hampton Roads area since our last report. We are so excited for Patrick and Maria at the Ruff House Stay and Play! Their project, encompassing over 12,000SF, was completed this past August. Now there’s an awesome new dog daycare …
Creating A Prototype For A Simple Food Restaurant
Opened this past October, our most recent restaurant project, Honoka Teriyaki Express, is located at the intersection of Indian River and Kempsville road. As Honoka Teriyaki Express is the first one of this teriyaki chain restaurant, it is considered a prototype design that balances function, budget, and aesthetic; facilitating the creation of a new brand of restaurant. The visual concept …