Navitas Norfolk Norfolk, VAType/ Mixed useTime/ 2025-Client/ PrivateStatus/ Conceptual DesignNavitas Norfolk is envisioned as a transformative mixed-use destination—where city, university, and neighborhood converge. Rooted in Norfolk’s rich cultural heritage and industrial legacy, the development acts as an urban gateway, linking the ODU campus, Lambert’s Point, and the city’s evolving districts through vibrant public spaces, culturally grounded design, and walkable corridors that …
309 High
309 High Virginia Beach, VAType/ ApartmentTime/ 2024-2025Client/ PrivateStatus/ Under ConstructionThis project transforms the historic Quality Shop building in downtown Portsmouth into a vibrant residential community. Originally constructed in the early 1900s with warehouse additions in the 1940s, the building is being thoughtfully adapted into 11 modern apartments while preserving its distinctive High Street façade and display windows—maintaining its longstanding presence in …
Professional Building
Professional Building Portsmouth, VAType/ Multi-family Apartment Time/ 2022-2024Client/ PrivateStatus/ CompletedThis innovative adaptive reuse project transforms a 1920s medical office building into a vibrant mixed-use development, seamlessly blending historic preservation with contemporary urban living. The seven-story Professional Building, a contributing structure to the Downtown Portsmouth Historic District, now houses 42 luxury apartments above eight street-level commercial spaces, demonstrating exemplary architectural sensitivity and technical …
Missing Middle
Missing Middle Type/ Multi-family HousingClient/ City of NorfolkStatus/ Pattern BookAward/ American Planning Association Virginia Chapter’s Old Dominion Innovative Approaches AwardIn collaboration with Work Program Architects and Dills Architects, we developed a Missing Middle Pattern Book for the City of Norfolk to explore possible solutions to local housing issues. It won the American Planning Association Virginia Chapter’s Old Dominion Innovative Approaches …
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 …
Albemarle Boutique Apartment
Albemarle BoutiqueApartment Norfolk, VAType/ Apartment BuildingTime/ 2021-2022Client/Lightwell Development GroupStatus/ Completed Structure Design: McPherson DesignMEP Design: PermitZipHistoric Preservation Consultant: Commonwealth Preservation GroupGeneral Contractor: Ringenberg ConstructionThe 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 …
YMCA
YMCA Building Portsmouth, VAType/ Multi-family Apartment Time/ 2023-Client/ PrivateStatus/ DesignOriginally converted from a former YMCA building in the 1990s, the Old Towne Apartments in Portsmouth had become dated and dark after more than 30 years of use, no longer meeting the standards of modern urban living. Our firm was brought in to revitalize the common areas and address the lack of welcoming, …
Wellington Building
Wellington Building Norfolk, VAType/ Apartment BuildingTime/ 2020-2021Client/ Lightwell Development GroupStatus/ CompletedAward/ NPC Preservation Awards of Excellence People’s Choice AwardIt has been quite a challenge to convert a 100-year old building in Ghent Historic District into modern apartments, while keeping the original historic features and complying with today’s code and lifestyle. It involves close collaboration with MEP engineers, Tax Credit consultants, as …
Net+Work+Camp+Us
Net+Work+Camp+Us Virginia Beach, VAType / Education, Design Competition Time / 2007-2008 Award / Jury Grand Prize Architectural Design / Net+Work+Camp+Us Team (HEWV) Credits / Yang Tian as Team Leader and Main Designer, Suping Li as Presenter and Main Designer, other team members include Yuzhu Zheng and Nathan Herold.This is a futuristic idea for student dormitories to function not only as …