Edventure CampusNorfolk, VAType/ CultureTime/ 2022-Client/ Virgina ZooStatus/ Under ConstructionThe project is to create a novel facility named the Virginia Zoo AnimalEdventure Campus. The primary goal of this establishment is to present aunique learning environment for children, especially those up to their teenyears. This facility will be seamlessly integrated with the online adventureand outreach programs that the Zoo currently provides.The design of …
Rhino Exhibit
Rhino ExhibitNorfolk, VAType/ CultureTime/ 2023-Client/ Virginia ZooStatus/ DesignThe Rhino Exhibit, a new addition to the Virginia Zoo, is dedicated to theGreater One-Horned Rhinos, also known as “Indian Rhinos.” The zoo eagerlyanticipates the arrival of these magnificent animals upon exhibit’scompletion. Due to the distinctive environmental needs of their natural habitats,the Greater One-Horned Rhinos require specially tailored conditionsto thrive. Strategically located at the …
Historic Office Renovation
Historic Office RenovationNorfolk, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2023-2024Client/ PrivateStatus/ Under ConstructionFounded in 1916, E.T. Gresham’s current office building, constructed in 1939, has witnessed various changes over the years to adapt to evolving needs. At one point, large windows on the street level were blocked off for security and privacy, and the main entrance was relocated to face the parking lot. Recently, the owner …
Carrie Headquarter
Currie Medical HeadquarterNorfolk, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2022-2023Client/ PrivateStatus/ CompletedThe new headquarters of Currie Medical, formerly Northfield Medical Manufacturing, LLC, consolidates the company’s previously scattered offices and manufacturing facilities into one central location. This project involved the complete renovation of an existing office/warehouse building to meet Currie Medical’s needs, incorporating a warehouse, production area, and a newly revitalized front office.The front office area, …
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 …
Hilltop Medical Center
Hilltop Medical CenterVirginia Beach, VAType/ Health CareTime/ 2019Client/ Tidewater Eye CenterStatus/ Under ConstructionAward/ HRACRE 2021 Best Renovated or Historic Rehabilitation ProjectThe Hilltop Medical Center project is a renovation intended to refashion a contemporary clinic image for the Hilltop Medical Center building built in early 2000. After testing several design options, GARC and the Client came up with a simple and elegant …
Get Well Soon
Get Well SoonNorfolk, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2020Client/ PrivateStatus/ CompletedAward/ HRACRE 2020 Best Interior Excellence Awards Located in Norfolk, Virginia, Get Well Soon is a sanctuary focused on self-care and personal wellness. Get Well Soon will be serving the residents of Coastal Virginia by offering services that include guided meditations, massages, facials, an infrared sauna, social activities and more! This unique concept for …
DMV Wagering
DMV WageringWashington, DCType/ CommercialTime/ 2021-22Client/ PrivateStatus/ Design.ConceptRelated ProjectsView AllGot Fish?Handle 19
Tidewater Eye Center
Tidewater Eye CenterVirginia Beach, VAType/ HealthcareTime/ 2019Client/ Tidewater Eye CenterStatus/ CompletedThe project is a full renovation for Tidewater Eye Center’s new Virginia Beach location. Working together with the client, GARC has created a more efficient layout on the interior by creating three “pods” for the clinic. The pods help minimize the distance travelled for patients, doctors, and technicians, which was common …
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.
Asian Fusion
Asian Fusion RestaurantNorfolk, VAType/ CommercialTime / 2020-2021Client/ PrivateStatus/ ConceptThis is a drive-through restaurant serving healthy Asian fusion food. It is a hybrid model between fast casual and quick service restaurants. It emphasizes high quality food and a nice dining environment, while at the same time, it is self-serviced with drive through and pickup options. A butterfly roof separates naturally the dining …
Care More
Care More MoversNorfolk, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2020Client/Care More MoversStatus/ Under ConstructionWhen we design a physical space, it always starts with understanding the business and the brand. Care More Movers provides moving concierge services, a one-stop shopping to take care of customers’ needs in all aspects before, during, and after moving. The retail space wants to present this business model instead of …
Handle 19
Handle 19 Premium SportsbookWashington DCType/ CommercialTime/ 2020Client/ PrivateStatus/ Under ConstructionThis project will be Handle 19 Premium Sportsbook’s flagship location. The 3-story historic building just a stone’s throw away from the Capital has a lot of potentials as well as challenges. We have been working closely with our client and his team to transfer the building into sportsbook spaces and a …
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 …
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 …
Got Fish?
Got Fish?Hampton, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2020Client/ PrivateStatus/ CompletedAward / HRACRE 2020 Best Recreational/Entertainment/Hospitality Project Merit AwardsThis project is Got Fish’s first location in Hampton Roads. Got Fish earned their reputation by providing their customers with fresh, high quality seafood and began to grow their loyal clientele by driving their food truck in seven cities located in the Hampton Roads area. The design …
The Ruff House Play & Stay
The Ruff House Play & StayChesapeake, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2019Client/ PrivateStatus/ CompletedThe sister location of Bayside Kennels, the Ruff House project covers a 10,000SF dog daycare and boarding facility located in Chesapeake, VA. The design involved converting an existing warehouse/office complex into a welcoming and functional space for doggies and other animals with good flow for easy operations. Multiple discussions with the …
The Ruff House Play & Stay II
The Ruff House Play & Stay IIVirginia Beach, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2021Client/ PrivateStatus/ CompletedThe Bayside Kennels in Virginia Beach is a sister location of Ruff House Play & Stay in Chesapeake, which we designed back in 2019. The owners were incredibly happy with the Ruff House design and would like to rebrand the VA Beach location with the same name and …
Honoka Restaurant
Honoka Restaurant1345 Kempsville Road, Suite 100 Virginia Beach VA 23464Type/ Restaurant Time/ 2018 Client/ Honoka Teriyaki Express Contractor/ Spacemakers, Inc. Kitchen Equipment/ Crest Foodservice Equipment Signage/ Cardinal Sign Corporation (Exterior Sign); Image360 (Interior Sign) Furniture/ Goold Furniture & Design (Table and Pendant Light) Status/ CompleteLocated at the intersection of Indian River and Kempsville road, Honoka Teriyaki Express is a prototype …
Hanaki Restaurant
Hanaki RestaurantChesapeake, VAType/ CommercialTime/ 2018Client/ Hanaki SushiStatus/ Construction DocumentHanaki is a sushi restaurant located in Chesapeake VA. After 10 years and a growing popular reputation, the owner decided to update the look of the space into a more contemporary design. The challenge is to keep the existing overall layout to minimize the construction time and cost, while creating a systematic …
Judy’s Restaurant II
Judy’s Restaurant IIChesapeake, VAType / CommercialStatus/ CompletedClient/ Judy’s Sichuan CuisineContractor/ Spacemakers, Inc.This is the second location of Judy’s Sichuan Cuisine. The owner, Judy, challenged GARC to create a different personality at this location, but at the same time integrate similar design elements from its sister location in Virginia Beach. Another challenge we faced was to effectively define the large, open dining …
Six Arts Academy
Six Arts AcademyJiangsu, ChinaTime/ 2016Type/ Campus PlanningStatus/ Design Competition EntryCollaborator/ Southeast University Design InstituteLiuyi Guan is an Art School located in the southeast of China. It is famous for its focus on teaching Chinese tradition to K-12 students. Liuyi means “Six Arts”. Those six arts include Rites, Music, Archery, Charioteering, Calligraphy, and Mathematics. Liuyi origin begins in the Zhou Dynasty …
Judy’s Restaurant I
Judy’s Restaurant IVirginia Beach, VA Type / Commercial Time / 2015 Client / Judy’s Sichuan Cuisine Status / Under Construction Contractor / Spacemakers, Inc. Mural Design / Yizhi XuJudy’s Sichuan already enjoyed a reputation as “Best Chinese Restaurant” in Virginia, as rated by Yahoo Food 2015. But this wasn’t enough for the owner. She also wanted to challenge the stereotypical views …
Urban Thread
Urban ThreadNewark, NYType/ CommercialTime/ 2009Client/ CompetitionStatus/ DesignThe scheme explores how a visitor center can be a discovery device for the city based on the concepts of “thread” and “window.” For the former, the center serves as an interface between interior/exterior, nature/culture, and local/global. For the latter, it uniquely directs visitors’ attention to the city around it, thus encouraging exploration.ConceptA single …